A.N.: Sorry that this update was a little slow in coming. My computer stuffed up again so I couldn't go online for ages. Then I went away for the Easter holidays and didn't get back till this afternoon. Therefore, you, my darling readers, missed out on a quick update. I'm sorry!

But here's the next chapter anyway!

Chapter 2:

"Joseph?"

Joseph looked up at his mother standing in the doorway. He blinked furiously, trying to stop the tears.

He was lying on his stomach across the bed, staring at the blank wall.

"Joseph, are you going to come down for something to eat?" Isabel asked gently, compassion welling in her heart at the sight of her son.

"I'm not hungry".

Isabel went in and sat down beside him on the bed. She reached over and began to stroke his hair, wanting more than anything to hold him in her arms.

"Joseph, Mi Amor, you must eat something. You can't keep starving yourself for something that clearly was not your fault" Isabel spoke softly, wanting her son to see reason.

"But it was my fault" Joseph whispered, as his tears won the fight and began to stream down his face.

"I knew he was up to something, but I didn't stop him. I just let him do it and now look what's happened".

"How were you to know that Diego was planning something that dangerous? You weren't to know Joseph, so stop blaming yourself, hijo" Isabel almost pleaded as she pulled Joseph up into her arms.

Joseph allowed himself to be wrapped up in warmth and love, while his tears continued to fall.

It had almost been a week since Diego's death, and Joseph was struggling to let go of the blame he kept placing on himself. He knew Carlo was doing better than he was, as he had come by after the funeral a couple of days ago, wanting to go to the hideout. Joseph refused; feeling it wasn't fair to be having fun after one of his best friends had died.

Joseph knew he was rapidly losing the futile fight, so he finally let go, allowing the tears to pour in earnest. He sobbed into his mothers' chest, clinging to her with all he had left.

"That's right, let it out. Let it all out" Isabel murmured into his hair.

She spoke words of comfort, love and hope as she stroked his hair, holding him close and rocking gently.

OoOoOoOo

"Mamá?"

"Sí, Joseph?" Isabel looked up from her baking. She was making Joseph's favourite; chocolate brownies.

"Can I please talk to you?" he asked politely, absently twisting his fingers together.

"Of course" Isabel smiled warmly, gesturing towards the seat on the other side of the bench she was working at.

Isabel was pleased to see that since her talk with Joseph almost a month ago, he was making a lot of progress. He had spent most of his time with Carlo at their hideout.

They had taken some officers there, two weeks ago now, to look at the plan for the prank that ended up taking Diego's life. The plans had all been discussed, and it was formally proven that Carlo and Joseph were not at all responsible for what happened. This was a relief to all involved, including Diego's family.

It also helped give Joseph closure. He was finally moving on from his friends' death, and was no longer blaming himself.

Life was, slowly, returning.

Isabel watched her son quietly as he gathered his thoughts and looked up seriously.

"Mamá, I want to apologise for what I said to you the day that Diego died".

Isabel searched her sons' eyes, trying to remember what he had said.

Joseph saw her look and elaborated.

"I said you were being silly about not feeling safe here and that you felt something bad was going to happen. It did, Diego was killed. You were right after all and I'm sorry I didn't just listen to you and leave when you wanted to".

Isabel's confused look changed to one of comprehension before it softened to a look of compassion.

"Joseph, sweetheart, don't be sorry because you were right to question me" Isabel spoke softly.

Joseph frowned in confusion, tilting his head to the side.

"I was just being paranoid. Yes, Diego was killed, but did you ever consider what could have happened if you weren't here? We all know that you saved Carlo by stopping him from going to get Diego when the bombs were being set. We can also tell from the plans that you wanted it to be less harmful. If you weren't there, those two boys could have planned something more dangerous, hurting more people.

"I'm glad we've stayed because we've both learned some valuable lessons and made some very strong friendships in the process. Pain and suffering will just make us stronger in the long run and will also teach us how to help others when it happens to them".

Isabel stopped mixing and walked around the bench to Joseph, gathering him up in her arms.

"Ah, mi chico. We will be all right. We don't need to run anymore" Isabel murmured.

"Thanks Mamá. Te quiero" Joseph smiled, kissed his mother on her cheek, before walking out into the garden.

Isabel just smiled as she watched her son leave, before picking up the spoon and continuing to mix the ingredients together.

OoOoOoOo

"I'm going to become a fireman when I grow up" Carlo states, skimming a stone across the calm sea.

"Why?" Joseph asked, thinking his friend had finally gone mad. They were having a light-hearted talk about what they wanted to do as their career. Joseph didn't think Carlo was being serious.

"Dunno. It's just what everyone says". Yes, Carlo was definitely mad.

"Well I want to go to university and learn heaps of different languages" Joseph, the just recently turned 16 year old.

"Then what?" Carlo asks, stooping down, picking up another flat stone, and inspecting it in his palm.

"Dunno. Maybe translate for some rich foreigners" Joseph offered, not really knowing what he wanted to do after that.

Carlo flipped the stone over in his hand before flinging it out over the water.

They both silently watched the stone bounce from wave to wave before Carlo began searching for another.

"I want to join the army" Carlo finally speaks, bringing Joseph out of his reverie of far off lands.

"The army? Really?"

"Yeah…it would be great. I could be one of the people that plans out the missions" Carlo paused in his stone hunting to truly consider his words.

Both boys think in silence, the only sound is that of the waves breaking quietly upon the beach.

"Yeah…" Joseph agrees, picturing it in his mind, "you would be great at that Carlo. I think that's what you should do".

"Great! And you know what you should do?" Carlo looks to Joseph, an idea lighting up his face.

"What?" Joseph asks, waiting for an insane answer like 'you should be a ballerina'.

"You should be a bodyguard for a celebrity or something. Someone famous" Carlo looks excited at this, his sight far off, dreaming of the future.

"Hmm…" Joseph murmurs, perhaps Carlo still does have some good ideas.

"I would still have to join the army first. And I still want to learn more languages" Joseph explains, looking for any faults in the idea.

"Well, go to university, learn your languages then join the army. You could do anything to do with security then!" Carlo exclaims, his mind set.

"Yeah, but what if I don't want to do security? What if I change my mind?" Joseph asks, not really considering changing his mind, but loving to watch Carlo think.

"That doesn't matter, you can – hey, is that mum?" Carlo interrupts himself pointing up the beach.

Joseph shields his eyes against the sun, looking at the quickly approaching figure.

"Carlo! Joseph! Come quickly! " Carlo's mother calls, gesturing urgently.

Both boys run to meet her.

"Joseph, you must come with me! Your mother has been hurt and is asking for you" Carlo's mother grabs them both by the wrists and begins to drag them towards Joseph's house.

A great sense of horror fills Joseph as he allows himself to be pulled along. He again has the feeling that something has gone horribly wrong…

A.N.: I'm so bad with cliff-hangers! Please review! Criticism is welcome! And yes, I do realise my writing isn't as good as it was but I'm getting back into it. Stay with me!