Rick had been walking around the house for about 15 minutes now. He had absolutely no idea where Erin had gone or where he was going to find her. He had searched just about every place. All of a sudden an idea hit him. He ran off down the corridor and to the left where a large wooden door stood. The attic. It was usually locked and all the kids had been banned from going up there since there had been a fire and Gus had fallen through it.
Unsurprisingly it was unlocked. There were steps leading up to it so Rick carefully crept up feeling along the wall for the light switch. He heard sniffing and saw a shape hunched up in the corner. Rick still couldn't find the light and crept around for 5 minutes until he finally did.
Then he saw Erin. She was rubbing her red eyes and sat up against the wall. "I'm really sorry; I didn't mean to upset you." Rick said sadly. "It wasn't your fault I was just thinking of things, horrible things," Erin replied, smiling sadly. "I don't want to be nosey but what were you thinking about, sometimes it helps if you talk about it with people?" Rick asked.
Erin took a deep breath. This was it; she was going to be judged completely. Rick would be scared and wouldn't ever come near her. She poured out her whole story. Erin couldn't believe she was telling someone she met a few hours earlier all about her life. About the abuse, her parents, what she did to her dad. It just felt like she could really talk to Rick.
After Erin had finished their story they both sat for about ten minutes in silence. "I'm so sorry," Rick said quietly but loud enough for Erin to hear. "It doesn't matter," Erin said wiping her eyes, "I'd rather forget about it and move on. Rick nodded in agreement.
"So what do you like to do in your spare time?" He asked, in an effort to change the subject. Erin smiled. "Well I was alone most of the time but I enjoy singing," Erin admitted. "Are you any good?" Rick asked, laughing. "I like to think so," Erin said. "Well I've got a guitar so we could try out together; I mean I know quite a few songs." Rick said, bashfully. Erin nodded. "I'd like that."
They walked back to Rick's room. It was about 7pm now so mostly everyone was downstairs in the lounge until they were shoved up to bed about 9:30. "So what do you know then?" Rick asked. "Well I know just about every song ever written by Green Day, Pink, and The Foo Fighters," Erin said smiling. Rick looked at her, shocked. "I love all of them!" Rick said, laughing, "Do you know Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day?" "Are you kidding that's like my favourite song!" Erin said.
Rick began to strum out the tune on his guitar and Erin started to sing. She was nervous. She'd never sung in front of anyone before.
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends
like my father's come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when September ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends
summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when September ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends
Rick stared at her unable to say a word…
What did Rick think! And will Carmen's plan be revealed next chapter up tomorrow …