14.

Dougie stood before the front door with his trembling hand just a few centimeters away from the knob. Knowing that Tom would behind it made his heart pump faster and faster. Now he would see himself what he had done to his brother. What pain he has caused him. But he has to go in, he has to make it right.

In a second of bravery he opened the door and barely stepped inside the house when arms were put around his neck.

'I'm so glad you're safe!'

'Mum?' Dougie asked frowning. 'What's going on?'

His mum pulled herself away. 'Where's your brother?' She asked.

'I don't know, I thought he was here'

'DOUGIE WHERE IS TOM?' She yelled and began to walk up and down the hall. The worry on her face was overshadowed with tears that fell down her cheeks. He could see it in her eyes, she was terrified.

'Mum you're scaring me' He said. What was going on? Why is she so upset?

She stopped and looked at him, biting her lip. She then sat down on the couch. 'Come sit next to me' While tapping on the free space next to her.

Dougie carefully did what she said.

'I just got a call from the police.. Your father.. He has broken out of jail'

The world around Dougie disappeared. He felt his scars burn in his skin like they were cut open again. His father's mad face appeared before his eyes. Never had he thought he would have to see them again apart from in his dreams.

Suddenly Dougie felt his mum hugging him, that brought him back to reality. 'Tom' He whispered. 'We have to find Tom!'

'I'm going to look for him' His mother said.

'I'm going too' He said and stood up but his mum took him by the hand and sat him down again.

'You're going to stay here'

'But mum!'

'No honey, I lost you once I'm not going to lose you again. Promise me you'll stay here'

The terrified look still in his mum's eyes had made Dougie change his mind. He can't let her lose both her sons, it would kill her.

'I promise'

She smiled and gave a kiss on his forehead and turned serious again. 'Lock the door, the windows, everything. The police said it would only be a matter of time before he finds us. Don't open the door for anyone, understand me?'

Dougie nodded and his mum raced out of the door. He immediately ran after her to lock the door and then locked all the windows.

He went to his room and lay on his bed, trying to stay calm. She has to find Tom, he can't have him! He can't do the same to Tom! Dougie would rather go through it again than to put Tom through it and besides.. He's already used to the pain.

Dougie jumped up when hearing glass break downstairs followed by footsteps on the stairs.

-He's here.-

Dougie crawled under his bed but halfway under he changed his mind and crawled under Tom's bed which is lower. He had just squeezed himself completely under it when his bedroom door flew open.

He felt his heart beating in his neck as he watched the shoes go through the room. He put a hand before his mouth to soften his breathing.

The shoes first went to his closet. He watched his clothes fall down the floor. Then he went to his desk which was only a few steps away from his hiding spot. Dougie heard his father move things around as he tried to remain silent. He closed his eyes when the footsteps became closer to him until they were standing before his nose.

He stopped breathing and watched the shoes go left and right before walking away to his own bed where he sat down on.

'Dougie?' He couldn't feel more relieved when he heard his mum yell his name. His father immediately jumped up and disappeared through the window. 'DOUGIE?' His mum yelled her longs out when he didn't answer.

Dougie pulled himself from under the bed while his mother ran into his room and let out a sigh of relief when she saw him.

'He.. He was here' Dougie said with a trembling voice. His heart still beating away.

He looked at the door and then at his mum. 'Tom?'

She looked down to hide her teary face and shook her head. Dougie's knees buckled and he fell down on Tom's bed. His hands felt the fabric of the bedspread. The star wars bedspread.

With drowning eyes Dougie lay himself down on the bed and covered his body with the spread. The pillow smelt just like Tom and when Dougie closed his eyes it was like Tom was hugging him.

His mum watched him and tried not to break down crying. She walked to the bed and went through Dougie's hair. When she saw tears falling down his son cheeks she gently wiped them away while fighting her own.

She gave him a kiss and left the room to leave her son alone in his trance, thinking Tom was with him.

I'm sorry I meant to update sooner but things kept popping up. Hope you like the chapter!