[b Chapter 8 - We’re Coming Home]
Geoff felt anxiety claw at his heart as they neared the destination on the GPS. There was no way he was going to back out; Michael needed him. But he couldn’t help but wonder what would be waiting for them. Would Michael’s dad be there? Would there be anyone left to rescue? His mind was swirling at a thousand miles an hour, and it made the brunet nauseous.
“Geoff.” Sadie looked back at him; her eyes were soft. “Take a deep breath. We can’t think the worst before we get there.”
He was stricken with her accuracy. “How-”
“I’ve told you before, I’m good at reading people.” She shrugged and turned back around. “Worrying is your best, and worst, trait.”
Geoff said nothing to her and glanced at his friends. Ryan and Daniel were talking amongst themselves, but he couldn’t hear what they were saying. Jack was glancing out the window, a hard look in his eyes. This journey had taken a lot out of them both; he’d be glad when they could act like normal teenagers again. Andrew was staring at the floor, watching Ryan and Daniel converse. He truly hadn’t grasped how worried the sandy-blond boy was until they’d been reunited with the two youngest members of their group. Andrew cared a lot more than anyone realized.
“Geoff?” Daniel squeaked. His voice was so quiet and small that Geoff had barely registered it. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, buddy.”
“What if we can’t save Michael?”
The older boy felt his heart shatter. Daniel’s grasp on the situation was incredible, but he was still only a child. Of course, he was going to think the worst. “Well, like Sadie said to me, we can’t think like that. We can’t lose hope now. We’ve come too far.”
“Geoff is right,” Jack added. “And don’t tell me that thinking negatively is what brought you this far. You and Ryan were determined, and you should be even now.”
“I’d go as far as to say you should be proud of yourselves.” Andrew meekly added his own voice into the mix. “I’m super fucking angry at both of you for not coming to us, and I’ll probably be mad about it forever. But… You guys were also very brave. Not a lot of adults would risk so much for someone.”
Ryan beamed at the praise. “Thank you, Andrew. For believing in us even when you were angry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we’re all here.”
Brian laughed softly from the front. “I’m… glad I was able to reunite you guys, honestly. I think, once we’re back home, we should…” He felt his cheeks grow warmer. “We should start over…”
The boys in the back kept silent for a moment, taking in Brian’s words. Then, after a moment, Geoff nodded. “Yeah, Brian. We’d like that.”
“Guys.” Sadie’s voice, filled with grim determination, broke the enlightening conversation. “We’re here.”
The silence that fell amongst them was deafening as they all got a look at the house. Daniel and Ryan gasped as they rose from their hiding spots, no longer at risk of being caught. The house looked as if it had the potential to be beautiful but being abandoned for so long had worn on the outside, giving it an almost horror movie cliché look. A few of the windows were broken in spots, and most of the wooden paneling on the outside was missing. Paint was chipped off the exterior in a consistent manner, and shingles were falling off the roof steadily. There was a sign on the front door that said ‘CONDEMNED’ in bright red letters, with red caution tape covering the door. Where the seal on the tape hadn’t been broken, Geoff assumed that, if Michael was here, his father was using the back door or a different entrance.
Brian did a quick perimeter scan. “Well, from what I can tell, no one else is here. Michael’s dad would have to have a vehicle to get from here to Austin every day. Which means Michael should be alone.”
“I don’t want to be here.” Daniel’s eyes were wide. “Michael must be so scared.”
Jack nodded his agreement. “Well, we’re here to get him so he won’t be scared anymore. Let’s make a plan, yeah?”
Sadie nodded. “Here’s an idea; Brian, take Geoff, Jack, and Andrew around the house to look for hidden entrances like cellars or underground hatches. I can take Ryan and Daniel in the house and look on the first floor.”
“Now wait-” Geoff started, but Sadie held a hand up to silence him.
“I say this because it’ll be safer.” She leveled her gaze with Geoff’s. “If the younger boys and I are on the first floor and we hear someone coming, we can book it out of there a lot quicker and easier than if we were in a basement or a shed. And if there’s less of us, we have a better chance of remaining hidden if we can’t escape right away.”
“She has a point.” Andrew nodded.
“We’re more capable of kicking ass to escape,” Jack added. “Sadie is perfectly capable of defending herself, but Daniel and Ryan are so young. Being able to run and hide is a better option for them.”
“But… Okay.” Geoff relented. “You’re right; it makes the most sense. Just… be careful, okay?”
Daniel grabbed Geoff’s hand. “You too, Geoff. We just got back together.”
“Yeah, and we’ll stay that way!” Ryan looked determined. “I promise that I’ll find you and kick your ass if you go missing this time!”
Geoff laughed quietly. “Big words for a shrimp.” But he nodded. “Same goes for you guys. Now, are we going to sit here all day, or are we going to save our friend?”
“Let’s go!”
--
Michael felt hopeless.
The ray of light that he clung to so dearly was faded from view as the sun began to set. Though it was still light outside, none filtered through the hole in the window. He felt more alone than ever before.
He wondered when his father would return. Michael had really pissed him off by not eating that sandwich. Even now, he glanced at it as it lay on the floor. He couldn’t tell if bugs had already started crawling on it, but he guessed they were.
Michael’s ears perked when he heard voices outside, but he couldn’t distinguish them. He shrugged. It didn’t matter anyway. He’d be dead soon or forgotten.
It just… didn’t matter.
--
“Stay behind me,” Sadie warned. Without saying anything, Daniel clung to her waist, Ryan then clinging to Daniel. “That works.” She jiggled the doorknob to the back door. “Locked.” She laughed. “He picked the wrong girl to lock out.”
Ryan watched Sadie wide-eyed as she used a hairpin to pick the lock. “Woah, where did you learn to do that?”
“Practice makes perfect.” Once she heard a click, she dropped the pin and opened the door. “I don’t want to see either of you guys practicing that trick. It could get you in a lot of trouble.”
“Have you gotten in trouble for it, Miss Sadie?” Daniel asked.
She nodded. “More than you’ll ever know, kiddo. Now be quiet; we’re going in.” When Daniel and Ryan looked ready, she walked into the house with the boys still attached to her waist.
The room was a kitchen at one point, though Sadie could argue it was more of a wasteland now. The stove was rusted and unusable, and the sink full of murky water. There were leaves and patches of mold throughout the room – likely due to the broken windows – and a fridge in the corner that Sadie decided she’d rather not open in this lifetime.
“Woah…” Ryan took the condition of the room in. “Someone’s been living here?”
Sadie shook her head. “I only think he’s been keeping Michael here. We think that his dad must be going back and forth between here and his old house in Austin. Either way, no one should be staying here.”
Daniel squealed in terror as a mouse ran by, the action causing Ryan to become detached from his friend. “Daniel!” the shorter child whined.
“Sorry!” The Brit took a deep breath and let go of Sadie. “I just… Got scared.”
“I don’t blame you,” Sadie added. “Come on; we have more ground to cover.”
Ryan and Daniel nodded. “I hope Geoff and the others are okay.”
“Me too.” Sadie said nothing after that and lead them out of the kitchen and into what looked like the living area. From the entrance of the kitchen, they saw a few doors. One was directly to their right; the door was open and lead to a room with a tile floor. “Looks like a bathroom.”
Daniel parted from the group and stuck his head in, instantly gagging and coming back out. “Smells like a bloody bathroom.”
“Get back over here!” Sadie snapped. “What if Michael’s dad had been in there?!”
“Sorry.” The Brit lowered his head and walked back over to Sadie. “Michael wouldn’t be in there though, would he?”
The elder female shook her head. “Not a chance. He’d be locked away.” Sadie saw two doors to the left of the kitchen, separated by about ten feet of wall. The first door was closest to them, and it had a locking mechanism on the wrong side. The second door was closest to the taped-off front door and was a set of double sliding doors. One of the doors was slightly cracked open. “If he’s here, he’d be in this room.” Sadie held out her arm. “You two, hold my hand. Now.”
Ryan and Daniel nodded. Daniel grabbed her hand tightly, and Ryan held onto her wrist.
“On the count of three, we go in.” Sadie looked at the boys, and then back to the door. Her free hand was on the lock. “Ready? One…”
“Two…” Daniel counted.
Ryan gulped. “Three!”
At the final count, Sadie unlocked the door and flung it open. “Oh my god.”
“Michael!” Daniel let go of Sadie’s hand and ran into the room, Ryan following suit.
“Wait!” Sadie hissed. She partially closed the door and entered the room. “What… what did he do to you…?”
The redhead, though injured and dazed, seemed shocked to see someone besides his father in the room. “Daniel? Ryan? Is… Is that… really you guys?”
“Yeah, Michael, it’s us.” Daniel smiled, tears rolling down his cheeks. “We’re here to take you home…”
--
Brian watched Sadie, Daniel, and Ryan disappear into the house with a frown on his face. “I hope they’ll be okay.”
“They have each other,” Geoff reminded him. “Sadie will take care of them. And those two aren’t exactly useless; they survived a day and a half just relying on each other.”
“I know.” The older male laughed bitterly. “To think, just two years ago I was telling them how stupid they were. If only I knew how wrong I was.”
“Hey guys!” Jack called. “I didn’t see a shed but look!” He pointed to the end of the house. “There’s a cellar!”
Geoff fist-pumped the air. “Score! Great work! Let’s break in and see what’s down there.”
Jack walked up to the cellar doors, Brian, Andrew, and Geoff in tow. “There’s no lock on it.”
“Which mean its unlikely Michael would be down there.” Andrew hummed. “But we should look anyway. We can’t afford to leave any stones unturned.”
“Right.” The ginger male opened the cellar doors and signaled to the others, turning his phone’s flashlight on and walking down the steps. The metal stairs creaked, but Jack was grateful the steps were otherwise sturdy. “Geoff, is your phone still alive?”
“Barely.” But he followed suit and turned the flashlight on. Brian mimicked the motion. “I don’t hear anyone down here. But let’s see what we can find.”
Andrew forced himself to the front of the group; being the only one without a flashlight, he opted to investigate ahead of the others. “It looks like someone’s been down here, though. But not in a long time.”
“Yeah, almost as if it was only a transfer ground.” Jack shrugged. “If it has anything to do with those missing children’s cases you looked up, it doesn’t have anything to do with us.”
“Well no, but it’s dirt on the fucker if we get him caught.” Geoff cast the flashlight beam around the entire back of the cellar. “Either way, besides dirt, old paint, and canned food that expired in 2002, there’s not much here.”
Brian groaned. “Looks like this was a colossal waste of time.”
“No, not really.” Andrew shook his head. “We’re covering all of our bases.”
Jack nodded his agreement. “Yeah. And now that we’ve covered this base, we should meet up with Sadie, Ryan, and Daniel inside. Hopefully they’ve found something.”
As the four boys climbed out of the cellar, they remained on alert. They were fairly closed off from the outside as they were underground, but now that they were back above ground, something was amiss.
“Do you hear that?” Andrew’s voice was a whisper. “Listen.”
Silence. And then “Yelling,” was Geoff’s answer. “Something’s wrong. Let’s go!”
--
“Poor kid.” Sadie glanced sadly at the redhead; he was bruised and covered in dried blood. But he was alive, and that alone was enough to lift her spirits. She pulled her phone out of her pocket to text Geoff that she’d found Michael but hissed in annoyance when the device wouldn’t power on. “Fuckin’ shitty battery.”
Putting Geoff and the others in the back of her mind temporarily, she walked over to Michael and knelt on the debris-covered floor. “Hi there, Michael.”
The redhead was dazed but knew he didn’t recognize the female before him. “…the fuck are you?”
Sadie admired that Michael still had enough fire in him to curse at her. “My name is Sadie. I’m one of Geoff’s friends.”
Daniel and Ryan both nodded in agreement when Michael slowly looked at them for confirmation. “She’s really cool!” Ryan cheered. “She helped Geoff, Jack, and Andrew find this place.”
“Even big dumb Brian helped us!” Daniel relayed. “Turns out he’s not so big or dumb after all.”
Sadie went to add to Daniel’s comment, but she felt a chill up her spine. A noise in the distance called to her, and she instinctively stood. “Ryan, Daniel. Help Michael up. We’re leaving.” Her crystal blue eyes were stone cold.
“Actually,” a voice boomed from the kitchen. “Y’all aren’t goin’ anywhere.”
Sadie backed the younger children into a corner and shielded them. “Who’s there?”
“Why, who do ya think, sweetheart?” From the doorway emerged a tall, scraggly-looking man. “Your worst nightmare, that’s who.”
“That’s...” Daniel’s eyes widened in fear.
Ryan gulped. “Michael’s dad.”
Michael used Daniel to shield himself from his father’s view. “Don’t… Don’t leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere, Michael.” The Brit wrapped his arms protectively – but carefully – around the redhead. “We’re going to get you out of here.”
The man laughed. “Fat chance.” He walked closer to Sadie, meeting her eyes. “You’re a pretty little thing, ain’t ya? What’dya want with my useless kid?”
Sadie didn’t bother to answer.
“I don’t think you heard me.” The male cupped Sadie’s chin in his hand. “When I ask a question, little lady, I expect an answer-”
“Don’t touch them!”
“Geoff!” Ryan squealed in excitement.
Michael looked above Daniel’s shoulder, unable to believe what he heard. Sure enough, though a bit blurry, Geoff was now in the doorway, as was Jack, Andrew, and who he assumed was Brian. “See?” Michael felt himself grow stronger, relieved he was wrong. “I told you… I told you they’d come for me.”
While Michael’s father was distracted, Sadie headbutted the man in the nose. “Don’t lay your filthy hands on me or anyone else!” she hissed.
The male screeched and stumbled back, knocking himself into Brian before being shoved away. “You little bitch. You’ll pay for that.”
“Try me.” Sadie only kept her defensive stance. “Give up you old fuck. You’re outnumbered.”
“Y’all forget that I’m bigger than-”
[i “Mr. Davis, this is the City of Austin Police Department. Come out with your hands up!”]
His eyes widened. “How…?”
Daniel snickered, pulling out Barbara’s phone. The screen was alight. “It’s been on since we got here, and I know they’ve been tracking it since I’ve been missing.”
“Daniel!” Jack’s eyes widened. “I’m impressed!”
Ryan smiled at his friend. “I guess I was wrong. Barbara’s phone came in handy after all.”
“You little shit!” He stomped back towards the bedroom, a pocketknife in hand.
“No!” Andrew lunged at the man, clinging to his back. It wasn’t long before the older of the two had Andrew turned around, the blade at his throat.
“Andrew!” Geoff stepped forward but was held back by Brian and Jack. “What are you guys doing? I need to help Andrew!”
“If you try to help Andrew, he’ll die!” Jack snapped.
Brian nodded. “Besides, hold up. Andrew’s not stupid; I think he’s plotting something.”
With Andrew in his grasp, Michael’s dad dragged him to the front door and opened it, tearing the caution tape. On the lawn were several police cruisers and an ocean of blue-clad officers. “You try anything, and I’ll kill this kid!” he yelled. “Get out of here and I’ll let him go free!”
“Fucking kill me then!” the sandy blond boy shrieked. “I don’t care what happens to me as long as Michael’s safe!”
“Shut up, Andrew!” Geoff muttered.
“Shh, he’s stalling.” Brian looked nervous. “Or, that’s what I hope he’s doing.”
Jack glanced over to Sadie, Daniel, Ryan, and Michael. Now that the immediate threat had moved, Michael was being hoisted up on Sadie’s back. “Be careful with him, Sadie.”
“Got it,” she responded. Michael was easier to move now; between the fatigue of the past few days and the relief of being found, the boy could no longer keep himself upright and had passed out. Sadie had initially panicked but had checked his vitals and declared him stable enough to survive being moved. She made a voiceless signal to the two children behind her, who quietly booked it out of the room. Once they had ducked into the kitchen, she followed behind them and signaled for Geoff, Jack, and Brian to do the same.
Jack and Brian went to follow but noticed Geoff didn’t move. “Geoff, come on,” Jack urged. “Andrew’s smart; he’ll be all right.”
With one last look at the scene in the front door, he nodded. “All right.”
Andrew squirmed in the man’s tight grip. “If you’re going to kill me, then do it! Michael will escape!”
“Shut up!” the man hissed. “I’ll kill you and then I’ll kill all yer friends, too!”
“That seems unlikely!” a voice chided.
Andrew and Michael’s father snapped their heads in the direction of the voice; while Andrew had Michael’s dad distracted, Sadie and the others managed to escape with Michael in tow. “See? We fucking won!”
“No!” The elder male screamed.
While he was distracted by the sudden loss of his other hostages, the pressure on Andrew was lessened and the knife was lowered. As if he knew what was going to happen, Andrew pushed on the older man and launched himself backward – just in time for a police officer to fire a bullet at Mr. Davis’ knee to cripple him.
Andrew ignored the screams from the man as he collapsed down the front stairs; he dove through the sea of officers to make it over to where Geoff and his friends stood. “You all made it-”
“Why would you put yourself at risk like that?!” Geoff snapped. “You could’ve died!”
The sandy blond shrunk back. “But I-”
“Geoff, let it go.” Jack smiled. “We’re all okay, and we have Michael back.”
The brunet sighed and wrapped Andrew in a hug. “Thank you, Andrew. You saved us all.”
The next series of events passed in a blur for the group. Upon the detention of Mr. Davis, the police confirmed the identities of Daniel, Ryan, and Michael. Though the entire group was on thin ice due to the circumstances of their disappearances, the police let them off easy. Geoff would later say that it was because “they looked like a bunch of homeless children with puppy eyes” and “couldn’t bear to see them separated again”.
The sun had almost completely set when the ambulance arrived.
“You should all go, too,” an officer suggested. “Michael Davis’ care will be prioritized, but you all look worse for wear.”
“I’m fine,” Daniel argued. “Right, Geoff?”
Geoff shook his head. “We should probably listen to him, Dan. We’re in enough trouble as it is.”
“The department is in contact with your guardians, and they will meet you at the hospital in Austin.” The officer bowed. “Get a move on.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ryan lead the way to the back of the ambulance, climbing in and sitting as close as he could to Michael. He could see that the redhead was starting to stir as an EMT stuck an IV in his arm. “Michael!”
“Ryan…?” The curly-haired child seemed confused. “Where… where am I? Where are the others?”
“We’re right here, kiddo.” It was Brian who spoke. “We’ll explain everything later, but… You made it.”
“We’re in an ambulance bound for Austin,” Jack relayed. “Daniel’s parents and Ryan’s mom will be meeting us there.”
“I… I’m alive.” Michael allowed tears to roll down his face. “I’m going home.”
--
The ride to the hospital was thankfully short-lived, and the staff at the hospital polite and professional. While the staff had to split the group to give them a once-over, they cooperated with the promise to be herded back together as soon as Michael was cleared for visitors. The odd group sat in the waiting room, Geoff talking to a nurse while they waited.
“So, I got an update,” Geoff announced, walking back over to the group. “Michael’s gonna be okay. He’s got some bruising, a few cuts, a broken wrist, and a very slight concussion, but he’s on the road to recovery.”
Ryan released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “I’m glad.”
“Me too,” Andrew agreed. “When can we go in and see him?”
“The nurse said whenever the doctor is done with him. So literally any minute now.” Geoff shrugged and went to sit down, but never got the chance.
“Friends of Michael Davis?” All the bodies in the waiting room rose. The doctor chuckled. “As we promised, I’ll take you to see your friend. Follow me.”
The crew wasted no time in hurrying after the doctor, Geoff leading the way. The doctor pointed to a room and said nothing more, instead ushering them all inside. “Michael.” He smiled at his friend. “It’s good to fuckin’ see you.”
Michael giggled, likely under the influence of some good painkillers. “You shouldn’t swear around kids, Geoff. You’re a bad fuckin’ influence.”
Ryan and Daniel ran up to the redhead and hugged him gently. “You’re looking better!” The Brit chirped.
“Apparently my wrist is broken,” the redhead explained. “But I can’t feel it.”
Sadie laughed from the back of the room. “You’re on painkillers and also wearing a cast, silly.”
Michael followed her voice until his eyes met hers. “I still don’t really fuckin’ know who you are, or why Brian is here.”
Before Brian could speak, Geoff said “Brian picked up Ryan and Daniel as they were trying to find you. It’s only thanks to him that we made it when we did.”
“Oh.” A shrug. “I guess you’re only a little bit of an asshole now.”
“Ha-ha, funny.” Brian rolled his eyes, but Geoff caught the newfound fondness in them. “Good to see that you’re still you.”
Andrew snorted. “Anyway, Sadie is my friend. We met… well, you don’t need to know that, but she helped us find you.”
Michael blinked. “Y’know, I think I remember her saying that to me.”
“Don’t strain yourself, kiddo.” Jack smiled fondly. “We all know your brain doesn’t work on the best of days.”
“Fuck you too, Jack.”
“Michael! Ryan!”
Ryan’s head whipped around at the voice, and his heart almost exploded. “Mom!” The short brunet ran up to the woman in the doorway, clinging to her as if she’d disappear if he let go. “I’m so sorry, Mom.” He began to sob into her legs. “I’m so sorry.”
“Shh, Ryan. I’m just glad you and Michael are safe.” Ryan’s mother walked over to Michael’s bedside, Ryan still attached to her legs, and put her hand on Michael’s. “My boys are safe.”
Michael smiled at her. “Sorry for the trouble, Ms. Boyington.”
“I suppose I have all of you to thank, for bringing the boys back.” Ms. Boyington held her hand out to Geoff. “Thank you.”
Geoff took her hand and shook it. “We’d do it again if we had to.”
The room was silent for a moment; enough to hear a few sets of footsteps approach the door. A soft knock was followed by “Daniel?”
“Mom? Dad?” Daniel looked over to the door. “Barbie?”
Barbara was in the room first, wrapping Daniel in a hug. “You scared me so badly, Daniel. I thought you were gone forever.” Her eyes were bloodshot, and her cheeks wet; she’d been crying. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Sorry, Barbie.” Daniel hugged her back before reaching into his pocket and giving her the phone. “I’m also sorry for taking your phone without asking.”
“Keep it.” The blonde smiled at him. “I’ll get another one. If anything like this ever happens again, I want you to call me. Understand?”
“Yeah.” Daniel wiggled out of her grip and looked over at his parents, who were standing in the doorway. “I’m… I’m sorry-”
He was unable to finish his sentence; his mother scooped him up and squeezed him tight. “Oh Daniel, I’m sorry. We should’ve been there that night, but we weren’t.”
His father hummed an affirmation before joining their little hug. “We’re glad you’re safe, Daniel. I don’t know what we’d have done if we’d lost you.”
“I’m guessing these are your friends?” Daniel nodded to his mother. “I’m grateful you have them, Dan. Would you… tell us about them when we get back home?”
Daniel’s eyes lit up. “That’d be top!”
Andrew, Geoff, Jack, Sadie, and Brian shared a look of contentment. “It’s nice,” Jack started. “To see them reunite with their parents.”
“Yeah.” Andrew’s eyes shone with unshed tears; he was truly happy that things had gone so well in the end. “I’m glad we were able to help.”
Brian smiled and looked at his phone. “Well, the tow guy is here with my truck; I’m going to head home and tell Mom what happened.”
“Bye, Brian. Be safe.” Sadie waved him off. “He’s soft as a teddy bear.”
“Oh yeah. It’ll be so easy to pick on him for it later.” Geoff laughed.
The blonde female nodded her agreement. “Yeah, for sure.” She stretched. “I should go home, too. My phone died a few hours ago and I’m sure my parents will be wondering where I’ve been.”
As she walked off, Geoff grabbed her hand. “Wait!” His face was red, and he only made eye contact with the floor. “Thank you so much. For everything you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome, Geoff.” She smiled at him. “See you soon?”
“Yeah.” Geoff waved as she walked out of the room.
“You owe me ten bucks, Jack.” Andrew smirked. “I told you he was crushing on her.”
“God dammit Andrew.”
Geoff turned to them both, his face a shade of red. “You idiots bet on me?!”
After the laughter in the room died down, Michael looked at everyone that remained. Daniel was babbling to his parents, and Ryan was giving an over-exaggerated account of the journey to Georgetown. He felt himself start to cry but made no attempt to wipe the tears away. He felt so foolish thinking that his friends wouldn’t be there for him. But none of that mattered now. He was free. He was safe.
He was home.
[i The Amber Alert for the three children who disappeared from Austin, TX is no longer in effect. All three children have returned home safely.]
--
A year had passed since Michael’s rescue, and the bond between the boys grew stronger with each passing day.
Geoff and Sadie had officially gotten together six months after bringing Michael home, and have practically been inseparable ever since. Geoff felt the final piece of his heart being put in place, and Sadie was officially accepted into the group.
Brian formally apologized to the group for the past, though he was instantly forgiven. “After all,” Michael had said. “Anyone willing to risk everything for a kid he barely knew couldn’t be a bad person.”
With a push from his friends, Andrew finally agreed to move in with Jack and Geoff with Jack’s grandparent’s permission. The elderly couple got one look at Andrew’s baby face and couldn’t say no. Though he had to put up with the constant babying from them, he decided it was a worthwhile sacrifice.
Michael had officially been adopted into Ryan’s family, but he had opted to keep his last name. “I want to prove to the world that my family isn’t all bad,” he had said when Ryan inquired about it.
After a long talk with his parents, Daniel was finally happy at home. His parents were still away from home often, but when they returned, they always made time for Daniel. He finally felt like he did in the UK; he had his parents back.
Currently, Geoff, Jack, Andrew, Michael, Daniel, and Ryan found themselves in the park, watching the sky as the afternoon transitioned to evening.
“You know,” Geoff started. “Who could’ve guessed that our lives would bring us to this very moment?”
“I don’t think I could’ve ever foreseen this,” Daniel answered. “I thought for sure I’d be alone forever. But I was wrong.”
Andrew hummed his agreement. “I didn’t think I’d ever get off the streets, but I’m glad I did. I wonder where I’d be right now if I hadn’t protected Daniel that day at school, or saved Michael from an angry baker that night.”
Michael snorted. “Well I’d probably have been baked into a loaf of bread. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how angry that fucker looked.”
“Would they name the bread ‘angry asshole’ in your honor?” Ryan asked with a snicker.
“Shut the fuck up, Ryan.”
“I wonder if we could’ve done anything to prevent what happened to you, Michael.” Jack leaned against a tree and glanced at the sky. The sudden subject change caught the group’s attention. “Is it something that had to happen, or is it something that we could’ve stopped?”
“I get what you’re saying,” Ryan responded. “I ask myself that a lot. But despite everything we went through, we made it to the other side, right?”
The redhead shrugged. “I don’t honestly care about that anymore.”
Jack glanced quickly at the redhead; he didn’t look like he was lying. “Care to elaborate?”
“I mean just that; I don’t fucking care about that anymore. I don’t think that we could’ve prevented it but look at how much we grew because of it. Fuck that asshole that calls himself a father; I’ve got better family now than I ever did before.” He sighed and smiled at the sky. “Mom would be proud of me. That’s all I care about.”
“I think my parents would be proud of me, too.” Jack shared a look with Michael. “They were always the type of people to help those in need; if they knew what we all did last summer, I honestly think they’d be proud of all of us.”
The group fell into a comfortable silence as hues of orange and pink filled the sky. The night was perfect; not too hot, not too cold. There were sounds of cars on the road, but they could barely be heard from the spot they chose. The only other soul that was in the park was an elderly couple walking their small dog. Everything seemed perfect, like a work of art in a museum.
After a few minutes of silence, Michael finally spoke. “I… I really want to thank you guys.”
Ryan was the first one to respond. “For what?”
The redhead turned to face his friends and smiled brighter than the sun. “For being my friends, and for helping me feel like I belong.”
With a hearty laugh, Geoff reached over to Michael and gave him a hug. One-by-one, the rest of them followed suit, until they were one giant human pile. “You’re welcome, Michael.”
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Geoffrey Wilson, age sixteen. Lives with his best friends Jack Miller and Andrew Fink in a modest home in Austin, Texas. He is well-liked amongst his peers and has five incredible friends who will back him up no matter what. Though he still misses his mother, he has pushed forward to find his place in the world.
Jack Miller, age sixteen. Lives with his loving grandparents in Austin, Texas with his best friend Geoff Wilson, and recently Andrew Fink. Through the hardships he has faced, he has blossomed into a vocal, confident young man with an iron will. Though he still craves solitude from time-to-time, he finally feels as if he truly belongs.
James Fink, age fifteen. Goes by Andrew to those who know him, and even to those who don’t. Though he was once homeless, he’s finally found a place he can call home, and good friends to share it with. His dream to shelter homeless children has not changed, and with the friends he has by his side, he knows he can accomplish anything.
Michael Davis, age thirteen. Widely known for his determination and ability to accomplish anything he sets his mind to. After being accepted into his best friend, Ryan Boyington’s, family, he finally feels as if he’s less of a burden and allows himself to act like a child. Though shadows of his father still haunt him, he knows that nothing, and no one, can touch him.
Ryan Boyington, age twelve. Lives with his mother and adopted brother, Michael Davis. With strength Ryan didn’t know he possessed; he was able to overcome his fear of being alone. Part of Ryan wishes his father would come home, and though he knows it won’t happen, he knows he’ll be okay. He has his friends by his side.
And Daniel Smith, age twelve. Five years ago, he was moved from the UK to Austin, Texas, and though the road ahead was a bumpy one, he has overcome the potholes and made it to smoother plains. With a newfound strength, Daniel was able to break down to his parents and spend more time with them. He knew it wouldn’t have been possible without Geoff and his other friends.
Fate has funny ways of bringing people together. Though these six boys don’t have much in common in the beginning, they all have one thing they share; the want for love, friendship, and belonging. And though the journey was a difficult one, they finally found their way.
Their stray hearts have finally found peace, and a place to call home.