Page 14
Flash
I feel like time is going at a snail’s pace as I wait for Shadow to answer my question. I know that’s not the case, and it’s all in my head. It’s because of how much I’m anticipating whatever he has to say.
“I’m sorry, Flash. If I’m being honest, I very rarely saw Micah, and when I did, it was only in passing. He never really spoke around me now that I’m thinking about it. I’m sorry I don’t have more for you.”
“It’s okay, man. You can’t help not knowing more.”
I wish he had more information for me, but I should have known if he had ever picked up on things not being right in that house with Micah, he’d have already done something about it. I’m just going to have to figure out another way to find out what is really happening in Micah’s life.
Before I can say anything else, I’m interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I have no idea who would be calling me so late. Pulling it from my pocket, I look down and see Micah’s name flashing across my screen. My heart drops to my stomach. I don’t have a good feeling about this, not at all.
“Hello.” I say as calmly as I can as I answer the call.
“Flash.” Micah says down the phone, and there is no mistaking the fact that he’s crying, which immediately causes me to go on high alert.
“Micah, what’s wrong?” I ask while trying to keep my growing worry from coming out. I need to stay calm and level-headed for now. Micah needs me.
“I need help.” He says, sounding so small. He’s breaking my heart.
“Where are you? What’s wrong?”
“I’m where you dropped me off. I’m a little bit hurt, but I’ll survive. I didn’t know who else to call.”
There are clearly things Micah isn’t telling me, but right now that isn’t important. I’ll find out exactly what has happened later; right now I just need to get moving and get to him. He’s my brother, and he needs me. I’d burn down the entire world to get to him when he needs me most, and he clearly needs me now. He wouldn’t be making this call otherwise.
“I’m on my way. Stay where you are.”
“Okay. Thank you, Flash.”
“You’re more than welcome, Micah. If anything happens before I get to you, ring me straight back.”
“I will, I promise. See you soon.”
We hang up, and I can not only feel my hands shaking, but I can see it too. I need to push what I’m feeling to the back of my mind and focus on Micah. Not only do I need to grab one of the SUVs we keep here at The Clubhouse, because there is no way I’m putting an injured child on the back of my bike, but I’m pretty sure I need to find out where the hell Doc is so he can check Micah over once I’ve got him back here. I have so much I need to do right now; where the fuck am I even meant to start?
“Flash.” Jake says, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“Shit, sorry. Micah needs help; I need one of the SUVs to go and get him. I also need to find Doc.”
“Flash stop. Take these; I brought back one of the SUVs from the garage earlier; I haven’t had a chance to put the keys away yet. Take Jake with you and go and get Micah; I’ll find Doc.” Piston says, taking control. No doubt because he can tell my mind is spiraling pretty fucking badly right now.
I go to take the keys Piston is holding out, but before I even have a chance to wrap my hand around them, Jake is there taking the keys instead.
“I’ll drive. You’re going to need to be with Micah once we get to him, and me driving now just makes more sense. Less fucking about once we get to him.”
I nod my head in agreement because he’s not wrong. Depending on just how bad Micah is hurt, he’s going to have my full attention, and if I’m being honest, even driving there wouldn’t be the smartest move; my focus most certainly wouldn’t be on the road. My entire mind is filled with concern for Micah and just what could have happened to him for him to call me this late at night when he’s been hurt. He might have tried to downplay it, but he’s not in a good way right now. What the hell has happened since I dropped him off a few hours ago?
Jake starts to weave his way through The Common Room towards the front doors. I follow behind him, determined to get to my youngest brother as fast as possible. Whatever has happened to cause Micah to call me for help can’t be good. I know it, but whatever has happened, I’ll deal with it and ensure nothing like this happens again. My brother will be protected from everything from now on, even if it’s the last thing I do.
* * *
The journey to Point Park is made in silence, and I appreciate it more than I could possibly explain to Jake at this moment. I need this time to try and figure out what the hell I’m supposed to say to Micah. How the hell do I explain to him that he’s my brother? A brother I had no idea existed until earlier today. Despite my bad feelings about his home life, I have no proof that that’s really the case, and then there’s not knowing if he has any sort of relationship with our father. The news that he’s my brother is going to flip his world on its head just as much as mine. I really fucking hope he takes it well and wants me to be part of his life. I’m not sure how I’d cope with losing another brother, even one I hardly know.
As we round the corner where Point Park is located, Micah is easy to spot. He’s sitting on the ground underneath a streetlight. I can’t see any of his features as his head is currently resting on his knees. That is until he hears the sound of our vehicle approaching and lifts his head.
The first look at his face illuminated under the lights makes me see red. There’s blood drying underneath his nose, and there seems to be the start of bruising forming around his eyes. I know I need to calm myself down before I get out of the vehicle; the last thing Micah needs right now is to see my anger. No, he needs my support; my anger can wait until he’s been treated by Doc and is safe. Then I can let everything I’m feeling out.
“Go get him, Flash. Let’s get him somewhere safe and find out what happened.” Jake says, voice full of understanding, but I can see the underlying anger in his hazel eyes too.
I nod before slipping out of the vehicle and approaching Micah, who looks so fucking small and terrified where he’s sitting on the ground. This is the last fucking time I ever want to see him looking this way. I make a promise to myself in this moment. To make sure he’s protected from this moment on; if I achieve nothing else for the rest of my life, I’ll be happy. My brothers will always be one of my main priorities, whether they’re off living their life like Wyatt or a new addition to my life like Micah. It doesn’t matter; if they need me, I’ll fucking be there. I will do everything within my power to protect them. No matter what.
“Hey Micah. Are you ready to get out of here?” I say gently as I crouch down in front of him. I have to hold myself back from grabbing him and pulling him into my arms; I know it isn’t the time for that. Micah is skittish as fuck right now, and I don’t want to make anything he’s feeling worse.
“Yes, please. I’m sorry to call you out here so late. I just didn’t know what else to do.” He says, voice small, and his eyes are brimming with tears. He’s tearing my heart apart right now.
“No apologizing, Micah. I gave you my number for this reason. Come on, let’s get you up and in the SUV where it’s warm and comfy.”
“Yeah, okay. Where are we going?” He asks as he slowly pushes to his feet. I don’t miss how he only uses one arm to do it, though. The other staying immobile against his chest. It’s more than clear to me that it’s not only his face that’s injured but his arm too. He’s definitely being checked over by Doc once we get back to The Clubhouse.
“The Clubhouse for now.”
I slowly walk next to Micah as we head towards Jake and the SUV. It takes a few minutes longer than it usually would for us to reach where Jake is parked because of the slow and shaky pace Micah is using. As much as I want to scoop him up and carry him to the SUV, I know it’s best to let Micah make his own way there. I have no idea where else he could be hurt, and I’d more than hate myself if I ended up causing him any more pain.
Micah opens the back door to the SUV and gingerly slides in; he goes to shut the door behind himself, but I grab the door and stop him, sliding in next to him. I can’t not sit with him right now. I also have a feeling he could use all the support he could get right now.
“Hey, Micah.” Jake says lightly in greeting, “Let’s get you back to The Clubhouse and checked over.”
Micah doesn’t reply, just gives Jake a small nod before closing his eyes and resting his head against the window, silent tears streaming down his face. I meet Jake’s eyes in the rearview mirror, and I don’t miss his worry for Micah or the fact that it matches the look in my own eyes right now. Jake wastes no time putting the SUV in gear and taking off towards The Clubhouse. We both know it’s better to get there as fast as possible so that Micah can be checked out and treated. Once that happens, I have a feeling it will put not only my mind at rest slightly but Jake’s too. He’s just as worried about Micah as I am.