Losing Himself

Today was Wednesday and I was at the cafe. Miranda had called me right after school and asked if I could come by the cafe for two hours. I didn't mind because I could do with the extra money.

It was now five thirty and time for me to leave. Carson had asked me to come to his house at six thirty so he can continue helping me with maths. I clocked out and left the cafe. I decided to go to the nearby mall to explore until it was time to go to Carson's house.

I walked through the entire mall and after half an hour of checking out every store, I was ready to leave. I left the mall quickly and walk to Carson's house.

Twenty minutes later, I was ringing the doorbell. Once again, the maid, Ms. Nordia answered the door.

"Oh hello." She said, when she saw me. "If you're here to see Carson, I'm afraid he is not here."

"Where is he?" I asked, as I check the time. It was almost six thirty. He knew I was coming at six thirty.

Ms. Nordia shook her head. "I don't know." Just then, I saw Mrs. Knight came up behind Ms. Nordia.

"Who's at the door, Nordia?" Her eyes then shifted to me. She smile. "Oh hi, Kayla."

"Hello, Mrs. Knight. Do you know where Carson is? We were supposed to work on maths this evening."

"I don't know, dear." Mrs. Knight shrugged. "He was here after school, but he left half an hour ago."

"Okay, thank you." I waved goodbye to Mrs. Knight and left.

When I was out in the driveway of Carson's house, I stop and began to think. I was worried about Carson. I know he wouldn't have gone anywhere, when he knew I was coming to his house. Where could he be? Did he forget that he was supposed to tutor me today?

I took out my phone and tried his number. No answer. It rang out and went straight to voicemail. I tried for a second time, getting the same results.

I began to walk in the direction of my house, when a thought came to me. Maybe he was at the gym where he trains. I turn in the direction of town, where the gym was located.

I found the place with ease, because I remembered that it was two buildings down from the cafe where I work. I went into the building and walk down the stairs. While walking, I saw that the place was vacant. No one was down here. I turn around and left the building again.

It was almost seven o'clock, so I decided to head home. I was walking by an old abandoned junk yard, when I heard a clanging noise. I looked up and saw Carson's car parked there. Glad that I found him, I went towards the junk yard.

When I entered, I spotted Carson immediately. He was on the other side of his car, throwing empty bottles against some old metals. What in the world was he doing?

"Carson!" I called, walking up to him. "Carson what are you doing?"

Carson turned by the sound of my voice. "Kitttenn." He stretched the letters out. He stumbled as he walked towards me. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you drunk?" I asked, watching every move he makes.

"Nope," he said, then grin. "Of course not. If I was drunk, would I do this?" He picked up another empty glass bottle and throw it at the old metal. It made a loud noise through the quiet surrounding.

"Carson, stop that. Are you crazy? You could get in serious trouble if a patrol car should pass by here. You're not supposed to be here." I shouted at him.

"I'm not? Of course I am, because I'm a...Scorpio." He pointed at his chest. "Do you know why cars drive instead of fly?" He asked, his words slurred. He scrunched up his eyebrows as if it was a world changing question. "I think it's because they are a fish."

"Right." I said, walking over to him and put my arms around his waist to hold him up. "I'm getting you out of here."

Carson put his hands in my hair and twirled a few strands around his fingers. "Your hair is pretty." He said.

I stop trying to move him and looked at him. "Where's your car key?" I asked. He was definitely not driving. Even though I didn't have a licence, I was the best person to drive right now. I knew a little about driving, my mom had taught me a few times when I was fourteen. The lessons stopped when she became ill. Hopefully, I didn't run into any police on the way.

Carson shrug his shoulders. "It's around here somewhere. Oh yes, I think I saw a cat ate it."

Okay then. Carson was really drunk and won't be of any help at all. I dug my hand in his pants pocket, searching for the key. "You are so pretty." Carson said, looking at me as I continued to search for his car key.

I finally found it and unlock the car. I left him standing there and went to pull the passenger door open. I came back to where he stood. "Okay, Carson. We are leaving now and I'm going to drive. So, in the car you go."

I wrapped my arms around his waist again and led him to the car. Leading him to the car was not easy, because he was heavy like a load of blocks. While I walk to the car, he was mumbling incoherent words and sentences that I didn't understand.

I finally wrestled him into the car and put on his seatbelt. I then walk around to the driver's side and got in. I started the car and pulled out of the junk yard, then turned unto the main road.

When I was near Carson's house, I turn to look at him. He was resting his head on the headrest and his eyes were closed. "We're almost at your house." I said to him.

Carson opened his eyes and look around at me. His eyes wide. "No, not my house. Not when my father is there."

I pulled the car to the side of the road and looked at him. I furrowed my eyebrows in frustration. "So where do you want to go?"

"No, not my house." He repeated. I leaned my head on the seat behind me and sigh heavily. Where should I take him? He definitely can't go to my house. That was not an option. Maybe I could take him to one of his friends' house. But I didn't know where they live and I didn't have their numbers.

Suddenly, I turn to Carson and grab his phone from his pocket. "Lend me this a minute."

"Hey! That's mine." Carson said, stretching for his phone. I ignored him and turn on his phone screen. Thank God he didn't have a code or I would have been doomed.

I scrolled through his phone quickly, searching for Michael's number. I finally found it and tap the call icon. It rang four times, before Michael picked up. "Hey man." He answered.

"Hey Michael. It's Kayla. I really need your help." I said.

There was a pause. "Kayla?" His voice was filled with surprise. "What is it?"

"Carson is drunk. I'm at the corner where he lives. He doesn't want me to take him home. Can you come and take him to your house?" I asked in a rush.

"Okay. Wait there. I'll be there in five minutes." Michael said immediately and hang up the phone.

Michael came exactly five minutes later. He parked his car behind Carson's and got out. He came over to the window and look in at us. "I'm going to drive in front and you follow me, okay?"

I nodded my head and he walk back to his car. He started his car and pulled unto the road. I started Carson's car and followed behind Michael.

When we reached Michael's house, Michael drive in his driveway and parked his car. I drive Carson's car beside Michael's and cut the engine. Michael and I helped Carson into the house. Carson was still mumbling things that I didn't hear or understand.

"Where's your parents?" I asked Michael in a whisper as we entered the living room.

They're upstairs sleeping." He whispered back. We brought Carson over to the couch and settled him on it. He fell asleep instantly.

"Thanks again, Michael. I really didn't know what to do." I said.

"It's okay. Thanks for calling me. He will be alright here." Michael said, giving me a grateful smile. "Now come on, let me take you home."

I nodded my head and went to the front door with Michael.