Calum ~ 39
The next few hours were a blur.
A blur of people and suitcases, jostling past us at an almost frantic pace.
The airport was incredibly loud which was annoying, my head buzzed with a dull ache.
And of course I was stuck behind someone who must've yet to discover the wonders of deodorant. My nose crinkled as a fresh wave of their odor hit me.
Valerie turned toward me, taking a sip of a coffee she'd bought, as if trying to block out the smell.
"Well this is fun," She smirked at the unamused look I sent her.
"If this is your definition of fun, then i'd hate to see what you call boring," I groaned, security taking their sweet time up head. Do they seriously not understand we have places to be?
"It's fun because you're here," She said with a cheesy smile as she intertwined our fingers.
"Oh dear God help me," I muttered with a playful mock of a prayer. Valerie hit my shoulder lightly before resting her head on it. A fresh wave of exhaustion washed over me and a hid a yawn behind my hand.
After a few more minutes of small talk and impatient murmurs, we were finally next.
"Take off all metal belongings and place them in that bucket, put your shoes next to it," A man in a black jacket with SECURITY printed in bold white letters across the back, barked. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, a judgmental frown on his face.
As Val and I stepped out of our shoes, he turned from us slightly and pulled his radio from his waist band. I continued to put my wallet and keys into the gray bin that moved slowly along a conveyer belt.
Valerie went through the metal detector first, the light glowed a vibrant green and they handed her all her belongings back.
Just as I stepped up to the metal walkway, a arm shot out in front of my chest, stopping me.
Valerie's face showed obvious confusion as the guard who saw us earlier hooked a strong hold on my upper arm.
"Woah- wait, what's going on?" I stamper, panic sweeping over me. My mind swirled, sluggish with lack of sleep.
Was it my dad? I knew he had connections, but I didn't know they reached this far!
"Just come with me," The guard said with cold eyes. I sent Valerie one last look before I was dragged out of line.
"I haven't done anything!" My voice was shrill and my eyes wide.
"Hush, boy. We're just doing a thorough security procedure," His eyes ran over my face once again, and I suddenly felt self conscious.
We entered a white room that had a table, some chairs and long horizontal mirror opposite of the door.
I almost let out a gasp at the sight of myself, it's no wonder why they thought I'd need to be searched.
Pain suddenly thumped back in beat with my heart, as it was temporarily suppressed. With all my adrenaline and the rush of leaving, I'd forgotten how excruciating my body currently felt.
My upper lip was pale with a undertone of blue, a gash running right down the middle. I run my tongue over it instinctively. Dry blood flaked into my mouth.
My face was like a minefield of discolored bruises, ranging from a faded yellow to a dark, purple that almost seemed black. The biggest one stretching over almost my entire forehead. My eyes looked as though I had some type of allergic reaction, with bloodshot orbs and swollen, blotched lids.
The worst part, oh God, I felt- and watched, as my skin turned a sickly pale. My nose was barely even considered recognizable. It was purple all throughout, and I'm sure it would be crooked if I could see it properly. The bridge had swollen and blood still trickled out slowly staining my Cupid's bow, getting caught in the hair on my upper lip.
When I finally tore my eyes from my reflection, I found that the officer was studying me.
I shuffled slightly, crossing my arms over my chest, uncomfortable.
After a moment, me murmured, "I'm going to need you to take off your clothes, Son. Leave your undergarments on."
I coughed slightly, still very self conscious, especially now that I knew I looked like a broken puppy.
Wasn't I supposed to be intimidating? Manly? Strong?
I was nothing more than pitiful.
He adverted his eyes politely as I shrugged off my jacket tenderly, my arms still sore from being held back.
My throat clenched as I shrugged off my jacket, but not because it hurt to do so. My heart was heavy with a pain much sharper than any dagger could pierce. My eyes well, adding to the pressure in my nose and the ache behind me skull.
I ripped my shirt over my head in sudden anger. Why am I crying? I wiped my eyes gently as I tossed the ruined tee onto the table.
After stepping out of my jeans, the officer swallowed. I didn't have to look in the mirror to see the bruises this time, I knew they were scattered all over me.
My tears only seemed to gather faster as I realized- this was the first time anyone besides my family, not even Val, had seen this much. A wave of pain shot through my head and I closed my eyes tightly, barely managing to keep the tears from falling.
My eyes opened to the sound of the man clearing his throat. "I'm just going to do a quick check-over,".
I nodded, and set my eyes on the ceiling. This may have been the most embarrassed I've ever been.
After the officer finished, and I had redressed, we sat at the metal table. The cold seeped through my clothing, and it soothed my burning skin. It was bad enough for anyone to see this, but a police man? Good-bye dignity.
"I have a few questions," the man started, and gave him a nod, "Just protocol,".
He pulled a small notebook from his breast pocket.
"First of all, whats your name?"
I looked at the table, my fingers gliding over the metal slightly. "Calum Hood."
"Age?"
"17,". If only I were 18.
"Mind telling me how you got all banged up?"
I stiffened and my breath hitched, eyes lowered.
After a few beats of silence, he tried again. "Does this person scare you?"
Okay, that's kinda a dumb question. I nod.
"Does this happen a lot?"
I pause for a second, swallowing hard. My leg bounces with nerves.
I shrug.
He hums. "Alright. Is this person in your family?"
I shrug.
We sit like that for a while, in silence. He sighs and slides a card across the table.
"I won't file this, but if anything happens again, or you get scared, you call this number, alright?"
The card felt smooth between my fingers, the name Jason Davis printed in blue, bold letters.
"Thanks," I whisper, clearing my throat of its grogginess.
"I mean it, kid," The man, Jason, leant over the table to emphasize his words.
Valerie have me a long hug once I'd finally made it through tolls security check.
"I was so worried," she breathed out, pulling back to look me in the eyes, " Are you okay?"
The corners of my mouth lifted in a small, almost sad, smile.
"For now,".
A|N
Honestly, why are you reading this? Is anyone reading this? It's not good- actually complete crap and I'm losing the will to continue writing.
I mean, the whole story has gone so far from what I originally had planned, and the end isn't even close since I've started this whole trip with Val.
I should have planned this whole thing better, but I chased after every single rabbit of an idea and now I'm lost- strayed too far from the outline of Calum and Thomas' story. I've been writing this for 3 years and I still haven't finished. Or gotten any better.
This book has been amazing, I loved writing it, but it's not amazing once you realize you're the only one who cares.
And what happens when you don't even care anymore?