Chapter Five.
Alex
“Tom. He’s missing. Can you help us search?
” Maggie asked. I didn’t hesitate and followed her out of the soup kitchen.
I’d been volunteering here for three weeks now, and I was getting better and stronger.
As time marched on, I was able to mix with crowds more easily.
The doctor had given me a clean bill of health.
I continued seeing Katy on a daily basis and was head over heels.
Katy was a blessing. She didn’t let my homeless nature bother her, and even though I’d not talked about my nightmares, Katy supported me silently.
How I had ever met someone like her was a miracle.
Katy was every man’s dream, and she’d chosen me.
“Alex?” Jenny called as I headed to the door.
“Tom is missing. I’m going to help.”
“Be careful,” Jenny ordered, and I nodded. Hastily, I followed Maggie, who was shuffling away.
“Where did you last see Tom?”
“Down by the Arches, but he’s not been there for five days,” Maggie muttered.
She wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Maggie didn’t trust anyone. She’d alerted someone that Tom was missing, and as far as Maggie was concerned, she’d done her job.
I couldn’t blame her; many thought like that. I headed towards the Arches.
Many homeless people ended up there because it offered some safety and protection.
The train tracks ran above their heads, but they were dry and warmer than being out in the park like I’d been.
Above my head, rain clouds gathered, and I felt the chill in the air.
Typical English weather. Hot one moment, raining the next.
When I reached the Arches, I glanced about and saw nobody was present, but the homeless had been here.
There were cardboard homes scattered about, and metal bins where they burned fires to stay warm. No blankets or anything; no one left items like those around. I thanked my lucky stars that my gear was in the locker at the homeless shelter.
“Tom?” I called.
Nobody answered, but eyes were watching. They were hiding, as I would have.
“Hey, I’m looking for Tom, old man; he’s here a lot. Maggie hasn’t seen him for five days, and she’s asked me to help look,” I said loudly.
“Tom inn’t here. Talked about the river,” a croaky male voice stated.
“Thanks,” I replied and hurried off.
The river was a secondary location where homeless people congregated.
It was thirty minutes away, and as I headed down there, the rain fell.
I shrank down into my hoodie and sighed.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a coat and had refused to let Katy buy me one.
I’d be drenched by the time I hit the river.
The good news was that it was close to Katy, so I could see her after work for a few moments.
Katy
With a resigned sigh, I stared out of the office window at the rain pouring down.
Typically, the weather went from one extreme to another.
I felt sorry for anyone out there. At least Alex was safe and warm at the soup kitchen.
He was helping to sort food parcels today.
A smile crossed my lips as I thought of him.
Alex was really trying. He’d put his name down on the council for an apartment and had also filled in forms to claim benefits.
Alex was constantly arriving at the shelter an hour early, so he wouldn’t risk being locked out.
However, Alex hadn’t commented or made a move towards contacting anyone from his old life.
Somehow, what Alex was doing, applying for council housing, didn’t seem right.
Not with him knowing, Aiden. The one time Alex had spoken of the past, he’d categorically stated he wouldn’t return.
Alex explained he was getting therapy, which was helping with the PTSD, and he seemed a little raw.
That was to be expected, though. If Alex was picking at old wounds, they would hurt him.
Even so, Alex kept trying and refused to get dragged down again.
He admitted he’d had some bad nightmares, which wasn’t a shock.
It bothered him that he couldn’t take me on a date, a real date as Alex called it. I was quite happy in the soup kitchen in our corner. Who needed fancy restaurants and stuff? Alex paid me undivided attention and lavished affection on me. I wouldn’t give that up for the world.
Alex
“Tom!” I yelled. The river had been raided recently. All signs of the homeless staying here were gone. Clearly, the police had cleaned us out again. There were a few scattered cardboard shacks, but the tiny community was missing.
“Tom, are you here?” I shouted as I began searching.
The cops were great at moving us on and destroying shelters, but didn’t like cleaning up after themselves.
As I searched, an uneasy feeling sank into my gut.
A distinct smell grew worse, and I finally found Tom lying in a pool of his own piss and shit.
“Tom!” I gasped, staring. A little shamefully, I was frightened to lean down and touch his neck to find a pulse. Tom’s lips were blue and his skin pale. Swallowing hard, I began reaching down, and Tom’s eyes flashed open.
“Alex,” he murmured.
“Tom, I’ll fetch help,” I cried, and he shook his head slightly.
“Son, I’m dying. Listen, get off the streets. Alex, you don’t belong. You got the girl, now put your life right,” Tom ordered, and his eyes closed. Tom’s breath rattled in his chest, and I fled. Tom needed help.
“Hey, call nine-nine-nine?” I yelled at a guy. He glanced over to where I came from and rushed away.
“Someone help! I need an ambulance,” I screamed, but everyone walked off, paying no attention.
Desperately, I kept yelling and approaching people, but no one would help me.
In the distance, I spotted the one place I swore I’d not set foot in, but I knew Katy was there. Ignoring the looks, I began running.
Frantically, I burst into the reception area and saw the receptionist. “Get Katy, I need help! Call nine-nine-nine! An old man needs medical aid!”
“You can’t be in here!” the receptionist squealed. I saw it was one of those nasty, judgemental women. The ones who’d been mean.
“Katy!” I bellowed. “Gat Katy! Call an ambulance!”
“You have to leave! There’s decent people here, you’re not welcome!” the bitch cried.
“Call an ambulance!”
“Security!” the woman screeched.
“Katy!” I roared. I saw somebody running and spotted guards heading towards me. Shit. “Please call nine-nine-nine. There’s an old man who’s very ill and needs help.” I yelled at the guards. They kept approaching with hands out, and I knew I was in trouble.
“If you don’t leave, we’ll phone the police!” a guard threatened.
“Do it!” I snapped. “Aiden! Get down here now!”
Katy
“That homeless guy is causing quite a scene in reception. Bellowing Katy’s name and everything. The cops are on their way. He’s gone insane,” Sami hissed to Emily. My head shot up, and I banged it on the desk. I’d bent down to pick up a pencil I’d dropped, and Sami clearly hadn’t seen me.
“What did you say?” I snapped standing up.
Sami sneered. “Your homeless, asshole. He’s downstairs causing a right scene, threatening everyone and shouting your name. Look at the danger you brought to the office.”
I didn’t bother answering, but took off running. Nearly breaking my neck, I raced down the stairs and burst into reception. Tiffany had hit the alarm, and security was wrestling with Alex.
“Katy! Tom’s dying!” Alex yelled, seeing me.
“Let him go!” I screamed at the guards and shoved the closest one. Surprised, he stepped back, and Alex wrenched free. He cupped my face, relieved.
“Tom is at the river; he’s sick, dying. Katy, I asked that bitch to phone nine-nine-nine, and instead she called security. Tom needs help. I tried explaining, but they kept threatening me with the cops,” Alex blurted.
“Did Alex ask you to call an ambulance?” I demanded, spinning on Tiffany.
“No! He’s a madman. Making threats. He’s crazy, and you are too. Look at the danger he’s put everyone in,” Tiffany screeched.
“An old man’s life is at risk. Did Alex ask for help?” I yelled.
“So what if it is! At least dead, he’s not a drain on society anymore!”
Horrified, I gasped at Tiffany’s callousness.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me. What’s one more dead homeless bum? It just means the streets are that bit cleaner. Why don’t you join him?” Tiffany spat.
“You haven’t learned a single thing,” Aiden thundered, appearing behind me. Tiffany blanched.
Alex froze on seeing Aiden before tugging me with urgency. “Leave that bitch alone, I’ll handle her later,” Alex ordered Aiden, who nodded.
“Come on, take me to Tom. I’ll call nine-nine-nine on the way,” I said, grasping Alex’s hand. Alex began jogging, taking me with him. I sent Tiffany a vile glare as we passed, but she was looking smug.
“Put your complaint in to the police. Just remember, this reception is filmed!” I hissed, and she paled.
Alex
It was too late. The paramedics loaded Tom up, but there was no urgency in their movements.
If Maggie had reported Tom missing two or three days ago, Tom might have stood a chance.
Instead, he probably wouldn’t even see tonight.
I clung to Katy, gutted at losing him. Sure, I barely knew Tom, but his final words had hit home.
Katy drove us to the hospital, where we were allowed to sit with Tom. The old man never regained consciousness and died an hour into our vigil. At least he’d not been alone. But that was no consolation. The police came to get statements, even though it was obvious it was a natural death.
They informed us that Aiden wasn’t pressing charges, and the footage had been reviewed.
Tiffany had definitely lied, but I already knew that.
She was vile, and typical of today’s Karens, as they were called.
The officers expressed sympathy for Tom’s death, but I knew they were empty words.
When we left the hospital, the shelter was shut, and I was preparing for a long, cold night.
“Come on,” Katy said, nodding towards her car.
“The shelter is closed; I’ll head to the park.”
“You will not,” Katy retorted and began herding me. I chuckled dryly at her actions, even though there was little to laugh about.
“Katy, they won’t open the doors, not even for you.”
“We’re not going there,” she responded, bumping my hip and knocking me off balance. I caught myself and then tumbled into the passenger seat as Katy shoved me.
“Katy!” I exclaimed, exasperated. She grinned, shut the door and walked to the driver’s side. “Where are we going?”
“My place.”
“What?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Don’t worry, Alex. Your virtue is safe with me,” Katy quipped.
“Go home with you?” I must have sounded like an idiot because I felt like one.
“Yes.” Katy started the engine and began driving.
“You can’t, Katy,” I exclaimed.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m homeless,” I replied for lack of a better reason.
Katy set her jaw, and I guessed she didn’t like that answer. She blew a breath out and bit her bottom lip. She was clearly trying to figure something out.
“Are we together?” Katy finally blurted.
“What?”
“What are we doing, Alex? I thought we were starting a relationship, but by your reaction, you have a different opinion of what’s happening,” Katy said bluntly.
“We are building something,” I insisted.
“Then what’s the problem coming home with me?”
“Because I’ve nothing to give you,” I replied quietly.
“Love and respect count for nothing?” Katy retorted.
“Of course they do. But what can I offer you?”
“Yourself, Alex. Just you is enough,” Katy murmured.
“That I can do,” Alex promised.