Running For Answers (Book 2 Of Running Series)

Chapter 19 - Drowning In Tears

"So when you saw the fire, was it large, or had it only started?"

"It was fully going; smoke bellowing and you could feel the heat, there were lots of people watching the house flaming"

"What happened next?"

"My brother ran into the burning house, watched by over 20 people and a hysterical lady and came out a few minutes later with a baby girl wrapped in a blanket in his arms, which he gave to the hysterical mother, before heading over to us. He was given oxygen by paramedics who had arrived on scene and then 2 police officers hauled him up, claiming that he started the fire"

Everything I was saying was being noted down.

They asked a few more questions and then after a brief chat with Arii and a few more words with Talina they stood up to leave. We walked them to the door and they said they'd be in touch and that another officer would be replacing the one sat outside the house and then left.

"I'm going to cook something, if you can get Keane to eat, then it'll help and you must eat something too" Talina said,

"Yes boss"

"I'll help" Arii said, kissing me on the cheek and walking off with Talina. I entered the room, Keane was still scrunched up under the duvet, Noah and Angelo were sat on the sofa, talking quietly,

"Has he even stirred?" I asked, before they could reply, Keane shot up and took a deep breath, "Keane" I said softly, he pulled his legs up to his chest, he turned his head towards us, eyes wide, rocking gently,

"Hey" He muttered,

"How are you feeling?" Noah asked,

"Um...shit" He replied honestly,

"Are you hungry? Because you have to try and eat something"

"I don't want anything" He said, getting shakily up off the bed, "I need a piss before you ask me...where I'm going" He then said, wrapping the sheet around him and going into the bathroom, "Shit" We heard him say,

"Keane?" I said,

"I'm fine..." we all exchanged looks that turned into us all getting up and going to the bathroom door when we didn't hear movement after 5 minutes. Keane was sat against the bath sobbing; Noah went over and sat next to him, resting his head on his older brother's shoulder,

"I'll...I'll leave you..." Angelo said walking out, I went to Keane's other side and sat next to him, wrapping an arm around him. The three of us sat there, the only noise was Keane's gentle sobs,

"I'm sorry" Keane whispered after what seemed like a lifetime of silence, "I'm so sorry"

"For what? We should be apologising to you" I said softly,

"I don't want to kill myself. I don't want to kill you" He said, "I'm sorry, I'll stop. I promise I'll stop"

"Keane your scaring me" Noah said,

"I don't want to scare you, I don't want to hurt you. I just want to protect you. I've always wanted to protect you"

<<<

Keane's POV

I was broken, I felt like I'd been torn into a million pieces and the only way to put me back together was by causing me pain and making me suffer! Having Tayte and Noah just sat with me as I cried eased the pain, eased the want, the need, for a little while at least.

Then, everyone had tried and failed to get me to eat something. So it began with Talina, then Angelo, Arii, Noah and finally Tayte, I was surprised they didn't get Anthony to try. By the time Tayte came in I was royally pissed and he had to bear the brunt of it,