Lost and Found

The Beginning

Derek sat in the very back of a dark SUV. He loosely hugged his knees to his chest, silently staring out the window. He watched the buildings come and go as they drove through the city. The buildings soon turned to open fields and trees. The sun had soon set and the images Derek's eyes had followed were no more than blackened shapes against a black backdrop.

Derek had been told the two men's names but he honestly couldn't remember them. He didn't really care to either. He'd be reminded soon enough and then he'd be gone again.

No one said a word. Not Derek. Not the driver. Not the man in the passenger seat. They just sat in silence.

Derek didn't know if the quiet vehicle made him feel more or less comfortable. They didn't speak to him. He didn't speak to them. It was calm and it was chaos. Derek didn't feel like talking, but he had so much to say, he didn't feel like listening either, but there was a lot he needed to hear.

They passed through another town, then it was back to the dark figures on the side of the road. The drive seemed to be lasting longer than it should have been, but they continued their journey. They passed through yet another town.

Derek would have drifted to sleep if the silence hadn't left him alone with his thoughts. Instead, he sat awake watching the moon that seemed to be following after them. It was the only light he could see apart from the headlights of passing cars. The sky was covered almost entirely in clouds, leaving the light source he followed dim and shapeless.

The car took a turn down a dark road, not far outside of the last town. Up the road to a large house, where all the lights were out, all but the floodlights by the garage and front door.

Once the car was parked inside of the garage the older man who had been sitting in the passenger seat said something, "Welcome home kiddo." He spoke quietly but clearly.

Derek is sure he would have been startled by the sudden sound if it hadn't been so nice to hear. There was something about the way he spoke that relaxed him. This was new. His relationship with most men was rough as of late. His fear would often manifest itself as disrespect or anger, often leading to the same treatment being put on him.

With a moment of hesitation, Derek prepared to head inside. He grabbed his things from the space next to him. They'd offered to put his things into the trunk, but he refused, he'd rather his stuff stayed with him. With his bag slung over his shoulder and the box of a few other things in his hands, he followed the two men into the house.

"Would you like to see your room first or just set your stuff here and see the house?" The taller man asked.

"I don't really care." Derek answered in a mumble.

"Let's take your things up to your room." The older man suggested, "I think we can wait until we've all had some sleep before we do the full house tour."

Derek nodded in agreeance. He followed the two men to a hallway, all but one of the doors had a decorative letter hanging from it. The taller man opened a door with a plain white D and gestured for Derek to enter.

The walls were completely bare, a dull light grey color. The bed was basic, a simple set of blankets and a pillow, made perfectly, with no wrinkles or unsightly folds. A small bookshelf sat in the corner of the room with a few books in another there was a wooden desk with a cup of pencils and a lamp. A dresser was set up near the closet for his clothes.

"It's not a lot right now, but we can go shopping soon to pick up something for your room." The taller man explained.

"It's been a long day, you should get some sleep. Our room is just down the hall. Feel free to get one of us if you need anything." The older man told Derek.

"Okay." Derek replied, setting his things down in front of the bed.

He heard the door click shut and began going through his things. He searched through the cardboard box failing to find what he was looking for. He rummaged through his duffel bag, still not finding what he was looking for.

"Damn it." Derek cursed to himself.

Without any more attempts to find the lost object Derek climbed onto the bed. He sat with his legs crossed taking in the room a second time. Everything was silent and his thoughts began to race again. He didn't have the option to say them this time. He resituated himself to lay down on his back with his hands resting on his chest.

After a period of time alone with his mind, Derek gave up on lying in bed. He faced the digital alarm clock on the bedside table. It was only one forty-three.

Derek climbed out of bed and rummaged through his bag. He found his small flashlight and quietly opened the small window above the desk. He looked over to the door and walked over to it. He opened it and peaked into the hallway, no other lights were on. With that assurance that he wouldn't be caught, Derek closed the door and turned off the light in the room. He clicked the flashlight on, climbed onto the desk and then out the window.