Part 2

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Chapter Three



Lincoln swallowed a gulp of beer and laughed at a stupid joke Jason had made. He was sitting with the lads in a derelict building that was their usual haunt. Lincoln had been hanging out here a lot in the weeks since the funeral. He would bunk off school and had even spent a few nights here when he wanted to get away from the home.


"Hey Linc, pass the joint."


Since her death, Lincoln had started dabbling in what he considered 'light' drugs. He promised himself he wouldn't get back into the harder stuff. As he passed the joint over, he heard a sound behind him.


"What was that?" he asked, looking behind him.


"Ha! Two pulls and you are already paranoid" laughed Jason.


He smiled at Jason. "Yeah, probably."


"I heard it again" he said. It sounded like someone walking over broken glass.

The lads laughed.


"Seriously, you need to relax Linc. I didn't hear anything" said Jason, tugging on the joint.


"Lincoln, are you here?" called out a voice.


"Shit, it is Luca" said Lincoln.


They all jumped up and began to make a run for it.


Luca heard their movement and coming around the corner saw the boys running off. He set off after them.


Lincoln tripped on a brick and went flying. He pulled himself up and made towards the glassless window frame that his friends had just exited through.


He felt a pair of hands pulling him back. He struggled to get away but Luca's grip didn't loosen.


"Whoa Linc! I just want to talk to you."


Luca led him by the armpit back to their makeshift camp. The small fire had begun to burn itself out. Luca kicked an empty beer can then bent down and picked up the still smoking joint. He sniffed it and looked at Lincoln.


"Skunk?"


Lincoln shrugged.


"I thought you didn't do drugs anymore."


"I don't" said Lincoln.


Luca raised an eyebrow at him.


"Just a bit of weed, nothing stronger."


"For now..."


"No, I mean it. It just helps a bit, y'know..."


"I know it is hard but that stuff really isn't going to help."

Lincoln nodded slightly.


"So how are things?" asked Luca, dusting his hands off.


"Fine" said Lincoln, shoving his hands into his pockets.


"Fine, eh?"


Lincoln nodded.


"That isn't what I heard" said Luca "Spoke to your social worker today. Cassie said you haven't been to school in two weeks. She can't get hold of you. The people at the home say you are rude and unruly. That you often don't come home at night, and if you do it is late."


"Yeah, well I don't care what they say."


"Yeah, well I do!" said Luca forcefully.


"What do you care? You aren't my father!" replied Lincoln.


"You're right." Luca regarded him. "But about that: Cassie told me to give you this news if I could track you down. Your father has been in contact with Social Services. He wants you to go and live with him and your siblings." Luca smiled broadly at him.


Lincoln ran his fingers through his short brown hair.


"I don't want to go" he said plainly.


Luca's smile dropped. "I thought you'd be happy."


"Why? He hasn't cared about me in 10 years. Now he is on a guilt trip."


"I'm sure it is not like that. It has to be better than living at a home or foster family."


"Really? But I don't suppose it matters what I think, I don't have a choice, right?" said Lincoln.


"No, I don't think so" said Luca honestly, "He is family and he wants you."


Lincoln nodded. "Great" he said, sarcastically.


"It'll be a good move for you. Get you out of the city."


Lincoln grunted. "You're just saying that because with me gone, your job will be a lot easier."


Luca smiled. "Maybe. But it will be good for you to get away from here; away from all the memories."


Lincoln frowned at Luca. "You keep saying away from here? Where exactly does he live?"


______________________


Lincoln put his last bag into the boot of Cassie's car.


"Well, this is it" said Luca, who had come to see him off.


"I guess" said Lincoln, sheepishly.


"You behave and no trouble, okay? I got a buddy who is a detective up there who will be keeping an eye out for you."


"Great, what are the chances of that?!" groaned Lincoln.


"I know, weird huh?" laughed Luca, "Let's hope you don't draw his attention, hey?"


"Would I ever get into any trouble?!" said Lincoln, grinning.


"Good luck with your family. Are you excited to meet them?"


"No" said Lincoln sullenly.


"Come on now" said Luca, "It could be good."


Lincoln shrugged.


"Doesn't matter if it isn't, I won't be there for long" mumbled Lincoln.


"What do you mean? Are you planning on running?" Luca's eyes flashed with concern.


Lincoln shrugged but didn't answer the question directly. "I'll be 16 in a few months and then the Social won't care where I live."


Luca frowned.


"Make me a promise that you will at least stay a while and try to make it work?"

Lincoln looked away.


"Linc..." pressed Luca.


"Ok, I promise, geez."


Luca smiled at him. "Right, you have my numbers and make sure you e-mail me at least and let me know how it is going."


"Didn't think dinosaurs could work computers?"


Luca made to pretend grab him but instead pulled him into an embrace.


"Take care." He said, letting Lincoln go. "Everything will be ok."


As the car pulled away, Lincoln waved to the man he had once considered his enemy. Would it really be okay? Lincoln realised that he didn't believe him. Still, he had no choice. He closed his eyes and tried to block out the thoughts racing through his mind.





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