Chapter Forty-Three

I woke up in bed a little disorientated and mega confused, I remember driving home in the car with Morgan and then that's it. My normal brain starts to work telling me I probably fell asleep and instead of waking me up, I was carried here to bed. I look over and see Toby fast asleep beside, I was so busy yesterday that I didn't get to see him even once. This is just a glimpse of what life's gonna be like if I decide to stay here, unknowing of the next time I'll get to see my mate. I little sigh escapes my lips as I sit up slightly, rubbing my eyes I turn to the clock, seriously it's 2am! Why can't I have a normal sleep schedule?! I debate whether to try and fall back to sleep, but something sitting on the floor catches my eye. The black rucksack from Richards was sitting on the ground, who would have carried that in from the boot? I even forgot it was there if I'm being honest. I carefully and slowly move Toby's hand from around me, once I was free I slide out of bed and walk over to the bag. There was a post it note on the handle of the bag, it read. "I thought you'd be wanting this, I didn't look inside. Brandon" I smile placing the note on my desk before lifting the bag up, I hope with all the running we did that nothing broke. I quietly move to my desk placing the bag down, thankfully, inside both boxes were intact and waiting for me to look inside. I first pull out the blue one with Lukas's name on, I'm not gonna lie I was a little nervous to open the pink box. The box was made out of some kind of light wood, you could tell whoever made this took their time and were meticulous with every detail. It opened like a music box would, the blue ribbon was neatly placed around the top of the box. Under where the lid would close at the front was where Lukas's name was engraved, also painted blue were the letters in his name. I undo the clasp that kept the box shut before opening it up, the box was nearly full to the brim with things. I begin to take things out, on the top were photos of Lukas, some were when he was a tiny new born baby and others, where he looked to be around 7 years old. I place the photos to the side, this revealed other little trinkets. It even had his little blue hospital bands they put on babies when they're first born, Luisa obviously would have given him all this stuff. Next time I see Lukas, I'll have to give this to him. I pack all the little bits safely back in the box, before my eyes fall back into the bag. I carefully take the box with the pink ribbon out, it was made exactly the same way as the blue one. But engraved in pink at the front of this box, was the name Taylor. I place the box on the desk and study the little box in front of me, due to my name being on the front, made me so nervous. I slowly undo the clasp that held this box shut, I look ahead taking a deep breath in before opening the lid. I didn't look down at first and just focused on the wall for a second, I knew once I looked down into the box I would never un-see what I will see. I slowly move my eyes from the wall and down to the little box, as like Lukas's, the first things I saw were pictures. With shaky hands I pick the first picture up, my heart immediately sinking when I look. It was a picture of my mum and dad holding a little baby, who I'm guessing was me. My dad looked exactly the way that I remember him, he looked so happy gazing down at the tiny baby in his arms. My mum was smiling at the camera with her hand placed on my dads arm, I hardly remember what my mum looked like or how she used to act. I remember she was also kind and let me bake with her whenever I wanted, every single night she would read me a bedtime story and would wait until I fell asleep, no matter how long it would take. With tears in my eyes, I place the photo down and take another. It was of only me, I looked around 4 smiling down from a huge slide. I looked so happy and carefree, if only I knew what events were to expire in just a few short years. I pick the rest of the photos up putting them on the side, the things underneath just make me so scared, sad and confused. As like Lukas, my pink little hospital bands sat at the button of the box. I take them into my hands and read, it had my name, weight at birth and the day I was born. How did Richard get these? From everything I've been told, he's never met my dad or anyone in my family to get these! I place the bands on the table too, before having another look into the box. There were little trinkets and pink tiny baby toys at the button. The sound of a text on my phone snaps me from my search, who else would be awake at 2 in the morning? I look around the room unsure of where my phone was, that's when I spot it sat on my bedside table. I get up from my chair and quietly creep over to retrieve it, I didn't want to wake Toby who was peacefully still asleep. Once my eyes adjust to the bright light of my phone, I spot a text from Morgan. "I know you're also awake, come and show me what's kept you up in the main room" I smile a little placing my phone back on the side, I have no idea how he always knows when I'm awake. I quietly make my way back over to the desk, carefully packing all the little pictures and things safely in the box. I do a final check of the desk just in case I left something behind, when I was certain I hadn't I pick both boxes up. My keycard was hanging on one of the chairs by the door, I take it in my hands quietly opening my door. I take a little look back to check Toby was still asleep, he looked so peaceful laying there which causes a smile to fill my lips. I leave the room fully making sure the door wouldn't slam, which was hard as nearly both of my hands were full with the boxes. I was soon making my way down the dark corridor and heading towards the main room, where Morgan told me to meet him. On the way, I pass the supply cupboard Julian wouldn't let me in. I did debate with myself whether to go and see if it's unlocked, but I shake my head aware of what Julian said he'd do if I were to go in without him allowing me to. I sigh opening the door to leave my corridor, my mind still racing with so many questions. Why would Richard have this? Where did he get all these from? And finally, what is Julian hiding? That being a question that I've been wondering since I found him there yesterday, let's see how many answers I'll get for these questions shall we?