Page 117 of Feeding Hope
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 hadcleaned 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.
