Finding 01 Finding Kaden

by Jean Reinhardt

  CHAPTER ONE

  The two young men stood menacingly in front of Kaden. Realizing his mistake in taking a shortcut through the alley, he tried to make a run for it, but the taller one pinned him against a wall. Kaden guessed what they wanted and pulled out his wallet, offering it to them.

  “Hey rich kid, don’t you even want to put up a fight?” The smaller one sneered.

  “Why should he? There’s plenty more money where that came from. He won’t even miss it,” the bigger guy said, loosening his hold just a little.

  It was enough to give Kaden a chance to wriggle free, but as soon as he tried he was tripped up and landed on the rough ground, grazing his forehead.

  “Aww, Tuck, you’ve gone and messed up pretty boy’s face. We will just have to make the rest of him match it now, won’t we?”

  Every blow that followed was filled with rage. Kaden, weakened with each kick to his body, passed out when they lifted his head and smashed it off the ground. Along with the wallet, they took his jacket and shoes to sell, pleased with their afternoon’s work.

  When it had been quiet for about ten minutes, Jasper stood up in the bin he’d been foraging in and saw Kaden lying on the ground unconscious. He felt bad for the young man, who looked about seventeen, three years older than himself but he wasn’t sorry for staying hidden during the attack. He knew who had done it and they would have beaten him up as well.

  Climbing out of his hiding place when he was sure it was safe enough to do so, Jasper carefully approached Kaden. He felt for a pulse and was relieved to find one. It was getting late and cold, so he tried shaking him. It didn’t do any good. Taking a bottle from the rucksack that contained all his possessions, Jasper poured cold water over the blood stained face below him. That immediately worked.

  Kaden felt the pain shoot through him before he even opened his eyes. He looked up at the small, tanned face of the boy who had just revived him. Sitting up was difficult as every part of his body ached.

  “What’s your name?” asked Jasper.

  Kaden opened his mouth to answer but his brain would not get into gear.

  “I don’t know. What happened to me, was I run over?”

  “No, you were mugged, they took your shoes and jacket too. I heard it all from where I was hiding, but there was no way I was getting involved. Sorry I didn’t help but look at the size of me, I wouldn’t have lasted two minutes. You’re going to have to get up and move. It’s not safe here after dark. It’s not even safe here in daylight - as you just found out.”

  Jasper pulled Kaden’s right arm over his shoulder and helped him up.

  “We have to get you some shoes and a jacket or you’ll freeze. I know just the place.”

  It was tough going and every so often they had to stop so that Kaden could rest. Each step he took caused him pain. Finally, they reached a doorway with a sign overhead - SOUP “n” SLEEP. It was a shelter for homeless boys. Kaden pulled back.

  “It’s okay” said Jasper, “We can get hot soup here and some clothes and shoes for you. They might even let us stay the night, if there’s any beds left.”

  There was a mouth-watering aroma coming from an open door in the hallway. The two boys went in and joined a crowd of about fifty from age ten up to late teens. They were in a long queue to get a bowl of soup and some bread. Martha, one of the volunteers, came out from behind the counter and helped Jasper bring Kaden into a small room just off the kitchen.

  “You look like you were run over by a truck,” she said as she got some clean towels and soap for both of them.

  “More like a Tuck, lady,” whispered Jasper.

  “That no good so and so - he better not show his face around here for a while. Did he take your shoes too?”

  Without waiting for an answer she went off to get a warm jacket and some shoes and socks for Kaden. She also arranged a bed for the night for both of them, in case they decided to stay. While they waited another lady brought soup and bread in. The boys realized just how hungry they were when she set it on a table in front of them.

  The two bowls were empty by the time Martha had returned. Even Kaden, with his aching ribs, wolfed down the soup ignoring the pain. Hoping to take advantage of the situation, Jasper chanced asking for a second helping. Looking at the small, scrawny kid and his bruised and battered friend, Martha thought of her own son, away at college. She knew that it could easily have been a life on the streets for him, only for a lucky break. That was why she volunteered two days a week. It also took the edge off missing her son so much.

  “I’ll sneak you both a second bowl from the kitchen and some bread if I can. Here’s a tube of ointment for those cuts, and these are painkillers. Make sure you hide them or I’ll be in big trouble for giving out drugs.”

  Jasper beamed with delight, thanking the woman, the shelter never dished up a second bowl of soup.

  As she made her way back to the kitchen Martha wondered about the two young men waiting for her return. Street kids never tell anyone their story, being suspicious of everyone. They only went to the shelter for the soup. Even in cold weather most would hesitate to take up the offer of a warm shower and a bed for the night. It wasn’t unusual to see two so very different individuals sticking together either. The bigger stronger ones gave some protection to the smaller ones, and the little guys climbed in and out of tiny windows when they were “foraging.”

  What seemed strange to Martha was the fact that the older one didn’t look like a street kid. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but even though he hardly spoke two words there was something about him that didn’t sit right, in spite of the cuts and bruises. Getting the soup was easy as the kitchen was empty.

  Returning with two more bowls of piping hot liquid that smelled of chicken and herbs, Martha picked up the empty bowls from the table.

  “Better bring these back. We don’t want the boss finding out about extra portions or we’ll all be in trouble. Believe it or not this is expensive stuff,” she said.

  Not wanting to go home without giving a bit of motherly advice Martha pointed at the window, remarking on the heavy rain that had started to beat against it. One of the boys was in no condition for a night in the street, even in dry weather.

  “I know most of you don’t like to sleep here, but just for tonight it won’t do any harm. If that brute, Tuck, finds you he may decide to finish you off. So take advantage of a nice hot shower and a warm bed while you can. I’ve booked you in just in case you decide to spend the night. Well, I’m off home now.”

  “Will you be here again tomorrow?” Jasper felt drawn to this woman. He hadn’t ever spoken to her before, but whenever he turned up for a meal she always gave him a big smile and made him feel like she cared. She smiled at everyone, but he was sure that when she looked at him it was different. He never had a mother who cared about him. Just a smile from Martha’s kind face made him relax, even though he knew it wasn’t safe to let his guard down.

  “Sorry, I won’t be back again until next week. I’m here on Wednesday and Friday and my son is home from college this weekend so I have to get some food in before he arrives. Eats like a horse he does and…”

  Martha stopped in midsentence, remembering she was talking to two young people who had been grateful for a second bowl of soup, probably their only meal that day.

  “It’s okay, lady. We really appreciate what you’ve done for us. No need to feel awkward, have a good weekend with your son, and you don’t have to worry about us out in the rain. We’re going to stay. Just for tonight.”

  Jasper had already made his mind up about the hot shower, and his new friend would need a bed to sleep in.

  “Call me Martha. I know you probably won’t want to tell me your nam
e but I’ve been watching out for you ever since I started volunteering here. We get six months work and then someone takes our place for another six months. I’m coming to the end of my stint here for this year and I was hoping I would see you before I finished up. Just to make sure you were okay, you know.”

  Jasper, for some reason, trusted this woman and before he could stop himself, told her his name.

  “I don’t know my friend’s name, we just met today and he doesn’t seem to remember it himself. I’m going to bring him to the cops tomorrow, I think his family will be looking for him.”

  “Well, Jasper, I won’t tell anyone else your name, if you don’t want me to. Taking your friend to the police is the best thing to do.”

  Martha hesitated for a moment, then against her better judgement - and the rules of the charity - she told Jasper where he could find her if he needed to.

  “I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the library two blocks away near Super Savers, do you know where that is?”

  Jasper nodded. He had robbed plenty of stuff from that particular store without getting caught. It would be safe enough for him to venture down the street in the daytime if he decided to take her up on the offer.

  “Okay, so now I’m trusting you not to tell anyone that bit of information, do we have a deal?” Martha held out her hand.

  Jasper shook it and promised that her secret was safe with him, and he meant it. Watching her walk out of the room, he felt empty inside, but it wasn’t for lack of food. He turned around and saw that Kaden had finished his second helping of soup so he pushed his own bowl over to him, having lost his appetite. Little did Jasper know he was about to lose a lot more.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Amelia concentrated on the red light beams and judged the distance between each one. Ever since laser gymnastics became an Olympic event she had wanted to compete. Ten years previously, it had become a popular inter school competition event throughout the whole United Continent of America. From there laser gym’s popularity spread to the rest of the world and was officially recognized as an Olympic event. How well the gymnast weaves under and over the laser beams during their floor routine, without touching them, determines the score.

  Amelia hoped she would be picked for the 2040 Olympic team. Waiting her turn on the floor, she was lost in thought.

  “Why had Kaden been so sullen this morning? He must have had another run-in with Dad. They are really so alike and yet neither one can see it. I’m lucky I’m a girl. I get to do pretty much whatever I want, although Dad probably wishes I acted more ladylike at times. Funny that I’m the athletic twin while the other one is a boy and not a bit sporty. Well you can’t call jogging a sport really, not when you don’t even compete. But it’s Kaden’s complete disinterest in politics that gets up Dad’s nose. Imagine an ex-marine turned politician who has a son claiming to be a pacifist. I almost feel sorry for Dad - but he should let Kaden live his own life, like he does with me.”

  “Amelia, stop day dreaming, you’re up next.”

  The coach’s loud voice broke into her thoughts. She stood up and stretched, watching the last jump of the girl who was finishing a routine on the floor.

  Amelia had the upper body strength because of her swimming but she worried about her legs. She always had to work hard to keep them steady. Going through a routine that came automatically from the long hours of practise she put in, Amelia only hit one of the beams. That was good, hardly anyone ever got a clear round. Spending too much time concentrating on the lasers could cost you points. It was be better to sacrifice a clear round than risk that.

  Coach threw her a towel. “Good work Amelia, all that practise is paying off, you should make the Olympic team if you keep it up.”

  The 2040 games was only two years away.

  As she made her way to the showers her thoughts returned to her twin brother. Amelia knew that Kaden had probably gone to his best friend Ethan’s place for a day or two to cool off. That was his way of dealing with his father’s bullying. Deciding to leave it for a day before calling, it would be a good excuse for her to see Ethan. Amelia definitely felt an attraction to him but would never admit it openly. She hadn’t even told Kaden.

  Dressed and feeling relaxed after the hot shower, Amelia got into her wet gear and went out to the car park before Coach found her. She wasn’t in the mood to pick through any mistakes in her routine with him. When she got outside and saw how bad the weather was she had a fleeting moment of regret that she’d chosen a motorbike over a car for her sixteenth birthday.

  As soon as she was out on the highway, weaving through the rush hour traffic, she knew she’d made the right choice.

  “Kaden can keep his pick-up,” she smiled to herself. “Two wheels are much better than four.”

  It was 5.30 when a cold but exhilarated Amelia arrived home. She went straight to the kitchen, following the warm smell of garlic and herbs. Estelle Seager prided herself on her culinary skills. She flatly refused to hire a cook, except on formal occasions - and that was purely because of the sheer volume of food needed.

  Her husband, a politician, often had to host large parties for political events. Sometimes their home was used to promote commercial and charitable organizations too, the most recent one being for the Soup n Sleep charity. There had been a lot of bad press because of rumours about strange goings on in the shelter, so they needed the face of a good man to put on their posters. That man was Lloyd Seager.

  “Ten minutes Amelia and supper will be dished up,” Estelle called out to her daughter.

  In the utility room, just past the kitchen, Amelia peeled off her leathers. She hung them up to dry off and joined Estelle at the cooker, lifting lids and sniffing the steam coming up from the pots. She loved her mother’s cooking, Kaden’s too, he could make a meal out of anything. Amelia, on the other hand, couldn’t cook to save her life.

  “Table’s already set, hun. How did gym go? You seemed worried this morning.”

  Amelia sat down as her mother brought over a bowl of rice.

  “I wasn’t worried about me, I was worried about Kaden. He seemed so out of it when he left the house. Was Dad on his case again about college?”

  Estelle had her back to her daughter so Amelia didn’t see the sadness sweep across her mother’s face. Composing herself, she turned around smiling and placed a pot of chicken in garlic and herb sauce between the two of them on the table.

  “Anything your father wants for either of you is usually for your own good. Kaden should know that. He would make a brilliant lawyer, maybe even a politician someday. Your brother will come round eventually.”

  “But that’s not what he wants Mom, and he’s just as stubborn as Dad. He’ll spend a day cooling off and then when he gets home Dad will start on at him again. Mmm this is lovely, is it a new recipe?”

  Estelle moved her food around the plate. She wasn’t very hungry. Amelia, on the other hand, appeared to be starving and was almost finished.

  “You’re right, Kaden is probably at Ethan’s, so we’ll leave it for now. Maybe you could call him and arrange to meet up. He always listens to what you have to say, even if he doesn’t agree with it,” said Estelle.

  Amelia came around the table and hugged her mother.

  “I’ll get in touch with Ethan tomorrow and ask if he thinks Kaden is up to both of us coming over. He listens to you too, Mom. He knows you want him to be happy, and he understands why you can’t go against Dad’s wishes. But that doesn’t mean he’ll agree to something he is so against. His heart is set on teaching, and he won’t change his mind. I know he won’t. Do you want me to clean up before I go over to Megan’s?”

  “No hun, you go on over. I need to keep busy so I’d rather do it myself. Don’t stay too late, though. I’m going to have an early night. Your dad will be back tomorrow and I want to take advantage of the peace and quiet in the house while the two men in our family are away from each other.”

  ******

  At the house acros
s the street, the cleaning lady, who was on her way out, opened the door to Amelia.

  “Come on up, I’ve just put on that old movie we wanted to see,” Megan shouted down the stairs. Amelia took the steps two at a time, great for the leg muscles and quicker to get to the top. It was good to be out of her own house and with someone who made her laugh. When Amelia went into her friend’s bedroom she was met by a blue face with two slices of cucumber where a pair of eyes should be.

  “Don’t mock, I have some for you too.” Megan threw a small tub in the direction of the door, hitting Amelia on the head.

  “Ouch that hurt, what is it?”

  “Sorry Amelia, I can’t see through the cucumber. The blue stuff in that tub is worth a fortune so use it sparingly. It’s got krill oil in it. Hurry up and put some on. Mom will be back in an hour and she’ll kill me if she finds out I used it. Dad brought it back from one of his business trips.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. Do you want me to put it back in your mom’s room for you?”

  Megan asked Amelia to put the tub on a shelf in her parents’ bathroom next to a large jar of hand cream.

  Ten minutes later, the movie forgotten, Megan cleansed her face while Amelia told her how Kaden had gone off that morning and would probably stay away for a couple of days. The girls talked about it for a while but eventually the movie reclaimed their attention. Amelia lay back on the bed and for the first time that day, felt completely relaxed. The place was a second home to her.

  When Megan saw that her friend had fallen asleep she pulled a throw over her. Phoning Estelle to let her know Amelia was out for the count, she suggested a sleep-over.

  “Thanks, Megan. It will do her good to spend the night with you. Don’t wake her, I’ll see you both tomorrow when I get back from picking up Lloyd at the airport. Say hi to your mom for me.”

  When she put the phone down Estelle gave in to the tears. It was better to cry and get it out of her system than bottle things up and make a mess of what she knew had to be done the following day. For that, she would need to be cool, calm and definitely not tearful.