TWENTY-ONE

HENRY

Henry hadn't moved.

Well, he kind of of had: he'd sunk down onto the doorstep, his head in his hands - but other than that, he was in exactly the same place he'd been when his dad shut the door in his face.

He hadn't spoken yet, either. He'd just been staring into space for the last five minutes; I was starting to get frightened.

I mean, was it my fault? I was the one that had persuaded henry to come here, after all - there's no way he would have come here if i hadn't brought it up.

"Hen," I said quietly.

He didn't respond.

"Henry?"

No response.

"Are you okay?" I asked gently.

"Do I look like I'm okay?" he asked, whirling round to face me. "Look at me, Isaac. Do I look like I'm okay?"

"No," I said.

"And whose fault is that?" he demanded, looking angrier than i'd ever seen him. "Yours, Isaac! You're the only reason I'm here!"

Henry narrowed his eyes at me, His face red, his chest heaving. I took a step back, and whispered,"I'm sorry, Henry."

He sighed and buried his head in his hands again. "Isaac..."

"Henry," I said, my chest constricting slightly.

"... I think we should take a break. For at least five years. And possibly forever."

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