The Spread: Book 1 (The Hill)

nothing. First thing in the morning, we’re getting out of here, Sean, okay? Until then, we just need to get some rest. You’re dehydrated and physically drained, and you’ve already had one dice with death, so just lie down and try to get some sleep.”
“Try to sleep? Are you serious? I’ll head out on my own if I have to.”
Ryan stepped up to him and got his attention. “Hey, hey, Sean. Let us make the decisions right now, okay? You’re not in the best frame of mind.”
“Yeah, but Ryan—”
“Look, you know we all care about you, so stop worrying and lie down. We won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
“You swear?”
“I promise. You’re my family, Sean, no matter what.”
“I’ll be right here with you,” said Loobey. “I’ll keep an eye on you.”
Sean finally seemed to relax. “Okay. Okay, I’ll try to rest. I just need some water.”
There was a fresh bottle on the bedside cabinet, so Loobey handed it over. “Try to drink it all.”
Sean swigged the entire thing down in two gulps. He was out of breath afterwards as he lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Brett leaned over, examining him one last time. “We’ll get this all sorted out, Sean, okay? Just relax.”
Sean reached out and grabbed Brett’s wrist. “Thanks, mate.”
Brett pulled his arm away. “No problem.” Then he quickly exited the room.
“Turn off the light,” said Loobey to those still remaining, “and let us get some rest.”
Ryan hit the light switch and closed the bedroom door, but before he did, he looked at Loobey, concern written all over his face. Loobey waved a hand to shoo him away, and was relieved when total darkness finally descended upon the room.
He collapsed back on his bed, sick to his stomach and not knowing how he would get through another day without sleep. Constantly tired but unable to rest.
In the dark, Sean spoke. “Loobey?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m scared.”
Before he’d been diagnosed with cancer, Loobey had hardly ever cried. Now he did so all the time. Tears slid down the sides of his face now as he stared into the darkness. “Everything will be fine, Sean. Don’t worry.”
“I love you, Loobey.”
“I love you too. Get some sleep.”

Chapter Five
Ryan hadn’t slept a wink. He lay in bed, staring at the ancient timber running across the centre of the bedroom ceiling until dawn arrived with a chorus of hundreds of birds. Beside him, Aaron had fared better, passing out the moment his head had hit the pillow. He hadn’t drunk much – only two or three beers – but for Aaron it had been a lot.
Mam will kill me if she ever finds out about this. She’s never been a fan of Sean as it is.
Ryan’s mother had briefly gone out with Sean’s dad, years ago, a while after she had left Ryan’s father. Sean had been like an older brother back then, babysitting Ryan and teaching him how to play football. When their parents had eventually split – Sean’s dad had gone to prison on a GBH charge, Ryan’s mother had met Aaron’s dad – they drifted apart. A few years later, Ryan started secondary school and discovered that Sean was in a form group two years above. They had quickly rekindled their friendship, Sean once again becoming like a big brother.
He never stopped looking out for me as a kid. He kept Loobey safe, too. Whatever happens, I’ll get him the help he needs. He’s as much my brother as Aaron.
It wasn’t even 6 AM yet, so Ryan had expected to be the first one up, but when he entered the lounge, he found both Tom and Brett already there. Brett was checking on Tom’s ear, his bandaged ankle up on the coffee table.
“Morning,” said Ryan, his anxious tummy gurgling as he opened his mouth. “Everything okay?”
“Just eager to be away,” said Tom.
Brett rubbed at his hands with alcohol wipes. His glasses were on the coffee table, making his eyes seem oddly small. “I checked on Sean. He’s resting, but that green fuzz hasn’t gone away. I’m not sure if we try to bring help here or try to take him in the car.”
“If it starts,” said Tom. “I’ll give Alfa a piece of my mind if it doesn’t.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think one of us messed with it any more?”
“No, I’ve calmed down and thought about it. Sean lacks a brain, which is why he acts like a Neanderthal. It’s not his style to be devious.”
Ryan agreed, but just because he hadn’t messed with Tom’s car didn’t mean Sean was off the hook. Not even close. “What he did to you, Tom… he wasn’t in his right mind.”
Tom ran a hand through his blonde hair, which was bloodstained near his bandaged ear. “I know that, but it changes nothing. He’s too unpredictable, and I don’t need that kind of stress in my life. Brett and I both agree: Sean is persona non grata.”
“Let’s assume I know what that means,” said Ryan. “It sounds like you’re writing Sean off just when he needs us the most. He’s clearly an addict.”
“Clearly,” said Tom disdainfully. “He’s always been a one-man disaster, but it’s up to him how he lives his life. I’ve never forced him to take drugs or drink himself into a stupor. None of us has.”
“We could’ve done something. Any time in the last ten years, we could have said something to him. Instead, we just laughed along and let him entertain us. He wasn’t always this bad. It was a gradual slide that we stood by and watched.”
Brett sighed. “Let’s just wait for the dust to settle, shall we? If this is Sean’s rock bottom – and he actually tries to clean himself up – maybe we’ll be there to help him pick up the pieces.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “Speak for yourself.”
Ryan went into the kitchenette and grabbed a bottle of water. His throat was like sandpaper, and he finished the entire thing