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[Had to repost via the computer, but hopefully it worked this time.  Comments are welcome, May<3]

Chapter Eight  

Sean and Quinn were sitting together at lunch, much to Quinn's enjoyment.  He usually sat 'alone' at and empty tble, aide from an inveisible friend that is.  

They were a little suprised when a teacher walked up to them and sat down at the table with them.  He was a tall, skinny old man with lightly graying hair and a jolly face. The boys knew of the teacher, or at least Quinn knew he did.  He taught some of the freshman courses. Quinn had never had him though, and by the looks of it neither did Sean.  

"Hey boys!" I hope you don't mind me barging in but I heard about your asking the older teacher about a research paper? Missing kids?" The teacher said quickly.  

Quinn started to panic, had they been found out? Was he going to ak why they were looking into missing kids? Were they in trouble?  

At their dear in headlights look, the teacher continued, explaining himself further, "Well I was a little taken back when I hadn't receive and word of it, or anyone to come ask ME questions.  I've been here about as long as Mrs. Murphy!"  

"Oh, well we're sorry!" Sean recovered quickly, hopefully all it was is a case of feeling left out. "We didn't even think to check the teacher's in the other grades!"  

The Teacher laughed and smiled, "Oh, its alright! I know you boys probably just forgot altogether." He laughed, "But I really wanted to touch base with you.  I know some things that may help wih your project, so feel free to ask ME any questions."  

Quinn looked to Sean, and when he nodded in agreement, Quinn began questioning this other teacher.  "So have you ever heard of a missing child -"  

"Or Children!" Sean interupted thankfully correcting Quinn's slip-up.  

"-from our town, that went to school here?" Quinn gave Sean a small appreciative smile and turned fully to the teacher, hoping, but not sure if the man could even help them.  

"Well, yes." The teachers smile grew as the boys attention peaked and they jerked forward, not wanting to miss a detail. "There were a few students over the years that I've suspected may have been lost or run away, but there is one that I am almost postive about."  

Quinn's heart beat picked up, 'please let him be the one!'   Sean's palms grew sweaty, 'could this be it?'  

"He was a very quiet boy, alwas kept to himself.  I hd never seen him with any friends, just hung out around the oak tree in front everyday.  Until one day he didnt show up.  Which that alone was odd, because I don't think he ever missed a day.  But he never did come back."  The teacher' bright attitude dimmed a little when he finished.  

"Do-do you remember his name?"  Sean held his breath.  This could be it, this could be what happened to Ghost.  If they had his name, maybe he'd remember.  Or maybe they could fin out what happened to him, where he was.

The teacher sighed, "Unfortunately no.  I have so many students pass through my door, that I can't seem to recall his.  I only remembered him because of the odd circumstances."  

"Oh, well....still just knowing there was missing children here does help us with our paper, statistics you know."  Quinn said, trying to act normal.  

"Was there anything else you remembered?" Sean asked, knowing he was probably pushing his luck, but not wanting the oppertunity to pass them up.  

"Well...yes actually.  I remember seeing his mother after."  Two pairs of eyes widened as the teacher continued. " It was a few weekes after the boy stopped coming to school.  I was just asking how he was doing and the mothers attitude is what shocked me, and comfirmed my suspitions.  She told me she didn't know and she didn't care, 'he's the one who dissappeared, probably went to join the circus' she said.  The mother seemed to be put off that I was bothering her about a kid that wasn't around any more.  She knew he was missing, thought he ran away, but didn't seem to care what happened one way or another."  The teacher's eyes dropped, "it's sad to me, how could she not care? I didnt know the home life, but if I had been blessed with a child, I would have been out of my mind with worry had they gone missing."    

They sat in silence for a moment, taking in all that they had heard.  

Sean coughed, pulling himself out of a funk, "Well thank you so much for all the help, it will make researching and writing the paper that much easier knowing we had at least one."  The boys both forced a smile, trying to seem like the information wasn't personal.  

"No problem boys, feel free to come ask me anything!"  The teacher said as he stood, shaking off the depressing mood they had fallen into.

 Sean watched as the man walked away, catching site of something he wished he hadn't.  In the back corner of the lunch room stood the janitor, relatively out of site, watching them.  

***  

It was late that night when Sean pulled himself from bed.  He had heard a noise in the livingroom and decided he had better see what was up.  His parents might still be up working, but just incase, he'd rather be safe then sorry.  

  He walked down the hall, coming to a living room. No, his livingroom.  A younger looking woman sat on the couch, fallen beer bottles around her.  She was watching TV and talking to herself.  

"Rotten, yeer alllll rotten." She spat as she tossed on of her empties at the TV.  

As it thudded to the ground, he spoke.   "Mom, shouldn't you be in bed?"  

She ignored his question, muttering more at the whatever was happening on the TV.  

He sighed.  Walking closer he touched her shoulder.  She flinched and whipped her head towards him.

 "Why are you here?" She asked, looking at him with no emotions.  "Can't you see I'm busy? Go, leave."  She turned back to the TV, grabbing her bottle and taking a swig.  

He sighed once more turning to leave.

"Love you, mom."  He said as he walked back to bed, no response came from the woman.  

Not really able to sleep with the random thuds he kept hearing, he decided to get some homework done for tomorrow.  He already had his paper done for tomorrow, but double checking it won't hurt.  As he was almost done rechacking everything, the front door slammed shut.     

"Mom?" He called out, not expecting an answer. Of course she left again, and of course she didn't say good bye.  If it were up to her, he wouldn't even exist.

  He finished up the paper and scribbled his name quickly for the morning hand in.     He felt the tears fall as he made his way into bed.    

'Why doesn't she want me, why doesn't she care that I'm here, why doesn't she love me?'   Sean started on a sob.  

Opening his eyes he felt the tears falling fast.  What was that?  Why did he feel like he'd been crying all night.  Just then it hit him, a dream.  He had another dream.  But it started out like him.  Sean remembered clearly waking up from his own bed and going to the living room,  but calling another woman mom.  And that name on his homework......THAT NAME!  

Sean jumped out of bed, throwing on clothes as quickly as possible.  He bounded down the stairs and out the front door.  Thankful it was daylight outside and hoping it wasnt too early.  He rushed to Quinn´s house, pounding on the door.   He raised his hand to knock again just as the door jerked open, reveling a disgruntled woman.  

Hair wild and large bags under her eyes, she barked, "what the hell do you want!"   

  "I-"  

"Sean?" Came the oft voice of an angel, he couldn't hold back the smile at Quinn's sleepy voice. "What are you doing here?"  

"Brat!"  The woman turned to Quinn rapidly, grabbing him by the back of the head, gribbing his hair roughly, "Tell your stupid freaking friends to never coming this freaking early in the morning or I swear to god...."  She clenched her teeth tighly and threw Quinn towards a shocked and quickly angering Sean.  

"Quinn-" Sean started, voice growing low and gravely.  

"Don't, come on."  Quinn said queitly as he grabbed Seans wrist and pulled him out of the house.    

They made their way to Sean' car and climbed in, Sean made a quick decision to head to the park.

"What was that all about?"  

"She's just not a morning person,"  Quinn replied quietly once more.  

"hmph,"  Sean still felt his anger boiling at the surface.  He hated the fact Quinn went through that. And he ahd a pretty darn good feeling Quinn goes through that everyday.  His grib on the steering wheel tightend, knuckles going white.  

Quinn took notice and quickly decided to defuse the situation, no use dealing with two angery people in less then an hour. "SO what brought you to the house?"  

Sean started, completely forgetting his reason to rush over,  grinning he said, "I know a name."  

"A name?"  Quinn looked closely at Sean.  A name.....? Suddenly he looked to Sean, eyes wide.  

Sean nodded, "I think so."  he said softly.  

"We need to get Ghost!"   Quinn yelped as the boy in question sat forward from the back seat.

"I've been here the whole time."   Quinn felt a little guilty knowing he had never even noticed Ghost following them to the car.    

"So what do you need me for? What name?"  

Sean looked into the rearview mirror,  saying softly yet strong, "Yours."

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