end of the track, and was about to turn back, when he saw a flicker of light up ahead.
He stopped, and got out of the car. The light flickered again, like a lantern, coming from inside a run-down building further up the beach.
“Matty?” he called, but there was no reply, so Aidan set off through the dunes, using the torch setting on his phone to light the way. It was the old bed and breakfast, he realized, as he drew closer. The Beachcomber Inn. He had a vague memory of having tea there with his mom one summer, scones and strawberry jam, but the place had clearly been deserted for years. There was sand blown all the way up to the windows, and the porch steps almost gave way under Aidan’s feet as he climbed to the weathered front door and gave it a push.
It swung open easily.
“Matty?” he called again, shining the light around. There were a few pieces of rotting furniture, and carpets thick with dust and sand.
A noise came, a rattling sound, deeper in the house.
“It’s me, Aidan,” he called, walking slowly towards the sound. “I promise, you’re not in trouble, but everyone’s really worried about you. If you’re here, you need to let me know.”
Aidan carefully opened the door at the end of the hallway. Relief swept through him so hard, that for a moment, he couldn’t speak.
It was Matty.
Sitting there, cross-legged in the middle of a makeshift home base, surrounded by books, and fast food wrappers, and even an astronomy kit. He was looking guilty and sheepish, and had clearly camped out there before, but Aidan was too grateful to do anything but sag back against the door for a moment, and thank every God there was that the kid was safe.
It was all OK.
He lifted his phone, and started to dial. “Don’t call my mom!” Matty yelped.
“She’s been going out of her mind,” he said sternly. “Do you really want to leave her worrying?”
Matty hung his head. “No…” he said, reluctant.
“Right answer.” Aidan dialed. “I’ve found him,” he said, when Stella answered on the first ring. “He’s fine. He was hanging out near the beach, I’m pretty sure he just lost track of time.”
He gave Matty a look, and the kid sank lower.
“Oh my god.” Stella gasped, and he heard a muffled sob. “Where are you? I’ll come get him.”
“No, it’s OK, I can bring him home. We’ll see you soon.”
Aidan hung up, and took another deep breath. He’d been ready to tear the kid a new one for being so selfish and making Stella panic like that, but Matty already looked so miserable, he couldn’t find it in himself to be mad.
“So, this is where you hang out?” he asked, looking around the room. One of the windows was cracked, letting in a chilly breeze and the sound of the waves crashing, just down the shore. “It could use some work.”
“I come here after school sometimes,” Matty admitted sheepishly. “I didn’t break in or anything,” he added quickly. “The door was unlocked, and there’s nothing here to steal.”
Aidan nodded slowly. He found a brittle old chair, but after testing his weight, he decided to play it safe, and just sat down on the floor beside Matty instead. “So…” he started. “Do you want to tell me why you came here tonight? You must have known your mom would worry. You didn’t leave a note, or bring your phone.”
Matty looked sullen. “I didn’t think she’d care. She doesn’t seem to care what I do these days.”
“C’mon,” Aidan said gently. “You know that’s not true. Just because you disagree about something, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.”
Matty reached into his backpack, and pulled out a crumpled envelope. He held it out to Aidan.
“What is this?” Aidan opened it, and pulled out an official-looking letter.
‘We are pleased to welcome you…’
“I got in.” Matty gave him a mournful look. “I applied to Hillcrest, and I got in. But she’ll never let me go.”
Aidan exhaled in a rush. Oh boy… “Look, this is something to talk about with your mom—”
“But she won’t talk, she just shuts it down. I don’t understand!” Matty looked at him plaintively. “Hillcrest is a great school, and I’d be happy there. Here… it’s awful. I hate it, everyone treats me like a freak, just because I care about getting good grades.”
“I hated high school, too.” Aidan confided.
“No way.” Matty gave him a dubious stare. “You were probably really popular. I bet you