Prodigal

~12~

The media did many stories on what happened. Most didn’t get it correct. I had a huge response on social media, from sympathy to people claiming they did it. News outlets and tabloids (including Enquire Australia) wanted to do interviews with us, which Dad declined.

For two days I wouldn’t leave the house or Dad’s side. Over the next few days I was able to go out and about, to work, but only with Dad around. I kept seeing headlines everywhere in tabloids. “Luke Hemmings and son are terrorized! Will the killers attempt again?”

I still didn’t know what the intruders wanted. A few things were stolen, but they could’ve easily taken more, so robbery wasn’t the main motive. That made me feel like they were in our house to kill us.

Dad hired extra bodyguards to have 24/7 surveillance on us.

One week later, Dad was going to a show and it was the first time since the break in that he wasn’t around at night time. I tried to sleep but couldn’t relax. I would jump at every noise I heard. It was the same feeling that you get after watching a horror movie then turning all the lights off.

At eleven p.m., Dad texted me saying he was done with the show and was going out for a pint with Calum, Ashton and Michael.

An hour later at midnight I still couldn’t sleep. Every noise kept making adrenaline course through my veins. I then heard keys jousting and someone trying to open the door to the house. I got freaked out, ran to the kitchen and picked up a knife, ready to defend myself. I was shaking. I screamed as Dad walked in with his former bandmates.

“Oh my God.” I exclaimed, dropping the knife as tears of panic, tiredness and relief fell. I ran over to him into a hug. Like a newborn infant, I was able to calm down and then fell asleep right as I was in his arms.

Also like a newborn infant, I must’ve fallen asleep in his arms and he must’ve put me into bed. I half woke up about five minutes later and I overheard something that was being said.

“Did you really have to put him to bed like he’s five years old?” I heard Calum ask.

“He fell asleep, what was I supposed to do?” Dad responded.

“It’s a little weird,” Michael added, “He can’t sleep unless you’re around. He’s a fourteen-year-old boy.”

“Someone just made an attempt on our lives.” Dad emphasized.

“A fourteen-year-old boy probably shouldn’t need his Dad around in order to fall asleep, Luke.” Ashton commented. “And you putting him to bed like that only encourages that weird behavior.”

Dad became angry at that comment. “I don’t need your approval on my parenting choices.” Dad said. “You are trying to make me feel bad for being there for my child? I’m raising him on my own and I’m doing a pretty damn good job so I’d appreciate it if you just let me parent my son.”

The other three didn’t say anything for a minute, then all three muttered the word sorry.

I was happy that Dad defended me, but then the words that the other three said made me feel like crap. It was weird that I couldn’t sleep unless my Dad was around. It was weird that he was the only thing that made me feel safe. But I guess Dad didn’t care and thought he was making the right decisions.

I also began to reflect on how Dad actually openly had an argument with his best friends over…me. Dad had no problem arguing with his friends over me. With that understanding, I began to truly believe that I was the reason that 5 Seconds of Summer broke up.

Notes

sassy Luke is everything

this is where the story starts to get more dramatic