Brother's Run

Chapter 4: Stinging realization.

WARNING: Strong Language/Mature content... Enjoy :3

Chapter 4: Stinging realization.

"So what happened to you last night?" Rory had decided the first thing he'd do this morning was bombard me with questions. My head throbbed at each word and I tried to recall last night's memory loss for some answers. I threw a pillow at my brother to shut him up so I could concentrate. "Awe, com'on I've never seen you, like, that wasted before." He teased.

His words continued to hammer into my head, making me burst out in anger and annoyance. "f**k off Rory. You ran off cuz that b***h Emily, we each had our own adventures… just let me rest."

"f**k you, I woulda been fine just telling her off. You got me all riled up for a run, dick." He threw the pillow back at me and I caught it wrapping it over my head in attempts to block out the world.

Then the screech of our current foster mother came piercing through. "You two s**t's better get your asses to school. Ten minutes, then I'm taking the f*****g bat out!" She trailed off with what I could only assume was more insults.

I gave a frustrated punch into the mattress before I tore the worn blankets from my body. "f**k this shit."

"Yeah, yeah man. Get ready so we can get out of this place. I'll grab our packs." He threw a balled towel at me, that burst open mid air as he left the small room.

I then pulled myself up and made my way into the bathroom, it was looking just as bad a truck stop stall. Dark, dirty and stinky, not that all were like that. I'm sure a few had a decent hole to s**t in, but from what I'd seen, it was a bang on description. I cringed looking at the open overfilled crap hole and it wreaked, making me wonder how much better smelling I would actually come out from the shower.

I gave in and stripped my clothes, leaving the clogged toilet for the next person to worry about. Although, I doubt that would be anyone here. I felt sluggish as I rubbed soap along my body and tried to trace back what had exactly happened last night. I could remember up to the point of getting outside and then it went into a blur of nothing… then lights and I think I saw Nico again. Those green eyes watching me all night… it made a unnerving shiver creep over me. I couldn't put my finger on what it was that made me never want to see this mysterious older brother again, but I couldn't shake the seriously bad vibe from him.

I could've been dreaming, about Nico anyway… I doubt some silver spoon would do such a thing for a random kid at her sister's party, drive them home and tuck them in. Ha, it was a laughable idea. Somehow though, it seemed like a very realistic dream and I remembered a scent… something that smelt fresh? Earthy? It smelled out of place in this dumpster, it smelt rich.

I let my mind blank out and finished up showering, toweling myself off and wrapping it tight around my waist. After last night, I vowed never to step foot in Olivia's house again, free booze or not. I searched in my room for the cleanest smelling clothes I could find and threw them on, before heading down to meet my brother. Ready and waiting at the door with impatience written all over his face.

"Hey!" The angry voice of the she-demon caught both of our attention and I watched her while grabbing my bag from Rory. I wasn't sure what made me wait to see what she was going to say, by now I would've been out the door and down the street. "Was that you two sneaking some bimbo in last night? Huh? Two little fuckers more trouble than you're f*****g worth!" She was starting her heavy trudge towards us, with her lumpy flesh bouncing about to keep up. She had the trusty silver bat swaying in her hand and it was decorated from top to bottom with small dents.

I felt my brother pull me through the doors threshold, away from the dark reality. I was numb, knowing that it wasn't just an elaborate dream. There had been three of us creeping in and one of the other kids had seen us late last night.

The bits of things I remembered were true and Nico... he'd been in my bedroom... tucking me in… very close and talking low in a dark voice. What had he said? The question gripped my mind.

"Come on Loni. Wake the f**k up, let's go!" He had dragged me about half a block before I pulled myself from his grip. "It was probably f*****g Nug snitching on us, her kids are just as much trash as their mom'ma." I didn't pay attention to Rory, my mind was struggling to make sense of the puzzling night.

I couldn't extract those words he spoke so clearly to me in the dark. I wanted at least one word… something to bring me back to that moment so I could pick apart the events that passed. "What happened after you found me Rory?"

He stopped to give me a serious once over. "Are you kidding me, you really don't remember?" Rory was looking at me as if I was pulling his leg.

"Look… I remember having my fourth drink… and then... I ran into that creep... Nico…" Even saying his name out loud made my body tense, I started to stretch out my legs and arms.

"Hey, Nico's cool Loni. He came out after you did and helped me carry you to his Cadillac dude… he was just like, 'I'll take you guys home.' Cuz I was having a fun f*****g time trying to lift your limp ass." Rory mimicked my stretches as he spoke, he was still looking at me in confusion. "Why are you freaking bro? All we did was bullshit, you were a zombie though. Then we got home and Nico carried you in."

"And?"

"I don't know Loni. He took you to your room? I told him where it was and I crashed in Lizzy's room, it was too hot upstairs to sleep." I couldn't get my muscles loose from the tense feeling in them, I kept stretching while Rory leaned against a nearby barrier. "Did he give you the stink eye or something?" He straightened his back with blue eyes wide. "Did he touch you Loni?" He gave a hearty laugh.

"Tsk, f**k off Rory. You don't get bad vibe from him?"

"Not really, he helped me in a tight spot man. Should I've said no and tried to drag your ass home? We would've been caught at the trash cans." I knew he was right. I could feel his static blue eyes trying to read me and make sense of the strange conversation we were having.

"Let's go to Alice's, last one buys." I needed a run, needed to catch that free feeling.