He Killed the Radio Star

Chapter 5- He Was an Unfortunate Lad

I got into my car and turned the key. Panic started to rise like throw up. No that was actual throw up. 

I tugged the car handle and flew the door open, leaning over the side of my car. My face began to sweat and my hair stuck to my face. 

When I sat up again I felt a little dizzy and wiped my mouth. My stomach turned to knots and my head pounded. I never had a weak stomach, for Christs sake I solved murders and looked at dead bodies every week.

"Stay calm." I breathed out.

A few deep breaths later and some classical jazz music playing on the radio I felt at ease. I had nothing to worry about. I had my handgun, i had a security system, but the thought of me living alone in my small house played in the back of my head.

I pulled my car into my driveway and parked. Sitting there, I stared at the door that was almost hidden in the darkness of my entryway. 

Damn me for not turning on the outside light.  I thought.

I sat for a few more minutes until I decided to get out. I pulled the door handle open and slowly got out. I looked over my shoulder and then kept walking. 

The door was locked and dug around for the keys in my purse. The faint sound of footsteps could be heard behind me. My breath began to quicken and my hands started shaking. 

The footsteps grew louder and eventually stopped. I stopped moving, not making a sound. 

"Kerry." A voice said from behind me. 

"Ah!" I turned around and threw my fist into the darkness. Hitting anything I could with my fist.

A thud and a painful groan came from the ground. 

"Stay back! I have my gun!" I screamed. 

My hand rested on the gun holster at my side. 

"It's me! Stop!" A familiar voice yelled. 

"Jake?"

"Yeah!"

"What?"

I found my key and put it in the door, turning it as quickly as I could. I switched the light for the entry way on. Jake laid on the ground, blood coming out of his nose. 

"What are you even doing here?" I said angrily. 

"I'm your brother! I haven't seen you in a month!"

"You're supposed to be in rehab!" I walked through the living room to the kitchen. "Get up!" 

 He followed cupping his nose in hands. I pulled a bag of peas from the freezer and tossed them at him.

"I was!" He said putting the bag to his nose.

"Why aren't you there anymore?" I tried to stay calm. 

My brother had had a drug problem ever since we left our father and moved to the city. He would steal money any way he could to pay for the drugs. He lost his house then his car and I decided this would be for the best. I paid for his rehab, he was supposed to be there for 90 days to get clean. He promised me he would get clean.

He promised.

He didn't answer me, he just kept pressing the peas to his face.

"Hey! Why aren't you there anymore? I paid for you to be there for 90 days!" I screamed.

"I-i-" he didn't finish. 

I stared at him for a minute until I realized he wasn't going to answer me. I turned and leaned on the counter rubbing my temples, trying to wrap my head around what was happening.