Broken 💔

Chapter Two - Birthdays [UPDATED VERSION]

Daniel's Pov

"Elias! Elias, where are you?" I shouted, my voice echoing through the alleyways of the city. My call got no response and there was no sign of my baby brother anywhere no matter how hard I looked. Jay and I have been searching for Elias for three days now and we still can't find anything. 'Damn it, Elias! Why did you run away!? We would have helped you! I promise we would have helped you!'

I wanted to cry. I felt like I failed him. I'm his big brother, how could I have let things get this far!? How did I miss him running away right under my nose!? "Elias! Please, just come home!" I wanted to keep yelling but I started coughing instead. "Daniel?" I turned toward the voice to see Jay walking over looking defeated.

"Did you find anything?" I asked but he shook his head. We stood there in silence considering our next move. "It's getting late, you know. I don't think Elias will come out, not if he knows we're here. I think it's time we go home and we'll try again tomorrow." I hated the thought of leaving him out here another night but I also knew Jay was right. The sun would be going down in less then an hour and it's becoming more apparent that Elias is actively avoiding us.

"We still have some time before sundown. Let's look around a few more buildings and then we can go home" I said starting to walk further into the city but Jay grabbed my arm. "Daniel, you're getting sick. You need to go home and rest" Jay said, his voice gentle yet firm. "I'm fine, I can deal with it. Besides, if I'm getting sick than Elias is definitely sick. All he's got is my hoodie to keep warm. His PJs aren't gonna be warm enough, not when he's surrounded by snow."

I started to pull away determined to find my brother but Jay tightened his grip and pulled me back. "We're going home. I want to find Elias as badly as you do but pushing yourself 'til you pass out in the snow isn't gonna help him." Jay's eyes were now open staring me down letting me know it wasn't up for debate. I wanted to argue but I knew better than to fight Jay. Once he makes up his mind, he doesn't budge. Begrudgingly, I gave in and allowed Jay to drag me home.

The walk back was silent. I had really hoped we'd find him today. I hated the idea of leaving him out here with no coat and no food. I felt tears well up in my eyes feeling like I was responsible for this. "Hey, it's okay. We'll find him, Daniel. Maybe we'll be able to find him before his birthday and we can make it up to him then" Jay said trying to sound hopeful.

His birthday, that's right! His birthday is the eleventh! Perhaps as an "I'm sorry" gift, we can throw a huge party like we did when he was thirteen. I still remember how happy that made him. I really hope we do find him before his birthday this year. Maybe we can make him that happy again.

Six Years Earlier

I quietly opened the door to the bedroom me and my brothers all shared and peeked my head in. There was a bunk bed on one end of the room which me and Jay shared, me of course having the top bunk, and a computer desk just a couple feet away. On the other end, we had a tv stand and countless gaming consoles hooked up to it. There were three colorful bean bag chairs sat in front of the tv and all our different controllers were still scattered around the floor from last night. I then looked all the way to my right where Elias's bed was, the aforementioned male still sleeping soundly.

"Okay, he's still asleep. You two remember the plan?" I asked turning to the two boys beside me, both around Elias's age. "Yes! Yes! Can we PLEASE go get him now?" Gavin asked, the twelve-year-old hopping up and down impatiently. "Fine, I suppose so" I said with feigned annoyance, opening the door to let Gavin and Joey into the room. As soon as they entered, I closed the door and let them do their thing.

"Those three really love each other, don't they?" Hosuh said, a soft smile on his face. "Oh yeah, they're inseparable. Okay, so we gave the boys some money and you two agreed to watch them, yes?" I asked pointing to Hosuh and Stephen. "Go suck a dick, Daniel! I didn't agree to shit!" Stephen snapped annoyed. "Hey, I had to watch them last time! It's your turn to babysit and at least YOU have help unlike me because SOMEBODY scheduled a last minute date!" I replied turning my head to Jay now. "It wasn't a date!" Jay blurted, his voice cracking. "Mhm, yeah sure. That's why your face got all red when he called you." Jay wanted to make a remark but he couldn't think of anything beyond "Fuck you" so I count that as a win for me.