Disturbed

Chapter Twenty-Six :

Asher : All I'm saying is, this stupid machine is a freaking scam. It's just eating my tokens!
Brantley : I bet I could get that panda in the back with just one try.
Asher : I'd like to see you try, brother.

Brantley smiles as Asher giggles, as they are all at the arcade in the mall. O'Shay and Tyler were both at a zombie shooting game, while the rest were at an air hockey table. Toby looks for Brantley as Piper teases him,

Piper : Just go ask him out.
Toby : I seriously do not want to mess up our friendship. I really like him and I know I can protect him from any danger-
Ruby : Boom! I win! That's 10.
Toby : What? No fair, I was distracted by-
Ruby : Brantley? Oh yeah, you've always had your eyes on him but you never noticed until just now.
Piper : She's right. I suspected you having a thing for Brantley, the same way I suspected Ruby having a thing for you.
Ruby : What?
Toby : Well, that was kind of a misunderstanding. Ruby and I-
Piper : Guys, I'm just messing with y'all. Come on, it's my turn.
Ruby : Get ready to lose, pregnant whore

Piper laughs and smiles at Ruby. As they both start their game, Toby turns back at the animal claw machine and notices Brantley gone. He excuses himself and looks around for him.
O'Shay and Tyler move on and stand in line for a Virtual Reality game, as they see the girls playing air hockey and Asher by the animal claw machine.

Tyler : Where's Brantley and Toby?
O'Shay : No idea. I bet they're just at a game.
Tyler : I'm so excited for this bro, I heard the graphics are fuckin' sick.
O'Shay : As long as it has blood, dismembered limbs, gore, or zombies, I'm in.
Tyler : Can I ask you something?
O'Shay : Of course dude, what's up?
Tyler : Do you think I'll be a good dad? I know I'm not the biological father of the baby, but I'm willing to step up and raise it as my own.

O'Shay starts chuckling and laughs, while holding his stomach. Tyler raises an eyebrow confused and smiles softly as he punches O'Shay's shoulder softly,

Tyler : What? What's funny?
O'Shay : Did you just refer to your kid as a it?
Tyler : Oh, whatever. Yeah.
O'Shay : Nah man, I'm just messing with you. I'm going to tell you the truth and listen closely. I'm also going to say this quickly because we are up next. It doesn't matter which nut sack this baby came from, you're willing to raise him or her as your own. I know for a fact you'll be an amazing dad and I'm sure Piper knows that too. Don't beat yourself up man, we all got your back. You got an entire village.
Tyler : Thanks man. I appreciate that.

Toby starts to wonder off and look for Brantley as he sees Asher at the animal claw machine. Toby begins to feel concerned. As he turns back around to Asher, he asks him,

Toby : Hey!
Asher : What's up?
Toby : Where's Brantley? He was just right here. He was with you. Did you lose him?
Asher : Calm down. Take a deep breath dude, I didn't lose-
Toby : Where is he?
Brantley : I'm right here. Chill out.
Toby : Where were you?
Brantley : I went to get more tokens from the machine.
Toby : You can't just go wondering off like that Brantley. Next time have one of us go with you.
Asher : Dude, he was just getting tokens. It's not that serious. You act like he went on some crazy adventure alone in the woods.
Brantley : Let's all just relax. We came here to have fun and get away from that incident.
Toby : You guys are right. I'm sorry. I guess I've been super paranoid lately.

Toby walks back to the girls as Asher laughs and whispers into Brantley's ear,

Asher : I think he likes you.
Brantley : Oh shut up, he doesn't he's just being too overprotective. I can take care of myself.
Asher : Good, because I need to believe that if you can, so can I.
Brantley : Do you really think I should forgive dad?
Asher : It's not my place to say, but it would be nice for you both to reconnect. I am so grateful to know you, my big brother. It's only been a few days, and I love you already. I can't wait for what the future has stored for us. Maybe our families can unite as one? I don't know, I just-
Brantley : I love you too, little brother.

They both hug each other as Brantley's eyes began to tear up. Asher smiles and sees O'Shay and Tyler walking towards them, as he gives them a thumbs up. Brantley and Asher walk back to the group, with a few tokens left over in their hands.
Brantley feels his phone vibrate as he takes it out, and sees messages from his mom. Valerie was letting Brantley know that an officer came by for some questions, about the incident report. Brantley texted her back that he will be home soon. Brantley then smiles at his friends as he notices a blonde tall familiar person at an arcade machine. Everyone watches him as he switches his facial expression real quick.
He walks towards the guy as he taps his shoulder gently. He then turns around and Brantley steps back and notices Caleb smiling down at him. Toby walks towards them and grabs Brantley's hand as he puts him, behind his back.

Caleb : It's not what you guys think.
Toby : I don't give a damn, you stay away from us.
Brantley : What are you doing here?
Caleb : I came here to have fun at a arcade? What? I can't suddenly go to places, because you're there too? You guys think you're so entitled-
Brantley : Just stay out of my life.
Caleb : Sounds like a plan.

Brantley notices a bandage over his shoulder, and he touches it softly. Caleb smirks down at him and shoves his arm away softly.

Brantley : Last time I saw you, you were being rushed into the E.R.
Caleb : Yeah and last time I saw you, you left me for dead with that psychopath. Thanks for that, you sure know how to leave people behind. Like father like son.
Toby : Wait, how did you call for help if you were hurt?
Caleb : The minute you guys drove off without me, I used my landline to call the police. I then got in my truck and tried to leave, but I saw that freak in my backseat. I thought I was going to die, but I ended up only getting stabbed. Next thing I know, I woke up at the hospital.
Brantley : Just stay away from us.
Caleb : Gladly. By the way, if you ever just want to have sex, I'm available.

Brantley quickly turns around, clenches his fist, puts his weight in, and throws a hard punch at Caleb's face. The rest of the group gasp as their eyes widen. Toby smiles and kisses his right fist, as he proceeds to punch Caleb in his crotch. Falling to his knees, Caleb's nose begins to bleed as he holds onto his crotch. Toby messes with Brantley's hair playfully as they walk back to the group.

Toby : Good job!
Brantley : Right back at you. I learned from the best.
Toby : Let's all get something to eat.
Piper : I could go for some tacos.
O'Shay : We can try and find a food truck-
Tyler : I think she means breakfast tacos.
Piper : Or whatever you guys want.
Brantley : I know a Mexican restaurant that serves breakfast tacos all day.
Toby : Which one?
Asher : Is it the one on the other side of town, by the railroad tracks?
Brantley : Yeah, the one where the-
Asher : Old gas station used to be.
Brantley : Yeah, my dad used to take me there every Friday night.
Asher : No way, he takes me there every Friday.
Brantley : Well look at that. History repeating itself.

Asher chuckles softly, as the group all decided to attend to the Mexican restaurant. Caleb quickly catches up to them and grabs Brantley's wrist. Toby doesn't hold back and bites his lower lip hard, as he throws a hard punch at his face. Falling to the ground, he begins to bleed through his nose and mouth. The group leave as Caleb sighs and exits the arcade.