Promises | ✔️

Chapter 7: Kidnapped...Kind Of

Thursday night and Friday went by fine. On Friday, now that I had my car, I had even gone to pick up stuff from the storage place.

It was Saturday. I woke up to the sun shining brightly and pulled the blanket over my face. I didn't want to leave my bed today. I was consumed with sadness, guilt, and pain. Today was my little brother, Nial's birthday. Well, it would have been his birthday. A singular tear rolled down my cheek. He would have been 15.

I got out of bed because, unfortunately, I had a day shift at the bar. After getting ready, I went into the kitchen and grabbed the last muffin from the batch Marian had given me. I placed a small candle in the middle and lit it, staring at the muffin for a minute. Happy birthday, Nial. I love you. I blew out the candle and wiped away the few tears that fell down my face. I wasn't hungry enough to eat the muffin.

I walked down the street and noticed grey clouds moving into the area. Wasn't it just sunny like 20 minutes ago? I stepped inside and headed to the back to clock in. Ryder had a night shift, so I wouldn't see him today. I sat behind the counter, waiting for someone to enter. A few people entered, but I was too distracted and zoned out.

"Excuse me. Hello?" A woman spoke. I quickly looked up at her and apologized. The woman and her friend sat down in front of me, and I poured their drinks.

"Girl. You wanna know what my brother said yesterday?" One of the women said to the other.

"What?"

"He said I should stop screwing guys and get into a serious relationship. ME! HIS OLDER SISTER!" She scoffed. "Who does he think he is?"

The other woman had a disgusted look on her face. "God. No offense, but your brother has always been annoying. With all his morals and crap."

"I know, right? I can't stand that little shit." A flame of anger rose inside of me after she said that, but I quickly subsided it. I swiftly walked away from the counter and went to the bathroom. She doesn't understand how great it is to have a brother. I would do anything to have mine back. To have my whole family back. The tears were gushing down now. Why? Why did I have to lose them all? Why couldn't it have been me? It was all my fault.

Someone knocked on the door. I tried my best to wipe away my tears, but it was evident that I had cried. I opened it and was met with Vince.

"There are customers waiting in the front. Get back there!" He raised his voice at me. I couldn't make eye contact and just nodded, walking away. As I walked out, I felt another presence behind Vince, but I didn't look back.

After what felt like an eternity, I was finally done with my shift. It was 3 pm. I didn't want to go home and just mope around all day. I decided to go to the park again. The sky was now filled with dark grey clouds, but I didn't let that stop me.

A few minutes later, it started drizzling. Perfect weather to fit my mood. I continued walking and finally entered the park. Instead of going to the bench from yesterday, I went to a walkway bridge over the lake. By now, it was pouring. My hair was getting drenched, and my clothes were starting to stick to my body. I stood at the railing of the bridge and looked down at the water. Nial loved swimming. He would always want to race our little sister, Nellie, and me. He even made it to state championships. He could have gone to nationals if he hadn't...

I started sobbing. No one was there, so it didn't matter. I missed them so much. I sank down, my back against the bridge and my head in my knees. It was getting cold, and I was sure I would be sick tomorrow. It didn't help that I had eaten nothing since last night, and my head pounded and I felt nearly dizzy. I didn't care.