Disturbed

Chapter Thirty-Five :

As Brantley walks into the house, Toby nods and offers him a drink. Brantley sits on the couch and drinks the water bottle, Toby had given him. Toby looks at him confused and smiles anxiously.

Brantley : So, you and Mari?
Toby : Haha, yeah. Um, we are not exclusive. Yet.
Brantley : Yet?
Toby : We're just talking. There's been some kissing, but no sex.
Brantley : Oh, that's cool.
Toby : I'm sorry to hear about, you know.
Brantley : It's fine. So you really like this girl?
Toby : I... I don't know. Maybe?
Brantley : What's stopping you?
Toby : Ugh, you know. Life.
Brantley : Is Marisol your top choice?
Toby : I wouldn't say my... Brantley, is everything okay? Are you okay?
Brantley : I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about.
Toby : You came to me for some answers. What are your questions?
Brantley : I heard a stupid rumor.
Toby : Oh?
Brantley : You're my best friend, I love and appreciate you. It's just, I keep hearing this stupid rumor and I don't know if it's true.
Toby : What's the rumor? Haha.
Brantley : That you possibly have a thing for me? That's ridiculous right? There's possibly no way right?

Toby stops smiling and looks down, as he clears his throat. His heart begins to beat fast and feels his arm hairs rise. He pops his knuckles and looks back up at Brantley afraid,

Toby : It wouldn't be the worst thing, right?
Brantley : I'm sorry?
Toby : It wouldn't be the end of the world. You're everywhere, Brantley. You're on my mind throughout day and night. I want to be with you, but I'm scared to fuck up our friendship. I tried getting over you, but I just can't. You have this face that I want to kiss so freaking bad! I don't understand how you of all people, don't see it! How do you not notice me!? I love you so much, I want you and it hurts. What pisses me off the most is you referring to me as your "brother". I want to be able to call you mine.
Brantley : Y-You have Mari! You're talking to Mari! You flirted with this poor girl, making her think she has a chance with you!
Toby : Unless, you can give me a reason to not be with her?
Brantley : I just-
Toby : Hear me out baby. I'll end it with Marisol. You and I can start fresh, we can become something more. I love you so much, and I think you do too. Let me protect you, let me treat you like a king, let me love you. What do you say?

Brantley starts to cry as tears run down his cheek. He stands up and faces Toby with a blank face. Toby looks down at Brantley, as he caressed his cheek and smiles down at him. Brantley wipes his tears and takes a deep breath.

Brantley : I say... call Marisol. Take her out on a date. I'm not the one you should be with.

Brantley wipes his tears as he tippy toes and kisses Toby on his cheek. Toby stands there and is devastated, as he goes to sit down on the sofa. Brantley then leaves Toby's house, as he wipes his tears. He notices the time was still early and decides to take the bus to the rehab facility. Nervous about visiting his mom, Brantley begins to scratch his arm from anxiety.
Finally getting the facility, he walks inside as he gives his information. The security does a search on him, making sure he doesn't have any illegal substances or weapons on him. Brantley shows his ID and is let in the facility. He walks to the center as he is greeted by a older lady. Agnes Fora, a short chubby lady in a adorable green sweater.

Agnes : Hello! Welcome to our facility, where we believe second chances are our-
Brantley : Yeah. Sorry, I'm here to see someone.
Agnes : A patient?
Brantley : Yes, a Valerie Lopez.

Agnes' face lights up as she smiles. She nods and giggles as she starts typing on her computer. She starts going on about Valerie,

Agnes : Ah yes! Miss Valerie! When she first checked in with that handsome gentleman, she was such a delight. What is your relation with her?
Brantley : Oh, that's my mother.
Agnes : Oh my, silly me. My apologies.
Brantley : It's fine. I hope she's doing great.
Agnes : Doing great? Honey, she's doing fantastic so far. She's going to her therapist and cheers up throughout visitations. She is lucky to have two sons taking the time to visit her.
Brantley : Wait, I'm sorry? Visitations?
Agnes : Yes. She's actually had six visitations throughout her stay with us. Your brother sure has a lot of free time.
Brantley : I'm sorry? Brother?

Suddenly, Agnes' pager starts to beep as she raises her finger. She sighs and scratches her head softly.

Agnes : I'm so sorry sweetie, I got to take care of this. But yes, Miss Valerie has approved visitations for a twenty-seven year old male and a twenty year old male. I'm sorry I really have to take this. Give me a few minutes, take a seat and I'll be back.

Agnes walks away to another room as Brantley stays there in shock. He feels lost at words and looks around, unsure of what to do. He begins to cry and overthink everything. He grabs his ID from the counter and storms out as he leaves the facility. He starts to think inside his head,

{What the actual fuck?! I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding. I'm the only child of my mother, nobody would visit my mom. I'm the only one, unless Dylan came to visit. But, he would of let me know before he came to see mom. I need to talk to dad. I swear I can't handle any more secrets. If what Agnes saying is true, I may actually have a SECOND long lost older brother. Why would she allow him to see her? Is there more to mom's past I don't know about? Oh my god, she said I might discover things when she's gone. 'Try not to hate me too much' is what she meant. I don't know what to d-}

Before finishing his thoughts, his phone starts to ring. He notices as the call has no caller ID, and it says UNKOWN. He realizes he has been getting the same call from this for the past few days. He sighs and decides to answer the call. Thinking it could be a prank call or a spam call, he answers with a tone of sarcasm.

Brantley : I guess I got myself a fan huh? Anyways, whois is th-
UNKOWN : Hello little Brantley Bear.

Brantley notices a deep, almost demonic voice to the caller. His heart almost dropping from his chest, he is shocked a bit. He clears his throat to not show fear,

Brantley : Who is this? Is this one of you guys?
UNKOWN : I've been watching you for some time.
Brantley : I'm going to hang up now, weirdo.
UNKOWN : What's wrong? Your little visit with mommy didn't go so well?

Brantley stops walking as his heart begins to pace and immediately starts to sweat. He looks for the nearest crowd of people to blend in with.

UNKOWN : Did I spook you? Did I spook you, like the time I did when you guys saw me at the woods?
Brantley : If you're the fucking maniac, the police are onto you. You're a sick fucking monster, they're going to find you, and you're going to rot in prison.
UNKOWN : How did you like that picture collage I left? What about mommy's bedroom? Or that gut wrecking surprise I left at the lake. Did you see that too?
Brantley : I'm going to hang up and have the cops trace this call, you sick fucking psychopath.
UNKOWN : Why so hostile little man? You sure do come from a fucked up family.
Brantley : What is it, that you want from us?!
UNKOWN : Why did you break his heart? He poured his heart out for you, just for you to break it. Maybe I should go for a gut wrecking movie later. I could see it in your eyes, jealousy. Your ex dating your little brother. Even better, I could play doctor and do an early C- Section on your pregnant friend.
Brantley : You stay away from my friends!
UNKOWN : They're not your friends. You don't even know the real them.
Brantley : What the hell does that even mean?
UNKOWN : You're a smart guy. Figure it out. I tried keeping my distance from you, but I think it's time to make an appearance.
Brantley : I'm reporting you to the cops right now. Stay the fuck away from my friends and family bef-
UNKOWN : I'm actually loving the tone to "Maniac". It has a nice ring to it.

Brantley gets a FaceTime request from the UNKOWN's phone call. He nervously accepts it as he sees Ruby standing in the distance outside her house. Brantley starts to panic and shouts,

Brantley : Get away from her! Don't hurt Ruby!
UNKOWN : Not today, but you will each get your turn. We will keep in touch, don't think I'll forget. This is just the beginning, Brantley Alexander Morris. This is your notice. Expect me really soon. I hope you feel somewhat disturbed, I know I do. I hope you trust your family and friends enough because not everything is thicker than blood.