I See You

Chapter 6: I am the worst brother alive

Disclaimer: This chapter contains blood imagery and touches on a very sensitive subject. Do NOT keep reading if it could trigger you, thank you. 

Daisy

I keep glancing at James from the corner of my eye. His eyes...they look like whatever light there was inside...left. It's now like looking into a dark, cold tunnel. Empty. He's living without living. Seeing without seeing.

The golden chains wrap around him even tighter, and another layer of chains form. This time, a heavy metal ball links to the end of the chain. James...I must save James...

So I run. I run, and I run, and I run. Faster and faster. Quicker and quicker. Until the world is spinning, until my eyes start crossing. I cry out to him, my fingers nearly wrapping around a chain-

He spirals. Out of sight. My legs trip over the other, and I fall. Splash! I feel the cold, ice-cold, dark water submerging my hands and my feet. No! I punch my hand into the water. The water splashes and wets my face. No! I cry. I cry, and I cry and I cry. Tears spill out, pour out. As if no matter how much tears were produced, the basket would always be full. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why can't I reach him? Why...why can't I save anyone?

"I'm...going home.." Even his voice sounds dead. Even his voice sounds dead. I hug him, refusing to let go.

James

It's like she's holding on. Trying to hold on. To keep me from breaking. To hold all the pieces of me together. To keep me from falling apart. She's begging me. Pleading with me to keep going. I see the tears that she's trying to fight back. But...there's nothing left to live for.

My hollow eyes find hers. She profusely shakes her head. "No, no!" Her arms tighten, until I can barely breathe.

"I'm walking you home," she whispers, and grasps my wrist.

Daisy

At his house, I unlock the door with the key in James' pocket. The door that looks so worn out, it is hanging on just the top hinge. The hinge and the doorknob are rusty, and when I push it open, the door creaks loudly in protest like I am disturbing it from its slumber.

Then I see a man. Or not really a man, but he looks older than us, quite a bit older. About in his early 20s. I don't know who he is or how he is related to James. But he has brown hair like James. He looks unkempt, his nails are long and his hair is messy. He has stubble on his chin that is long, but not quite long enough to form a beard just yet. He has prominent eye bags, like he didn't get enough sleep. The snake tattoo that crawls up his defined arms and the piercings all over his body makes me feel intimidated. I know that it is just a stereotype, but his blue eyes aren't warm or welcoming either. I swear I saw his eyes glint red.

"Who the hell are you?" He demands, like he is a policeman and I am in his interrogation room. Actually, more like he is a gangster and I am intruding in his personal business. I gulp, and take a step back.

I am about to say something, but James pulls out of my weakened grip and goes into his room.

Aaron

The door creaks open. James is home early, which is not like him

"James, we're..." My voice fades. I see a young girl step in, dragging James inside. Her eyes...they're red... and puffy. It's like she's been crying for weeks. Her hair is fuzzy and all over the place. James...James never looked more...lifeless. It's as if his skin has a tinge of grey. When I look into his eyes, I feel like I'm falling in darkness, a never ending pit of darkness. He is a zombie. No, worse; a ragged doll.

"Who the hell are you?" I ask her. Wouldn't have been anyone elses' choice of words if some girl brings their brother in looking like that. But it is my choice of words because she is bringing in my brother, looking like that. She either did something to him, or knows what happened to him.