Beyond

-Chapter Three - Memory-

We sat in that alley way for quite a while, Glacier and I. It seemed like we talked forever in that small dirty street. When I told her why the guard's were chasing me, never once did she interrupt, or laugh, or call me crazy. I told her about my brother; the last memory I had of him before he vanished.

My parents were at work, like usual. I was sitting on the couch for some reason, when my brother entered the room and made a lame joke like he always did. Noah had just bought a fake mustache and was embracing it by constantly making jokes about it.
That day's joke was: 'I used to hate facial hair...but then it grew on me.'
I rolled my eyes, "That is so-"
"Funny?" My brother interrupted, "Why thank you Cole. It is funny."

His smile brightened up the whole room, an I remember I was feeling pretty crappy up until that moment. It wasn't the dumb joke that made me feel better, It was the reminder that Noah has always been by my side. We laughed som more and then he started to leave. He said dinner was on the table and if I needed anything just text him. His short black hair flared out and his purple highlights shifted as he made his way to the door. He grabbed the handle and was about to leave the house when I asked where he was going. He said he was going to visit Jonny.

My brother is gay, everyone knows this, it's nothing new. Noah used to be pretty lazy, and stayed inside the house most of the time. Then he met Jonny; Noah started being more active, eating healthier, and overall seemed happier.
I was happy for him, he deserved this.
Noah was always there, making sure everyone was okay and well, someone was finally there to make sure he was okay.

When he said he was visiting Jonny I never thought once that Noah would be in danger, Jonny was a good guy. I had my suspicions but deep down I know Jonny would never do anything to my brother. Noah didn't even make it to Jonny's house according to Jonny and his family. I asked around the neighborhood, no one remembered seeing my brother that night. Just me. I've been feeling guilt weighing down on me ever since. If I stopped him maybe he would be here right now telling me his dumb dad jokes.
But I didn't and Noah headed off to Jonny's. My brother left the house and never returned.

After that night I didn't leave the house for fear that Noah might come back when I was gone, and I'd miss him. I sat on that couch for days until finally, I gave up. I gave up waiting, that is. Who says I can't find him myself?
Glacier seemed to agree, in fact she might have been way too excited when I brought up my missing brother.

At first she acted cool, but then she took a deep breath and exploded, "WAIT- let me get this straight. My moms are missings and Sonia your brother?"
She was like...bursting with joy, her hazel eyes shining, her smile growing wider, heck her tail was out of control, wagging back and forth wildly. I knew what was coming, I should have stopped myself, but I said the words instantly, out of habit, "Yeah, lots of people are missing."
Her eyes shined brighter, her tail wagged faster, her smile even bigger then before, "we can find them together!"