To Hell and Back

Chapter 2 - Life or Death

Chapter 2

After staring at the same wall for some time, I decided to start roaming the streets until I knew the coast was clear and I could go back home. Drenched in dirty rain water and freezing just a little bit more every time the chilly wind blows my way, I thought about him. Riley. The oldest from the three of us. The head of the house. The one, who makes the money to, as he says, ‘support my lazy ass’. It is not the money he ‘supports’ me with, it is the nearest hard and heavy object he can find that will ‘support’ my head, ribs, legs, arms. Anything and everything he can break in my body, he will. Ever since our mum and dad died, Riley went downhill. From the classy, bright office job all the way down to dealing drugs in dark, dangerous alleys and God knows what else. Pretty much everything you can imagine. He doesn’t only hit me, he hits Tyler too. Poor Ty. He is the sweetest person, the most caring soul. He would never hurt a fly. Yet he endures the most excruciating pain. He never cries. Not even behind closed doors. I don’t know how he remains so strong and positive. I’ve always felt alone, since the death of my parents, for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if I like it, or I’m just used to it, but I know that being lonely does things to you, and feeling shit and bitter and angry all the time just eats away at you. My heart cries out the loudest screams yet my mind remains intact and emotions are forever silenced. I remember, the last time I cried. It was the day I found out about the death. I think that is when I let out the last drop of sorrow I had left.

My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my cell phone. I checked the caller ID, it was Riley. My heart stopped. Arms and legs were at their weakest point; throat as dry as a dessert. I pressed the answer button with a shaky thumb. While slowly bringing the phone to my ear I swallowed hard and was met by a deadly silence. ‘Hello…’ I choked out. My voice sounded raspy. There was nothing. ‘Riley?’ I whispered. I was petrified. Still, no one spoke. What the hell is going on? Usually he would scream and roar down the phone with horrifying threats but now…this is weird. It isn’t like him. Suddenly I felt scared. Not for myself but for him; the animal who abused me and my brother for two long years. I ended the call and took a quick look at the time. I was gone for 3 hours. It was 12:10 am. Usually I would stay out for another 2 hours in order to avoid seeing Riley. This time there was something odd about the call and I couldn’t anticipate and do nothing. I had to find out what is going on. Is he okay? Did a drug deal go wrong? Is he hurt? Where is he? I felt myself running towards my street. After good 20 minutes of running I turned the corner to my house. Being scared of my brother was the hardest thing to get used to but I knew all the manoeuvres. I approached my house from the back door. Slowly and with stealth I stepped on the small staircase, one by one. The lights were on in the whole house, even my room. Weird. The back door was slightly creaking open allowing me access to see inside of the house. Cautiously, I put my palm onto the oval handle and pushed the door with care.  My luck that the door didn’t make a single sound like in those horror movies. I exhaled remembering I held my breath this whole time. The house was silent as if no one ever lived here; sadly this house was not only lived in, it was a living hell.

Shit! The house was a mess. All the drawers wide open, their contents splattered all over. A cheap painting that once hung on the living room wall was now staring up at me from the floor where I stood my ground. In complete shock and confusion I stood there for good 5 minutes taking it all in. My head shot up to the direction of a loud groan. It was coming from my room. What the…? Something wrong is going down and I need to do something about it. I ran for the kitchen door while stepping on the shattered mirror pieces. I flung the door open and jumped for the biggest knife I could find in the drawer. Clinging it to my right side, I hurried up the stairs to where my room is. While taking care of my step I approached the familiar door and peeked through the small gap the door made. I couldn’t believe it. It was Riley. He was on the floor blood streaming from his stomach, deep cuts on his face, looking straight at me, breathless, lifeless. His phone lay beside him in eerie silence. I stepped into the room, slowly walking towards my brother’s body. I dropped the knife with a loud thud and called 911.

The sirens were approaching in the distance. I sat there in front of my bleeding brother. Completely helpless. Sadness overwhelmed me. He’s my brother after all. Yet no tears would come out from my eyes. I was sad. Only sad and nothing more.