Joker

THIRTEEN - Amaya

"Noah?" I called, placing my bag on the hook. I knew he was home because I gave him a key today and the door was already unlocked. "Stop hiding! I have something for you." There was no reply. "Noah..?" I tried again. When I stepped into the living room, I was met with an awful surprise.

"Come on, wake up buddy. This isn't funny. Noah, please..." I heard my voice break as my words trailed off into the deafening silence. Dozens of emotions washed over me in one big wave, leaving me disorientated. As I sat beside my little brother's weak, lifeless frame my whole body shook with shock. He's always been small to me, but never like this. He just looked so helpless. I felt as if I was living in a different world; my hands couldn't quite grasp reality and bring me back to Earth. "I need you." I whispered. Tears rolled down my face like waterfalls. "Who am I going to play chess with now?" Seeing my whole world, lying unconscious on the floor not even an inch away from me caused a pain no human could ever imagine. "This isn't supposed to happen. This isn't supposed to be the way things end. I'm supposed to go first." I pressed my forehead against his. I'd never felt skin so cold. My hand slithered towards his, but just before I met it, something pointy poked my leg. Paper? I didn't have to touch it to read the words that changed my life forever:

"I told you, there are always consequences to your actions. Your buddy Axel was right, you know. You guys have to watch your mouths, and your backs of course. I have eyes on you at all times, in every place, with every person.
-Joker"

Guilt struck through my heart like a spear. It was my fault. Noah's dead and it's all my fault. I let out a scream that burnt through my chest. Seconds later, there was a knock on the door. Mrs Wood, our next door neighbor, stood in front of me. She was your typical old lady: old, caring, small and frail. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine."
"I was only asking because I heard a scream, so I was-"
"There was a huge spider. It's gone now though."
"Oh, okay then. Is Noah home?"
"Uh.. yeah. He's upstairs revising for his big test tomorrow."
"A test in the first week of school?" She seemed surprised.
"Y-yeah. For science I think." I panicked.
"He should be just fine then! He's a clever boy."
"Yes, he really w- is. He really is."
"Alright, I'll leave you two be. If you need anything, you know where I am." she smiled. I nodded my head politely, smiling back at her. When she turned away, I swiftly closed the door and let out a deep sigh. That's when my phone buzzed.

"Well done Amaya! You're a really fast learner, aren't you? Maybe you can teach the rest of your friends to be just like you.
-Joker"

I'm being watched. Joker can see me. Then, another notification popped up on my screen. Clearly, the others had received the same message, even if it was only meant for me.

ACES

Avery<3 • 4:03pm
You have some explaining to do.

Aiden • 4:03pm
Yeah, like, right now.

Axel • 4:03pm
Is everything okay?

Avery<3 • 4:03pm
Are you going to answer your phone or what?

Aiden • 4:04pm
Amaya!

Me• 4:05pm
Sorry.

Axel • 4:05pm
I'm coming over.

Avery<3 • 4:05pm
We all are.

Aiden • 4:05pm
Are we?

Me• 4:05pm
No, you really don't have to. Everything's good.

Aiden • 4:05pm
Cool. See you all tomorrow.

Axel • 4:06pm
Avery and I are a street away.

Aiden • 4:06pm
I'm not coming, I don't even know where to go.

Avery<3 • 4:06pm
Yes you are. I'm coming to get you, Axel knows where to go.
Be ready.

Aiden • 4:06pm
K.

Axel • 4:08pm
I'm here.

***

I could see Axel's blurry outline through the glass. I shook my head at him. "Let me in."
"Really, it's okay-"
"Let me in." he repeated, this time, more serious. I opened the door and he immediately examined my face. "What happened?" he asked. I didn't speak, only pointed him to the living room. He knelt down beside Noah. "Don't touch the paper." I told him.
"What?"
"Don't touch the paper."
"Why?"
"It might be useful. You can read it, but don't touch it."
"I won't touch it." His face dropped as he read. "We're being watched, I knew it."
"It's my fault."
"What?"
"It's my fault." Tears formed in my eyes. Axel stood up and made his way over to me, pulling me into a hug. My head rested beside his racing heartbeat. "I'm scared." I mumbled.
"We all are. Who found out?"
"I don't know, it was probably someone from that big crowd of people, or maybe when we were in the canteen." Then, came a harsh knocking sound that startled both of us. Avery took me in her arms as soon as I opened the door. Aiden barged past with force. "Amaya, what happened?" I heard him demand from the living room.
"Read the note, but don't touch the paper."
"I wasn't going to."
"What's going on?" Avery raised an eyebrow.
"You should go see for yourself." I followed her into the room. She almost let out a scream, but my hand flew to her face, muffling the noise. I shook my head, signalling to her not to make any loud noises. "No. This isn't happening." she cried when I removed my hand from her face.
"Yes it is, so get yourself together and help us out, Avery." Aiden snapped.
"Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?" Axel asked.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe I'm in a bad mood because of a certain someone." he said, his words clearly directed at Axel.
"I didn't mean to kiss you!" The room instantly fell silent. Aiden slowly stepped towards Axel and our hearts stopped at the sound of a loud slap, followed by Aiden whispering something to Axel, which to me, sounded somewhat like "outside".
"Boys, please..." Avery begged. When they had left the room, I turned to her. "Did you know?"
"I found out like 20 minutes ago."
"Is this why they've been acting weird?"
"I'd guess so."
"I need an explanation."
"Aiden found Axel in Tilly's and they fought and then Axel got all emotions and-"
"Take a breath and calm down."
"I can't stand seeing them fight like this."
"They'll sort it out."
"And Noah..." she looked at me with understanding eyes.
"I'm really going to miss him."
"Yeah..." she turned to look at him.
"He's too small for this to happen. He's only a baby." We stood over his lifeless body, rattled by what had happened. "I think I need to be alone for a little while." I said, leaving Avery on her own. When I reached the comfort of my room, I threw myself on the bed, letting tears fall as my head buried itself in my pillow.