Trust Issues (Book #1 of the Defy series)

Chapter 1: Rebellious (Aliyah pov)

Trust Issues (Book #1 of the Defy series)

Aliyah:

The slam of my car door is drowned out by the beat of the music. The music that plays so loudly that I can literally feel the notes thump through my pulse. The lyrics rap on about drinking, drugs, and whatever else rappers talk about these days. Which only fuels my anger, spurring on the quick steps of my feet until I reach the front door of the house.

 The house that is so run down and musky with the scent of drugs and mold that I find it hard to believe people hang out let alone live here.

I don't bother knocking - this isn't the kind of place where you knock at.

I open up the door, only to come face to face with a man drinking out of a plastic cup. He was drenched in sweat, and his white shirt was spotted with his past food and what I hope was dirt. I look past him to see pealing walls and dingy carpets.

People were everywhere, smoking, playing cards, and making sorry attempts at dancing. I turn my head spotting brown couches that were old and withered, with the white stuffing protruding out of its cushions.

The smell makes my eyes tear up. And the smoke is almost too thick and heavy to breathe through. I turn my head to take in some of the clean outdoor air before finally walking through the door. I pass the man drinking from the plastic cup, my heart beating fast. Whether from the adrenaline of fear or anger I don't know.

All I know is that when I find him, he better hope that I'm able to restrain myself.

I spot a familiar face in the crowd. A young one - a face that shouldn't even know what the walls of this place look like.

"Bruno?" I feel the question pass my lips, the clipped tone of my voice surprised even me. The face of the young boy I'd just called by name would be funny if only we weren't in such a bad situation. 

His eyes bulge from his head, a sharp contrast from the daze almost sleepy look they'd held only a few moments ago. He drops the cards he has in his hands, hiding money from a previous game he must have played.

"Ms.Jones", Bruno says, blinking rapidly. He probably thought that he was having a weird hallucination from the alcohol or drugs he'd just done. I noticed that he was twitchy, and not able to keep still.

"Yes, it's me. And I'm going to ask you something and you better not lie to me because I know that he's here." The music still plays as loud as ever as I watch Bruno's eyes move as he thinks through his next actions. Before finally standing still on me.

"Whatchu wanna know 'bout?" He stands up from the table he was playing at. Coming to just under my chin, a baby in my eyes. But he chooses to throw his life away at a place like this.

"Where is Marco?" I lean forward, quickly leaning back when the smell of him hits me. He smells of urine and something pungent. He feigns innocent acting like he hadn't heard my question the first time. "I said wheres Marco!" I speak up, a slight quiver entering my voice.

He must know that I'm all business because his tough exterior breaks under the pressure of my gaze. "Okay, no need to get testy. He's in the back room over there." He goes to sit back into his seat, but my hand on his arm stops him.

"What do you think you're doing? Go outside and get into my car. You're leaving with me." His eyes flash in defiance. He wanted to argue with me. "Your mom isn't going to be too happy when she finds out about this, huh?" And with that, his body slumps, almost as if the weight of his shame hit him full force.

He stalks out of the party, not giving me a second glance. I turn the full force of my rage on the door Bruno just said my brother was behind. A door that wouldn't be able to save him from the wrath of my disappointment and anger.

The closer I get to the door, the louder I can hear my heart beating in my ears. How could he do this again? Put me - us through this again? A woman in a tank and shorts bumps into me. She stumbles a bit before turning her beady eyes onto me.

"Watch it!" She barks at me. Spit flying from her mouth as she struggles to regain full balance. I choose to ignore her. The thought of my brother staying in this place for even a second longer makes my skin crawl. I reach the door. It was red and chipped with a hole the size of a fist through it. The splintered wood around the whole sticking out crazily.

Again I don't bother to knock before I open the door. The room I enter into is a small one, lit by a single small lamp that sat on a rickety dresser in the corner. And a small messy bed sat in the middle of the back wall. And on it lay my brother. He was scrolling through his phone while some boys played on a PlayStation. Smoking as they played on their controllers.

"Marco." I watch as he scrambles to a sitting position. His phone nearly falling out of his hands. When our eyes meet he flinches and he tenses as if waiting for a volcano to explode. I can tell from his body language he's thinking about running. Somethings he's attempted before but failed at greatly.

I tip my head in the direction of the door and without a word he stands to go through it. Our little interaction catches the attention of the boys on the bed. They snicker at Marco, as he walks towards me.

"Looks like someones in trouble. Did you stay up past your bedtime?" They find this hilarious as they continue to throw little jabs as he walks out of the room. He clenches his jaw, looking at me like it's my fault that his "friends" aren't being so friendly.

As we walk out of the party I get this ominous feeling. 

A feeling that this is just a taste of what the rest of my life will be. Running after my baby brother, hoping that he won't be stuck in a serious situation where his big sister can't save him.