Burning Sage

Chapter 10: Oh Brother...

Maple jolted me awake, her voice cutting through the stillness of the car, "Wake up wake up, we made it to your house." She took my hand and guided me out of the car and into a winter wonderland, the snowflakes glistening in the dark world.

I let myself fall back into the snow, feeling its chill embrace as I used it to wash away the towering thoughts I had. Maple stood quietly by my side, not saying a word, and I was grateful for the moment of peace. I needed a sanctuary, a place where I could find solace, not just a place where I was constantly reminded of the past.

Finally, I rose to my feet, and led Maple and the others into the house. As I reached for the light switch, I saw a shadowy figure appearing on the stairs. The lights were on in Landon's room, and I heard a creak from one of the stairs. I took a deep breath, ready for whatever was to come next.

"Landon... WHAT THE FUCK-" I turned on the lights. I was in awe.

"Whoa WHOA HOLY SHIT?" Landon sang like a young frat boy, "Why does Mom let you bring home-" he paused, comically pointing at us. "One, Two, Three bitches. Where are y'alls clothes at? And why are y'all bloody again. Jesus Christ Sage you leave the house for one day and you come home like this." I was glad to see him in the moment. I needed someone to talk to that would understand me, someone with a hog.

"How are you even alive?" Ember shined the flashlight in Landon's vicinity. "I've been in my room all day.'' he explained, "Watching stuff."

Hope picked at her braces. She took off her hoodie which was soaked in blood, and joined the three other clowns who didn't have much of any clothes on. Our skin, beat and bruised, was still skin afterall. I shook my weary head, "Did you use a syringe from that box?"

Landon looked at me, swaying his choppy brown bowl cut around, "Syringe, oh hell no! I was unaware you'd brought heroin into our house. Are these your drug-sluts?" He flicked his nails, leaned against the railing of the stairs, and looked down at us. "Drug-sluts?" Hope spat like she'd pearled a swisher, "Your the fuckin slut."

"What's a drug-slut?" Ember asked as an open question, "Landon, what's a drug-slut?" All eyes were on him. "I'm glad you asked." he slid down the stairs and stood before us, "A drug-slut is a worker who will provide you services in exchange for drugs. You even accused me of taking one of your syrangies. That's just another reason why I think you're doing a bunch of drugs, and banging a bunch of sluts." Ember raised her voice, "Do you have any idea what's going on?"

"What I just said." Landon smirked, confused as we were. "Gawd no." Hope smeared, "Too much blood for that."

"A little blood won't hurt anyone." Ember pondered, blank facing Maple and putting her hand on Maple's shoulder, "You could be pregnant after all."

"Ha ha right." Maple pulled away, and came rubbing up against me. "Feel my stomach Sage!" I was dying of dread. I didn't want to touch her stomach, not infront of everyone atleast.

I ended up touching it, blushing, "I don't feel a baby."

"Well she's pregnant." Ember insisted, "You can't undick her now." "Wait-" Landon gasped, "Wait wait wait the F UP EVERYBODY!"

"Why'd you say it-"

"SAGE!" Landon pronounced, "I'm literally going to go get MOM RIGHT NOW, and tell her that you got Maple pregnant."

"Everyones dead." I said, "You know, I don't feel like explaining this."

"You're on that wacky shit Sage - Holy shit, how do you manage to bring all these bi– fine women over. I'm sure they're not ALL sucking your dick. I would be offended if I were Maple."