Broken and Together

Chapter Eighteen: Escape

    Warning: This chapter contains very slight gore, blood, and minor violence.

~~~~~~~~~~

    "Mike." Charlie tugged on his sleeve, attempting to get his attention. He barely reacted, too absorbed in the conversation with his other friends. Fighting back a sigh, she tapped him on the shoulder. "Mike." Without a word, he swiped her hand away, shooting her an annoyed look. She swallowed hard, then again tapped him. "Mike!"

    "Ugh what is it?" He spun around to her. "Can't you see I'm busy?" He gestured to his friends who looked at her disdainfully. One of them glared at Charlie in particular, drumming her fingers on her Chica mask. Charlie forced her gaze away from them with a shudder. She didn't like Michael's other friends, she much preferred it when he spent time with her and her nicer friends. They had a better influence on him.

    "I have to talk to you," she said. "Please?"

    "Later." He waved a hand, beginning to turn away.

    "No." She took his arm and turned him back to her. "It's important, really important."

    He frowned, annoyance and doubt evident upon his face.

    She looked deeper into her best friend's eyes pleadingly. "Please, Michael."

    With a roll of his eyes, he said, "I'll be right back, guys." They expressed a few words of disapproval. Satisfied but a bit hurt, Charlie took Michael's hand and led him out of the crowded eating area of the diner. They stopped when they reached her father's office, which at the moment was empty.

    Releasing his hand, she said, "I, um, I have to talk to you about something."

    "Okay, okay, but make it quick," said he.

    She narrowed her eyes into a glare. "Why? Am I not important or something? You only want to talk to your other friends now, and torment your brother?"

    "What? No, you're still my best friend," he said with a scoff. "And you're acting like tormenting that little brat is a bad thing. He deserves it."

    Charlie stiffened. "No, he doesn't, Mike. He's actually a really sweet kid. I don't get why you keep bullying him!"

    "Pfft." Michael looked the other way, scowling. "You wouldn't understand."

    "You're right." She crossed her arms. "I don't understand. I don't understand when you became a jerk! When did you decide that it was a good idea to hurt your brother? Your own brother, Mike! I just don't get you now! How could you do that to him?"

    "Why do you care?" he snapped. "I know you've never liked it, but since when do you yell at me for it? I suggest you shut up, Char! It's getting on my nerves!"

    She felt the anger in her gut grow at this, but over it, came her hurt and sadness. She pushed both feelings off, glaring daggers at him. "What did you just say to me? You take it back! The Mike I met six years ago would never say all that to me! I'm just trying to look out for you and your brother, okay? I can't believe you would treat your own sibling with such...such cruelty! He's family, you...you should be kind to him, he's your brother, you...y-you should—" She broke off and looked down, fighting tears.

    A small silence followed this. Michael broke it first. "I'm sorry. I...I didn't mean to snap at you, I just..." He paused. "What's wrong? Something's wrong, and that's why you wanted to talk to me, isn't it?"