Torment (One Direction Fan Fiction)

The All-Seeing, All-Knowing Liam Payne

Joey got home to Rey selling narcs to a man she knew as Dave, and sometimes as Scar. He was Rey’s most frequent customer and he looked a real mess. Hair falling out…missing teeth, skin that looked like it was slowly melting. He scared Joey a little bit. She could never tell how old he was, but she suspected he was in his late forties. She paused at the door when Dave looked over his shoulder at her, smiling creepily. She shivered. “Hi.” She whispered. She slipped from the room as quickly as she could, sighing in relief when she was in her bedroom. She hated all the creeps that came into her house. Hated how they eyed her and smiled with their rotten teeth and putrid breath. Who did that to themselves?

Who wanted to waste away? Joey couldn’t understand it. She ran a hand though her hair again, licking her lips before walking over to her piano. It hurt. It hurt to be reminded that her brother dropped out of high school to look after her. It hurt that he fell into drugs and then got out of them when he started to sell them for money. Joey sat down onto the seat, the bag slipping from her shoulders. She rested her index finger on a key, pressing it down gently. She hummed with it. “Maybe if we could…pretend to….” She trailed off as her fingers froze where they were. She had spent so many previous evenings trying to get it right, trying to find good lyrics.

Joey sighed before pushing herself up off of the piano bench and picking up her discarded bag. She needed to try on the uniform.

It fit perfectly…maybe a bit saggy in the bum area, but it wasn't like she needed a good fit. It was a plain button up white three quarter sleeved shirt with the word, ‘Casey’ written in beautiful italics. The pants were plain dress pants, black mid ankle length and the shoes…well Joey had more than enough Vans.

She sat there for a moment, unsure of what to do. She patted her lip hesitantly, hoping something would pop up. Rey knocked on her door hesitantly and Joey shot to her feet. “Yeah?” He stepped into the room, smiling softly. “I promised sister to brother time and you ended up leaving before I woke up.” She rolled her eyes, folding her arms and walking over.

“I left at half past twelve this morning Rey.” He shrugged.

“I got here at one last night.” He pouted and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

“It’s okay bro. Just make me dinner and we can watch some telly.”

She craned her head back. “And Rey….I don’t like you bringing your creeps here with you.” Rey scowled, loosening his sister’s hands from his waist before walking away, flexing his shoulders muscles. “I can’t take them anywhere else.” He pulled off his shirt to reveal a white wife beater underneath, thin enough to see the elegant twirls and lines of his many tattoos.

Joey followed him into the kitchen. Despite Rey being into drugs and all caught up on the darker side of the path, he refused to allow his sister to get as much as a nose piercing.  Joey wasn't even allowed to dye her hair. Rey refused to have his sister stumble onto the road he was on. “Yeah well…” Rey got together ingredients for a quick chicken stir fry. The wok was ancient and beaten, as was the spoon dyed orange by many curries and powerful Asian dishes, which were by far Joey’s favourites. Rey had exceptional talent when it came to cuisine. He made the most amazing dishes and sometimes Joey wondered whether that was what Rey would have done with his life if it wasn't so fucked up.

When he had finished, Joey was still standing there, watching him with awe. “What?” He demanded, grinning wryly. “Nothing.” She smiled.

“C’mere kid, dinners ready.” He beckoned her over so she could dish up all that she wanted.

They settled together in front of the television, stuffing forkfuls of the stuff into their mouths. Rey turned it on, trying not to spill the food dribbling out of his mouth on the carpet. He flicked channels for a bit, stopping when a familiar face filled the screen.