"Behind Closed Doors"

Family Ties

Isaiah's POV:
Chapter 10:

Isaiah sat at the kitchen table, scrolling through his phone, his mind drifting. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with Kayla. She had been acting off for a while now—more distant, always making excuses for why she couldn't hang out with the family like she used to. It wasn't like her.

Jordan walked in, grabbing some juice from the fridge. "Yo, you heard from Kay lately?"

Isaiah grunted, shaking his head. "Nah, man. Been tryin', but she's barely answerin' calls. I don't know what's up with her."

Jordan leaned against the counter, sipping his juice. "She probably busy with school and work, you know how she is. But... you right. It's different now."

Isaiah narrowed his eyes, setting his phone down. "Yeah, it's somethin' more than that. I can feel it. You know how protective she used to be with us, always checkin' in, showin' up for Sunday dinners. Now she barely speaks. You think it got somethin' to do with that dude she been seein'?"

Jordan shrugged. "Maybe. I mean, she ain't talkin' about him much. And you know how Kay is—when she get into somethin' serious, she don't keep it a secret. But this? She been real low-key."

Isaiah clenched his jaw, feeling that familiar protectiveness rise in his chest. He had been watching out for Kayla since they were kids, always making sure no one messed with her. She was the baby of the family, and even though she was grown now, that didn't mean he was about to stop looking out for her.

"Something ain't right," Isaiah muttered, pushing back his chair and standing up. "I'mma go see her."

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "You sure? She might not appreciate you poppin' up outta nowhere, man."

Isaiah shot him a look. "I don't care. She ain't herself, and I need to know what's goin' on. If it's that dude, I need to know who he is and what he's about."

Jordan sighed, but he knew better than to argue with Isaiah when he was like this. "Aight, man. Let me know what you find out."

Isaiah drove to Kayla's apartment, his mind racing the entire time. He had always been able to sense when something was off with her, and this time was no different. The last time they had all hung out, Kayla had seemed jumpy, like she was walking on eggshells. He hadn't wanted to press her too hard, but now he was regretting not asking more questions.

When he pulled up to her building, he parked and got out, heading up the stairs. He knocked on her door, half expecting her not to answer.

A few moments later, the door opened, and there stood Kayla. She looked... different. Not physically, but there was something in her eyes that caught Isaiah off guard. She looked tired, but not just tired—like she had been carrying a weight on her shoulders for too long.

"Isaiah? What are you doin' here?" Kayla asked, her voice softer than usual.

Isaiah didn't answer right away, just stepped inside, his eyes scanning the apartment. "I been tryin' to get in touch with you. You been duckin' me, Kay."

Kayla sighed, closing the door behind him. "I ain't duckin' you, Zay. I'm just... I been goin' through some stuff."

Isaiah turned to her, his brow furrowing. "What kinda stuff? And don't tell me it's just school and work, 'cause I know that ain't it. Is it that dude you been seein'? What's his name, Devin?"

Kayla froze for a second, and Isaiah caught the brief flicker of fear in her eyes. That was all the confirmation he needed.

"Kay, what's goin' on?" Isaiah asked, his voice more serious now. "He doin' somethin' to you?"

Kayla looked away, wrapping her arms around herself like she was trying to shield herself from something. "I don't wanna talk about it, Zay. It's complicated."

Isaiah's chest tightened, his protective instincts kicking in full force. "Complicated how? You know I don't play when it comes to you. If he's hurtin' you, you need to tell me now."

Kayla didn't say anything for a moment, just stood there, staring at the floor. Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a pain that Isaiah hadn't seen before. "He's been... controlling me. It started off small, but now... it's like he owns me, Zay. I been tryna get out, but he won't let me go."

Isaiah felt a rush of anger flood through him. He had known something was wrong, but hearing Kayla say it out loud made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to march out and find Devin right then and there.

"I'mma kill him," Isaiah muttered under his breath, his whole body tensing up.

"No, Zay, don't," Kayla said quickly, stepping forward. "That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you and Jordan to get involved. I don't want this to get messy."

Isaiah stared at her, his heart pounding in his chest. "Kay, it's already messy. You tellin' me this dude's been hurtin' you, and I'm supposed to just sit back and let it happen? Nah, I can't do that."

Kayla grabbed his arm, her grip tight. "I know. But please, Zay, let me handle this. Lena's been helpin' me, and we got a plan. I just... I just need some time."

Isaiah shook his head, his jaw clenched. "Time for what? For him to hurt you again? Kay, you gotta let us step in."

Kayla's eyes softened, and she let out a shaky breath. "I know. But I don't want this to blow up. I'm scared of what he'll do."

Isaiah's chest tightened again, but this time with a different kind of emotion. He hated that his little sister was scared, that she felt trapped in a situation she couldn't control. But he also knew that pushing her too hard right now might make things worse.

"Aight," Isaiah finally said, his voice low. "I won't do nothin' yet. But I'mma be checkin' in on you, Kay. And if he steps outta line one more time, I'm steppin' in."

Kayla nodded, her eyes full of gratitude and fear. "Thanks, Zay. I just... I need to do this on my terms."

Isaiah exhaled, his fists still clenched, but he nodded. "Aight. But I'm here. Anytime you need me."

Kayla managed a small smile, though Isaiah could still see the weight she was carrying. "I know. Thanks."

As Isaiah left Kayla's apartment, the anger in his chest hadn't subsided. Devin was on borrowed time. If Kayla's plan didn't work out, Isaiah knew exactly what he was going to do. He wasn't about to let anyone hurt his sister. Not now, not ever.