WHERE ARE YOU CHARLIE?

NOW - CHAPTER 10

"Zoe?" I immediately recognized Dennis' voice.

"Hmm?" My voice was hoarse and my throat actually hurt.

"Open the door, please..." I lifted my arm slowly and pushed the lock open.

He flushed the toilet for me and slid his hand under my armpits before lifting me up. He then guided me to the sink.

As soon as he let go of my arms I slid down to the floor.

He got some paper and cleaned my face off.

"Do you think you're going to be sick again?"

I shook my head weakly.

"Do you want to stay here, or would you rather get some fresh air?"

I wanted to shout at him that I couldn't care less where we sat but unwilling to hurt him when he was being so nice to me, I simply shrugged.

He helped me up and we walked out of the school.

The very empty school...

"What time is it?" I all but croaked.

He looked at his watch. "Five twenty."

"I missed practice..." I felt so disappointed that I almost started crying again.

He stopped walking and grabbed my hand so that I was now standing in front of him.

"I know you don't like talking about yourself but can I say something?"

I shrugged knowing full well that no matter my answer he would say it anyway.

"Stop pretending that things didn't happen..." The softness of his tone wasn't enough to lessen the pain his words brought to me.

He led us to a bench and motioned for me to sit next to him.

"Zoe..." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I get that they forbade you to talk about your life..." He sighed sadly. "I've caught glimpses of enough bruises and ugly marks to know what would happen to you if you ever went against their word..." He raked his hand through his short hair nervously. "But not talking about those things doesn't mean you have to hide the way you feel about them." He paused, probably hoping for some sort of reaction from me. "What I'm trying to say is that you're no superhero, Zoe... Nobody is... You're allowed to break down..." He huffed. "I don't think I'd still be alive if I were in your shoes..."

I had to frown at that.

What did he mean?

He must have read the confusion in my eyes because he explained.

"Your father is this heartless gang leader who's rumored to have killed dozens of people without a second thought... You brother's rumored to have been dealing drugs on his behalf since he was old enough to take the bus on his own..."

Drugs?!! You've got to be kidding me!

Charlie's errands had been drug deals?!

I knew Jim wasn't selling cars but drugs?!

Dennis's laughter sounded forced. "You didn't know, did you?!" He exclaimed. "All those years I thought I was being a good friend by not mentioning anything when I knew in fact more than you did all along!" He pulled at his hair angrily. "F*ck!"

It took him a few seconds to regain his composure.

"What was Charlie's excuse when you went on all your little trips together?"

"That we were running errands for him..." I croaked again, still trying to process everything.

"He did warn you those errands were actually dangerous, right?" He asked, his anger resurfacing. "I still remember a ten year old you wearing the cutest dress and a bow in your hair holding Charlie's hand for dear life as he dragged you behind him."