The Baneflower

Chapter 18

Riley
Why am I even here? Oh right, I am desperate. Desperate for something different that fills me up inside. Something possibly illegal.
But looking at Morley, I already knew what addiction does. His eyes are red and strained. His face is losing its clarity. His blue eyes are turning into a sickly mix of blue, grey, and green like the weed he hid in his pocket.
I invited Morley to the party, and he replied hesitantly. It was a cracking yes and I was excited to bring him there. We forgave eachother for being foolish, but he talked less now. Based on the bland look in his eyes, I knew it was another rough day for him. Hopefully that would change with this party.
We were out late and everything seemed to have paused. Every once in a while my parents would call me to check in, and I answered right away. I told everyone to shut up because I didn't want them to know we were looking for trouble. Not bad trouble but good trouble. I don't even know if I'm making sense right now. I hope you know what I mean.
Diana, McKenna, Toby, Greyson, Morley, and I were running down the streets where cars barely ever passed.
Toby started singing.
Very.
Badly.
Then we all started jamming out.
Really.
Badly.
On purpose.
Morley rolled his eyes and whispered, cussing with amusement.
We were our way down to the park where no one ever goes to anymore.
Toby brought his guitar and Diana brought a whole bunch of bottles.
When we sat down near a lake, Diana smirked and asked everyone.
"What's your poison y'all!"
I sat there wondering how am I even supposed to answer that question.
Morley answered first.
"Give me anything strong. So we can all booze it up." He looked at me with his blue-green eyes knowing I don't drink usually.
Oh god, he's gonna act all weird and shit.
Half an hour later, he was in the middle, performing something for the night, with Toby's off tune guitar. The beer got to him, because he is normally socially awkward in every way. He also is naturally extremely shy. He sang a song I knew since my elementary years.

We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long long time ago

Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazeless stare
At all the millions here
I must have died along
A long, long time ago

Who knows?
Not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

Who knows?
Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

-

Morley snapped at Toby, and I was taken aback by this fight. I thought they were having a great time; all of us did. Then I realized Morley broke one of the strings on Toby's guitar. I'm pretty sure it was an accident, but with alchohol running through, their thoughts must be exaggerated to its fullest.
But throughout the little argument they were having, they talked about something else. Something I had no idea about.
When Morley left, kicking everything in his path. Toby yelled something about burning something away long ago. Talking about what a bastard Morley was. Then I heard Toby correcting himself, saying that it wasn't you, it was your brother that ruined everything.
Brother? Morley's brother?

Kody?

I left before he finished his rant.

Morley
It was always cold out there, the higher parts of the city. I came here when I felt anger rushing through me. Or sometimes when I felt helpless and hopeless at the same time.
On my way there, it was hauntingly silent. I used to hate the silence. Riley hates being quiet. Apparently to her, it was quite aggravating. I don't really understand her at all.

I remember when I was very little, Sasha would always bring me here. She said this was her safe place. the place where nothing mattered anymore. She said I was the only one to ever go with her. Looking down at the homes and everything else made her calm down every once in a while.
The mist lingered softly around the ground. The bench was old and rusty, and the place felt abandoned, just like her. It had this lonely feel to it. I remember asking her all the time,
"How long do we have to stay here? I'm tired. I want to go home. This place scares me."
"Sometimes you just have to forget about yesterday, last week, last year, and beyond that." She always mumbled to herself, as if she was reassuring herself. My sister brought me here.
Now I come alone. I thought about bringing Riley here but for some reason I held myself back. She wouldn't like it. Or at least I thought.
For some odd reason, today, I felt relieved.
I don't know how that could be.
I saw Riley's look of horror as I left the small party. I thought she called my name. I don't know.
Toby
I forgot about him. For a very long time. His sister and my brother were dating back then. But Kody made some mistakes, and so did she.
The world was shaking and everything was once again a lie.