Wrapped

Chapter 38

~Zack

Pierce and I sat quietly at the kitchen table, the only sound was my foot tapping the floor impatiently against the floor. All morning, I have been trying to get Pierce to tell me what had happened with him and Axel.

It has been three days since I came home and the only thing Pierce has said to me was 'I'm so sorry-' and some more words I could not make out. When I asked him to repeat the last part, he wouldn't. He has gone completely mute; whatever Axel had done, it must have really gotten to Pierce.

"Please tell me, Pierce," I said quietly, barely above a whisper.

I glanced up at my younger brother, he stared down at his cereal bowl. His hair fell down his face, covering his bloodshot eyes.

Throughout the few nights I have been back, I could hear Pierce quietly cry as we slept; I would try to comfort him by holding him next to me, telling him that he's alright and nothings going to happen, but I can tell that he doesn't feel safe anymore, and whatever I do, will only help so much. Occasionally, I would feel a jolt in the bed, then loud screeching almost breaking my eardrums; all of that was from Pierce. I have the feeling that he is getting night - terrors now.

It's hard seeing him at this stage, Pierce is just so important to me and I don't want to see him so beaten down to the point where he can't even talk to me; his own brother.

I heard his chair screech against the floor, followed by footsteps. Before I could call him back to sit down, I heard our bedroom door slam shut. Sighing to myself, I got up myself and grabbed my phone.

When I turned the device on, I looked closely, only to find that I had 16 missed calls, all from the same person; Nick.

Guilt overpowered me. I promised him that I would call and I never did. I have just been so busy, but after what he went through, I should be there for him.

I also found that I had a text message from him, saying "I'm sorry, if I'm bothering you,".

I could have just cried right then and there. My brother isn't talking to me and my boyfriend thinks I'm ignoring him.

Quickly, I glanced at the clock, checking to see if I could call Nick. It was only ten, and I doubt his mom even let him go to school today.

I dialed his number and waited. I was actually feeling a little nervous to talk to him. What if he was mad that I haven't been answering his calls? Or what if his mom did have him go to school?

After two rings, I finally heard Nick's soft voice come through the phone, "Z - Zack? Are you there?" He stammered in a quiet voice, he almost sounded as if he was on the verge of crying.

"Yes, I'm here, baby," I said calmly, trying not to sound so worried already, "Are you alright? You sound like you're crying."

"I - I'm fine," He began with a shaky breath, "Just, why didn't you call me when you said you would?"

Why was he stuttering? And being so quiet? I would expect him to be happier or at least talkative. Maybe I had really hurt his feelings but not calling.

"I was going to when I got home, but it was really late," I began, taking a small pause to gather all my thoughts, "and Axel ended up doing something to Pierce, so I was just extremely busy. I'm so sorry, Nick."

"Oh," Nick said with a small sniffle.

Was he crying? Why would he be, anyway? Panic began to rush through my veins, what if something bad has happened to him?