Red

Chapter 5

Mike

I watched Nate walk back toward my little sister's room. I'm worried about him. I'm worried about both of them.

First I discover Clarissa is being tormented by the mayor's son, then Nate tells me that he has some issue at home and a cutting problem. I can't wrap my head around the fact that two innocent kids had so much suffering in their lives.

I had my own fair share of problems. Last week I was suddenly the sole caretaker of Clarissa when some drunken idiot rammed into the side of our parent's car, killing them both. It hit both of us hard, but I think Clarissa got the worst of it. She was extremely close to our mother. Since the accident she had become inseparable from anything our parents gave her, and especially the pearl necklace. The one that was stolen from her from the same guy that stabbed her in the leg.

I clenched my fists, then relaxed. It won't do anyone any good to get worked up about it. Besides, I've got an exam tomorrow. I need to get some sleep.

I wandered slowly to my bedroom, thinking about my test and completely forgetting about the food in the car. I kept mulling over facts in my head. As I was falling asleep, though, my thoughts turned to the two kids down the hall. I had to help them through whatever their inner demons are. I had to be the fatherly figure. To both of them. I had a feeling that whatever was up with Nate, he didn't have someone he could talk to at home.

I surprised myself by finding that I willingly took on this huge reasonability. I wanted to. I had a smile on my face as I drifted in to sleep.