Alone and Stone Cold

Chapter Five

I knocked on Alber's front door. The time was 7am, a Saturday,she should've been up by now. Time to use the door bell again I guess.

I had been standing outside her house for the last ten minutes but no one had answered the door.
"Alber!" I shouted.

Finally someone opened the door. But it wasn't Alber,just her husband, George.
"Hey, Bryson, come on in man." And so I did.

The house was quite. No sign of any kids around,no sign of Aerin. I turned and gave George a look as if to ask him where everyone was.
"Oh Alber and the kids are not around." He said with a nonchalant shrug. As if I hadn't noticed that for myself.

"Where did they go George, where's Aerin?"

He rushed to their open plan kitchen and switched the coffee machine on. Taking to mugs from the cupboard,one probably meant for me.

"They are visiting Alber's sister."
He gestured for me to sit on one of the seats by the counter. "Only for the weekend though,so they'll be back tomorrow mid afternoon, 6pm latest."
He gave me my coffee but honestly all I wanted was my sister.

"Why didn't she tell me this?" I stood up from the chair and took my phone out of my pocket. Maybe I would feel better if I at least heard Aerin's voice.
But Alber's phone just went straight to voicemail. Great!

"I'll see you tomorrow George." I didn't even wait for his response.
I got in my car and just stared at the starring wheel. Where was I to go? Home? A house without Aerin didn't feel much like home.
But still I drove back to my "so called" home with no intention of getting out of the car.
I started thinking,having flashbacks, about the time my dad was still around. I didn't think much of my mom well because she hadn't ever really been there. My dad used to be my rock. Even with mom gone he made everything look so perfect. I don't recall a time Aerin interrogated him about his wife's whereabouts.
That was how good he was at being the best father.
He took up both roles, without making things awkward he filled the void of not having the other parent around.

Now he too was gone. And I was left to be a parent to my sister and even myself. How is it that a 17 year old was now the one signing indemnity forms for a little girl's school trip?
How is that a 17 year old was now making sure everything around the house was good to go?
Was this ever meant to happen? Was the universe mad at me or something ? Had I been that much of a nuisance when both my parents were still around?
Was I paying for a sin I committed in the past? Was this all just a misunderstanding, just a phase that was to pass soon? Would it ever be okay? Would I be okay?

I hit my starting wheel. Slammed my palms on it over and over again but the pain still remained. I still looked up and saw an empty house. I was practically an orphan now, wasn't I? I belonged in orphanage right? Because my parents didn't care about me let alone love me.

A tear rolled down my cheek and I didn't even bother wiping it. What was the use?

A sound from my window brought me back from my thoughts as I faced Nathan.
"Unlock your door bruh!" I could hear him shouting from outside.
I closed my eyes,wishing all of this was some kind of dream. A nightmare that I'd soon wake up from.

I got out of the car and greeted Nathan. For a second I didn't notice Kevin but when he flashed his annoying smile I felt nothing but hatred towards him.

'T'sup Lanez!" He had his hand out but I just looked at it.
He pulled it back and I led the way to the house.

I could barely see anything when we got inside. That's because I liked everything dark now.

"Yoh! Bruh who died in here?" Kevin spoke. Again!

I replied coldly "My soul."
I looked back to see Nathan and Kevin exchanging looks.
Nathan then rushed to open the curtains but I wasn't about to tell him not to. That would mean I had to tell him I liked the darkness. And it was inevitable that he'd ask me why.