The Other Side of the Fire

Bleed Well

Chapter One

BLEED WELL

"This is all your fault!" yelled Nathan. He was rummaging some of his clothes into his luggage. He's furious, everyone can tell, even Kiev, the one who's liable of all this insanity.

"It wasn't his fault." said Mr. Hollister, overhearing his son from the kitchen.

Nathan rolled his eyes annoyingly. "I'm so not having this conversation again." He yanked his backpack and slid it into his shoulder.

Kiev remained silent while packing his things; it's always been this way since he was little so he's adjusted to it.

"Don't worry Kiev, it's not your fault. Nathan's just annoyed to leave his girlfriend behind." laughed Dylan.

Nathan threw the soda can that he is drinking towards Dylan.

"Ouch! See, it's true!" said Dylan flinching.

"Nathan," it was Mrs. Hollister "what did I tell you about -"

"- girlfriends? " continued Nathan.

Mrs. Hollister fixed her eyes on him. "What? I'm eighteen, I'm supposed to have a girlfriend now." moaned Nathan.

"Almost eighteen." corrected Dylan.

"Shut up!"

Mrs. Hollister snorted. Nathan looked at his mom with sad eyes. "Mom, give me a valid reason why I can't." Nathan's words were fierce.

Mrs. Hollister became silent, she bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. "Because - "

"Because you're an idiot." interrupted Kiev calmly.

Nathan's face went red of rage. "You cynic! You don't deserve to be in this family!"

"You think?" guffawed Kiev. Nathan grabbed the collar of Kiev's navy blue shirt.

"I despise calling you my brother." whispered Nathan.

Kiev gave a simper. "You've forgotten that I'm just your adopted sibling."

Mrs. Hollister pulled them away instantly. "Boys, please..."

Mr. Hollister came in the room with a knife clinging in his hand. "Do you need a hand, honey?"

Mrs. Hollister just smiled then looked at her two sons dejectedly.

"Nathan, we're moving away not because of your brother...you know your father's job is always like this."

"No mom, it's always been his fault. He's causing trouble every time we move."

"Accidents, if I may say so." said Kiev.

"Accidents?" replied Nathan. "You always wreck everything."

Silence.

"Like in Phoenix, you joined a war gang and if Dad weren't there to save you...you...could be..."

The word "dead" was ringing in his mind.

"Sliced in half?" continued Kiev.

Nathan shrugged. "And now you've helped a group of guys, rob a bank."

"No one knows about it, even the police can't solve the case." said Kiev.

"You disgusting fool - "

"Nathan," Mrs. Hollister's eyes were closed. "...stop."

"But mom, ever since that New York incide - "The crick of the door was heard; Kiev left the room immediately.

Mrs. Hollister sighed, "End of conversation. Continue packing."