An abandoned building? I still thought and wondered if what the hell was going on in Drew's head that he wanted to meet up with me in an abandoned building. If he wasn't my brother, I should have ditched him and decided not to see him in that godforsaken place.
The building was dark. Most of its walls had cracks and it was obvious that no one had been there for months, or even years. Why, of all places, why here? I shuddered at every sound I hear, even though I was the one making all those sounds.
"Drew?" I said in a voice which echoed through the entire building. Good thing, Drew didn't ask me to meet with him at nighttime or I'll be a goddamn pussy. "Show yourself, Drew."
That was when I heard him. I ran, following the source of the sound. And in a small room, there was Drew.
"Morbid shit. What the? Jesus, Drew." That was all I could say. I knelt next to his unhealthy body. His face was bruised, his arms were too thin and his clothes were soaked with something that looked like blood -- not to mention the disgusting smell. I should have brought food all along. How could he act so healthy during the call with this state?
I got the bottle of water in my backpack and offered it to him. Thankfully, he accepted it and gulped it down like he hadn't had water for days.
"When was the last time you ate, Drew? Seriously." I asked, locking my gaze into his.
He chuckled and said, "Two days ago? I guess." His stomach made a rumbling sound which made him let out a humorless chuckle again.
"Oh, fuck you."
"The things--" He began saying but I stopped him.
"Shh," I hushed. "Don't speak."
He didn't. I was thankful for the silence before I realized that he must be ravenous by now.
"I'm going to get some food. Don't ever leave this place or I will kill you." I said. I noticed how he flinched when I said kill. I wanted to ask him why but that'll mean using up his energy -- which didn't really seem like a good choice.
I ran as fast as I could to the nearest grocery store which was at least thirty meters away. I shoved four bottles of water and an energy drink in the basket. It was a good thing I brought enough money with me.
I got biscuits,crackers bread, and for hell's sake, a bar of chocolate.
By the time I came back, I was sweating like a pig. I was relieved to find him still on the room.
I gave him the biscuits and he ate them hungrily. I did nothing but stared at him. He offered me the biscuits a couple of times but I waved it away, knowing that he needed it more than I did.
When he was done, he almost sounded as if he was panting.
"Why did you want me to come before eight?" I asked, breaking the silence that was growing thick between us.
"Because I might have been dead if not so."
"Why are you bruised?"
"I was beaten up by Dallas, my former best friend, the one who raped my sister which led to the stitches on her head."
I tried to keep my voice and face steady. "Where is he now?"
"Dead. I killed him. I didn't intentionally do it. It was self defense." He paused. Tears were starting to form in his eyes. "I can't let anyone see me. I'll be in jail, Luanne."
He killed someone. Even the idea of it made me shudder. Drew, my innocent brother, killed someone. So that was the reason why he flinched when I said kill. Because he fucking killed someone. I still found it hard believe him.
He was already sobbing by then. I wanted to comfort him, offer my shoulder but I couldn't bring myself to do it. This guy is a killer, a voice was whispering in my mind.
"Drew." I muttered his name. It almost tasted bitter as I said it. "What's your plan?"
"I don't know. Maybe kill myself too." He said, desperately trying to lighten the mood with a joke. But unfortunately, he picked the wrong one. "Fuck." He cursed under his breath.
"This isn't just anything. What you've gotten yourself into, it's huge, Drew."
"I know. I can't get away with this. Not this time."
"What could I do to help you?"
"Go home, keep your mouth shut and act as if nothing happened."
I swallowed and nodded. I went back home, as he'd told me. I acted as if nothing happened, finding it real hard to hold back my tears every time I remember him, what he'd done.
That night, he left a message in my phone.
I'll try to save my ass, like you said.
And that was when I started crying. I tried to keep my cries low, because I had to make everyone believe that nothing happened and nothing was wrong even though everything was.
