Bad Boy (Brandon Darrow)

Chapter Eight

"Rowan and Marie Fricks to see Brandon Darrow." I told the lady behind the counter and she logged us in. Rowan and i walked to the visiting area and the officer went to get Brandon. "I swear, he's explaining then i'm leaving. I don't even wanna be in the same room as him." Rowan crossed her arms over her chest and i rolled my eyes. I looked up to the doorway and saw Brandon walking in, his hands cuffed in front of him, wearing a beige jumpsuit. I took a deep breath as Rowan and i sat at a table. "What are you two doing here?" Brandon asked and looked between us. "Rowan wanted you to explain why you were in the cobra mask." I whispered and Brandon took a deep breath. "A couple years ago i logged on to The Zoo website, so i could talk shit about my dad, and i met Monkey Man. We bonded over our shitty dads, and i gave him advice about his bullies." Brandon whispered and Rowan rolled her eyes. "You're a liar!" She screamed and Brandon shook his head. "No, I'm not! Okay?! I thought it was all your fault. I found Dunbar's phone at Nicki's party. I was going to get my bag back before the cops came and... Look, i was so pissed off because i thought it was all your fault that he killed himself. So, okay? That's why i took his phone, and i sent you the message that we finish what we start." Brandon took a few shaky breaths and i looked at Rowan. "God, you're an asshole." She said as a few tears rolled down her face, all three of us were crying by this point. "I felt so guilty, okay? Th-that's why i when i got the phone, i logged onto Monkey Man's account. I told them all that we should make you suffer and make you pay. We-we came up with this stupid hunting idea. When Hailey got out, i texted you. But when i saw Hailey's face at her audition, i-i felt so guilty because i was just trying to make things better and she was so scared, and all i do is make things worse. Remember m-my knuckles? I-i felt so shitty i just punched a wall. I can't do anything right! Rowan i, i tried to tell everyone to stop online, but King Cobra, he, he was telling people to do really bad things to you, Rowan. I tried to make it better. I tried to stop everyone but it was too late." Brandon sobbed and Rowan shook her head. "You were wearing the mask." She whispered and Brandon sighed. "It, it was a trick, i wanted to find out who he was." Brandon said and Rowan rolled her eyes. "You're King Cobra." She said and i touched her arm. "Rowan i started it, but i-i can't stop it." Brandon sobbed and Rowan and i did too. "I'll meet you outside." Rowan said and got up and left. "Please tell me you believe me." Brandon pleaded and held my hands in his on top of the table. "I do, Brandon." I nodded and sniffled. "But Rowan needs me right now. She just lost one of her best friends, and she could lose another. But i promise you, I'm gonna get you out of here. I don't know how or when yet, but i promise you. You're gonna be okay." I cried and he nodded. "I'll see you soon." I said and he nodded. "You don't have to keep coming here, Marie. I'll be okay." Brandon said and i shook my head. "I really like you, a lot. I'm gonna be here for you, Brandon. Through the good and the bad." I smiled through the tears and he did the same.

"I believe him, Rowan. He sounded and looked so broken. Like we did after we found out about Mom." I whispered and she shook her head. "Do not compare this to us finding out about Mom. This is nothing like that." Rowan whispered and her voice broke. I hugged her and sighed. "I know, Ro. I know." I whispered to her and she cried on my shoulder. Our Mom was always closer to Rowan than me because i was the youngest, so naturally, it hurt when we found out, but i think it hurt Rowan a bit more.