What Eyes Can Hear (Nicolas Brown)

•Chapter Ten•

"Evee, I have to go, I'll be right back. Do not leave here until I return, okay?" I looked up at my brother's un-shaved and dirty looking face. Andrew looked like a mess. I could tell he hadn't slept in a long time, and whatever drugs he was on had him shaking like crazy, making the whites of his eyes red and his pupils dilated. His short, messy black hair was somewhat hidden underneath a black beanie. He was dressed in some really dirty and crappy looking jeans and a black hoodie.

"Where are you going?" I asked, trying not to sound like I was scared. It scared me every time he left me here alone. I never knew if he was going to get killed or if he would ever come back. He usually always came right back, sometimes it would take hours, or all night, or until the next morning when I woke up to see him in the sleeping bag next to me. It was normal, but still completely terrifying, especially for a twelve year old girl.

"I have something I need to do for Mark and Cody, don't worry, I'll be right back." He said, doing his best to give me a smile. Andrew hugged me gently, his whole body still shaking. He let go of me and grabbed something from the kitchen area and then soon disappeared out the door.

I had remembered him talking about a guy named Mark before, but Cody was a whole new person. I try to push aside my worries and lay down on my sleeping bag. It was ten forty-three p.m. and time for me to try to go to bed. I never really could fall asleep some nights when he left me by myself this late, so I would try and stay up and wait for him, but I would always pass out somewhere through the night, remembering the last image of my brother my brain took in and that stupid playing card tattoo on his neck.

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I awoke from the memory that had entered my mind in the form of a dream. After work yesterday, Worick and Nicolas had walked me home and had stayed for the dinner I had promised them both. It was nice to have people over and feel like a real person for once. However, after having worked all and cooked a meal for three, and unfortunately dealing with some unwanted attention from some creepy strangers, the minute Worick and Nicolas left, I passed out on the bed in my room.

I was still dressed in my clothes from yesterday, my hair felt messy and knotted, and my left cheek had some dried drool on it. How beautiful. I looked to the clock on my nightstand, it was only four in the morning, the sky was a dark blue color from what my brain could understand as I tried to wake up and see through the closed curtains. I didn't have to be in today till nine a.m., so I figured I'd shower and change before trying to get some more sleep.

As I sat up in my bed, trying to develop the energy to head to the bathroom, my heart felt heavy. It had been a very long time since I had last dreamed about my brother. I tried to push most things about my brother away from my memories and my head. But he always found a way to poke through my head.

My brother did many things to take care of us, he did all he could to give me a chance at growing up and becoming my own person. After awhile though, it seemed his addiction took control of his actions. As much as I thank my brother for doing so much for me, he also took a lot of things away from me. I think one of the only emotions I felt after he disappeared was relief. I shake my head of thoughts of my brother and head to the bathroom.

I enter the bathroom, switch on the lights, and open the curtain to turn the water on and allow the water to warm up for my shower. I take a look at myself in the mirror, and just like I thought, I look absolutely unappealing. I comb through my hair as best I could, just to make my hair some what easier to work soap through and then remove my clothes from the previous day to jump in the shower. As I stand under the shower head, allowing the hot water to run down my body, my mind shifts back to thoughts of Andrew. 'Why am I even thinking about him?' I ask myself. It has been along time since I thought about him or that stupid gang he was in. Why were these thoughts and memories coming back now? My brother could be dead for all I know and even if he was alive, I don't think he'd be the person he was when we were kids.

I finished my shower and open the curtain to grab a towel from the rack next to the shower and tub. I wrap the towel around my body after drying up a bit and pick up my dirty clothes from the floor and head back towards my room. As I enter my room, I shut the door behind me and throw my dirty clothes in the hamper and then go to my dress to pull out some sweats and an old t-shirt. I towel dry my hair as best I can and then try to head to sleep, only to be scared by the sound of my cellphone on my nightstand. I take a deep breathe and then lean over to answer the phone. It's a number I don't know, but I pick it up anyway in case it's Dr. Theo.

"Hello?"

"Ever, it's Worick, where are you right now?" I hear his voice on the other end, he sounds kind of worried.

"Worick, I'm at home, it's like five a.m. is everything okay?"

"I need you to stay in your room and do not come out till me and Nico get there."

"What? Why?" I asked, sitting up in the bed, my heart racing.

"This gang called the "Black Spades" broke in to our place looking for you, they're the ones who robbed the bar and killed your boss. I can't explain everything right now but you're in danger and you need to stay put till we get there." Worick said and then hung up.

Images of the tattoo on my brother's neck came flashing through my head. I knew two things for sure in that moment. One, Andrew was alive, and two, whatever he did, they were gonna make him pay, by hurting me.

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I am so sorry, I've been having very bad writer's block but I'm back and with a new chapter. Everything will make since next chapter. Yes, Ever's brother is alive and that's all you get to know right now. I'm sorry I'm evil. Lol Stay tuned for next chapter! :)