Madness

Chapter: 6

Oliver POV

My sister's hands shook when she talked to me about Brandon Rogers. Melody was nervous, oh god I knew I wasn't home enough. That kid was bullying my younger sister. I had to clench my fists together and breath slowly so my mindset about finding Brandon Smith's killer didn't change. If my opinion about this kid got in the way of my thinking it could ruin the entire case and the murderer could get free. I had a very small funny feeling inside of me. A very small part of me didn't believe that Melody was shaking because she was lying. My brain went back to when we were younger and dumber, Melody was awful at lying and whenever she did her hands or feet would shake. 

"I got to get more sleep." I mumbled to myself while combing my hand through my tangled dark locks. My phone vibrated in my  pocket and I sighed as I took it out. I quickly read the sender and then opened my phone. 

The text was from Dr. Evans, this was the psychologist that Melody was seeing after she attempted killing herself. The text said 

Hello, Oliver! I've been hearing such excellent criticism on your work. How is Melody doing? I've gotten an email from her a few hours ago and then another one two hours afterwards saying never mind. Is she alright? If you have the time could you bring her in for a short check up? No fee.

My eyebrow raised, was my sister alright? I had no idea to be honest. Like Melody said last year, I was never home enough to know how she was. Me, Oliver Steven Dukes probably the best detective in Michigan, the one who caught Miles Kensington the serial killer that was on the run for 2 years in Detroit, the one who caught a fugitive that was hiding out in Bay city way before I even became a detective. I couldn't even read past my only family left, my little sister. I started typing, 

I'm not sure how she's been doing, I got off leave two months ago when I believed she was doing much better than before. I have no problem getting a small check up for her, when would you like us to come in?

I sent the text and turned off my phone. But as soon as I did my phone woke up and vibrated due to a text from my partner.

Come back, there is a witness.

I sighed and got up slowly, I grabbed my suit jacket and looked up at my sister's room which was lit and closed. I wished I could spend more time with my sister, I know I haven't been around enough so I assume she must be in so much pain being by herself. Internally I slapped myself and wondered how the hell was I so good at my job but not good at being a brother. Melody is supposed to always come first before work. But, over time I switched in unintentionally and now she is suffering. I sighed again before calling out,

"Hey Melly?" 

"What?" She replied. 

"I need to go back to the precinct, I promise I won't be home late okay?" There was a moments pause before she reluctantly answered. 

"Okay, be careful." I could hear the disappointment all the way down here. I shook my head before taking my keys and walking out the door, leaving my younger sister all alone. Again. 

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Melody POV

Uh oh

Why is he going back to work?

Someone must've caught youuuu

I shut my eyes tightly and sat down against the foot of my bed with my knees to my chin. My head was throbbing, my ears were burning, and my heart was beating out of control. I couldn't calm down, what the hell am I supposed to do now? Do I tell my brother? Do I continue to hide from the truth? I started crying and because of this the voices in my headed screamed and bullied me for being a child, a weakling, and a pathetic insect. I started to hit my forehead with the palm of my hand trying to get them to shut up. Instead I made the urge to cut something stronger. 

"Just SHUT UP!" I screamed at myself as I looked at my wrecked state in the mirror. I looked like a mess, dark uneven looking hair, dull and dark eyes that seemed like there was no life in them, and the paleness to my skin. I didn't look like me. This wasn't Melody that I was looking at, this was a completely different person staring back at me. A monster. That's what was looking back at me. I grabbed a knife and started sloppily cutting at my forearm, causing blood to splatter on the floor and mirror. Some got on the dresser and some got on the walls. But, as I did this the voices in my head cheered me on. I couldn't feel anything. No pain. No release. Nothing. There was nothing. The feeling of warm blood on my forearm didn't even catch my attention. The stinging feeling that normally came after I finished my ritual never arrived. Tears continued to fall as I fell to my knees. The dull impact didn't make me flinch. At this moment I realized all emotion I had left had completely disappeared from me. My heart seamed to have disappeared with it. No guilt. No pain. Zip. Nada. The only thing I could feel was the pounding against my brain whenever Nicky or Lana started talking. My body shivered at the sudden cold feeling of nothing. My eyes seemed to darken and my face looked paler. 

I had completely lost myself.