The Identity Crisis

Interrogation

Chapter 6

I sit back in my chair, staring down at the table in front of me. I shake my head.

"Bryan this is a joke right?" I feel my stomach tighten.

"I don't want to hide anymore. Erica, please I'm your brother..."

"My brother is not a homosexual. Bryan, you are not a sinner."

"I'm not a sinner you're right, but I am gay."

"Don't you dare use that word. It's not proper."

"I don't care. Erica. You are my sister. I thought you might understand."

"Understand?! What's there to understand? I know you, Bryan. I know the Bryan that is smart, loving, and wise. The Bryan that has morals." I feel a lump form in my throat.

"I'm still that person Erica. I still love you."

"You don't love me," I shake my head.

"I do. Erica. I really do love you." Bryan leans forward.

"You don't. If you really did, then you wouldn't do this."

"That's not true. Erica please..."

"Don't try to tempt me. You're nothing! Did you hear me? Nothing!" I stand up from my chair. Bryan is silent. His eyes grow misty and he looks away. I take a breath and sit back down. "How did the police find out?"

"They received an anonymous tip. At least that's what they said." Bryan shrugged.

"Oh ok..." I look down again. Another silence passes through us. I sit back in my chair.

"Erica?"

"Yes?"

"Do you hate me?"

"Now I do,"

"You didn't before?"

"No, Bryan. You were my best friend." I shake my head.

"Then what changed?"

"You said you're a homosexual," I look up at him.

"What does that change?"

"Everything. Bryan. It changes everything."

"Really? Does it change the fact that I'm a human being?"

"It does," I cross my arms.

"How?"

"It makes you a monster. Bryan."
"Really? I'm the monster?"

"Yes, Bryan. You are."

"I'm a monster. I've always been a monster to you. I've always been a sinner." Bryan leans forward.

"Bryan, please. Just say something like 'This is all just a phase' or 'I'm confused' so we can just forget any of this ever happened?" I ask.

"No. It's not." His eyes narrow.

"Prove it, Bryan."

"I've always been this way. I know who I am. I am not confused." Tears fall from his eyes.

"Oh so you're going to cry now!" my hands clench into fists.

"You're lying. I'm not a monster" he shakes his head.

"I don't lie," I push myself up to stand again.

"Don't you dare say that I-" Bryan lets out a scream. A sizzling noise rings from the cuff around his neck. Bryan's head drops and the door behind me opens. Chief Parker hurries over to Bryan and puts two fingers on his neck, feeling for a pulse. He breathes a sigh of relief.

"What are you doing?! That could've killed him!" I bite my lip.

"And why would that matter? He would deserve it." The chief looks over at me.

"I- well I mean..." I look down at the floor.

"Exactly. Now... I know your father personally. And I'll say Devin is worried for his only son. If he was anyone else he'd end up dead or in one of those cells. But there may be another option I can swing for your brother." The chief explains.

"What's that?" I look over to him.

"We might be able to cure him," the chief steps over to me.

"Really?! But I thought that..."

"Statistics are manipulated. If we begin treatment as soon as possible, we might be able to rid him of his disorder."

"That would be amazing, sir. Do you really think it will work?"

"I hope so. For you, and your family's sake."

Author's Note: I know I said this chapter would be longer, but I'm great at lying.