The Blackmail Dilemma

Dare Me To See A Problem

As soon as I got home. I'd forgotten all about my worries. Stacie and Nina didn't seem like huge threats to my sanity anymore. When I closed my eyes, I didn't see the tragedy of the past. Instead, I saw airplanes taking off, free as a bird. I saw them land, swooping down from the clouds. I saw August, captivated by the sights in front of us.

The rest of the school day was easier to conquer. In fact, nothing seemed to bother me; not even Stacie's foul mood. So, when I got home, I felt a lot happier than usual. My brother, on the other hand, grumbled under his breath as he followed me into the house. He all but slammed the door shut.

I turned to face him. He hadn't talked the whole ride home, but I knew sometimes he wanted to talk, and sometimes he didn't. I was so caught up in my good day, which was rare for me, that I didn't notice his anger before.

"Hey, Nel, is everything okay?"

And then I saw his face. Ever since he had gotten into my car, I hadn't offered him a second glance. But now, under the bright living room lights, I could see the bruise forming on his right eye, which was swollen shut. His lower lip was busted, and his jaw was bruised. Blood had dried on his nose and lip.

"Oh my gosh, why didn't you say anything?" I shouted. Dad wasn't home, either. His vehicle was missing from the driveway.

He just shook his head, trying to shove past me. I gripped his arms tightly, refusing to let him pass.

"I thought this was all under control. I thought you and Dad had-"

"No, Kiley." He finally shrugged off my grasp. "You go to the same school as me. You know what those people are like."

I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Who hurt you, Nel?"

"No. Because then they'll hurt you."

"I'm the older one, remember? I protect you. I know I've been doing a terrible job, but let me make things right," I whispered. My heart broke for my brother. Sure, we'd made up. Sure, things were better between us. But damn, I'd messed up. And I was still messing up, because I hadn't realized how much my brother was hurting. He needed me, even if he didn't vocalize it.

My brother managed to slip past me, and I followed behind him as he climbed up the stairs. Then, I grabbed his arm and yanked him to the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and I grabbed our old medical kit. Before our mother had decided she was better off living with another family, she had taught us first aid. She'd taught us how to cross the street. But she hadn't taught us how to deal with our demons, because even she couldn't do that.

He flinched as I disinfected his injuries. Nothing really warranted a bandage, so I ran down stairs and grabbed him an ice pack for his swollen eye. And for his whole face, basically. When I brought it up to him, he muttered his thanks, then plopped it right on his eye. He seemed to slump in relief. I wondered how much his face hurt.

"I'm going to call Dad," I said.

He shook his head. "Kiley, leave him out of this."

"No."

"Yes!"
"Dad is our best defender, and we can't do this alone, Nel! Go to the principal, get them all expelled!"
"Or I can handle my problems like you, and I can let them keep attacking me!"

I flinched.

"Wait, Kiley-"

"No, you're right. But you know I have plans to turn that all around, right?"

He smirked, but then flinched in pain. "Yeah. How's the plan going with that friend of yours?"

"Good," I replied, leaning back against the counter. "Nina will crack soon."