Overshadowed

Chapter 1

I wake up to a fast-paced voice rambling about increased taxes. The clock on my nightstand reads 6:20.

I bury my face on my pillow, trying to drown out the blaring sound. But it doesn't really help. The television in the living room is cranked up to full volume. Each word the reporter says vibrates through the entire house.

"Great! The perfect way to start the week," I mutter sarcastically.

I lock myself in the bathroom to brush and shower. But the running water does nothing to drown out the sound.

Minutes later, I march down the stairs ready to give whoever's watching tv a piece of my mind. No doubt my dad is listening to the news. But is it really necessary to blast it through the entire house?

However, I'm surprised to find my older brother Jay sprawled across the couch, still in his pyjamas.

"Can you turn down the tv?!" I shout.

He doesn't respond.

I try again louder, "Just turn down the goddamn tv!"

His eyes remain glued to the screen.

Ugh! I just can't bear the sound any longer! I snatch the remote out of his hands and lower the volume to half of what it was.

"What did you do that for?" He looks up at me unexpectedly.

"You're going to wake up the entire neighbourhood!"

I freeze, something catching my eye. I move closer to the couch, studying his face for the first time in weeks. His eyes are plunged red while his usually tamed hair flies in every direction.

"You okay?" I ask genuinely concerned. It's a stupid question to ask especially since he looks frankly the exact opposite of okay. However, communication has never been my area of expertise.

My brother and I have a rocky relationship. We barely acknowledge each other's presence unless it's absolutely necessary. I figure it's better this way, considering what has happened in the past.

When Jay doesn't respond, I sit down beside him on the couch. "Look, I know you're worried about Neal, and trust me we all are. But —"

I'm cut out by the shrill sound of the landline. I rush to pick up the phone. Can't a girl have a single quiet moment on a Monday morning?!

"Hello," I answer, not bothering to hide my grumpy tone.

"Good morning, this is Officer Henry Lopez calling from the Toronto Police. May I please speak to Jay Patel?" greets a rather cheerful voice.

I glance back at my brother, limbless on the couch. "Actually, he's taking a shower at the moment."

"Oh, well ... can you just remind him to visit the school library today promptly at one o'clock? We just want to do a follow up of last night?"

"Yeah, sure, I'll let him know. Thanks." I quickly say, trying to end the conversation as fast as possible. Did I mention how I'm not good at socializing?

I click off the phone and walk back to the couch.

"Officer Lopez wants to do a follow-up. Library at one." I announce to my brother.

Jay's eyes widen and he sits up a little straighter, he motions for me to continue.

I shrug in response. "He didn't say much."

Apparently, the captain of our school's basketball team, Neal Sanders, has gone missing. He was last seen at Aaron's house party on Friday.

At first, no one really gave it much of a thought. Neal's quite infamous for his hookups. But as soon as his disappearance hit the twenty-four-hour mark, the police started their search.