Reminisce With Me

Chapter 32: Merely A Puppet

Nick slowly stepped out of the elevator and that's when I realized we were on a floor I've never been on. To be frank, I don't think any Black Onyx member stepped foot here in years. Cement walls stained with old blood unfolded around us. I no longer saw the endless red carpeting of the halls upstairs, but instead, rundown concrete floors.

Nick leaned against the walls, undeterred by its appearance. Julian loosened his grip on me and we momentarily stared at each other, the conversation from Carrington's office still lingering around us. 

Why can't you just love Julian instead, my mind surprised me by saying.

Because he isn't Aiden, I thought and felt hallow all over again. 

Nick broke the silence. "JV."

I watched both friends as they stood in front of one another, so disconnected. It reminded me of Aiden and Collin's current relationship. And mine and Heathers. 

"What are you doing here?" Nick said and Julian continued to hold the gun towards him. 

"I'm bringing Aubrey back home."

I couldn't help but notice Nick flinch at the sound of my name, saline water crashing against his inner cheeks. 

"I am sorry about your leg," Nick suddenly apologized and his eyes flickered down every so often, his thoughts disarrayed. 

Julian simply analyzed Nick. "Say her name, Nick. Say Aubrey's name."

Nick shook his head and I could see beads of sweat forming along his brow. "Julian, you should leave," Nick stuttered and I wondered why he was shaken up. 

I took a few steps towards Nick and he backed up against the wall. "Do I make you nervous, Nick?"

He looked around nervously, as though there were eyes in the walls. "Don't come near me."

I didn't listen. He was my brother, he was family, he wouldn't hurt me.

I brushed my thumb along his cheek and he closed his eyes shut, my touch burning his skin. His bottom lip quivered, which made my heart hurt. "Nick."

"Please, stop," he whispered. "I, I can't do this."

I let the tears fall because I could no longer hold them in. "I haven't seen you in so many years. Nick, I missed you so much."

I could hear the lie in his tone as he said, "I missed you too."

He reached for my shoulder, but I stepped back, suddenly cautious. His face fell and Julian let out a deep breath.

"Aubrey, you see it, don't you," Julian whispered. "He's not the old Nick."

"I would never hurt you," Nick stuttered, watching me with teary eyes. Once again, I heard the uncertainty in his voice. "You are my sister."

"What if Ryder orders you to kill me?" I countered and his cheeks flushed at once. 

"He wouldn't ask me too."

"Then why did you bring me here?"

Once again, my questions took Nick by surprise. I expected him to cover his tracks and have well-structured alibis, but he behaved as a new recruit instead. It appeared as though Ryder had attempted to rewire Nick's mind to function differently; but the exercise had gone wrong.

"I won't hurt you," he said.

Nick repeated the words over and over again, a broken record. I turned around and leaned my head against Julian's chest, erasing the image of the corrupted version of my brother. I felt Julian's arms slide around my waist and as he held me close. I didn't realize how safe Julian made me feel.