Brother in Arms

A story of a brother finding what happens to his own kin.

                I opened the door, entered my room and fell onto my bed, trying to sleep. Hours passed and I was still awake. I couldn’t sleep as the thoughts of my last few weeks rushed back into my head. My room, small yet comfy, was pitch black except where the bright rays of the moon illuminated the bottom half of my bed. I was startled by the loud sound of my phone breaking the eerie silence in my room. Reluctant, I let it to ring waiting for the caller to give up. Irritated, I picked up my phone and sighed.

                “Yes?” I answered my voice deep and tired.

                “I am deeply sorry for calling you at such a late time. Are you Jason Matriarch?” her voice quavering as she asked.

                The thought “Jeez, another stupid telemarketer” went through my mind as I yawned. I noticed my small digital clock aside my desk. It was 3:36am in the morning, and this person thinks she can still sell her products.

                “Sir?” she questioned.

                “Yes, that’s me I’m Jason.” I started to mumble as fatigue of tiredness caught me.” What is it?”

                She cleared her throat, and tried to sound more formal with her speech. “I’m Susan Marie, a detective from Jenkins station. I have some unfortunate news. Around an hour ago at Umbra Station your brother Sebastian was in an incident. His vehicle exploded and we’ve found a body inside.” She spoke with such calmness, as if experienced in this matter. “We need you come to by our station tomorrow morning for questioning and an inspection to prove whether it is your brother’s body or not. Your assistance will help us investigate this unfortunate situation.”

                I was speechless. My younger brother who I respected and loved is dead. I pressed my fingers into the side of my left brow, trying to piece together the situation. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t speak. I felt a cold chill down my spine. Something isn’t right, and I need to find out what. 

                “Don’t worry about tomorrow, I’m coming in now” I demanded and hanged up. I picked up my coat and rushed to the station. 

                I arrived outside the station.  The door was wet from the rain; its slick surface reflected the lights of passing cars. The building of hard white stone bricks, large and brittle, held the body of my dead brother. I entered through the doors, wiped my feet and approached the office. I asked the receptionist where I can locate Susan’s office. She escorted me, and commented on how cold it was these past weeks. I nodded to avoid small talk. I entered her office.

                “Jason, you’re here. Please take a seat” she smiled and gestured her hand towards the sturdy wood framed cushioned chairs. She was about in her late 20’s, still young but with a sense of maturity. Her brunette hair was hanging loose over her shoulders and she wore a black coat a size too big for her. She had her arms crossed trying to keep herself warm. As she breathed puffs of warm air almost like steam vented from her mouth. I sat down, unbuttoned my coat, and readied myself for a long session.

               

“What was your brother like in the past few days? Were there anything weird or abnormal he was doing? Were there any signs of conflict amongst his friends and peers? Did he display any symptoms of depression?” she fed me question after question and I answered them, one after another.

                “Thank you Jason, this’ll help us with the investigation. You may go home now. It’s pretty late, if you ask one of the officers around they’ll be happy to drive you home” she smiled and waved me goodbye as I walked towards the station doors.

                “No thanks, I’ll walk it.” I replied and exited. The night breeze was bone chilling. On the way home flash backs of me and Sebastian appeared in my head. Ever since we moved to Jenkins, I was busy at University. I had no time to waste, and thanks to it and Sebastian would often be home alone. One day he left the apartment saying that he was going to hang with some friends he made at the pub. I followed him, curious of whom his friends were. Every Saturday night, he would go out and hang with the same group. Later I found out that Sebastian started to smoke, drink and use drugs. They were poisonous to him. His misjudgement of these “friends” eventually led him to fail school.

                “I should’ve stopped him earlier. F**k!” I cussed at myself. By the time the flash backs stopped I was outside my apartment. I felt my pockets for the keys and heard voices coming closer.

                “Hey you there! Your Sebastian’s brother aren’t yah?” the stranger yelled as appeared he from the shadows under the street lights. He was tall and skinny but I had a bad feeling about him. He approached with three others all wearing nothing but black; each armed with weapons, each grinning. The moment I hesitated to answer, I felt a strong force against the backside of my head and I dropped to my knees. Touching the area struck, my hand was covered dark red and I fell onto the ground.  Falling in and out of consciousness, I heard the one who appeared as the leader spoke.

                “Sorry about it Bro. Nothing personal yah? Your brother Sebast, see that b*****d borrowed some money from me and my boys here and he didn’t pay us back, yah know? You understand the situation don’t yah? You’re his brother, so you’re responsible for our payments now. Yah get me?”

                I couldn’t say a thing as my mouth was filled with blood, flowing out through my gritted teeth. He swatted and lowered himself closer to me.

                “You gotta pay us back by tomorrow night or we’re coming back yah?!” he laughed and the others joined in. A sly grin stretched across his face.

                I couldn’t keep it in any longer and coughed heavily, the blood caught on his face.

                “You lil prick!” he roared and placed the tip of his dagger onto my throat. I could tell from his face that he was ready to kill. Multiple footsteps came closer as my eyes started to close.

                A voice shouted “you’re all under arrest! Put the weapon down now!” I looked up to see Susan and seven other hard faced police surrounding the thugs.

                “Screw you b*****s, DIE!” he charged but was ultimately shot several times, as like the other 3 behind him.

                “Jason? Are you okay?! Get him to a hospital now!” she ordered and that was all I could remember.

                The next day, I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. The hospital was bright white, and the smell of vomit was present. Susan must have been waiting for me to gain consciousness, as she was on the chair by my side, asleep. Tilting her head forward, she startled herself and awoke. Not knowing I saw her, she greeted me good morning. At that moment, I saw Sebastian on the other end of my feet, standing and smiling.  Susan then told me what happened that night, everything. How the death was all lies so Sebastian could dodge his payments and how Susan also planned it to catch the thugs in their own act. When she finished, I couldn’t help but cry. I realised how useless I was as his older brother. I was released the following afternoon and Sebastian and I walked out of the hospital together, smiling. Yesterday felt like a dream, a somewhat screwed up one.  We took our time leaving the hospital and talked about everything that’s happened.  I knew from this point on, I’ll be there for him no matter what crap happens. With this thought, we walked through the hospital exit doors only to see Susan leaning on her police car.

                She smiled and said “Should of have taken my offer, huh Jason?”

Author's Note

Please comment and help me improve!

Very much appreciated ^^