It was, until our mother decided to go ahead and involve the cops. Nathan explained.
Fucking bitch… Max mumbled under his breath, before snapping his enraged eyes back to his younger brother. Well you and her are both to blame ! You drove us into this fucked up mess and you keep dragging more people into it. Max’s eyes met mine with sympathy, before they turned back to Nathan with pure rage. There is no escaping this madness, you already signed us all up for this. Who are you gonna pawn off next, Dus-
That’s enough Max. Nathan’s voice resonated throughout the entire room, his eyes holding anger mixed with anguish. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought I’d be able to get her back by the time you came home… Nathan spoke in a softer tone now, staring up at his older brother with pleading eyes.
How long. Max asked coldly, ignoring his brother’s words.
Max just let me-
How long has she been kept there ? Max demanded, his eyes red.
Three months. Nathan answered quietly.
Three mon-Jesus. Max ran a hand through his hair. You knew this for three fucking months !? Max then exclaimed, looking very close to losing it on Nathan.
No ! I only found out she was back there a few days ago ! Our own mother managed to keep it hidden from all of us for three months… Nathan explained.
I don’t understand… How could she do that ? Why would she do that ? Max asked in disbelief.
I don’t know Max, I haven’t spoken to her since I found out and I don’t plan to. Nathan spoke coldly.
Max silently took it all in, looking lost, angered, and helpless.
What did they do to her ? How do we know that they… that they haven’t- He spoke up, his voice cracking at the end.
They haven’t. Nathan cut him off before he could say it. I saw her a few days ago. He added after.
Max opened his mouth to question it but his brother quickly continued.
That day you arrived here and I was gone, that was when I went to the old building to see her. They let me visit her once a month, it was part of the deal. Nathan stopped, looking pained as he reminisced his trip. I came back early though, I couldn’t handle what I saw. His eyes slightly glazed over with unshed tears.
I felt the need to reach out and comfort him in any way, but this was between the two brothers.
Nathan. Max spoke sternly, causing his brother to blink back the emotions and face him again.
What did they do ? Max asked hesitantly now, his voice almost a whisper. There was so much fear and pain in his eyes.
Since the day they took her, they told me they’d train her just like they trained me. They said they’d turn her into a monster. Just like me. Nathan looked away, his tone cold and holding no emotion.
I couldn’t do anything about it or they’d kill her, so they trained her. They didn’t hurt her, only a few times when she’d resist the training. Nathan stopped, clenching his teeth. I pleaded with Ryland, I offered everything and anything, even my own life, but he wouldn’t listen. I tried to save her but I couldn’t. Nathan’s voice broke near the end and he stopped to take a breath, his fists shaking. Somehow he managed to continue on.
A few days ago, I walked into that room. The girl sitting on that bed was not her Max. Nathan closed his eyes for a brief second. The girl sitting there was a creation of theirs. An innocent little girl who they’d turned into a ruthless killer. Nathan ran a hand through his hair, letting out a shaky breath.
Then we have to get her back. Max stated instantly.
It’s too late Max, she thinks she’s one of them now. Nathan spoke in a broken tone. I couldn’t save her in time.
But we can still save her ! We have to try at least. She’s our sister for fucks sake ! Max yelled in anger.
We can’t ! I saw her kill a man right in front of me Max ! He suddenly yelled, causing the room to grow dead silent and thick with tension.
I let out a small gasp and stared at Nathan.
He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling, the suffering in his eyes now fully vivid.
My heart broke. He didn’t deserve this. He never deserved this.
I had to watch our baby sister, point a gun at someone’s forehead. I had to watch her pull the damn trigger without any signs of hesitation. And worst of all, I had to watch the look of satisfaction that came over her face once she had done it. Nathan got out, not looking at anyone.
Max just stood there in shock, unable to form words. It hurt to see their expressions. Max stood there for a second, opening his mouth to speak but at a loss for words. He finally turned around and walked off down the hall, but not before leaving a deep hole in the wall.
I turned to Tyler who I had forgotten was still next to me, and placed a hand on his shoulder softly. His sympathetic eyes which were watching Nathan’s deteriorated posture moved to mine.
Hey, can you go check on Dustin, the small kid you saw. He’s in the room to your left at the end of the hall. I whispered softly.
He stared at me and nodded, understanding that I needed to go to Nathan.
I watched as he got up, placing a small kiss on the crown of my head, before leaving Nathan and I to ourselves. I got up too now, slowly making my way over to Nathan.
His gaze was still on the ground.
I crouched down in front of him and took his clenched fists in my hands, but his gaze didn’t move away from the floor.
It’s all my fault. Nathan whispered, his shoulders sagging, before they started trembling slightly as he held back sobs.
It pained my heart significantly to see him like this. He probably hadn’t had time to face what had happened on the trip. He was so good at bottling up his emotions and problems and placing them deep inside to suffer alone just so he could be there presently for everyone around him. Now that he had spoken it aloud, it was probably settling in tenfold.
I stood on my knees and pulled his hands to my sides, before embracing his trembling and tortured body in a tight hug.
He froze for a second, before his tense posture deflated and he responded by wrapping his arms around me tightly and resting his head in the crook of my neck.
I don’t know what to do to make you believe that this isn’t your fault. I thought out loud.
I don’t know why you’re trying. Nathan replied, pulling away from me slightly, but keeping his arms around me.
What do you mean ? I asked.
Why do you want to help me ? I can’t make you happy or do you any good. Nathan said, giving me a sad smile. I’m a dysfunctional criminal with no future. I sold my soul to this mess and I have to face worse and worse consequences each day. I appreciate your compassion and your strong, empathetic, beautiful soul. He smiled softly as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his sad gaze lost in the action. But what I’ve done, and what I keep attracting are dangerous and horrible things. It hurts me to keep you locked up like this, and now your brother and friend too. But I’m helpless and this is all I can manage to do. To make the blow the least painful. His hand softly rested on my cheek now, holding my face in place as his heavy burdened eyes gazed into my soul. I don’t know how this is going to end, but I can’t have you give up your life for me. That would only cause me more suffering.