Jazz yawned, not wanting to completely wake up in fear that she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. She had woken up feeling thirsty so she decided that she would go downstairs and get a glass of water. While she could drink from her bathroom sink, she wanted to have the fridge's water. The water from the faucets always tasted funny, metallic, and she was afraid just what was she drinking. She blindly felt for the light switch on the wall. When she found it, she flicked it on and flinched at the brightness. Well, she was awake now.
She quickly got a glass of water and left the kitchen, figuring she could nurse it throughout the night. However, she gasped in surprise when she saw someone on the couch; no one was supposed to be awake with her. She looked closer to the figure on the couch and sighed in relief; it was her sleeping brother. She walked over to him, planning on shaking him awake.
Jazz hesitated when she saw the new bruises on her little brother's skin. She felt her stomach dropped as she stared at the varying colours, from blue to yellow to purple and even green. She felt an urge to touch them but ignored it. It would most likely hurt her brother if she did. She sat her cup down and then sat down herself. She sat there observing him. Not only has he gotten slimmer, but he had dark circles under his eyes, multiple scars on his arm, and probably more injuries under his clothes where she can't see. Sometimes she's almost awed on how her parents miss these.
She sighed, smiling at her brother. Standing up, she ruffled her brother's hair softly, being careful not to wake him. He could use that sleep. Grabbing her cup, she leaves the room, turning the lights off on her way. She was proud of her little brother. If only everyone knew what he was doing when no one else was looking.