I'd just like give a quick shout out to thank all of those who have reviewed! They mean so much to me! You guys are all way too nice... :'D Every time I read/receive one, I practically get the same reaction with whenever I see a really cute old man (with his wife or just walking around at the store) and I'm just all like "awww..." All of your reviews totally get me pumped up and ready to write more. Thank you so much. :D
Anyway, this is what I've got next:
POV: Brittany
I was on the brink of hitting one of my two sisters. I was deciding whether or not I should slap Eleanor, or if I should slap Jeanette. I was leaning towards Eleanor. She would be able to hand it—plus I could slap her pretty hard without her bawling her eyes out…
But then again, maybe I should just hit Jeanette. She wouldn't complain or fight back, unlike some people. And then, again, maybe the better option is hitting them both. Because that way, they'd both get the same treatment they deserve. They're not answering me! And it's annoying!—and not to mention it's kind of freaking me out!
My eyes flashed from Eleanor, to Jeanette, then back to Eleanor. "What?" I demanded, eyeing both of them. Okay, I really will slap them both. No one is answering me, and I need answers.
I crossed my arms and found Eleanor looking down at something that was held in Jeanette's right hand. Narrowing my eyes, I took a small step forward, readying my hand. My fingertips breathed for a split-second, and in the blink of an eye, I'd snatched the flimsy thing out of my bespectacled sister's hand. Her large emerald eyes glistened from behind the magnifying lenses that shielded her eyes; I could see her chewing her bottom lip. Slowly, my gaze trailed over to Eleanor who looked at me with firm, glossy brown eyes; it wasn't obvious, but I could see that she'd tighten her jaw muscles.
Why were they looking at me like that? Either, I have a spider or some nasty thing on my face, or what I'm holding is like, sacred or something. "Okay…" I slowly began with a firm voice. "If you girls don't stop staring at me like that, I will have to hurt you two until my real sisters come back…"
Even after I had threatened them and come right out that I was going to hit them, they didn't stop staring at me like they were now. Now I was really getting freaked out. It freaked me out knowing Alvin was on this ship, along with his brothers, and it freaked me out knowing the wicked witch was on this trip. But this—now THIS was something that was actually freaking me out even more.
I exhaled out as I glanced back over at Alex. Maybe they weren't staring at me and at him…?
Alex was sound asleep in my bed, his small body lifting and lowering with each living breath he inhaled. Gritting my teeth, my gaze faltered to my sisters. They looked as if they were frozen—they'd be perfect statues! That is, of course, if they weren't made of flesh and bones…
Sighing deeply, smelling the strong stench of my hairspray coming from the bathroom, my gaze slowly faltered down to whatever was in my hand. It was a photograph.
As my eyes scanned over the picture, my heart stopped. It felt as if I'd become deaf. The silence was tuning in on me, and I couldn't do anything about it. It seemed like a while before my heart slowly began to pump life back into my veins; the pounding was slow and low. It was pressing against my ears—I felt as though something was trying to push out of my ears, but couldn't.
My hand flipped the photo, and then flipped it back to the other side. I looked up to my sisters. Opening my mouth, too many words wanting to come out at once, nothing pushed past my throat. I couldn't utter a word. There were too many things I wanted to say—that I wanted to ask—that the words, they clogged up my throat. After another attempt at words, I clamped my mouth shut and swallowed down each word that wanted to come out. Exhaling out, I reorganized my words and finally spoke, "Why were you girls looking at a picture of me?" I looked back down at the photo. "Why do you even have a photo of me?"
The photo: It was from high school. I recognized the scene…I remember that day… I was sitting on the bleachers watching the football players… The only problem I had with this picture was: I don't remember ever having this picture taken. I never acknowledged for this picture to be taken.
"Did you girls take this photo of me?" I asked, crossing my arms. They were totally messing around with me, weren't they?
Jeanette opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Sighing loudly, I turned to the next sister. If Jeanette was clearly not going to answer, then I'd squeeze the info out of Eleanor…
Eleanor glanced at Jeanette quickly before making eye contact with me. Now what? Was she panicking because I'd figured them out? Were they panicking because I caught them with a photo of me? I rolled my eyes. "Girls, as much as I am just flattered that you two bothered to take a photo of me," I forced a sweet smile to form on my lips, "and keep it, and look at it, you know how much I'd rather you told me so I could at least be prepared to smile for the camera." I huffed, "That photo had such great potential—it's such a shame you didn't warn me that you girls were taking one of me!" I whined. Gosh. This had to be one of my pet peeves of all times.
As I watched my sisters inventively, there was no trace of reaction from them—nothing, I saw absolutely nothing. Their face was like a china dolls—it was creepy and motionless. They kept doing the one thing dolls do: watch. They wouldn't stop staring at me. If they were smiling while staring at me, then maybe I'd feel just a little bit more comfortable—wait, I take that back, that'd make me even more freaked out; who knows if their smile would be a creepy one…
"Didn't anyone ever tell you two that staring is rude?" I huffed, beginning to turn around. If they were going to keep staring at me like that, I don't want to be around when their eyeballs pop out of their tiny heads due to too much stress to their eye muscles.
"Wait—" Jeanette's voice suddenly spoke up.
A small smirk began to form on my face. "Yes…?" I sweetly responded, turning back around.
At a loss for words, my bespectacled sister with her hand slightly stretched out to me began to stutter, "I—uh—I—well—uh—"
Rolling my eyes, I pressed, "Spit it out already! No one can understand 'I—uh—I—'" I cocked an eyebrow and stated, "Duh—I need English words…" I then added, "Please…"
Eleanor finally sighed, breaking the silent words she spoke with her eyes. "Britt…" She sighed. "We didn't take that picture…"
I rolled my eyes once more, "Right, and Alex isn't my kid." I snickered, crossing my arms. "You know, you girls are quite the trickster," I faked a smile, "but you're no comedian." My smile flipped.
"But Brittany," Jeanette jumped in, "we…we're not kidding around…this—this is serious…"
My eyebrows lifted and I laughed, "Oh really?"
"I-I-It's true!" Jeanette protested.
I opened my mouth but the wrong voice came out.
"Brittany! I picked that picture from off the deck," Eleanor bursted.
Every drop of blood that ran, hot straight through my veins froze. I couldn't budge a single joint.
What was my picture doing on this ship? I've never been on this ship, specifically…this was my first time…
"Listen…" Eleanor edged in her seat. "Don't you dare get mad at me because I have my own rights, too."
I slowly nodded my head as soon as my heart pulse broke the blood running through my veins. But just because I was acknowledging my understanding by a simple nod of my head did NOT mean I got what she was saying.
"So, you know how I went off on my own…earlier this morning?"
My eyes blinked.
"Well, yeah, about that…there was this, uh, man standing at the railing, and he threw some pictures overboard…and this one," she pointed to the one in my hand, "somehow got carried in the breeze or something, and it landed on deck and…he walked off and I picked up and one thing lead to another and…" She trailed off, slowly dropping her gaze.
Concentrating on Eleanor's every move, trying to find any trace of a loose end on her words, I came to the dreadful fact to find nothing. She seemed to be speaking the truth.
"So," I finally spoke up, "who's this 'he' guy-person…?" I wasn't sure how much I really wanted to know the answer, but I was curious.
Eleanor opened her mouth, but paused, her gaze trailing past me. I gave her a look, trying to urge her to go on, but she continued to stare past me. Now what could honestly be that much more interesting to look at other than me? As I turned around, all I could say was, "Oh…" And I quickly hid the photo in my hand behind my back.
Alex was sitting up with large eyes.
"Since when was he up?" I mumbled over to my sisters.
"I don't know…I kind of just noticed just barely…" Came Eleanor's low reply.
Sighing, I forced a smile and asked, "Hey, Al-ex," I slurred, keeping hold of my tongue to not mess up on his name, "what's up?" I can't believe I almost messed up. I've been living with him for how long? And I still have my moments of disgrace. My jaw muscles tightened as I continued to display a smile on my face.
"Mommy…what are you talking about with Aunt Eleanor and Aunt Jeanette…?"
Just my luck. "Oh, umm, that…yeah, um, that…" I glanced back at my two sisters for any ideas. Snapping my gaze back over to Alex, I grinned, "We were just talking about how Jeanette will be taking you to…to…lunch! Yeah, lunch! She was going to take you out to lunch. Isn't that…exciting…?"
"W-wait, wh-what?" Jeanette suddenly stood, her emerald owl eyes glistening with confusion.
"Yeah!" Eleanor too stood, placing a hand on our bespectacled sister's shoulder. "You were going to go and take Alex out to lunch—you know, so there's more time for the two of you to bond…"
After much confusion, Jeanette finally lifted her dark eyebrows in realization. "Right…yeah, Alex, we were just planning on who would take you out to lunch…" She managed a small smile.
"Oh," Alex cocked his head to the side with much thought. He smiled, but quickly frowned as he glanced between Eleanor and me. "What about you guys?" he pointed a small crooked finger, exchanging his pointer's direction between my youngest sister and me.
"Couldn't we just leave it with he's going to lunch with Jeanette to have a little heart-to-heart time?" I muttered, still managing my own smile.
"He's your child—what do you expect?" Eleanor muttered back.
I rolled my eyes. "Brat," I mumbled under my breath before turning my attention back to my kid. "Ellie and I have been asked to…uh, go take a survey for our own opinions and thoughts of this cruise!" I quickly lied, hoping the idea sounded realistic. But why wouldn't it? I came up with it.
Alex blinked his round blue eyes and nodded, "Oh…" He then smiled once again. "Okay! But wait—what about you? Are you not going to eat?"
Oh gosh—how many more questions does he have to ask?!
To my relief, Jeanette spoke up, "M-my sisters—well, s-sorry, I mean—your mom and aunt are going to eat afterwards."
"Okay!" he chirped. "C'mon Aunt Jeanette! Let's go eat!" He dashed over to us and grabbed Jeanette's hand, dragging her to the door excitedly. The last thing I heard was the slam of the door shut, and the two were already gone.
Silence soon took over and I was left alone with my blonde sister. I pursed my lips, letting my hand reappear back in view and turned to Eleanor, "Well, he's taken care of…you were going to say…?"
Sighing deeply, Eleanor sat back down and stared silently at the floor. After some time, when my patience had drained to the last drop, she finally spoke softly, "Do you think things happen by accident? Or do you believe that things happen for a reason and that it's really just not coincidental…?"
Taken back from her question, I took the seat Jeanette once sat in next to her and shrugged, "Why do ask?"
"I'm just…curious…"
Exhaling deeply, I pursed my lips before speaking, "Well, pretty much you're wondering whether or not I believe in fate, right?" She slowly nodded her head, finally bringing her gaze up. I shook my head and looked straight ahead at the window next to my bed. "I don't." And that was an honest answer. I didn't believe in fate. I didn't merely believe in coincidences, and I didn't believe in accidents. Things happen, and there's nothing to stop or prevent anything that happens in life, unless, of course, the factor of what's to come as an end result is known of. Everything's simple, really. Things happen and that was that. If something terrible or amazing happens, there's no one to blame but yourself. You can't just blame "fate" or "life" or some random excuse.
"Oh," Eleanor mumbled, as if she was disappointed at my answer.
"Look, Eleanor, if 'fate' or whatever you people believe in existed, then we wouldn't be here now. We wouldn't be in this situation. Things should be better. But 'fate' doesn't run our lives. It's ourselves, and the people around us that do. If Alex never looked up to that stupid rock-star that still seems to believe in his dream of reaching to the top, we wouldn't be here. If Mr. Alvin Seville had stopped being who he is as a singer back when he was in high school, then Alex would never have even known he even existed and we wouldn't even be here on this dumb cruise ship!" My hands flailed up in irritation. "Now tell me, Eleanor, do you really, honestly think 'fate' exists? Because I don't."
I watched as my little sister opened her mouth to either protest or question my words, but she stopped herself and let the silence sink in. As the silence soon began to creep under my own skin, I began to rethink the words I had spoken. And as I thought about my words, the more I began to think. My mind was on a run. I couldn't believe my own words. I didn't even know I had spoken like that.
She suddenly mumbled something.
I glanced to Eleanor. "What?"
She mumbled something again.
I couldn't make out what she was saying. It almost was as if she had forgotten how to speak properly.
"What?"
She mumbled again.
"Eleanor, speak up and be cleared, I can't make out single word, " I firmly stated.
"I said…the guy was Alvin…" She spoke quietly, but this time my ears could catch her words.
My lips twisted slightly, and my voice got caught up in my throat. I couldn't bring myself to speak. I must've heard her wrong…
"I'm sorry, what was that again?"
Eleanor bored her eyes deeply into mine. Her face was serious, yet soft. After she let out the breath she'd been holding, she finally brought herself to repeat her words. "You heard me…" She hushed her voice. She was speaking as if her volume was turned all the way down, just barely to the point of silence. "I did say Alvin…"
"Do I know this 'Alvin'?" I asked, not wanting to believe it was him.
"The only one we know…"
My gaze faltered, and I stared at the photo in my hand. No… He wouldn't dare… No. He didn't.
That's when I finally came to the conclusion that she was joking. She and Jeanette must've planned some sick joke thinking it was funny.
"This is real, Brittany—no lies are hidden…" Eleanor spoke, as if she read my mind.
I exhaled deeply through my mouth, staring at the photo harder.
"What is he thinking?" I finally spoke, shaking my head. "Is he stupid?"
"Brittany…you know what this means though…don't you?"
"No. I don't understand," I breathed out.
Suddenly Eleanor gently grabbed the photograph out of my hands and she examined it. "Brittany, this means that this whole entire time, he never once forgot you. It took him this long to dispose of this picture. Honestly, even though he's getting rid of the only thing that sustains the image in his mind of you, it's going to take a lot more than getting rid of all the photos and memories he has of you—"
"Hold up," I spoke, finding it hard to even barely breathe, "I don't think he still cares about me. He's obviously moved on. He's got a new life. A better one. And my life is better too, without him in it." I established clearly. I sounded so positive about this, that I almost convinced myself. But that was my goal—wasn't it? I was supposed to get over him. Four years is a long, long time to keep memory of someone who doesn't even care about me anymore.
Eleanor stared at me, her lips pursing into a straight line. "Okay…" She finally spoke, her voice unsure. "I guess, if that's what you say…" She then mumbled under her breath, "But I still think there's something…"
I shook my head and snatched the photo out of my little sister's hands. Marching over to the slick black trash can in the bathroom, I took one last glance at the picture in my hand. Did I really want to do this? I closed my eyes. Yes—I needed to do this. And I let go of the photo, reopening my eyes just in time to see it fall into the trash can. Something tightened my heart as soon as the soft sound of the photo landing in the black bucket reached my ears. My hand so badly wanted to snatch the photo back from the darkness that consumed it…but I forced control over my hand to stay put.
As I turned around, I found Eleanor staring at me, with large brown eyes. Something about the way she was staring at me made it clear that she thought that what I was doing was wrong. She obviously still had hope. She still had hope that should've died a long time ago…
When I emerged out of the boundaries of the bathroom, my blonde sister stood up slowly and mumbled, "I'm…I'm gonna go get lunch…" By the time she reached the door, her hand on the doorknob, she turned to glance back at me and asked, "You coming?"
I bit my tongue and shook my head. I wanted to think things over to myself, alone.
She nodded her head and left silently.
When the sound of the door shutting echoed throughout the room, I stood in the silence for the longest time. When I finally found the strength to move, I walked over to my own bed and sat down. My gaze drifted down to my hands while my mind drifted off to somewhere unknown.
Now what?
Now what was I supposed to do? Eleanor and I assume Jeanette, too, both clearly somehow think that there's still a chance. But they're forgetting something. I can't go back to him. And they know why, too.
It's not fair for my sisters, I know that. They really shouldn't have to be a part of this—of everything that I've done. But it's their own choice. They did have a choice. It was either me, or them. And I don't know what they were even thinking because I certainly would've chosen the other option—but they chose me. And honestly, I do think they were being stupid and dumb and they obviously weren't thinking clearly…but I'm glad that they made this decision. I'm glad that they chose me because I would never be able to make it this far without them.
If I was married, I'd be fine financially, and taking care of Alex would be easier. But no; I have no intention to get married anytime soon. If had to choose between a husband and my sisters, I'd choose my sisters. And I know very well that Alex needs a dad, but he's just going to have to wait for that.
Biting my bottom lip, my eyes flickered to the bathroom entrance.
I couldn't help but wonder if what I was doing was right. I mean, come on, I'm me—I never have to rethink things… But, technically I'm not really "rethinking" things if what I had done was something I really didn't want to do in the first place…
Glancing at the door, waiting silently for anyone to barge in, my gaze flickered back to the bathroom entrance. My whole body was already prepared to move. I scowled as I shook my head. I better not regret what I was going to do.
POV: Theodore
"Okay, so I found where the Security Room was earlier this morning, and I didn't want to go in there alone just because—but I'm going to need you to cooperate when I tell you to do something, is that clear?" Simon instructed as we briskly walked down the lit up aisles.
I nodded my head, trying to keep up with my brother, still chewing on a sweet white roll from lunch. As I took another bite out of the half eaten roll in my hand, I then asked, "Wait…Simon…?" I quickly swallowed the remains in my mouth before speaking on. "Wouldn't the door be, you know, l-locked?" I then took another bite out of the roll.
Simon shrugged his shoulders, unsure. "The chances the door's locked is fairly high, and if it is locked when we get there, well, I've got some materials in my pocket that should help us get through the locks."
As we continued to walk on, coming to a turn, Simon raised his arm out, stopping abruptly. Immediately, I halted in my steps. He motioned for me to stay silent as he peered out of the left corner of the aisle we were in. As he motioned for me to come look, I obediently did, finishing off my roll. When I peered in the direction Simon was looking in, I found myself staring down an empty aisle with a bunch of doors spread out on each wall.
"The closest door on the left side to us is the Security Room, got it?"
I nodded my head confirming, "Got it."
Simon exhaled deeply, "Okay, I'm going to go see if the door is locked, stay here and keep watch, alright? Warn me if anyone is coming."
Nodding my head, Simon left, and my gaze trailed after him. To be honest, I wasn't too sure about this whole thing. It didn't feel right, but I was excited about doing this. I'm usually not the one who's asked to help out for these kinds of missions. My brothers usually don't ask me, which is fine, really, but they normally leave me out. So, I was a little bit thrilled when Simon asked me to come along with him.
Watching with wide eyes, I watched as Simon casually walked to the closest door to us, and looking right and left, he placed his hand on the door handle, he made an attempt to turn it, but it didn't budge. Remembering my assigned job, I made a quick 180 turn, doing a quick evaluation for any signs of people. When I saw that there was no one, I turned around and there Simon was. Slightly jumping back, I blinked.
"Simon," I breathed.
He shook his head, sighing. "I'm afraid the door is locked—I'm going to need you to keep a close watch for anyone who happens to be coming by, alri—" but he cut himself short, his head suddenly flickering to the direction he had come from. Pushing me back, he peered out of the corner once again.
Curious, I too peered in the direction he was looking in, and saw that a man dressed in a white uniform was walking out of the Security Room. As the man began walking in the opposite direction from us, Simon swiftly stepped out and briskly headed towards the closing door. Not knowing what else to do, I followed, trying to keep up with his long strides.
In the last second, before the door completely shut, locked up tight, Simon's hand slid in time to block the door from shutting. As he pushed open the door, he motioned for me to go in and followed right after me when I did. Feeling the butterflies lift in my stomach from the excitement, I smiled and began exploring the small room.
"We…we did it!" I exclaimed, turning to my brother.
He readjusted his glasses. "Yeah, we got really lucky," he then grinned, but immediately his face got serious and he walked past me to the double computer screens side by side, with only one keyboard and mouse. Behind the two computer screens above were twelve different screens, each having four different areas on camera. The room was actually fairly dark, but due to the light that reflected off of each of the screens, it made the room look lit up.
Pushing gently past me, Simon took a seat in the one chair in front of the two screens and instantly got down to work. His hands began to type away, and he began clicking with the mouse. I had no idea what he was doing, or how he even understood what he himself was even doing, but he was doing something that I know I would never be able to do. Not knowing what else to do, since I know I'm kind of useless at this point, my gaze wandered to the many screens showing the many different areas of this cruise ship on camera. Most of the screens, a lot of people were crowding together, while some, not so much as others.
It smelled weird in the room we were in. The stench wasn't one I'd be too happy to live with, but it wasn't one that I really had a problem with either. It smelled of coffee mixed with fries and chocolate…
As I stared at each screen, the only noise I could hear being the quick clicking of keyboard letters, Simon suddenly exclaimed, "Theodore, come here—I found it—"
Snapping my head towards the two computer screens, the left screen had a video on pause. When I recognized the scene to be the same night my brothers and I had performed, my jaw unhinged itself and I looked to Simon in bewilderment.
"You did it, Simon!" I cheered, blinking in amazement.
Simon nodded his head, "Yup, and we are going to go back in time in three…two…one…" He clicked something and the image on the left screen began to come to life.
As I continued to stare in awe, Simon quietly spoke, "Now Theodore, remember what we're aiming to find—you remember what we're looking for?"
I nodded my head, keeping my gaze on the screen. "Yeah, we're looking for whoever caused the chords to, you know, explode…"
"More or less, yes," Simon responded, chuckling a little.
While I watched our first night performing being replayed, Simon's hand shot up and he pointed to a corner, "Look!"
Looking to his indication, my eyes squinted in confusion. "I…I don't see anything…" I confessed. But as I continued to watch, I soon saw what he saw. There was a small figure walking over to the corner, over by the chords.
"I think that's a…wait—is that a child?" Came my bespectacled brother's confuse voice. He readjusted his glasses as he leaned in closer to the screen, making me instinctively copy him and lean in closer.
"I'm not sure…" I replied, biting my bottom lip.
Simon mused in surprise, "I believe it is, as a matter of fact, a kid. Theodore, it was a child that ruined the chords." He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "Where are his parents this whole time?" He muttered in bewilderment.
Suddenly, the small child who I'm sure was a boy, he suddenly ran off. But within a few seconds, he came running back, holding something; it looked to be a small white plastic cup. As we continued to watch, the small boy walked over to the area of the chords and he began to poor what I assume to be water, out of his cup. My eyebrows lifted at the scene and I glanced to Simon.
He simply sighed, shaking his head in slow movements. "Should've guessed…" He exhaled, pursing his lips.
Placing my gaze back to the computer screen, I watched the whole entire incident repeat itself. The electricity began to malfunction, and poof—smoke was arising. I shook my head, but couldn't help but humor myself. This whole time it was a child. A small smile placed itself on my face. I looked to my brother; he still was staring at the screen. Suddenly, though, he grabbed my arm and pointed towards the screen.
My gaze instantly flashed to the computer screen: there a brown-haired girl was emerging from the crowds, running towards the little boy. When the girl got close to the young boy, she scooped the small child in her arms, and when she turned around, quickly glancing around, she took off, back into the crowd. I blinked, now stunned.
But when I looked to my older brother, he looked even more surprised than I must have been because his mouth was gaping and his brows were furrowed and he was leaning in.
"S-S-Simon, is there s-something wrong…?" I timidly asked, laying a hand gently on his shoulder. I don't think I've ever seen him so…just so…like this before. He's Simon. He's smart and clever. Sometimes I still wonder if he ever got abducted by some crazy scientist, and that that scientist replaced his brain with the brain of a computer…well, at least something that's extremely smart.
Blinking, he slowly shook his head, staring as if his gaze was super-glued to the screen.
"I've seen that girl before," he mumbled lowly, yet barley loud enough, that I was able to hear.
I felt my face scrunch up in confusion. Did I hear right?
"Girl…?" I questioned, blinking.
Simon shook his head and closed the window, bringing it back to its original blank screen. "C'mon, we should go…he glanced down at his black watch that strapped to his wrist, "that employee might come back soon…"
Nodding my head in agreement, Simon stood and I followed him out. When we exited the room, I immediately found it easier to breath and inhaled deeply in relief. Fresh air…
That strange food smell in that room just didn't smell right… I think I can still taste that smell. My tongue pressed to the top of my mouth in distaste. Some things make a great combination and become like a melody, while others create a mess… Whoever ate those fries with their coffee and chocolate needs to rethink their combination…
When I looked up, Simon had stopped in his spot a few feet away and stared back at me curiously. "Could you smell that strange aroma, too?"
I nodded my head, and shrugged, "Yeah…"
After some time, he eyed me and asked, "Do you mind—that is, of course, if you know—but do you mind telling me what those smells were?"
As I walked beside my brother, he picked up his stride and we began heading back to our room.
Answering his question, I simply stated, counting the food off with my fingers, "Chocolate…fries…and…coffee." I held up my three fingers, and smiled lightly.
He nodded his head. "So that's what it was…"
When Simon and I had returned back to our room, we did nothing. There wasn't much to do. We weren't performing tonight—but Alvin was. And that's where he was at the moment; he was featuring with the other bands. The time throughout this day felt sticky…it was like really stringy cheese on a pizza where the cheese would never break off no matter how many steps you took to try and rip the piece of pizza away. I felt as if this day had lasted forever. Every time I glanced at the clock, it had only been five minutes, or even worse, one minute. I would've talked to Simon to help pass the time, but he didn't seem in the mood. He just, kind of…sat on his bed. Well, I guess he was really lying, but either way, he was on his bed doing: nothing. I tried to talk to him, and I tried to get his attention, but he wouldn't budge, really.
So, once I finally figured out that he wasn't going to even blink at me, I gave up. What was the use? Although, there was actually one good thing that came out of me trying to get his attention: one full hour had passed!
Other than that, nothing much happened… There wasn't much to do. All I could do was wait until it was dinnertime. And I really hate anticipating the time for the next meal of the day… It slows down the clock, and I get really hungry—and I'm not even sure if I really am that hungry. But I feel the emptiness in my stomach, and it starts to make noises… But, that sad thing was, dinnertime had already past.
Sighing, I glanced over at Simon who still was staring blankly at the wall across from him. Wasn't he getting bored? I still don't get how he does that—stare for hours on until the end of the day…
I grabbed the remote control to the TV and pressed the power button. I don't know how many times I've turned on the TV only to fine nothing that pleases me, but I had nothing else to do. Alvin was still out, and Simon wasn't talking. I felt sure that this time, would be the time—that I'd actually find something to do. I was lucky to get the bed in front of the TV, but I wasn't too lucky with the shows and movies that were playing tonight.
As I changed the channels, my finger didn't stop clicking. I felt almost like a zombie, but not really; I was really just in some sort of trance. I wanted to blink, but I couldn't. I wanted to move my arm, but it stayed frozen. I wanted to move my gaze, but as if I was hypnotized, it concentrated on the screen across from me. The only movement my body would allow was the internal movements, and my finger to press the channel switch.
Suddenly, Alvin burst through the door, shutting it with a loud slam. Immediately I jumped surprised, yet happy all at the same time. Fumbling around with the remote control, I finally gripped it with both of my hands and pressed the power button.
"Alvin!" I practically cheered, jumping off of my bed to go greet my oldest brother.
As I ran towards him, he somehow completely dodged me, or I went off track or something, because the next thing I knew, I was running to open air. Alvin wasn't in front of me anymore. Clueless, I whipped my head to the sides.
"Where'd he go?" I questioned aloud, turning around.
Sighing when I caught sight of him storm to his bed and toss his phone on top of the covers, ripping open the color to his black, formal button-up shirt in the process and sliding the slick, red tie he wore out violently, my feet began to carry me over to him.
"So…how was it?" I asked as gleeful as I could.
"Oh, it was great—!" Alvin exclaimed. He sounded almost as if he was exaggerating… "OH!" he grinned. "And guess what? Everyone loved me! Everyone!" He flailed his arms up. "Guess it must be my charming smile and rugged rare look that other men just can't seem to find!" With that said, he muttered darkly under his breath as he walked briskly past me, "All the wrong people seem to love me too much…"
What was that supposed to mean? My gaze trailed after him as he marched into the bathroom. The bright yellow lights flickered on. Was I even supposed to hear that?
I looked to Simon curiously, but that was when I remembered: he wasn't even paying attention.
When my sight landed on my bespectacled brother, to my amazement, he was looking at me, his stale blue eyes motionless. I felt trapped; something about the way he now stared at me almost…scared me…and I don't even know why. He was my brother. I knew him from the moment I was born…
Maybe I was just overthinking things.
Yeah…that was probably just what I was doing.
Suddenly a soft buzzing met my ears, and I turned to Alvin's bed. His phone had a new message or something. Slowly walking over to his bed, I grabbed his phone.
"Hey, u-um, Alvin?" I called, my voice slightly falling off edge.
Alvin poked his head out of the bathroom, and raised his eyebrows.
"What?" he fired.
"U-u-umm," I stuttered, caught off guard. "Your phone…" I held up the device.
"Yeah…what about it…?" He slowly emerged out of the bathroom, walking towards me.
I looked to his phone, waking the screen to the lock screen and simply said, "You have a new message…"
"Okay…" He instantly turned on his heels. "Pretend that I'm not here—wait, no, actually—you can reply for me!" he exclaimed swiftly turning around, clasping his hands together, still walking but backwards.
"Okay!" I smiled, but froze. "What am I supposed to say?"
"Uh," he pursed his lips. "Say I'm busy at the moment." He shrugged his shoulders and disappeared in the bathroom.
I looked to his phone.
Shrugging, thinking it would be easy, I unlocked the screen. As soon as I saw the many apps lined up neatly on his phone, I began to think otherwise.
"Umm…maybe this is it…?" I randomly clicked on a random app. I know I probably should know what apps are, but…Alvin's phone is completely different compared to mine… His is newer, and I don't even know if I even know where my own phone is. It's been a while since I touched my own phone…
Suddenly a mini calculator appeared on the screen. My eyebrows scrunched together and a small frown pulled at the corners of my lips. "What just happened…?" I mumbled.
Randomly clicking around, pressing on some buttons, the screen eventually exited, to my relief. But just when I thought I was fine, my finger tapped the screen and everything backfired. The screen began to open up to a different program; and I wasn't even sure what I pressed that exited it back to the home screen!
I gasped lightly, "What?"
The screen changed to a camera.
"Um, you know that the apps are titled," Simon suddenly spoke up, "right?"
I looked to my brother quizzically. He chuckled and heaved himself off of his bed and walked beside me.
"Here, let me—"
But he never finished. As soon as he took Alvin's phone out of my hand, he froze. He was like a statue, but breathing…and made of flesh and bones…
"What…what is it…?" I hesitantly asked.
When I got no answer, I tried again.
"Simon…?"
Simon continued to stare down at the screen and tapped on a small picture in the corner. When the picture was enlarged, I wasn't too sure what he was seeing. I was so confused.
But the moment realization hit me, my jaw slowly gaped open. I blinked my eyes and quickly rubbed them. Maybe I wasn't seeing things right…but how could that be? My vision is pretty much perfect; at least that's what I was told when I went to the eye doctor.
"Do you..." Simon paused. "Theodore, are you seeing what I'm seeing…?" He angled the cell phone screen to me.
I stared at the photo. So he saw it too…
Nodding my head, he angled the phone back to his view and I moved a little closer to him, so that I could see the image better. "This is—this isn't mediocre—" he shook his head "—th-this is irrational—it's extreme—!"
"I know what you mean Simon. It's just—it's just cr-crazy! I mean, I don't really know much about the whole probability stuff that you learn," I admitted, "but what were the chances that that small boy in this picture is the same boy from the security camera footage we just watched earlier today?"
"Whoa, whoa, wait—" Simon turned to me looking at me weirdly.
"What? What did I say?" I blinked clueless. "What?"
He shook his head, scratching the back of his neck. Chuckling, he concisely said, "That's actually not what I was talking about—but now that you mentioned that…" He looked to the photo. "I think you are actually right, Theo. Nicely done. I don't think I would ever have caught that at first glance," he grinned, patting my back.
I brightened feeling a wide smile come on. His smile broadened and he shook his head.
"I can't believe I didn't see that," he focused his gaze at the cell phone screen. "Yeah…this…this definitely is the child we saw—this is the culprit. Case closed," he stated. "But, there's another case that opens up from this photo." I gave him a confused look. He moved his hand that held Alvin's phone more into my perspective. "You see that child…?"
I could feel my face scrunch in. Where was he going with this? But I still nodded my head. He was Simon; he always had a good point to make…
"Well…do you remember what Alvin looked like when he was—er, well, more youthful?—younger?" He pursed his lips.
Sucking in a deep breath, I shrugged and nodded my head. I really had no clue where he was going with this…
"Well—now can't you see it? C-can't you identify the retrospect I speak of? It's almost remarkable...!" He then shrugged, "In a, more or less, frightening way…"
"Uh…umm…" Glancing from the photo, then to Simon, then back to the photo, I slightly shook my head. "N-no—I'm sorry, but I-I don't get it…like, at all. What are you talking about?"
Sighing, Simon shook his head, but grinned. "A lot say that we've changed quite a bit—but, honestly, it was only Alvin and I that made the great change; you never altered, and you probably never will." Suddenly, as if a button was pressed, his expression and voice transformed. "Anyway, what I'm talking about is: this child is the spitting image of Alvin."
My jaw became loose. I examined the photo of Alvin kneeling next to the little boy. It was kind of strange to see him smile…to see Alvin actually look happy. He looked happy…and his smile actually looked genuine, too. And I don't know whether or not he's putting on a really good show, or if he's great at covering up his true feelings, but his smile seemed like he was actually interested—like he was actually enjoying himself and sincere with meeting this child.
As I continued to stare, I looked at the kid—and I saw Alvin when he was younger flash into my memory like a camera flashing, and that's when everything clicked. I was amazed. I finally was seeing what Simon was seeing!—and he was right. This child was like a mini Alvin. My eyes kept snapping back and forth between my oldest brother and the child. I felt as if my mind was going into overdrive. The similarities between the two…
I could barely imagine what Simon was thinking and feeling…he probably was feeling like he was going to EXPLODE or something…
"We need to talk to Alvin."
Flashing my eyes to Simon, my breathing hitched in my throat. I blinked. When I scanned my bespectacled brother's face, something dark was shadowing his face. Of course not literally…but, there was something there. His eyes spilled so many secrets that I couldn't catch as he kept his gaze firmly on the photo. He suddenly almost appeared older to me…
When I finally found my breath come back to me, I too, looked at the photo.
There was something that kept tugging at my mind, and I couldn't push it away. I couldn't push away the fact that he was right. Alvin would need to see this. We needed to talk to him.
I looked back to Simon's face; it still looked the same. There was something else that he'd found…and I wasn't sure what. But he'd figured out, or knew, something, that I wasn't seeing. The shadow that hovered over his thoughts scared me. And I wasn't afraid of what his thoughts were, really….it was the seriousness that masked his face that frightened me. Something was up. There was something that I was missing.
I've been havin' a lot of inspiration hit me for this story, and it always makes me feel like a freaking genius! But really I'm sure these inspirations will make anyone really roll their eyes out of the whole "you're dumb" type of thought, but it's all good. I have big plans for this story, and I hope that all of you who are reading will be able to keep up with this story because it's making my mind 'bout ready to go jump off a cliff. ;D I'm WAAAAAAY excited for this story!
And, I apologize to those who may think I'm taking this story slow, but, I have a pretty good reason (there's way too many important things I can't leave out).
I totally feel like this story will only make it to something like, 20 chapters...but, I highly doubt that...anyway...
Thanks for reading! :D