It was late, really late. I heard the sound of the floorboards creaking and opened one eye to look at the clock. The little red light was shining a little after midnight. I sat up, yawning and rubbing my eyes, moving carefully so I wouldn't wake up Scooter. I could make out a dark shape stumbling in the kitchen.
"Brick what are you doing? It's late, man," Brick stopped and glanced back at me before sighing and making a b-line for the door.
"Boomer go back to bed, nothing to worry about," I shook my head and grabbed his shoulder, stopping him before he could run out on me again. Brick kept looking at the door.
"Brick what's going on? You keep running off...Butch still hasn't come back so I can't ask him or I would...are you gonna leave too?" Brick turned around, staring at me like I was retarded. I wasn't, though I didn't normally care when he said I was. But right now, it was really getting on my nerves.
"It's nothing to worry about, alright? Just go to sleep, or play some video games or something, I don't care," I sighed and scratched my head, turning toward the TV. It was off right now, which was kind of weird.
"I'm just curious...you guys are both sneaking out all the time. I was just...I dunno, kinda worried I guess, 'specially since you won't tell me," Brick shuffled, leaning against the wall. I turned back to him, and shrugged, frowning. Brick rolled his eyes and gave me one of his usual angry looks. It wasn't fun when he wasn't yelling.
"Boomer, stop being such a bitch," I narrowed my eyes and scowled at my brother. I let out the breath I was holding and grit my teeth, looking down. Glancing up, I noticed him frown a bit more and turn back to the door.
"Just tell me where you're going, that's all I wanna know. In case you need help, I've got your back...y'know?" Brick shook his head and waved his hand.
"Boomer it's none of your business, so just back off bro," I tried to stop him a second time, but Brick just pulled away and hit me with a paralyzing glare. I looked down at his clenched fist. Brick nodded and turned, leaving without another word. He slammed the door like he always did. I clenched my fists and stared at the door.
"I should have just punched you and got it over with..." My brothers never took me seriously until I started swinging. Especially Brick, he only stopped thinking I was an idiot when I started punching. I took a deep breath and slowly let it out, ruffling my hair again.
I walked to the living room and dropped onto the couch. There was an old clock on the entertainment center where the TV was sitting. I listened to it tick, tock, tick, tock, as the night dragged on. Later, Scooter shuffled in and laid down next to the couch. I scratched his ears and kept listening to the clock tick.