Freddy's throat felt more dry than it had a few minutes earlier. "Brothers?" He asked quietly, staring at the two screens with the DNA strands on them. How could he be related to someone like Gold? Someone that kidnapped people and punched girls? He then wondered if Gold's time in the juvenile detention center or even rehab had even gotten to him at all. His insane actions only made him wonder about his past more.
Sanders nodded impatiently. "The DNA tests came back positive. You're biological brothers. We think twins, in fact. We also did some more research on him- his real name is Gabriel, or Gabe." She told him. Foxy was gaping at the screens. Bonnie had her normal nonchalant expression, but her earlier crying was obvious on her face. Nobody said anything, letting the shocking information settle in.
"Foxy, pick your jaw up off of the floor." Freddy chuckled, his voice still raspy. He was trying to lighten the atmosphere by making jokes. The air was still tense and uncomfortable, however. His mother had never told him he had a brother. Freddy remembered arguing with Chica about whether or not Gold's parents were dead, (thinking about this caused him to wince internally), and how when he said that Gold had tensed up. Did Gold know he and Freddy were related?
Foxy forced a harsh chuckle, closing his mouth, his eyes still glued to the screens. Freddy rubbed his temples. "My mom never said anything about me having a brother." He mumbled to himself.
"Did you ever ask her if she had an affair, or a husband before your father?" Bonnie asked. Her voice sounded surprisingly steady and calm. Apparently, she hid her emotions as well as Chica did. Freddy shook his head in response, his head swimming with questions. His dad had never said anything either. Then again, he hardly ever talked to his dad.
"Maybe I should go talk to her." Freddy said, turning to Sanders. "May I be released so I can see my mother?" He asked her.
She nodded. "She stopped by around thirty times all week, and she actually just left about an hour ago. We were going to release you once you woke up, so now that you're awake I don't see why not. You should probably let her know that you're alright and about this... astonishing news." She explained slowly, writing something on her clipboard. "Your clothes are on the right bedside table in your hospital room, along with your cellphone. If you find anything out, make sure to contact Officer Long." She turned to the silent officer, who handed Freddy a slip of paper. It had a phone number and the word "Long" on it in sloppy writing. He thanked the officer and headed out the door, his two friends in tow. He returned to his hospital room to grab his clothes and phone. After changing in the bathroom, he quickly shoved his phone into his pocket and started toward the exit. The receptionist told him and his friends to have a great day as they rushed out of the door.
The trio continued toward Freddy's house at a fast walking pace. Freddy didn't stop for anything. As they came nearer and nearer to his house he prayed silently that his dad wasn't home. This was a conversation he wanted to have with just his mother. Foxy and Bonnie followed behind Freddy, not saying anything. The only sound was their shoes on the concrete sidewalk. Even the birds seemed to fall silent, and there was no wind whatsoever.
Freddy opened his front door and looked around the kitchen. His eyes fell on his mother, who was watching the oven, large crablike oven mitts sitting on her hands. She looked up at Freddy and his two friends as they entered. A huge smile spread across her face. The oven beeped behind her. "Freddy! You're alright!" She said happily, bounding forward and wrapping Freddy in a death grip hug. "I see you brought Bonnie and Foxy! That's great! You're just in time for meatloaf!" She returned to the oven and opened the over, sliding out the tray slowly.
"Mom, that's not why we came..." Freddy said as his mother straightened, holding the tray of meatloaf. She cocked her head slightly in confusion, staring at Freddy and waiting for him to explain himself. He took a deep breath and looked his mom straight in the eye. "You never told me I had a brother." He said, doing all he could to keep his voice from shaking.
Shock covered his mother's face. Her jaw dropped and the tray slipped out of her hands, clattering loudly to the floor. The meatloaf slid off of the tray and came to a stop a few feet away, leaving a brown trail of meat juices. Freddy nearly gagged. He hated meatloaf. His mother steadied herself. His father didn't come into the kitchen at the loud noise, which told Freddy he was still at work, His mother bent down immediately, picking up the lump of meatloaf and setting it back onto the tray, avoiding making eye contact with any of them. She set the tray with the meatloaf next to the sink and peeled off the oven mitts, setting them on the counter and wiping her palms on her pants, still avoiding Freddy's accusing gaze.
She finally spoke, but her voice was shaky and quiet. "I don't know what you're talking about..." she turned away again, busying herself by washing some plates that were sitting inside the sink.
Freddy took a few steps toward his mother, laying both of his hands on the island counter top in the middle of the room. "Mom." He said sternly. His earlier rasp in his voice was gone and he sounded stern and mean, like he was trying to get the truth out of a child. "The doctor found one of Gold's hairs on my shirt. They ran a DNA test on it and found out he was related to me. How come you never told me?" his voice was softer toward the end. He knew he had come off to strong in the beginning, nearly yelling at her.
His mom sighed, turning the water off and putting the dishes down, wiping her hands on a paper towel. She turned toward the trio. Foxy and Bonnie were still quiet, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. "I never told you because we put him up for adoption almost as soon as he was diagnosed. You wouldn't remember because he was about 18 months, you were just born. It was a terrible thing to do, but I didn't want to raise a child with that disorder." Tears were brimming in her eyes. Freddy had hardly heard what she said, after he heard the word "diagnosed," questions popped up in his head. Is that why he acted so odd? What was he even diagnosed with?
"Diagnosed?" He asked. "With what?"
A stray tear slipped down his mother's face. "The doctors can't usually tell so early in a person's life, but it was so profoundly obvious. He demonstrated social withdrawal, self-neglect, apathy. He never talked to the other children at daycare, just sat in the corner and stared at the others. He always hurt himself and didn't seem to care. The doctors diagnosed him with Diogenes Syndrome, also known as Senile Squalor Syndrome. We didn't want to raise a child like that... it was terrible of us, so terrible. We didn't want to kill him, we aren't murderers, but we didn't want him. So we put him in a boys home. I regretted it so bad, it's the worst thing I have ever done in my life!" She broke down in sobs and tears flowed freely down her face.
Self-neglect? Social withdrawal? Apathy? All three traits fit Gold extremely well. Freddy wasn't nearly as surprised as he had expected. His mother continued to sob, picking up her nearby iPad and pulling up Yahoo news, showing Freddy the front page, which had Gold's face on it from when he attacked the girl at school. His hair was unkempt and he had bags under his eyes. He was clothed in a straight jacket, staring at the camera with malice in his eyes. Under his picture was Chica's most recent yearbook picture, her short blonde hair curly and her smile wide, her purple eyes twinkling. Freddy felt a pang of sadness as he looked at her picture. Foxy and Bonnie stepped forward, looking at the page with Freddy. The article read:
Connie "Chica" [last name unknown], a 17-year old girl was reported missing five days ago, last seen being restrained and shoved into a car by Gabriel "Gold" [last name unknown], who had been arrested for attacking Sarah Jameson at school about a month ago. "He just attacked me. I didn't even do anything wrong." (Freddy scoffed loudly after reading this.) Says Jameson, age 18. Gold had been sent to the local police department and restrained in a straight jacket, in which he stayed in while he ate and attended therapy for his harsh actions. The doctors have confirmed he has Diogenes Syndrome, explaining some of his actions.
Gold evidently fell in love with 17-year old Chica, who despised him in return. In reaction to this news, he decided that if he couldn't have her, nobody could. "He just attacked my friend Freddy," says Bonnie [last name unknown], age 18, "Then dragged Chica into his rusty, white Chevy truck and drove off after knocking me out." Another innocent bystander, Felix "Foxy" [last name unknown] was also harmed in the attack.
It is unknown where Gold has taken Chica. If you see a rusty white Chevy truck in your area, report to the police. If you have seen Gold and or Chica in person, stop immediately and call the police. Do not try to stop Gold. He is unarmed, but has been labeled as dangerous.