Page 25 of Ominous: Part 1
Sirens wail outside, probably down the street, but my entire family is in here and it’s such a common occurrence, I don’t much care.
As the toilet flushes, though, I can’t help but think…maybe we need help too.
I hear water running in the sink.
A second later, rushing footsteps, the bathroom fan flips on, the house shakes as Sebastian sinks to his knees, more heaving, and the sound of something emptying into the toilet.
Check on him. You’re not going to sleep anyway.
It’s true. I’m not. A few minutes ago, reading the newly discoveredBrothers Poemby Sappho on my phone, it was after two in the morning.
No texts from Eli.
I don’t have his number, and while I found his profiles on social media, they’re locked up tight. I deleted all my accounts after I was suspended at Shoreside, so I couldn’t request to see more.
It doesn’t matter.
I think about grabbing my phone again. Amanda texted me earlier tonight, asking about my weekend plans, but I haven’t responded. Right now, though, I need a distraction and—
Sebastian flushes the toilet again.What the fuck is he even doing?
I sigh, throwing off my covers, the soundtrack of sirens still wailing in the distance, beneath the hum of my overhead fan and the bathroom one.
I unlock my door, tiptoe into the dark hall. There are blinds directly in front of me, covering the window here. I step close, pushing down one with my index finger, staring out at Castle Lane, looking for the source of the sirens.
I see nothing but darkness.
Letting the blind pop back into place, I turn toward the bathroom door, an orange glow beneath the crack at the bottom.
Softly, I rap my knuckles against it. “Seb?” I whisper, not wanting our parents to wake. “Are you okay?”
There’s nothing. Just the steady purr of the fan.
I close my eyes, pressing my temple to the door.What are you doing with your life?
But then I hear footsteps. I open my eyes, step back.
The door is jerked open, and the scent of marijuana and alcohol drifting from his body is dizzying. He stares out at me with bloodshot eyes, flipping the fan off, but leaving the dim light on. He sniffs, runs the back of his hand over his nose, then drops it to his hip. His wrists are so bony. “What’s up?”
I wrap my arms around myself, taking another retreat back. “I just wanted to see if you’re good.”
He blinks, his light blue eyes going to the floor as he rests his forearm against the door jamb, hanging his head. “Great,” he lies, his voice crackly.
I swallow the lump in my throat. The protests, too. In the quiet, the sirens are louder. “Wonder what’s going on,” I mutter, dropping my gaze, searching for something to say. I can never quite get this right with him.
There’s a pause. A silence. Then, “What do you mean?”
Shifting from foot to foot, the thin carpet creaking beneath me, I say, “The police. Or ambulance, or whatever. I wonder what’s going on.” It’s not unusual. Not for this trailer park, and not for our old apartment. It’s just conversation. Just meaningless words because I can’t find the correct ones.
Just like I never told him about his friend, all those years ago in our apartment. Supposedly, he knows, but now I’m older, I’m not so sure. Another lie I let my mind believe. That he knew and didn’t care. That it wasn’t a big deal.
I feel Seb staring at me. Perplexed, I lift my gaze to his.
He’s frowning, his light brows knitted together, hair hanging in his eyes.
For a second, I’m confused. Then I stand up straighter, my body very, very cold. I swallow, hard, tilting my head. “You don’t… you don’t hear them?”
“You should get some sleep, huh?” Seb’s words are too soft. Full of pity.
