Pinky Promises (Braxton)
1000 Words
I finally got all my medication sorted out. We settled on the dosages that helped settle my mind and helped me function throughout the day. Dr.Wicker is noticing my improvement. He said I might get discharged next week or even sooner, depending on how
I continue to react to the medication. I've been reacting well, but I still have my moments. Dr.Wicker said that's normal. I did see one of my best friends die right in front of me after all.
Bradley came over today, and I was happy to see him. In addition to getting medicated, seeing my best friend has helped me stay sane for the most part. He walked into my room with a notebook and a big grin. I wondered what was in that notebook, but something in the back of my mind told me it couldn't be good.
"Braxton," Bradley said, sitting next to me on my bed, "I have a plan, but I don't think you're gonna like it."
Great.
"What is it?" I asked skeptically.
"I went back to the house, and I'll be back again."
My heart sank, and my eyes widened.
"What," I said a bit too loudly, "why?!"
"Because I need to know EXACTLY why the house killed Max. Take a look at this."
Bradley opened his notebook and showed me everything. From when the house was first constructed, all the way to the bible verses. I sigh.
"Bradley, I don't think this is a good idea."
"Why not?" Bradley asked me.
I rolled my eyes before blinking hard. Is he serious?
"Oh, I don't know," I said sarcastically, "maybe because it's a HAUNTED HOUSE! Maybe because Max f*****g died in that house."
I saw a flash of hurt on Bradley's face. I don't mean to hurt him, but it's the truth; it IS a haunted house, and Max DID die in it.
"Braxy," he said to me, sighing.
I haven't heard that nickname since the incident. Hearing it makes me feel warm inside.
"Braxy, I know it may not be the best idea. But imagine if I found out why. Imagine if I could get the spirits to leave or even be peaceful. I already ordered the stuff I need."
I stared at him in confusion and asked him what stuff.
"I ordered a crucifix and a spirit box to communicate with the spirits. I also plan on getting some holy water-"
I just stared at him as he rambled on. He cannot be serious.
"Bradley," I interrupted, "do you have any idea what you're doing? Do you know how to talk to spirits or even get rid of them?"
Bradley was silent for a moment. He shook his head.
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Because," Bradley's voice quivered, tears welling in his eyes, "I need closure for Max."
"I get that," I told him, grabbing his shoulders, "but this isn't the way to do it. It's too dangerous if you don't know what you're doing."
Tears fell down Bradley's face as I pulled him into a hug. He cried in my arms for a few moments before pulling back and wiping his face. I grabbed his shoulders again and made him face me.
"Bradley," I said firmly, "look at me."
My best friend slowly looks at me, tears still gathering in his eyes.
"Please," I pleaded with him, "please cancel the order for your stuff. I can't lose you too. You're the only one keeping me from going insane."
I see Bradley think deeply to himself before he exhales sharply. I could see he didn't want to do it. I get he's hurting, but I'm also hurting. The pain would get worse if I were to lose him too. If I were to lose him, the minimal progress I've been making would be for nothing.
"Pinky promise me," I said, holding out my pinky.
He stared at my pinky for a moment.
"Braxy," he began, "I-"
"I don't care," I interrupted. "I don't care if you feel like you have to do this. I'm hurting too! If you were to go and something went wrong, I could lose you! I don't want to lose you. Do you know how much more broken I'd be if I lost you? So please, pinky promise me you won't do it."
My pinky finger trembled in front of his face. Bradley sighed before wrapping his pinky around mine, smiling softly. I let out a sigh of relief. I leaned towards Bradley and lay on his lap. He stroked my hair as my eyes grew heavy. I fall asleep relieved but hoping he keeps his promise. When I woke up, I felt uneasy. Not because of any voices or figures, but because of Bradley. My gut was telling me that pinky promise or not, he was going back to that godforsaken house. I grabbed my stress ball and began squeezing it tightly.
He's not going to keep his promise.
Damnit, that stupid voice is back.
"Yes, he is," I said.
No, he's not. You can't be that stupid. You KNOW he won't. Stop denying it.
"He promised me he wouldn't."
So?
I didn't want to admit it or believe that the figure was correct. I kept squeezing the ball and snapping my fingers to drown out its voice. While I'm used to hearing that voice now, it doesn't mean I don't get a headache every time I hear it. That voice is like nails on a chalkboard. The raspiness in its throat makes me shudder every time. I shook my head and ran my hand through my hair. The voice kept talking about how Bradley wasn't going to keep his promise, but I kept telling myself and the voice that he had to. I may be in denial, but at least my denial comforts me.
"He'll keep his promise, he'll keep his promise." I kept saying to myself.
Slowly but surely, the voice faded away, and my mind was quiet again.
- Writer
