My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 15

Natalia

I make sure I have the pepper spray Andrew gave me in my pocket where I can easily reach it if I need it as Michael and I make our way to the park. We look around everywhere, but we don't find Blake. He comes with me to the grocery store, but a different employee tells me the same thing. He didn't show up for work.

I feel sick to my stomach with worry.

Michael and I grab eggs and I offer to buy him snacks with my tip money. He picks a rotisserie chicken, and he says we can share it, so I grab two drinks and some candy and we check out.

Where is Blake?

I can't even contact Andrew to see if he knows anything.

"Is there anywhere else you'd like to search for your brother?" Michael asks me as he grabs a leg from the bag and starts eating the chicken. He offers me the bag, but I shake my head. "No to both." I don't want food and I don't have a clue where he could be. I don't even know what he is into or who his other friends are. "There's my job," I point at the salon. "Give me your schedule so I can keep an eye on you," Michael says as we walk out of the shopping center. His protectiveness reminds me of how Blake is with me. He gives off big brother energy.

"Maybe we can go to the park in the good neighborhood, and if he is not there, then we can check the hospital on the way back home. Maybe you can call the police stations for me, but let's go there first," I say, knowing that we will walk past the Whitmore's house along the way.

"So, this is it? Whoever hurt you lives here?" he asks. "Well, no, but yes." I try to explain. He shrugs. "Well, that's good enough for me," he says as he opens the carton of eggs and throws one over the fence.

It gets nowhere, and we both look disappointed.

"I think we should climb the fence, but zip your sweater all the way up, and put on your hoodie," he tells me.

He goes first and once he is over, I hand him the eggs and I begin climbing.

We hide behind the bushes as we make our way closer to the house. There are two cars in the long driveway, and I throw an egg at one and it lands perfectly. Luckily no alarm goes off.

"Let's throw this dozen at the cars, and then we get the house with this other dozen," he tells me. I nod and get to work. The cars are a mess when we are done, but we both stare proudly at our work. Michael snaps some pictures.

"For memories," he whisper shouts and I giggle.

"I kind of wish I would have brought some glitter. That would have sealed the deal," Michael laughs.

"Come, let's get closer. Follow me, but stay behind the bushes. If anyone comes out, you run and hop the gate. Whatever you do, don't let them catch you," I nod.

We creep closer. "Ready?" I nod and we both begin throwing the eggs at the house. I throw a couple all around, and then I aim for the windows. They have a huge window in the front. I throw the egg, and it lands perfectly in the center. "Damn, Nat. Jace's baseball team needs to hire you as their pitcher. You have perfect aim. I throw another one, and it hits the window, and we notice a big man standing there, looking out.

"Oh sh1t, run, Nat," Michael says. We both take off towards the gate, but we continue throwing the eggs we have left. The man runs out and Michael throws his eggs at him.

"Run! Hurry up and climb," Michael says as he tosses the empty cartons on the floor.

"Get back here you stup1d kids," I hear the man shouting, but we are already on the other side. I watch as the man gets close to the fence. I think he is an employee or maybe a grandparent, because he is older. Michael brings his finger up and flips him off and grabs my hand, and we take off running down the street.

We don't stop until we arrive at the park, and we finally allow ourselves to collapse and rest for a bit. All we can do right now is laugh. I seriously can't believe we are laughing.

"That was so much fun," He isn't wrong. It was such a rush. I am just happy that Michael was willing to help me tonight. Doing this alone would have sucked.

I sit here quietly, trying to think of where Blake might be, and why he hasn't come looking for me yet? He promised not to leave me alone, yet he left me alone. They both left and I'm stuck here, alone. I look over at Michael. Maybe Michael was sent to be my friend?

"I'm sorry we haven't been able to find your brother, but I promise to come help you search every night for him until we find him," He has no idea how much that means to me, that all I can do is hug him. He hugs me back, and that has me breaking down. I cry big ugly sobs and he just holds me. We just stay in that position until we hear people talking and music playing.

"Thank you, Michael. I literally have no-one else to go to. You have no idea how much this means to me. Blake is all I have. My mom, she hates me," he nods like he understands me, but he looks sad.

"I'm serious when I say I'm here if you need me. You will learn to trust me, Nat. Take your time though," he wipes my tears.

"How about we walk over there and see if your brother is there?" he asks.

We get closer and I spot him.

"Michael, he's here," Michael smiles, and I find myself smiling even bigger than him. I think he is genuinely happy for me.

"Blake," I shout and wave. He doesn't hear me, so we walk closer. There's a girl all over him, and a bunch of other people sitting around them.

"Wait, Nat," Michael says, but I ignore him.

Michael

I spot the needle in the girl's hands and all the needles littered all over the floor. They are smoking pot, and I am sure doing other drugs, and there are also beer bottles on the park benches and my guard immediately goes up. F*ck. This can't be good.

"Blake," Natalia shouts again, and I watch one of them turn, stand up and walk towards us. Natalia is waving with a huge smile on her face. The guy walks towards us, and even with the little light from the park, I can tell he is isn't happy to see her. There is no smile on his face. If anything, he looks annoyed.

"Natalia, what are you doing here?" he looks around like he is checking for something or someone. He doesn't say hi or gives her a hug.

"I went to your job, and they told me you hadn't shown up, so I got worried and came looking for you," He sniffs, and wipes his nose. I know exactly what that means. I have seen some of the bikers snort some stuff, and then they do that all night long. I guess it irritates their nose. I have no clue. I just promised Billy to never get into drugs and go to him if I need help.

"Go home Natalia, and don't come back," he tells her in the coldest voice.

"I got a job, Blake, at Salon Venetian. I will be close to your job, and now we can both save faster, so when I turn 18, I can come live with you," he looks so uninterested, but she just keeps talking, ignoring his request. I don't think Nat realizes he's on drugs.

"I don't have a place yet. Do you have any money now?" he asks her. She begins digging in her pockets. "I get tips at work," I see the smile on his face as she pulls her money out and hands it to him. "Cool, just bring me all of your money and I will save it for you," She nods.

A girl from his group walks over and wraps her arms around him. "Who is this?" she gives Nat a once over, and turns to Blake. "It's your turn, honey," she tries pulling him away from Nat, who looks crushed.

"I'm his sister, Natalia, and this is Michael. Nice to meet you," Nat says, but the girl ignores her. "Let's go, Blake," she tries to pull him away again, but Nat steps closer. "I'm talking to him. Can you wait?" she asks. The girl looks at her and laughs. "Blake, now," the girl calls him again as she returns to the bench and snorts a line.

"Nat, just go home. It isn't safe for you out here," he says, but Nat is, of course, defiant. "Well, then it's not safe for you either. Come back with me. We can talk to mom. Maybe she and David will let you come back home," she says, sounding hopeful, but he just laughs.

"Please Nat. I would never go back there. Let Marsha rot with that piece of sh1t she chose over us." he touches the bruises on her face. "He did this to you, didn't he?" she nods. "I will get you out of there, okay. I promise," she hugs him, and he kisses the top of her head and tells her to be safe. "I love you, Blake," she waves as he walks back. "Love you, too," I hear him say.

I have no idea what to make of all of this. Natalia lives in a world surrounded by drug addicts and I don't think she lives in a safe environment. I know she told me not to tell anyone anything, but I will have to talk to Billy about this. Maybe he can help guide me. She will never know though. She can't know I broke a promise, but I want to make sure she stays safe. I think real concern makes breaking a promise okay.

"So, that is Blake?" I say and she nods. She's skipping and seems so much lighter.

"He's alive and safe. That's all that matters," she whispers.

"Nat," I want to say something, but I don't want to ruin tonight. It was perfect and she is happy.

"Yeah," she turns to me and even with her face bruised, she radiates a happiness I have not seen. She loves her brother.

"Promise me you won't come back here alone. If you need to find him again, you will take me with you. I just want to make sure you are safe," she nods.

"Thank you, Michael." She gives me another hug. I squeeze her tightly, because I know she really needs it.