I sit on the La-Z-Boy in Josh and I's apartment, my hands clasped tightly together, turning white, as I attempt to calm the screaming of my nerves.
Patrick stood by the window, peering steadily out into the darkness that had finally set over Starkfield.
Josh had called only moments before, his speaking voice breathless with panic, informing us that an inhabitant of Alex's apartment complex reported hearing gunshots and screams from Alex's apartment. What the police found was his door clean off its hinges, the living room riddled in bullet holes, the bodies of dead and unconscious men and women littered on the floor.
Alex and Jason was nowhere to be seen.
Unable to find comfort in my sitting position, I stand and pace my living room, my heart beat erratic in my chest, sweat forming beads on my scalp.
Suddenly, from his place at the window, Patrick speaks up.
"They're going to find him, Andy. Calm down."
I find myself unintentionally snapping back, bitterly.
"And what if they don't?"
I say, attempting to calm my breathing. I place my hands over my eyes, feeling regret burning in my face.
"This is my fault. Maybe- maybe if I hadn't told those men about Jason, Alex would still be safe?"
I suddenly find the anger smoldering under my skin like coals too difficult to contain.
I strike out with my foot at my coffee table, sending it flying into the wall of the living room with a loud bang.
"I've lost my fucking brother, Pat. This is my fault."
Patrick moves towards me steadily, putting his hands firmly on my shoulders, looking sternly into my eyes.
"You can't do this to yourself-"
He was saying, but a sharp rapping at the door cut him off.
"Who...?"
He mumbled, trailing off.
I jog towards the door, and swing it noisily open.
In the hall, with his hands and side covered in red, stood Alex.
. . .
I stumble into the apartment, losing my footing and trip.
Andrew immediately catches me, and takes my arm over my shoulder, he leads me to the kitchen table, where I fall heavily onto a chair.
Andrew's face was white, and Patrick glares at the blood that glazed my hands like gloves.
"What the hell happened?"
Andrew nearly shouts, his throat tight and shaking with his words.
I attempt to steady my breathing and heart rate, sucking in deep inhalations of air that shook with the fear and panic that burned my insides. Sweat drips profusely from my neck and brow.
My words, nonetheless of my efforts came out a shaky and disoriented mess.
"Jason- he- he-"