ODE TO SLEEP

「012. misunderstood」

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      "SO WHAT'S our next step?"

Marcus draped his arm over the back of his chair, his gaze shifting between Valerie and Maddox. Alejandro looked from one person to the next, his eyes briefly flashing to where I sat in the window.

For the past hour, Maddox sat and explained everything to Valerie, Marcus, and Alejandro. He told them about what Marshall and Emerson were doing, and how it caused a conflict between us. I'd been sitting in Maddox's bay window, the collar of my hoodie pulled over my chin as it rested against my chest, my knees bent up toward my chest, and my eyes shut. I'd been drifting in and out of sleep.

"Isaiah, what are your thoughts on this?" Valerie asked, turning to look at me. "They're coming after you, so what do you feel comfortable doing?"

"You alright with them staying, or do you want them gone?" Alejandro asked.

I didn't respond. I didn't want to answer that question. On one hand, I wanted the two of them to get as far away from me as possible. I started to trust both of them, and they broke that trust within a split moment. But I also didn't want to leave them with no place to go.

I opened my eyes and stared down at my boots. What did I want to do? Could I stand them being here? It wasn't like I couldn't ignore them—I did it to half the residents here. But something was itching at me, bugging me. Marshall's face kept appearing in my head, and the more it did, the more that itch became noticeable.

Marshall told me he wanted to help me, that he wanted to get me away from this place. He told me that he'd help me find my mom. But, he knew that she was dead. He was tricking me. He was just trying to get me to follow him. For what, though? To kill me?

"Isaiah," Maddox's voice flooded my ears, making me lift my head. I looked over at him, meeting his brown eyes. His eyebrows were furrowed together. "Talk to us."

"What's on your mind, buddy?" Marcus asked, sitting forward in his chair. "We just want what's best for you."

I let my back fall against the wall. "I don't know. Every time I think about it, I start getting mad. Thinking about them makes me want to kill them for lying to me."

Valerie and Maddox exchanged a glance. "Marshall is on his second strike," Valerie said. "A third would be cause for eviction from the manor. Emerson would get her first, but I'd imagine she'd follow her brother out."

"Marcus, Alejandro, why don't you take Isaiah to the courtyard? Let him get some fresh air," Maddox cleared his throat. "Are you alright with that?"

I knew Valerie and Maddox wanted to talk without us there. Without me. So I agreed and left with Marcus and Alejandro. They led me out to the courtyard, toward the old oak tree.

"Listen, 'Saiah," Alejandro said, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "We care about you. Everything that we're doing is for you. We want to make sure you're comfortable with everything we're doing."

"So if you don't want Marshall here, you just need to say it," Marcus added.

I placed my hands on the branch above my head. I closed my eyes and leaned forward, resting my head on my biceps. Marcus placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed ever so slightly.

"We're all proud of you, Isaiah. You've made good progress with your health, and we don't want you to lose that." Alejandro said, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're our family, kid. We're gonna protect you until the very end. Even if it costs us our lives."

I looked over at him, reading the sincerity on his face. He grinned and lightly hit me in my chest. Marcus chuckled breathily and removed his hand from my shoulder.