"Ohh, Avigaiel! Avigaiel Elizabeth! Avigaiel Elizabeth Haner!" My brother walked into the kitchen, where I was trying to wolf down the last of my sandwich before he had the chance to complain about me not making him one. "There you are," he said, walking over to me.
"Yep, here I am," I said, trying my hardest not to lead on I had a mouth full of food. I winced when he stood next to me and looked at my plate. I looked up at him, swallowing and smiling innocently.
"You suck," he muttered, walking over to the fridge now. He opened it and grabbed a bottle of beer, cracking the top off and taking a gulp.
I took a sip of my drink and shrugged. "Learned from the best, big bro." I had a hard time not spraying my cream soda out my nose with the face he made at me. "Brian, stop acting so offended! You're twenty-five; I think you can make your own lunch. I haven't eaten a scrap of food since I woke up and that was 11 hours ago."
My brother is Brian Haner Jr. Yeah, that means he is Synyster Gates from Avenged Sevenfold. He's an egomaniac, smart-ass, weird, perverted guy but he's my brother and I really look up to him. He's a
wonderful role model, don't you agree?
My name is Avigaiel Elizabeth Haner, though he and the rest of the guys in Avenged Sevenfold just call me Hazzard or Baby Gates. The latter is the nickname they use mostly to annoy me. I'm seven years younger than my brother Brian, which would make me eighteen. Well, almost eighteen since my birthday's only in a couple of days.
"You just devoured a sandwich, Avi, so don't lie to me and say you haven't eaten a scrap of food today." He looked completely serious but I knew he was joking.
I rolled my eyes. "You were looking for me?"
"Whoa, huge change of subject. What are you talking about now?" Brian's forehead creased in confusion.
I scoffed a laugh. "Were you or were you not just running around the house screaming my name? I know you weren't doing it just for hoots this time so what do you need?"
"'For hoots?'" Brian laughed, shaking his head. "I remember now. I wanted to ask if you wanted to head over to Matt's with me for rehearsals." He sat at the barstool next to me, taking another gulp of his beer.
I watched the bottle tip up then back down and I nodded. "Yeah, 'cause if I don't go you'll either have to walk home, which would probably lead to some sort of trouble, or you'll get another DUI."
"Shweet. I'm leaving in fifteen minutes so be quick" He lightly tapped the top of my head with the neck of the bottle before walking out of the kitchen.
I got up and cleaned my plate before I went up to my bedroom to get ready. I really didn't need to do much since I had just gotten home from school but I needed to fix my hair again and re-do my makeup. I did both these tasks quickly but not quick enough for Brian.
"Come ooooon, Avigaiel! Let's march, young lady!"
I snickered, grabbing a jacket, a pair of sunglasses, a bag that contained some of my other possessions (cell phone, iPod, etc.) and heading out my door. "Jeez, Bri, do you have to be so impatient? Daddy dearest would not be very proud of you. Oh, and, before I forget, you need to do the dishes and take the trash out." I stood at the front door and crossed my arms.
"Nag nag nag. Are you my sister or my wife? Move it," he teased, using his jacket to smack my butt. "That's right, just move you little tailbone out the door, chica!"
I ran out the door, watching behind me to make sure Brian wasn't following just to use his jacket as a whip again; about five second later, I slammed into someone and we both fell to the ground groaning.
"Damn, Avigaiel, I always knew you were hardheaded like your brother-" Brian cleared his throat suggestively "-but I think you just gave a whole new meaning to term 'bone-head'," Zacky said, rubbing his head.
"Me?! No, I think you're the hardheaded one, mister Vengeance. I'm just the victim here." I touched my forehead where I had smashed into Zacky's head; I yelped, hitting a tender spot. "Awh, now see what you did?!" I stood up, lightly rubbing the bump on my forehead.
Zacky smirked and got to his feet. "Sorry,
Hazzard." The emphasis on my name wasn't without reason; he was calling me a hazard, which just proved my point of him being hard headed.
"No you aren't; otherwise you wouldn't have put emphasis on my name." I stuck my tongue out. "But you are forgiven." I walked over to Brian's car, turning my back to Zacky. I turned for a split second and saw Zacky saying something to Brian and casting quick glances at me.
"Hey, stop being so nosy and get in the car," Brian teased.
I scoffed and yanked on the door handle several times. "I can't! It's locked, dumbass!" I laughed and he threw the keys at me. "There, much better." I unlocked the car doors and got in, sliding into the passenger seat. I watched the two talking; Brian seemed hesitant and slightly annoyed but something in Zacky's expression seemed… kind of desperate and pleading. It was probably about a girl and Zacky needed Brian's help, but it wouldn't make sense for Brian to be annoyed with him for that reason. I shrugged and turned the radio on, still watching the two from the corner of my eye. They got my full attention again when Brian looked like he yelled something and turned to come to the car. Zacky grabbed Brian by the arm and said something seemingly urgent. Brian wrenched his shoulder away from Zacky and said something containing several swear words before finally coming to the car. Zacky stood where he was for a minute before he walked back to his own car and headed off to Matt's, or so I assumed.
"That son of a bitch," Brian hissed, slamming the car door behind him and putting the car in reverse. "Who does he think he is?!"
I debated asking what had gone on but decided to change just the subject since he seemed like he was about to explode. "Do you know if Val and Leana going to be there?"
"Fuck if I know," Brian muttered, annoyance saturating his tone and body language.
I shrank down in my seat and decided I would wait until we got to Matt's to talk again.
It took us half an hour to get to Matt's house; which was quite annoying to me. It was annoying to me because half of that time, Brian was standing in the liquor store trying to decide what he wanted. Then, the rest of the time were we heading to Matt's, Brian was grumbling about whatever Zacky had said to make him so upset.
I knew it had to be something big since Brian never got angry at Zacky, at least, not seriously angry. They were best friends, after all. I decided I would ask Zacky what was going on since Brian didn't seem in the mood. I couldn't even imagine why he was acting like this!
Brian pulled the car up to the curb in front of Matt's house and I quickly got out, putting my bag over my shoulder. "Hey Jimmy!" I ran over and hugged him.
"Hey, it's the Avi-Monster!" Jimmy half hugged me, holding his beer can away from me. "You're brother looks kinda pissed," he said, looking from Brian to me.
I nodded and waited for Brian to go inside before I continued. "Right before we left the house, Zacky came over. I was in the car so I didn't hear anything but it was definitely a huge argument. Whatever it was about, Brian isn't happy…" I shook my head.
"Oh boy, drama! Come on, let's go see if they're killing each other!" Jimmy grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house. "Zacky and Johnny are already in the studio. Well, they were when I left."
"Hey, Jimmy, no kidnapping underage girls while your girlfriend's here; but if you have to, stay out of my room," Matt yelled, reaching over the back of the couch he was sitting on to grab Jimmy's arm to make him stop but only catching a belt loop of his pants.
I gasped dramatically. "Matthew, you pervert!" I burst out laughing and turned to give him a hug with my free arm, but was leapt on by Johnny.
"Hey, Hazz! What's The Rev's hurry?" He let go off me, ruffling my hair.
"Is Brian up here?" I looked around.
"Nah, he went to set up in the studio. Maybe him and Zacky V will think up some catchy licks." Matt took a drink of his Coke. It made me wonder if he had forgotten to go on a beer run before the rehearsals.
I bit my lip. "Okay then I have to be quick if Bri is down there alone with Zacky."
"Hey now! We don't need know about
that," Val said, coming from upstairs. She laughed and quickly hugged me before noticing the bump on my head. "What happened to you?"
"I ran into Zacky. And that isn't what I meant!" I laughed. "I meant that Brian and Zacky got into a fight. A real one!"
"Who with?" Matt said, sitting up straight now and looking at me hard.
"They had fight with – well, this is going to be hard to believe…"
Johnny looked a little worried, though he knew those two could take care of themselves. "Come on, spit it out kid."
"They had a fight with each other…" I was ready for the laughter. I was ready to try to convince them.
Johnny laughed along with the others, except Jimmy. "They had a real fight with each other? Are we talking about the same Zacky and Brian here?"
"I'm not kidding! I was sitting in the car waiting for Brian and they were talking. Then Brian yelled at Zacky, and I could tell they weren't just joking around. Zacky tried to reason with him I think and then Brian went off on him. When Zacky left and Brian got in the car, the first thing I got to hear my brother say was 'That son of a bitch.'" I bit my lip and looked at all their faces.
No one said anything for a while but the first one to say anything was, of course, Jimmy: "Come on, let's go see if one of 'em has killed the other!" He grabbed my hand once more and ran toward the studio.
"My money's on Gates," Matt yelled, jumping over the back of the couch and running after us.
Johnny was soon behind us too. "You're on, Shad Man!"
I didn't find this a joking matter; when my brother got angry, he got violent. I just hoped he wouldn't get violent with Zacky or wind up hurting himself. I didn't even know what this about and something inside me told me it was all Zacky's fault and that I should be angry with him, and I was a little bit; that little bit that was annoyed with Zacky didn't know anything except that Brian was angry and that wasn't something that happened often or easily.
As we neared the studio, a huge thud sounded at the wall, making me cover my mouth to muffle the surprised yelp; everyone froze but for only a second.
"Er, let's not just walk in," Johnny suggested.
We all walked into a dark room; the only light coming through the darkly tinted window that stood between us and the recording area of the studio. Through the glass, we could see Brian and Zacky fighting again but we could not hear them. I jumped suddenly as Brian's voice boomed in the room; someone had turned the mic on.
"I don't care, Zachery Baker! I don't even think you understand how much of a pervert you are!" Brian barked, advancing toward Zacky.
"Bri, come on, dude, just take a minute and let me explain." Zacky put his hands up in front of him, backing away from my brother.
"Oh, there's no need to explain a goddamn thing! I completely understand! She's not even eighteen!" Brian clenched his fists.
I stiffened slightly. I wasn't eighteen yet, were they talking about me?
"Yeah but she wi-"
"Nah-ah, no buts! I want to just –"
The sound cut out and Jimmy quietly apologized, looking at Matt for help. Matt rolled his eyes and turned a knob before the sound was back.
"Oh, and while you're at it, stay away from my house, too! I don't want Avigaiel anywhere
near you, not within a hundred miles!" Brian stormed out of the studio, his face dark red and his hands in tight fists.
I still didn't know what the fight was about but if Brian didn't want me to be around Zacky anymore… It had to be bad. Curiosity burned in me and it took all my will power not to go ask Zacky what the hell was going on.
"Let's go, Brian'll be wondering where we all disappeared to." Matt opened the door and led us out. Judging by his voice, he was just as curious and surprised as I was.
We headed back to the living room and were a little surprised not to see Brian, but I figured he had gone out for a smoke since he seemed pretty tense.
"I'll be back." I walked to the front door, spotting Brian slowly pacing on the porch; sure enough, there was a cigarette between in index and middle finger. I stepped out. "Hi," I said cheerfully, not wanting to lead on that I knew anything.
Brian looked at me. "Hey," he replied coolly.
The two of us were quiet for a long time, Brian just smoking and drinking and me just standing awkwardly waiting for him to say something. Finally he did: "I don't want you hanging around Zack anymore."
"Why not?" I demanded, getting excited that I could at last being finding out what the argument was about.
"Because I said so," Brian barked. "He's a perv and I don't want him rubbing off on you or anything. So, if you see him, just ignore him. Don't talk to him, don't acknowledge him, nothing. Got it?" He looked at me sharply.
"I guess," I said. "Why don't you just ban be from everyone else, too? You're all perverts," I muttered under my breath.
Brian scowled, "What was that, Avigaiel Elizabeth?"
I debated repeating what I knew would make him even more mad but then the Gates part of me took over and I straightened my posture, scowling right back at him. "I said, why don't you just ban me from everyone else, too?! You're all perverts," I declared boldly.
Brian stiffened and grit his teeth. "Get your ass in the fucking house before I drive you home," he snarled. He stared at me hard as I stood my ground stubbornly. "NOW, AVIGAIEL HANER," he roared, standing over me.
I gasped and stood there cowering before my furious brother for a second. "N-no, you can't make me," I squeaked. "I'm almost an adult, you can't tell me what to do."
"Keyword: almost, you bitch! As long as you live under my roof, you do as I say; and I told you to GET YOUR ASS IN THE HOUSE!" Brian smacked me across the face and, as I fell to the ground, I could instantly tell he regretted it; his eyes were wide and his expression remorseful. "Avigaiel, wait," he said, dropping his cigarette and starting to drop by my side.
Tears welled in my eyes and the side of my face stung. "Get away from me, Brian," I cried, getting up and running across the yard.
"Avi, wait! I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hit you!" He yelled, chasing after me.
I pushed hard off the ground, trying to go faster. I wasn't going to waste my breath talking to him since most of it was being wasted crying as I ran. I knew I should've stopped or at least turned down a street, even after I knew Brian had stopped chasing me, but I just kept going. I wasn't entirely sure about where I was going until I was there: It was the park we had all hung out at since I was really little; the park where we had formed a fort in the thick thorn bushes. I was insanely surprised to see it was still some-what hallowed out since none of us had been in it in about 10 years. Maybe some other group of pre-teen kids had taken it into their own care.
I sat on my knees, rubbing the side of my face that still stung and felt sore and tender. I took my cell phone from my pocket as it vibrated, choking back a sob.
"
Avi, I'm really sorry; I didn't mean to hit you, I was just frustrated. Please come back to Matt's house."
I sniffled, trying to pull myself together. Brian didn't deserve to be forgiven; he was an ass and I finally realized it. I wouldn't stick up for him anymore like I usually did when someone would call him a horny, girl chasing, no good, drunk, perverted, druggie. Okay, maybe I would because I knew just as well as anyone close to him that he wasn't a drunk or a druggie but still.
I dialed my dad's phone number and waited while it rung.
"Hey, this is Brian Haner Sr. Sorry I can't take your call right now but leave me a message and I'll call ya back!"
I sighed. "Hi, daddy; it's Avigaiel. I was just wondering if I could come home? Look, call me when you get this message; I really want to talk to you. I love you, daddy." I hung up and lay down on the cold, hard ground. It wasn't long before I was asleep.
[ Brian's POV ]
Sitting in a chair in the living room with my head in my hands, I couldn't even begin to describe how sorry I felt. I hadn't meant to hit Avi, or yell at her, or scare her but she had no idea what the fuck was going on! It was my job as her big brother to protect her and she just couldn't understand that. I shot a glare at Zack; if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in this motherfucking predicament!
I growled and stood up, beginning to pace. I had to look for her; she probably would hate me. I growled again, rubbing my temples. I stopped pacing when Leana stopped in front of me, crossing her arms; anger was written in her expression. She slapped me across the face as hard as she could (I'd had worse, she was only a porn star) and I froze.
"I can't believe you, Brian Haner. She's your sister; you two are thicker than thieves! How could you be such an uncaring asshole?!" she hissed. She walked over and sat in The Rev's lap, shaking her head.
I made a face and cast an annoyed glace in Zack's direction before looking at her. "You have no idea what the fuck is going on,
Leana. None of you do, so piss off and go fuck yourselves."
"Hey, stop being such a bastard," Val snapped, Matt suddenly holding her back. "She isn't the one behind whatever shit has your tighty-whiteys in a knot so don't take it out on her. Instead of standing here and swearing like a caveman, why don't you start
looking for Avigaiel?"
I grunted and began pacing again. I stopped after a few minutes, "Fine. Val, you go with The Rev down south then take Ivan Street to the east. Johnny, you and Leana go the same way except to the west. Matt, you and," I glowered at Zacky, "Zack go down south and just keep your eyes peeled." No one moved, they just looked at each other. "Guys, come on. I can't apologize to her if I can't find her. Please?" They were hesitant but they all got up, found their partner, and headed out the door.
"Where're you searching?" The Rev asked.
I walked out the door, shutting it behind me and using the spare key Matt kept behind the porch light to lock it. "I'm going home to see if she went there. If not then I don't know; maybe I'll call dad and Suzy. Then mom. Maybe she got a cab and went to one of their houses."
He nodded. "Good luck, bro." He jogged off after Val.
[ End POV; Zacky's POV ]
Synyster was still extremely pissed off at me and I could tell the others knew something. Of course, Syn wasn't exactly discrete in hiding his sudden distaste for me. I had originally thought he would be glad I told him instead of just sneaking around his back but I guess I was wrong about that. At least his was letting me partake in the search for Hazzard.
[ End POV; Matt's POV ]
I walked on the opposite side of the street of Zacky; him looking around the left side of the road and me looking down the right. It was bugging the shit outta me that I was left out of whatever the hell was up between him and Brian. I huffed and went back to searching for our lost "sister."
"Should I check the park?"
I looked up. "What?"
"We used to hang out here, maybe there's some rare possibility she remembered that and is hiding in our old fort." Zacky stood at the corner, his hands in his pockets.
"Sure, I'll keep going down the road. Catch up if you don't find her, okay?" I kept walking.
"Okay, hope I don't see you soon," he said, walking into the park.
I knew what he meant; I hoped the same thing.
[ End POV ]
[ Zacky's POV ]
I could barely remember where the old fort was; I hadn't been to it in years. I found it, by some miracle, and barely managed to crawl inside; it wasn't easy and I was covered cuts from the sharp thorns. But none of it mattered, because as soon as I got inside the opening, I saw her curled in a tight ball on the ground.
"Avigaiel?" I put a hand on her shoulder and lightly shook her.
She moaned and opened her eyes tiredly, they were red and swollen and I assumed it was from crying. "Zacky? What are you doing here?"
"I'll explain it all in a minute, but do you think you can manage crawl out? I would carry you but…" I shrugged, snickering.
She sat up and bit her lip. "Zacky, Brian told me to stay away from you. He told me he doesn't want me to talk to you or anything."
"And…? What do you think about that?" I sat down, figuring this could take a while.
She didn't say anything, she just fiddled with her phone and looked at the ground. "Well, I don't exactly agree with him because he won't tell me why he doesn't want me to hang out with you anymore but I know he wouldn't say that unless it was something big." She looked at me, "You haven't done anything that bad… have you?"
I sighed. "You're brother has a different kind of judgment." I avoided eye contact.
"Oh god, you did do something. Brian has such tolerance for you, even more than he has for me; you're right about his judgment, he's way easier going than I am, more laid back about things." She hung her head for a moment, using her sleeve to dry her eyes. "What did you do?" she muttered.
Emotions clashed and I was dumbstruck with the suddenness of it. I couldn't tell her; at least, not yet. But I wasn't going to leave her with absolutely nothing. "It wasn't something I could control; let's leave it at that." It would have to do… for now.
[ End POV]
What was that supposed to mean?
"It wasn't something I could control." Had he been forced to do something by someone? Had someone taken advantage of him being drunk or drugged him and made him do something? A million possibilities passed through my thoughts.
Also, if what Zacky said was true, why was Brian being such an ass about it? Maybe Zacky hadn't told him anything about it being out of his control. It wasn't like Brian to act like this and, though he was my brother, something was starting to tell me he was blowing things way out of proportion. Now that Zacky had at least told me something, I felt something was very wrong with the whole situation. A small part of me said to listen to Brian and stay away from Zacky, at least for a little while, but it was outweighed by the part of me that wanted to help the man that had been in my life for so long.
It all made my head spin and gave me a headache. I was officially now emotionally and mentally exhausted, and I still had so much to think about. Would I still want to leave Casa del Syn and go back home to dad and Suzy? Should I tell Brian or the others about what Zacky told me? Too much had happened in such a short amount of time.
"Hazzard? Hellloooooo, is anybody home?" Zacky snapped and knocked on my head. "It looks like the lights are on but no one's home."
I blinked. "Oh, sorry… I was thinking. Very deeply." I stifled a yawn.
He raised a brow, "I could tell. Come on, let's go." He crawled out of the opening that he had clearly grown out of years ago.
I followed after him, slowly from my sudden complete lack of energy. As soon as I got out, I just laid unmoving on the ground. I jumped when Zacky scooped me up into his arms. "Uhm, Zacky…"
"Just go to sleep for a few minutes. I'll carry you back to the house. Don't worry." He seemed slightly strained with my weight but did his best to hide it.
I sighed and closed my eyes, going to sleep.
"I found her!"
I opened my eyes and looked over; we were in Matt's front yard and they were running out of the house. They all looked relieved; all except, of course, for Brian.
"Let her go, Zack," Brian demanded, striding towards us with a furious determination. "I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from her!"
Zacky set me on the ground, helping to support me since I was still half asleep. "What did you want me to do if I found her? Just leave her there and find one of you guys, risk her getting up and leaving again?"
Brian seemed flustered at that. "To be honest, I thought you and Matt would stay together like I ASKED!" He shot an acidic glare to Matt.
"Can I say something?" I asked meekly, mostly out of sleepiness.
Val walked over to me. "I think it might be best if you stayed out of this, honey. Let's go inside and get your stuff."
I opened my mouth to say something but, instead, sighed and nodded, walking inside with her. "Brian's being a bastard," I said once we were in the house.
"You don't have to tell us," Leana said, smirking at me. "We know he's a bastard; especially now." She handed me my jacket.
I giggled. "Thank god someone understands. Bye the way, hi Leana." I half smiled, rubbing my eyes and taking my jacket.
Val gave me my bag. "What are you thinking about doing?" I knew she was asking what I was going to be doing about Brian.
"I called my dad. I think I might go back home. I dunno, though, Casa del Syn is my home and I'm never really alone there. I'd always be alone if I was back at home with dad and Suzy. Don't get me wrong, Suzy is really nice and everything but I just don't really have a great friendship with her and I would feel really awkward if I was there alone with her while dad would be on tour." I shrugged. "Maybe I'll just ignore the son of a bitch long enough to make him think I utterly hate him and play some games with his head. Slap him around and see how he likes it. We'll see."
"I wouldn't suggest leaving. I think it would break Brian if you did that to him; he wouldn't ever be able to forgive himself for hitting you. I know it wasn't the nicest thing Brian has ever done but I know he would feel terrible if you left him about it." Val sat on the back of the couch. She knew the guys well, she had gone to school with them.
I sighed. I knew she was right. Besides, leaving just because he hit me was immature and naïve. "Yeah, I guess." I played with the strap of my bag, debating.
"Avigaiel, you ready to go home?" Brian stood in the doorway.
I nodded and walked out. "Bye Val. Bye Leana. See you guys later." I got into the car. I just wanted to go to bed. I hated the fact I had school in the morning but it was going to be Friday and that made me feel just a little bit less miserable.
Brian got into the driver seat and put the key in the ignition. "Avi, I
am really sorry. If I could re-do that, I wouldn't have laid a finger on you. Can you please forgive me?" He looked at me, eyes wide and pleading.
I didn't say anything; I didn't look at him; I didn't even acknowledge the fact he had spoken. I was following his advice but not about whom he wanted me to. I didn't want to talk to my brother until I had cooled off over how stupid he had been acting since a few hours ago.
He sighed and started the quick drive home. Well, it should've been quick. It
would've been if Brian hadn't forgotten his liquor at Matt's and decided he absolutely had to get some before we got home. It was like the whole process of today was in reverse. The whole ride I didn't look at or say a word to him, no matter how what he said.
"Avigaiel, I said I was sorry," he reminded me as we walked into the house after our deathly silent ride. He put a hand on my shoulder and spun me around.
"Don't. Touch. Me. Again," I hissed, glaring hard at him. I turned around and walked up to my room, slamming my door behind me. I laid on my bed, not bothering to remove my makeup or change from my clothes. I was too tired to care.
Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah! I groaned, opening my eyes. It had taken me forever to fall asleep, it had been almost 5 am the last time I had looked at my alarm clock but I knew I had tossed and turned for what felt like forever. And now, here it was, 6:15. I rolled out of bed and shut off the alarm.
I jumped at the sound of glass shattering came from downstairs, breaking the silence. I crept toward my door and opened it, peering out.
"Son of a bitch!"
I rolled my eyes and shut my door. I'd check on my brother after I was dressed in a clean outfit. Or maybe not. He was old enough to take care of himself and he was doing just fine before I moved in with him so why did I have to take over the role of mom?
Turning on my radio, I walked into my closet to get a clean outfit. It was almost like I was put on auto-pilot as I started reviewing what had happened the night before. Before I knew it, I was dressed, my hair and makeup were done, and I was brushing my teeth. I was glad I had my morning routine down so well that I could let my mind wander.
I walked down the stairs and toward the kitchen, I could hear Brian grumbling and swearing. "STOP! Right there!" He looked at me. "Don't move."
I looked at the floor; glass and blood. Wait, blood? "B-Brian?" I put my hand on the wall to keep myself up and turned to look away but I couldn't stop picturing it so vividly in my mind's eye.
Blood made me queasy. I didn't like. Sometimes it made me get sick, other times it made me faint. The weird thing was, I could see it on a TV show and be fine but when it was right in front of me… totally different.
[ Brian's POV ]
I quickened my pace after Avigaiel came to the room. I at least had to clear a path so I could get her away from the kitchen. If I had been more careful, I wouldn't have sliced my hand open. Wait, rewind. If I would've been more careful, I wouldn't have knocked over Avigaiel's crystal vase. I was quick but careful, trying not to cut myself anymore. I looked up at Avi just in time to see her start to lean, further and further. "Shit!" I didn't have time to get up; there were only seconds before she would hit her head on the stone tile floor. Her head smacked against the wall before I could catch her, but she didn't hit the ground.
Avigaiel was now lying in the glass in the doorway was the kitchen, she was out cold.
"Avigaiel? Come on, Avigaiel, wake up."
She started twitching and shaking; seizing.
"Avigaiel, snap out of it!" my voice went up an octave. "Dammit, Avi!" I smacked her across the face and she stopped seizing. "Avigaiel?"
She wasn't moving. Was she even breathing?! Dammit, now I was getting paranoid! Okay, breathe, Brian… Breathe. My heart jumped to my throat as she twitched once more.
"Heellooo, Gates…es." Jimmy walked into the house and I could hear the others right behind him. "Avigaiel at scho – whoa…." He took his sunglasses off and looked around the kitchen.
"What the fuck happened in here?" Matt looked at me. It was about then they noticed Avigaiel. "Oh shit, what happened?!"
"She fucking smacked her head on the damn wall!" I gestured to the indentation in the wall where Avigaiel had hit her head. "Then she started seizing and now she isn't fucking moving!" I was on the edge of passing out. Or losing my breakfast. Either way, I felt like shit.
Zacky peered out between Johnny and Matt. "Have you thought of taking her to the hospital?"
Dammit, hospital… Why didn't I think of that?! "Of course I have you idiot! I don't want to move her though! I'm no doctor, how do I know if I'm going to make her worse if I move her?!"
There was an awkward silence; none of us knew what to do. We all jumped when Avigaiel's know started ringing. I pulled it from her pocket and answered, my hands shaking slightly.
"Hello?"
"Brian, hey, son! I just got Avigaiel's message, what's going on?"
Shit. "Uh, heh, dad… Avigaiel's unconscious right now so she can't really come to the phone." It was deathly quiet for a long time.
"Brian, what happened?"
"I broke some glass and cut myself trying to clean it up. Avi saw the blood and I guess she passed out and-"
"Brian?" Avigaiel's eyes opened for half second before she squeezed them shut. "Why does my head hurt?"
I sighed in relief, even allowing a slight laugh. "You just bashed your head against the wall." I took a second to breathe. "Dad, should I take her to the hospital?"
"Well, I'd say yes, Brian. She could have a concussion."
"Alright. I'll call you back later than. Bye." I hung up and looked at Avigaiel. "Does anything else hurt, Av?"
"My leg stings," she said, her voice quiet and strained with pain.
I looked down toward her legs and bit my tongue. She just had to wear capris?! "Well, er… Okay. Uhm. Can you sit up?"
Avigaiel opened her eyes just enough to look at me and nodded. Using my arm for support, she slowly pulled herself into a sitting position. "I feel light headed… and dizzy…" She swayed.
"Come 'ere." I put one arm behind her band and the other under her legs, picking her up. "Matt, go upstairs and get me a wash cloth from the closet." Matt looked at me blankly for a second before heading upstairs. "Jimmy, get me two glasses, one of water and one just empty." I turned but Jimmy was already halfway to his task. "As for you," I glanced at Zack for half a second, "Can you be helpful while you're ignoring what I told you last night, and go start my car?" My voice was smothered with bitter sarcasm.
Matt handed me the wash cloth, it was cold and wet. "Here. I know you didn't ask for me to get it wet but what good is a wash cloth dry?"
I had to laugh at that, it sounded stupid. I put the cloth on Avigaiel's head. "Are you still with me, kiddo?"
She groaned and that was all the response I got from her.
"Here," Jimmy put both the glasses on the table. "Where'd Zacky and Johnny go?"
I had forgotten Johnny was here. "I don't know where Johnny Christ is, but I told Zack to go get my car started so I could take Avigaiel to the hospital." I cleared my throat and took a second to breathe. "Okay, Av, can you roll over onto your stomach for a second?"
"Why?" she muttered, but she weakly did as I asked.
We all hissed. The back of both her legs we cut up and light glinted off the glass still in the cuts. I carefully started trying to get the pieces that looked like they weren't deep in her skin and putting them into the empty glass. I did that until I started getting frustrated.
"Okay, come on." I rolled her back onto her back and picked her up, carrying her out to the car. "Get out," I order Zack.
He jumped out like the seat was on fire and backed away from me. "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, so I'm taking her to Disney Land," I said, getting into the car with Avigaiel on my lap. I slammed the car door and threw the car in reverse. I sped off toward the hospital, the speed limit not even a worry to me.
I looked into the rearview mirror when I heard the sirens and saw the flashes of blue and red. "Goddamn it! I don't have time for this shit!" I pulled over, waiting impatiently for the fuzz to get to my car. "Come on Johnny Law, I don't have all fucking day!" I rolled my window down. "Is there a problem, officer?"
The police officer raised his brow at the sarcasm in my voice. "No, not really; just that you were going 80 in 35." He crossed his arms. "Mind telling me where the fire is,
chief?"
I sighed in frustration. "Look, my sister just smashed her head against the wall and I think she might have a concussion. Not to mention the back of her legs are carved like a Thanksgiving turkey!"
"Alright, alright; no need to get your panties in a knot," he barked. "I still need to give you a ticket. License and registration, please."
I grunted, "DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO?! I'M SYNYSTER FUCKIN GATES AND I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR A TICKET!!"
"Look, punk, I don't care if you're Elvis Presley, you're getting a ticket! You're lucky I'm not going to haul you into jail for this attitude you've got." He took his sunglasses off and glared at me. "Now... license and registra – Hey, get back here!"
Pedal to the metal in car that goes from 0 to 50 in a minute. I stuck my hand out the window and hoped he caught a glance of my middle finger salute.
"Brian?"
"I'm here, don't worry. We're almost to the hospital." I looked at the rearview mirror again as I heard the siren from a distance. "Hold on." I dropped on hand from the wheel and held onto Avigaiel as drove over the curb separating the hospital parking lot from the road, horns honking and people yelling at me for cutting through lanes without a signal. I stopped the car and pulled the keys from the ignition. I got out of the car, carrying Avigaiel, and jogged into the building as the sound of sirens grew louder. I was going to be in some deep shit with the po-po when they got to me.
"Hello," the woman at the front desk of the E.R. smiled at me.
I blinked and looked at her. "What the f- Nevermind. I need you to get my sister into a room and checked out."
The woman grabbed a few papers and a clipboard and slid them across the desk to me, "You just need to fill out the-"
I smacked the clipboard away. "Yeah, how about no? I need you to get her into a room NOW!" I turned and lifted Avigaiel's legs to show the cuts and glass. "There's this and she also slammed her head against our wall."
Her eyes grew wide. "Alright, follow me." She stood up and scurried down the hall with me following. She walked into a large room and pulled back a curtain. "You can set her down here. But I'm going to need you to fill out those sheets, Mr…?"
"Haner." I laid Avigaiel on the hospital bed. "How long will it be before someone can check her out and shit?"
"I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be too long; though you will have to wait in the waiting room like everyone else."
I sighed and nodded, walking out to the waiting room. I picked the clipboard up and grabbed a pen, walking to sit down. Next thing I was on the ground, a police officer trying to pin me. I struggled, receiving stares of the other people in the waiting room, and kicked the police officer off, scrambling to my feet and looked at the officer on the ground. "Ah, come on!" I swore loudly as I was grabbed from behind by two other cops and slammed against the wall.
They barked out my last rights, securing handcuffs to my wrists behind my back. I was escorted out of the building toward a cruiser when the guys jogged past me then turned around.
I turned looking at them, "What are you guys doing?"
"Hey, keep it moving, punk!"
I had to keep from laughing at the officer's voice since I was in enough trouble. I rolled my eyes and snorted, "Just give me two minutes, alright Peewee?"
"What are we doing? What the fuck are YOU doing?!" Matt walked over toward me, a smug look on his face.
"What that look off your face before I smack it off, Sanders," I grumbled. "Look, it doesn't matter right now," the officers pulled me toward the cruiser. "Look, call me dad and tell him to get over her
immediately."
"Okay. Want us to do anything else?" Matt smirked.
"I told you to get that look off your face!" I sighed as I was being shoved into the cruiser. "Oh yeah, one more thing..."
"What's that?"
"
SOMEONE COME BAIL ME OUT!!" The door was shut the fuzz got into their cruisers, hauling me off to the station.
[ End POV ]
