Page 16 of Brick

Even before he told me that he was an ex-con, I knew that he must have spent at least some time on the wrong side of the law. There's just an air of mischief around him that he'll never be able to shake. I appreciate that about him. He doesn't try to change who he is, no matter who is looking.

It also works in my favor, mostly because I'm pretty sure no one is going to try and attack me while he's standing next to me like a perfect bodyguard.

Brick is rugged; those dark eyes, perfectly unbrushed hair, and just the mere size of him is enough to scare most people away.

That's the kind of protection I need right now. After what happened at my house last night, I don't think I'll be able to walk through here without thinking someone is hiding in the corners.

"Come on." Brick waves me in, and I take a small step inside. I don't talk to anyone, and no one comes up to me. A few people stop what they are doing and look up at me, but the minute they lay their eyes on Brick, they go back to their business.

It's a shame so many people have fallen victim to drugs, but there's nothing I can do about that right now. I have to find Wendy.

Slowly, I make my way through the house, checking the rooms and the floors, but it's no use. Wendy isn't here.

By the time Brick and I get back outside, the frustration is at an all-time high.

"Hey, we've got more places to check. Don't give up yet."

"What’s the use? We could be going in circles. She might have gone back to the other houses I checked yesterday. She could be in a completely different state for all I know. I just wish she'd call me or something so I know that she was okay. I wouldn't even be mad."

Brick chuckles, and I focus on him. Now isn't the time for jokes; I was being sincere with him.

"You not be mad? Isn't that your default setting?"

I roll my eyes at his quip. Sure, I may seem mad all the time, but I've got good reason. I've never met anyone who was truly looking out for my best interest. Even Brick himself has ulterior motives.

"Fine, I'll be a little mad, but not enough for her not to call."

With a sigh, I walk over to his bike and wait for him to get on to keep the beast level. I hop on behind him. I've been on the bike so much the past few days that I'm nearly a pro at it.

"Where to next?"

I quickly rattle off an address to Brick, who nods his head and takes off in that direction.

The next location isn't so much of a house but an old warehouse that I know she visits from time to time. It's not very much unlike Brick's place, but it's on the other side of town and has direct access to the river running alongside it.

It's not visited by too many people, mostly because it's so hard to get into. It may not be in use anymore, but they've locked this place up so tight anyone would think it's still in business.

Just like all the other places we visited today, the warehouse was a bust. There were at most three people here, and none of them was my sister.

Just the feeling of searching seemed never-ending.

Maybe this was the time I really wouldn't be able to find my sister.

Maybe this was it.

The idea of being completely alone in this world left me feeling cold.

"Hey, don't give up," Brick says from behind me.

"I'm trying not to." I walk away from him to stand by the small ledge that overlooks the river. It's a mess down by the shore, but looking out into the vast moving water, I can feel some peace.

"What was she like before? You know, before the drugs?" Brick asks, and I'm surprised by his interest.

"Oh, Wendy was a firecracker. She was always the life of the party. Never let anything get her down. I remember one time my father came home drunk. He and my mother were arguing, but instead of Wendy focusing on all the bad that was going on, she came in my room, and we played Candyland. She put her own little twist on the game so that every different color meant we had to do something silly. By the time the night was over, I'd completely forgotten about what my parents were doing, and I was laughing my butt off. That's just the type of person she is; she sees the good in everyone. Always takes care of people beforeherself, and she's just happy to be alive." My eyes drop down, and I feel the sting of tears behind my eyelids. "That's why it was so hard for me to see that she was spiraling. I didn't know she was an addict until it was way too late. I should've noticed. Should've seen something was up."

Brick comes to stand in front of me, his large body making it so I have to crane my neck up to look him in the eyes. "It's not your fault. Everyone is fighting demons, and they all chose different ways to battle them. Your sister just happened to choose this way. You said before that she was clean; we can make sure she stays that way. We're all here to help." He puts a hand on my arm and squeezes gently.

Yet again, those rough hands I know are capable of so much pain and destruction touch me like I'm the finest piece of china. He's so soft with me. I feel precious when I'm with him, like I don't have to fight if I don't want to.

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