05

CAITLIN

A loud and rapid knock coming from my door nearly made me spill my glass of wine. I dragged the blanket off me and got up from the couch scowling at whoever was behind the wood.

"Caitlin, can you open the door please?" My brother's voice reached my ears. He sounded like he had been running and my frown deepened in confusion as I set the glass down on the small table.

"Caitlin!" He yelled out and continued banging like a maniac.

"I'm coming. For fucks sake." I mumbled. As soon as I unlocked it, I was pushed backwards and my brother's large body entered my apartment. He quickly shut the door behind him and locked it again, breathing heavily.

His black windbreaker was covered in dust and my eyes widened when they landed on the blue bruises on his neck when he removed his hood.

My heart dropped. Micah looked like he was running away from someone.

"Micah, what's going on?" I asked nervously and also in shock. He didn't answer me. Instead he turned around and pulled me in for a tight embrace surprising me.

"Thank you." He whispered and I slowly wrapped my arms around him, still feeling slightly confused. It was the first time seeing him in nearly two months and he looked different.

"Are you in trouble?" I questioned when he pulled away. He ignored me and walked straight to my kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water.

"Micah, can you fucking speak? You're scaring me." I nearly shouted. My brother meant the world to me but it wasn't a rare thing for him to often get in trouble and bring said trouble home with him. It was one of the reasons why I learned how to protect myself and defend myself.

He turned to me, bloodshot brown eyes meeting mine. He looked utterly exhausted. "I need a car."

"What am I supposed to do about that?" I asked scrunching my eyebrows.

Micah walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders. "You don't understand. I need your car."

"Why do you-"

"And your gun." He interrupted, the grip he had on me tightened and I looked at him incredulously before shrugging off his hold. I took a step back.

"You're hiding from someone, aren't you?" I muttered slowly. "And you decided it would be a great idea to lead them right here, where your sister lives. Alone. I can't fucking believe you, Micah." I said, my voice lacing with disappointment. His eyes faltered, a solemn expression on his face.

He was three years older than me but most of the time I felt like the older sibling.

"I have nowhere else to go! You are the only one who will even think about helping me. I have no one else!" He yelled out and I couldn't help but close my eyes in frustration and partial sadness.

"Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?

Just tell me what happened and we can try to sort it out but you're not taking my car or my gun." I told him shaking my head. I couldn't give him my things. When used it could very well be traced back to me and I wasn't about to risk that.

"It was worth the try." He muttered in defeat.

Micah sighed before sitting on the couch and my heart shattered in my chest. He looked so vulnerable, so helpless.

"I owe some people money. They-"

"How much?"

He stilled before looking up at me as I sat down next to him. "15K. These guys...they don't care about the amount. It's deeper than that."

I took an unsteady breath in. I was knee deep in student loans and there was no way I could afford that. On the other hand, I was terrified of losing my brother and I just wished he would stop getting himself in so much fucking trouble.

"I was supposed to finish a job, but I got jumped and the product was stolen. They gave me twenty four hours to get the money and if I didn't...I'll pay with my life. That was two days ago and I've been running ever since." He admitted while rubbing a hand over his face. I bit my lip to stop myself from hitting him.

"Drugs?"

"Cocaine." He stated with a nod and I threw my head back onto the couch. What a mess.

"Were they chasing you right now?" I asked and turned to stare at the locked door. I hope and prayed that nobody had followed him straight into my home. There was no negotiating with people like that.

"No, I just had to get out of the public eye.

We're good. I just can't go home right now." He e

assured and I nodded my head, sighing in relief.

What kind of sister would I be to just kick him out when he looked like he needed me the most? Guilt gnawed at me as I thought of every possible scenario.

"I'm sorry, Caitlin. I really am. I don't know why I-" Micah's voice cracked and my face softened.

I couldn't help but feel bad for him so I scooted closer and wrapped my arm around his shoulder. His head dropped and he took a deep a breath in.

"We'll figure something out." I said trying to convince him, although I had no idea where to even start.

"I shouldn't have come here. It was so inconsiderate." He announced suddenly and stood up. He started to pace around the living room while dragging his hands through his hair.

"Stop. I'll get you something to eat. You must be starving." My tone left no room for arguing and he sighed, stopping his movements.

"Thank you." His voice was a mere whisper.

Micah sat down on the couch before dropping his head into his hands. My heart twisted at the sight but I got up and walked to the kitchen.

I didn't have much so Ramen it was. A few minutes later I handed him the cup and fork. He offered me an appreciative smile and started digging into his meal.

"Micah..." I sighed after a moment of silence. "I still have moms ring. It won't be enough but-"

"No."

"But-"

"No."

My lips tightened into a straight line and I inhaled deeply to calm myself. Stubborn.

When he was done, he walked to the trashcan to dispose of the now empty cup. He froze, both our gazes snapping into the direction of the door and I stood up immediately.

There was slow and steady knocking emitting from it.

"Oh, fuck." Micah muttered with widened eyes.

I grit my teeth and gave him a much deserving hard punch on the arm. His body jerked and he rubbed the sore area while glowering down at me. My fists balled up ready to punch him again.

"You fucking dumbass. I can't stand you." I whispered, the sympathy I felt vanishing quickly. It was replaced by pure anger.

"Ssh. Maybe they'll go away." He whispered back as we stood there staring at the door.

We listened carefully. Quickly the tone of the knocking changed and my mouth dropped - it sounded like someone had switched their fists for something made of...metal.

"That's a gun, isn't it?" Micah asks softly and I nodded in response. We were on the third fucking floor with zero fire escape. I softly padded to my room and grabbed my weapon from the drawer.

"Hello? Anybody home?" A deep unfamiliar voice called out softly, still gently tapping against a door.

I looked around my apartment, trying to figure out how to get out of the mess we were currently in.

"Caitlin, I-" Just then the door got kicked down and I gasped grabbing Micahs hand and taking a few steps backwards. In walked a man dressed in all black, it contrasted hugely against the silver hair on his head and the silver gun in his hand, already pointed directly at Micah.

"Drop it or I'm shooting him right in the fucking face." The man growled, glaring at me and I gulped. I slowly placed it down the table, right next to my wine glass. He had an accent, the same one like Dominic's.

"Good. Now step away for me." He instructed gesturing with the gun and I nodded raising my hands stepping away from the table. My inner-self was begging me to open my mouth to yell at him but that would be the worst idea ever.

I should've shot him as soon as he came in.

Suddenly he grinned, spreading his arms. "Micah! I wasn't expecting you to be here, thought I'd have to get that information out of your little sister. Thank you for saving me that trouble." He said, sounding completely genuine and innocent.

"Yurik. I'll get the money, I swear. Just don't hurt her, please." Micah voice was steady as he glanced from me to the man called Yurik. My heart was beating erratically at what could possibly unfold.

In that moment, I prayed that my asshole neighbour heard the noise But yet again, they would probably kill him too.

"Sorry buddy, you know I don't make the rules.

My brother wants to have a chat with you so either you come with us or..." Yurik shrugged, flailing the gun around like it was nothing. Just then two other men stepped from behind him, wearing similar black clothes.

Definitely mafia.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. My hand was itching to reach for my gun.

One of the men behind Yurik eyed me up and down. His blue eyes landed on my bare legs and a revolting smirk formed his lips. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from snapping at him.

Get your fucking eyes off of me.

"I'll come with you but-" Micah began but Yurik held up a hand stopping him.

"Nope. Go put shoes on, sweetheart." He instructed pointing down at my sock covered feet and Micah's eyes widened.

"She has nothing to do with t-" The gun was cocked causing him to snap his mouth shut instantly.

"I wasn't asking." Yurik stated. His voice was casual but his demeanour wasn't. Despite his playful tone, I could tell that he meant every single word. "Micah, it's okay." I spoke for the very first time since they entered the apartment. We didn't have a choice.

I looked around for my white sneakers until I spotted them right beside the door. Yurik noticed me looking before gesturing at the man who had been staring at me the entire time to hand them to me.

"I'm going to fucking kill you." I whispered underneath my breath. Fucking Micah.

It was weird. Yurik was over there threatening to kill us but he cared enough to make me put my shoes on. Who the fuck was this guy?

When I was done and ready to go, the two men latched onto Micahs arms and started walking out of the apartment. Yurik didn't touch me, instead he let me walk alongside him and that's when the nerves really kicked in. My mind was reeling with everything they could possibly do to us.

My eyes scanned the area, hoping that anyone would see the suspicious activity. But it was nearly midnight and nobody was around.

"Get in and don't say a word." Yurik demanded opening the car door for me.