Bad? I whispered.
Oh yeah. He opened one eye. Dont tell Daniel. You know how he gets. But theyre a lot worse. He licked his lips and looked over my shoulder, making sure Daniel wasnt there. Its like a flash of light splitting my skull. Then more flashes. This time
His face screwed up in pain and he curled up, panting. Seeing stuff. Crazy stuff.
Like what?
Cant tell. Just Another jolt of pain. Stuff. Images. Dont make sense.
He took a few deep breaths, then let go of my hand and pushed up on his elbows. Another look toward the door.
He cant hear you. What do you see?
You know how when you dream, stuff from your day comes back, only its all mixed up? Thats what its like. I see things and sometimes I recognize them, but theyre He searched for the words. In the wrong place. Out of context. Thats it. Out of context.
Like what?
He hesitated, then shook his head. Nothing imp
Like what, Corey?
Rafe. He said the name quickly, as if getting it out before he could decide not to. I saw Rafe and I saw you. Only its not any place Ive seen you two together.
Someplace you dont recognize.
No, its your place. He waved at the window. You, me, Rafe, Daniel, and your dog out behind your house. Its like seeing a memory that never happened. Which is why I think its my brain spitting out garbage. But if I tell Daniel
Hell worry its a neurological problem.
Neuro? Right. Brain. You could just say brain, you know.
Neurological covers more than just the brain. It
He held up his hand. If theres one bonus to this disaster, its not having to go to school for a while. Dont spoil that for me. Please.
I smiled. He opened his mouth, then winced again. When he opened his eyes, he looked over my shoulder and let out a sigh of relief.
Finally. Drugs. He put out his hand. Give em.
They arent there, Daniel said. We searched the medicine cabinet, the drawers, everywhere. Theres a lot of stuff missing. I think your mom is planning to be gone a while.
Probably didnt want to leave pills lying around, Sam said. No need to give anyone a reason to break in.
Lets hope they didnt take the alcohol, too, I said as I stood.
Corey shook his head. I think Im okayAnother wave of agony doubled him over, retching.
Ill grab a beer from Daniel began.
No, Im okay. Really. Just get dressed before you scare the girls. He waved at Daniel, bare-chested after taking off his soiled shirt. Help yourself to my closet.
You wear a medium. I dont.
Thats just because I like my shirts fitting better.
Tighter, I said.
And, again, I dont, Daniel said. Ill wash this one.
Corey made a face at him and waved him off. Once Daniel was gone, he collapsed, panting, as if hed been holding back.
If a drink will fix this I began.
No.
Youre refusing a drink? Sam said. From what I hear, thats a first.
He flipped her off. Not good-humoredly either. She grumbled and hobbled from the room.
There are more pills downstairs, Corey said. I have a stash.
When I lifted my brows, he said, Yeah, the headaches have been getting worse for a while. I didnt want my mom to know. Thats how I found out booze helps. Only Id rather not, so Ive been hiding pills, saying theyre gone so I can get more.
That was
Dumb, I know. I should have told someone, which is why Im telling you now.
If they arent there, can I grab you a beer?
I He glanced at the door, again looking for Daniel. Last resort, okay? Yeah, I know, I drink at parties. But thats different. Drinking to feel better is He looked up at me. Weve both seen what that does with Daniels dad. Maybe its a different kind of drinking to feel better, but I dont want to go there unless I have to.
Okay, let me look for the pills.
I found the medication. When I came back upstairs Daniel was waiting. I motioned that Id give the pills and water to Corey and come back. When I returned, he waved me into Coreys moms bedroom.
We need to talk about Corey, I said as I walked in and closed the door. Im really worried about these headaches.
I know. So am I. But theres something I need to tell you first. I was looking in here in case she had backup pills. The drawers are empty. Same as the closet. Same as the bathroom. They didnt just leave for a few days
Hey! Corey yelled.
We hurried in to find him standing at his dresser. Wheres my stuff?
Your clothes? I said.
Oh yeah. He opened one eye. Dont tell Daniel. You know how he gets. But theyre a lot worse. He licked his lips and looked over my shoulder, making sure Daniel wasnt there. Its like a flash of light splitting my skull. Then more flashes. This time
His face screwed up in pain and he curled up, panting. Seeing stuff. Crazy stuff.
Like what?
Cant tell. Just Another jolt of pain. Stuff. Images. Dont make sense.
He took a few deep breaths, then let go of my hand and pushed up on his elbows. Another look toward the door.
He cant hear you. What do you see?
You know how when you dream, stuff from your day comes back, only its all mixed up? Thats what its like. I see things and sometimes I recognize them, but theyre He searched for the words. In the wrong place. Out of context. Thats it. Out of context.
Like what?
He hesitated, then shook his head. Nothing imp
Like what, Corey?
Rafe. He said the name quickly, as if getting it out before he could decide not to. I saw Rafe and I saw you. Only its not any place Ive seen you two together.
Someplace you dont recognize.
No, its your place. He waved at the window. You, me, Rafe, Daniel, and your dog out behind your house. Its like seeing a memory that never happened. Which is why I think its my brain spitting out garbage. But if I tell Daniel
Hell worry its a neurological problem.
Neuro? Right. Brain. You could just say brain, you know.
Neurological covers more than just the brain. It
He held up his hand. If theres one bonus to this disaster, its not having to go to school for a while. Dont spoil that for me. Please.
I smiled. He opened his mouth, then winced again. When he opened his eyes, he looked over my shoulder and let out a sigh of relief.
Finally. Drugs. He put out his hand. Give em.
They arent there, Daniel said. We searched the medicine cabinet, the drawers, everywhere. Theres a lot of stuff missing. I think your mom is planning to be gone a while.
Probably didnt want to leave pills lying around, Sam said. No need to give anyone a reason to break in.
Lets hope they didnt take the alcohol, too, I said as I stood.
Corey shook his head. I think Im okayAnother wave of agony doubled him over, retching.
Ill grab a beer from Daniel began.
No, Im okay. Really. Just get dressed before you scare the girls. He waved at Daniel, bare-chested after taking off his soiled shirt. Help yourself to my closet.
You wear a medium. I dont.
Thats just because I like my shirts fitting better.
Tighter, I said.
And, again, I dont, Daniel said. Ill wash this one.
Corey made a face at him and waved him off. Once Daniel was gone, he collapsed, panting, as if hed been holding back.
If a drink will fix this I began.
No.
Youre refusing a drink? Sam said. From what I hear, thats a first.
He flipped her off. Not good-humoredly either. She grumbled and hobbled from the room.
There are more pills downstairs, Corey said. I have a stash.
When I lifted my brows, he said, Yeah, the headaches have been getting worse for a while. I didnt want my mom to know. Thats how I found out booze helps. Only Id rather not, so Ive been hiding pills, saying theyre gone so I can get more.
That was
Dumb, I know. I should have told someone, which is why Im telling you now.
If they arent there, can I grab you a beer?
I He glanced at the door, again looking for Daniel. Last resort, okay? Yeah, I know, I drink at parties. But thats different. Drinking to feel better is He looked up at me. Weve both seen what that does with Daniels dad. Maybe its a different kind of drinking to feel better, but I dont want to go there unless I have to.
Okay, let me look for the pills.
I found the medication. When I came back upstairs Daniel was waiting. I motioned that Id give the pills and water to Corey and come back. When I returned, he waved me into Coreys moms bedroom.
We need to talk about Corey, I said as I walked in and closed the door. Im really worried about these headaches.
I know. So am I. But theres something I need to tell you first. I was looking in here in case she had backup pills. The drawers are empty. Same as the closet. Same as the bathroom. They didnt just leave for a few days
Hey! Corey yelled.
We hurried in to find him standing at his dresser. Wheres my stuff?
Your clothes? I said.
