“Come on, Zac.” Taylor said quietly, as he led the way up the stairs.
Zac tensed up as his feet hit the thirteenth step. That’s the one he messed up on the week before…
Roughly he shook his head. Refusing to allow the memory to come back on this joyous day. He was home!
Cautiously, his hand groped the wall while his elbow was being held by Taylor, firm but gentle.
“Home sweet home.” Taylor’s voice stated sadly. A sad smile thinned his lips, but of course, Zac couldn’t see it.
The familiarity of his room had changed drastically. Nothing was where he had left it.
He kicked his foot out clumsily. Looking for clothes that should’ve been in the wash bucket. But had been carelessly thrown on the floor instead, because it was less physical exertion then trying to aim for the bucket in the corner.
“Zac? What is it?” Taylor asked worriedly. “What’s wrong?” The horror stricken look on his brother’s face scared him. “Zac?” He asked again.
“Where is everything?!” Zac cried out painfully and angrily. His combat boots weren’t at the foot of the bunk beds in a huge heap, neither were the rollerblades around to be tripped upon, and the lego’s… where were they?
“Mom, made us clean the room.” Isaac’s soft voice carried into the room from the doorway.
“She, Tay, and I cleaned up the whole mess. There’s no more dishes, not a single dirty sock, and all our clothes are washed and either hanging up or put away in the dresser.”
Zac groaned loudly. He was promised that everything would be okay, and be basically back to normal. ‘Normal!’ He scoffed in his mind. ‘I can’t see nothin’! And my room isn’t even the same no more!’ His fuse started to grow shorter. ‘This is not normal!’
“Zac, you okay?” Isaac asked.
His voice was closer now. Maybe right behind him.
Slowly Zac had turned, hopefully in the direction of where his brother was. “Does it look like I’m okay?” He questioned quietly, his voice sharp and harsh.
Nothing was going to be “okay” and “normal” again...
