#v. ghosthunter.

Injuries Starters | Accepting!

But where is home for you, Luke?

Aunt Janet’s? It felt sofar away now. Steve could remember the events of the house like It wasyesterday, but his time with Aunt Janet was cloudy. It was if he was lookingthrough frosted glass – shapes, just the resemblance of a memory, but all the  detailslost. Then again, Steve had left his Aunt’s home earlier than any of hisyounger siblings. She was only a small part ofhis life, but the importance of her role was magnified by the other Crains,especially Luke. He would always be Aunt Janet’s golden boy, no matter the shit he pulled.

There was Shirley’sguest house. With the addition of Theo, of course, still lingering around likea leech, suckered happily onto the business. Once upon a time, Steve and Shirlhad been hopeful withLuke tucked away in the picturesque countryside, kept from society andsurrounded by woods. It felt like the holistic, healing environment he needed,the sort of bullshit sold to you by middle aged white women and her crystals.Of course, Luke had still managed to find a way back to dealers, only this timehe shot up among the squirrels.

And then there was thestaple of the seemingly endless list of rehabilitation centers, the definition of insanity, enteringagain and again with the same blind hope of recovery and the lurking shadow ofinevitable relapse. Steve wasn’t sure whether Luke was even registered. Had hebeen kicked out again? Forfeited his bed? Shirley would know, she was on top ofthese things. (Steve knew he should have helped her more, but she did a betterjob than he ever could.)

In the meantime, Steveheld Luke to his chest, hands resting on his back, conscious of each shudderingbreath his brother managed to choke down. His best guess – Luke was comingdown, hard, and he had lost his access, yet again. There was anunmistakable chill thatstuck to his brother’s clothes (too thin for the weather, he should give him acoat before he left). In the last week, a unique kind of cold had developed intown. It was a biting chill that dug deep into your core and sank into yourbones, swimming through the blood long after coming indoors. It was a fear ofSteve’s – to hear Luke had frozen out there, oblivious and unconscious in somefilthy alley where he wouldn’t be found until morning with a light coat offrost.  

“Look, buddy, stay thenight. We’ll – we’ll work on getting you home tomorrow.”