Broken Compass

Sydney slips her arm around West’s back. “We’re here. You’ll be all right.”

“Should we take him to the hospital? Have someone look at him?” He barely reacts. He’s really scaring me.

“Kash says it’s shock.” Sydney’s voice cracks. “He needs time to process.”

“How long?”

She shrugs, looking miserable.

How do we shake him out of it? I need him okay. I need my best friend. I never realized just how much until now, when he’s slumped against me, silent and lost inside his mind.

I know I’d give anything to get him back. I’d go back to hell for him. I’d give Sydney up, give up this little family we’ve formed if it’d help, though I wish I won’t have to.

“Nate.” Kash is frowning down at me. “I need a word.”

He says it so seriously. He’s so calm and composed when I’m hanging on by a thread, about to crack apart. “Sure.”

Then again, this is West. How could I remain calm when he’s just lost his family and seems to be broken somewhere inside, in some place I can’t reach?

“I’ve got him,” Sydney says, tugging West against her slight form. She strokes his face.

I climb to my feet with some difficulty, my leg muscles cold and cramped, my back creaking. “What is it?”

He leads me up the stairs to the next floor. Is this necessary? I’m about to tell him I don’t have time or energy for this mystery business.

He stops, turns around and says, “What did West tell you about his grandfather?”

I blink at him. “His grandfather? Nothing. What should he tell me?”

Kash’s eyes darken. “I have to talk to West.”

“Yeah, well not now, man. He’s not doing so good.”

He shakes his head. “You sure he didn’t say anything?”

“I’m sure. What is this about? Tell me.”

“I’m not… certain yet. Something I overheard. Something I probably misunderstood. Which is why I wanna talk to West first.”

“Fair enough. Listen…” I try to sort through my thoughts. “His family are sickos, man. I’ve known it for as long as I’ve known West. And it’s not the first time his sis tried to kill herself. He’s been dragging that around, made to feel responsible for it. But I don’t think West would’ve shut down because of her death. Even if she was his sister.”

“And if she wasn’t?”

“Come again?”

“What if she wasn’t his sister? What if she was his mom?”

Oh fuck… “Are you serious? That what you heard? You’re mistaken, dude.”

But Kash just stares back at me, his gaze bleak.

No. He has to be wrong. Has to be. I mean… what new hell is this?

No fucking way.

Is what Kash said real? Is there more to it? I go down the stairs slowly, thinking, turning the questions over and over in my mind.

Who is his dad? Does West know? Did his grandfather tell him something before that heart-attack landed him in intensive care? Where was West all night and all day until I made it here and found him on the steps?