holy hell an update /gasp

Diary of Alfred Jones: Part 2 (Day 1)

Dad's eyes glistened as he smiled and lowered the door on us, permanently sealing us away from the world and away from him.

Silence followed. Gravity settled in when I felt tears fall down my face.

'We won't see him for a long time now, will we?'

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

{ 11:30 am}

"Al?"

I looked down at my brother. What light made it in to the room was enough to allow us to see each others' faces. I knew he knew I was crying. Part of me hated that I let myself cry in front of him, but I just couldn't hold it in any longer.

I was so worried for Mom and Dad.

Fuck everything else; Fuck the space ship. Fuck L.A. Fuck everything. I just wanted my mom home and with us and here and not down there getting a massage or whatever and that fucking thing there and I just wanted Dad here and not outside searching for her I wouldn't even mind him yelling at me because he'd be safe here and not throwing himself into danger and fuck it all I don't want them to get hurt and-

I didn't even see Mattie move toward me, but next thing he was hugging me.

"Don't worry, Daddy said he'd come back. We have to be strong. So don't cry anymore. Everything is gonna be ok. You'll see." His voice was muffled into my jacket as he spoke.

A few more tears made their way down my cheeks as I held Mattie tight. "Thanks bro." I sniffled and returned his squeeze.

I wiped my eyes on my sleeve. This was so embarrassing. Heroes don't cry in front of their younger bros. Only one way to fix that.

I grabbed Mattie into a headlock and NOOGIED HIM.

"Hahahahahaha! Gotcha!" I laughed.

"Ah-! Hey!" he began trying to punch me and I let him go. He's so funny when he's angry I couldn't help but tickle him. He just got angrier and fought harder { Did I mention he can kick butt at sports? Because there's a reason he was considered junior MVP of his team }. His face was torn between laughter to pure rage. I was at the advantage{ obviously }, but I let him land a few punches 'cause I know he hates it when I pick on him { :) }. It ended with both of us at opposite ends of the room catching our breath.

"Tired already?" I laughed.

"You're a stupid head." He threw the recliner pillow at me and stuck out his tongue. I hit it down and stuck out my tongue back.

"Nah, just taller. And cooler."

"Bully." Mattie pouted.

"Aww. Don't be sad. One day you can be as strong as me." I headed towards the pantry beside him and ruffled his hair. "You thirsty?" I asked as I grabbed some bottled water.

"No."

"Ya sure?"

"No."

I shrugged, "Okay, whatever." I closed the pantry when Mattie grabbed my water, ran and grabbed Kuma, then stole the recliner I was gonna sit on, all in less than three seconds.

"You little shit." I fake glared at him.

Mattie just smiled innocently while drinking my water.

Bastard.

I shook my head and grabbed another bottle, leaning against the wall as I wondered what we were gonna do for God-knows-how-long. If giant, laser-beam, spaceship monster things don't kill us first, boredom would. Moving into the safe house means we couldn't do shit. Mom had made a point of stocking board games, but… nahhhhhh. I had my phone and the internet, but Mattie on the other hand…

"Hey," I got Mattie's attention again. "You wanna play my DS? Or I have your PSP."

"Mmm… DS!" He grinned. Just like that, all was forgiven. I threw him the DS and some games I had brought. It didn't take long for Mattie to get absorbed in whatever game he chose.

'Now what about me…' I wasn't in the mood for video games. The thought suddenly struck me, 'I wonder where's Kiku?'

I whipped out my phone to call the 2nd coolest dude on the planet: Kiku Honda.

"riiiiiinngg….riiiiiiiinnggg….. riiiinnggg…." 'Dammit, pick up, Kiku!' "riiinnnggg…..rrrriiiingg….riii-*click* The number you ha-" I ended the call.

'Straight to voicemail.' I grimaced. I redialed twice but didn't leave a message; Kiku would know to call back.

That is, if he can call back.

I quickly shook the thought outta my head 'Nope! Can't think like that! It's not heroic at all! He'll be fine; just see.'

But there are other people I should call. Kiku, as awesome as he is, isn't the only bro on this planet.

Next up was Nigel. I've only known him for about a year when his family moved here from down under { *snicker* }, but we're pretty tight. Not as much as Kiku, but still.

Same result: voicemail.

I pushed back the sick feeling that appeared in my stomach and went down my entire contacts list.

None of them answered.

Not even Grandpappers. He's in Florida. Did Florida get hit too?

The sick feeling was growing.

"Al, what are you doing?"

I looked back up at Mattie on the recliner. He had stopped playing and was looking at me 's when I realized I was banging my phone against my head repeatedly. 'Oh.' I gave my little bro a thumbs up and laughed, "Yeah! S'all good!"

He raised an eyebrow. 'God, Mattie must think I'm strange- Oh, wait, he already knows that. Nevermind.'

"Okay then… Who're you calling?"

"No one."

He stared at me but nodded and returned to his game. I sighed inwardly.

'I hate this. I hate being stuck in here. I can't do a damn thing about anything while everyone is in danger. My friends and family are out there, for Christ's sake! How can I help them if I can't be out there saving them? Who knows what's going on, maybe they're trapped or running away. What if they don't have a chance? What if we don't have a chance? I have to protect Mattie; I promised Dad. But what if I can't even do that? What if something happens… What if Mattie dies because I can't protect him?'

"Are we gonna die?"

I flinched and turned to Matt.

"What?" my voice was hoarse.

"What if we die?" He asked again, looking down at me with blank eyes. "What if the aliens find us and we die?"

"No. We're not gonna die." I forced the words out. "No one is. We'll be safe here. There's a reason this is a safe house."

"Well… what if… What if Mom dies? Dad?" His voice got softer with each word as I sat up and walked towards him.

"Don't you dare say that. Don't even think that. They might be outside, out there, but they are not gonna die. They can't. They won't. Dad promised to bring back Mom and he's gonna do just that. They'll be just fine. They'll live. So don't say that they, or anyone, is gonna die."

Mattie now looked up at me with fear in his eyes.

"They'll be just fine." I repeated, more to myself than to him. "Everyone will be just fine."

/laughs and hides

I've been gone for so long [two fuckin' years man] that I can't even apologize or make an excuse for myself. Bless anyone who is still subscribed to this story jesus you all deserve an award and cake.

gomen

But I am done with high school, graduation is in two days, sO FUCK YEAH HERE HAVE A SHORT ASS CHAPTER TO CELEBRATE. This chapter and prolly the next are pretty short and slow, soooooo;;;;;;

and uh I still haven't decided who lives or dies yet because fuck iono man

- Amie out