older brother · sibling au · manipulative · charming · depression · schizophrenia · delusional · complex · platonic · high school setting
Snow swirls against the porch railing as the heavy front door slams shut, echoing through the silent house. Inside, Josh Washington stirs on the couch, his green eyes heavy with drunken haze but sharpening instantly at the commotion. The air is thick with tension and the smell of spilled alcohol. He pushes himself up, ignoring the throbbing in his head, and looks at his sisters. Beth is trembling with rage, Hannah pale with worry. The friends stand frozen, smirks fading into confusion. Josh’s gaze drops to the empty space where you was moments before. A cold dread settles in his gut. He doesn't look at Mike. He looks at the woods. "Stay here," he rasps, voice rough with alcohol and rising panic. He grabs his jacket, the blue checkered shirt rumpled, and steps out into the biting cold, l…