"Leoando Michael Wolfgang get your ass down here right now young man!" A women yelled from downstairs.
There she goes, yelling yet again, it was nothing new. I knew I was in trouble again, probably for my grades. So I ran downstairs, as to not get into more trouble. As I reached the stairs I froze, father was home. He was standing at the bottom of them.
"You wanna explain yourself boy!?" He asked through gritted teeth as he pointed to the window.
I followed his finger to where he was pointing, only to see a hole in the window. Broken glass in a pile on the floor, upon further inspection I saw my brother on the floor. His hair covered his face, but his eyes were red from crying. He lifted his head, giving me an apologetic look. Instantly I knew he had broken the window, but I knew it was an accident. However we both knew the rules in this hell we lived in. I also knew he was using me as his scapegoat, I knew he didn't want to take the blame. Neither of us did, not when we didn't know what father's punishment would be.
"I'm sorry father, it won't happen again.." I said softly, taking the blame for my brother.
He only growled and grabbed my arm, dragging me to the window where he slapped me. It stung, but I kept my gaze on the floor. I knew better than to look at my father. So I stood there in front of him, silently.
"What the hell were you thinking!" He yelled as he slapped me once more.
Again I stayed silent, as I didn't have an answer. My brother was the one who broke the window, not me, but here I was taking the blame. And the punches that followed, I couldn't let my brother get hurt. I was pulled out of my thoughts as my father growled, and pushed me to the floor grabbing a fistful of my hair. I bit my lower lip, holding back the tears that threatened to fall from the pain.
"Break my fucking shit again and it'll be the last thing you ever do! Do you fucking GOT IT!" He yelled, in my face.
I nodded quickly, he responded by throwing me to the ground as my mother glared at me. I felt a sharp pain in my knee as I collided with the tiled floors. But I ignored it as mother scoffed at me, before watching her walk away. My father grabbed a beer along with the newspaper and sat down on the couch. Once I came to the conclusion that it was safe to move, I scrambled to my feet and helped my younger brother up. I took him upstairs to my room, he'd be a little safer there. After shutting the bedroom door behind me, I sat him on my bed and hugged him. He was still crying and shaking, so I pulled him closer, holding him tighter.
"It's ok I'm here….wanna tell me what happened?" I asked.
"M-me and Adrain w-were playing catch with the, the tennis ball. H-he threw it and I didn't c-catch it. It hit the wi-window and we panicked! I didn't m-mean to drag you into this…." He said through his tears.
So that was what happened, an innocent mistake, yet a grave one with our father. It angered me, how something so small because such a huge idea with our father. The man had the money to replace the window, but the man was cruel, he didn't care about us.
Instead of showing my anger towards our father, I hid it behind a soft smile, "That's alright Al, you know I'm here for you. I'll always have your back." I said comfortingly, before pausing. "But when did this happen and where's Adrian now?" I finished sadly.
"The-they took him to the cellar! Ya know... the one they took... Kate to… I haven't seen him since... and it happened last night… y-you were there d-doing chores! I... I think you were mowing the l-lawn… y-you looked at us! D-don't you remember..?" he said.
I shook my head, "I was mowing the lawn, I saw you but I didn't see the broken window….." I said sadly.
"Oh…" He said softly, pausing before speaking in a worried tone. "what do we do about Adrian?" His voice held some urgency.
"I'll figure something out, I always do, you know this." I said with a sad smile.
"What if... if he's..." He started, but couldn't finish his sentence.
I shushed him placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Everything will be alright Al.." I said as looked at me sadly, "Now go back to your room, get some sleep. You know the safe word if you need me.." I said with a ruffle of his hair.
He nodded, before standing up and leaving the room. I looked out the window letting out a soft sigh, father would surely still be mad. But I needed to know, so with a bite of my lip I stood, striding over to the door. With a deep breath I swung the door opened and walked downstairs, father was still in his chair reading the newspaper. He didn't even look up from the paper, but he still noticed me walking over.
"What is it boy?" Father growled.
"I have a question for you father.." I said, keeping my voice calm, hiding the anger deep inside.
"Then speak!" He yelled, clearly I was bothering him.
Without a moment's hesitation I asked my question. "Where is Adrian, I haven't seen him all day?"
Father smirked a little, "Asking about your brother?" he asked in a mocking tone. "The little brats in the cellar. I could care less if you went and got him or left him there to rot. I ain't gonna bother with the damned brat." He yelled as he shooed me off.
I bowed and muttered a small thank you before walking off. As soon as I was out of sight, with the inhale of a deep breath, I bolted to the cellar. Swinging the door open I practically jumped down the stairs, taking them two at a time. I froze up on reaching the bottom, my worst fears had been confirmed. There in the middle of the cellar was my older brother, laying in a pool of his own blood. I almost tripped over my feet as I covered my mouth, holding in a scream and trying not to gag. Before running to his side, grabbing his hand holding back my tears. He was still warm and breathing, at least he was alive.
'Ok good, he's alive.' I thought to myself.
I quickly scanned the room, my brain going into overdrive. I spotted my mothers old sewing kit and quickly grabbed it, scrambling to get it open. After a moment's struggle I opened the box, pulling out a needle, but there was no thread.
"Damn it! Hang in there Adrain..." I cried as I scanned the room once more.
There in the corner I saw my father's old fishing wire, I ran over and grabbed it. Sitting back down I strung it through the needle, my brother was covered in cuts and bruises. With a sigh I reached down to start stitching my brothers wounds.
However I was stopped by him, as he placed his weak hand on mine. "Don't." He muttered out.
"But Adrain I-" I started but he cut me off.
"I can't. I can't do this anymore." He spoke, his voice weak and hoarse.
"Wha-what? No, no Adrain I need you! You. You're my big brother!" I cried out, the tears starting to fall from my eyes.
He shook his head weakly, "You're gonna make a great, great dad some day, lil bro..." he coughed, before choking slightly on his own blood. "And don't worry, I'll always be here, in here" He said placing a weak finger over my heart, "just don't forget about me, and and tell our siblings. I w-was already dead when... when you got here." he croaked out before giving me a weak smile. "I. I. I love... you..."
His hand fell from mine, as he body grew limp. The light fading from his eyes, he was gone. He was really gone, the one person I looked up to, was gone. The tears spilled from my eyes, like an unstoppable river. I felt numb, I couldn't think straight at that moment. I barely heard the footsteps approaching me, but I did hear the voice. The last voice I wanted to hear, my mothers.
"Awe poor boy, didn't even make it a day." She mocked as she approached me, my father beside her. "So weak, just like your older sister, Kate."
My father scoffed upon noticing my tears, "Why are you crying!?" he shouted as he grabbed a fist full of my hair.
I stayed silent, refusing to answer him. He looked into my eyes, letting out a low growl. His eyes filled with anger, while my own were filled with hatred. I had just lost a second siblings because of these assholes, making me the oldest now. My father growled again, throwing me to the floor slamming his foot onto my chest.
"How many times must I tell you! Boys. Don't. CRY!" He yelled, digging his heel further and further into my ribs.
I glared at him as I ignored the pain shooting through my body, "He's dead because of you." I muttered out.
"What was that?" He asked. "Did I say you could speak!?" He yelled digging his heel in farther.
I could feel my ribs cracking under the weight and pressure of his foot. But at the same time, I could barely process the pain, I could only feel a building anger.
I grit my teeth forcing the words out through the pain, "HE'S DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU, YOU SICK BASTARD!" I yelled out.
"You do not SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!" He shouted as he dug his heel further into my ribs, I could taste the blood.
However I simply smirked, looking up at him, "W-words hurt d-don't they..?" I choked out.
"Wipe that ugly look off your face!" My mother yelled.
I kept that smirk, ignoring her words, while I stared at my father. "What ya gonna do? I've seen two murders so far, you gonna kill me?" I cooed. "It wouldn't be wise to leave any witnesses." I laughed.
My father growled, picking me up by my hair once more, as he so loved to do. "Why are you looking at me like that!?" He shouted.
I smiled, "
He tightened his grip on my hair, "What the hell was that!" he yelled.
"Right, right, I forgot. You only know Spanish and English. Estúpido…." I sighed, "What I said was, the only thing I feel towards you right now is a burning hatred." I smirked.