When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

The Puppeteer's Claim

Myra

The air was thick and heavy, pressing down before the day had even begun. The morning sunlight poured into the kitchen, too sharp for the weight still clinging to me from last night.

I did wake up today with a smile pressed against my lips. Happiness lingered somewhere inside me, a quiet ember refusing to die out. But his words still echoed, striking through the warmth like shards of glass, cutting into the soft edges of my contentment. 

I busied myself at the counter, plating toast and eggs, the movements mechanical. Anything to keep my thoughts steady.

Lillie was already at the table, her legs swinging as she picked at her favorite type of eggs, sunny side up, humming some pop song under her breath. She looked so untouched by everything, like the walls of this house hadn't swallowed her the way they did me.

"Coffee," Marcus said busy on his phone, from his seat at the head of the table. Just one word, clipped, expectant.

"Yup bringing" I moved quickly, setting the mug in front of him, careful not to meet his eyes too long. He didn't need to remind me of last night. My body already did.

"Nice sweater" he commented on my peach turtle neck I wore with black skirt to hide his marks on my neck and arms. I muttered a small thank you and his smirk was telling me he knows its purpose.

Dan came in a moment later, damp hair curling at the edges, expression guarded. We haven't spoken since they had the fight. I guess neither did he and Marcus. At least I have not heard Dan talking apart from Mrs. Irene or Lillie.  He sat across from Marcus. I brought their plates from the kitchen and placed in front of them along with mine.

For a while, there was only the scrape of forks and the clink of glass. Then Dan finally spoke, his voice low, almost reluctant.

"I might've... come down too hard that day," he muttered, eyes fixed on his plate. "Said things I didn't exactly mean. Myra I-am-"

My heart squeezed. He wouldn't say sorry, not out loud, but I heard it there anyway. "It's alright," I answered softly. "We all lose our temper sometimes and say things we don't mean in anger."

"Yeah maybe" Dan's mouth tugged faintly, like he wanted to smile but didn't want to give Marcus the satisfaction of seeing it.

Marcus's fork is still against his plate. I felt his posture tensed but he avoided saying anything. Sad that whatever progress they made, they think it's lost but it shouldn't. This was just a fight. But if they let this silence crept up again they would be farther than before

I kept my eyes on my plate, my pulse hammering, but I could feel Marcus's attention shift to me. Heavy. Deciding. Claiming.

When breakfast ended and Lillie skipped out of the room. She kissed me goodbye as Tom came to drop her to school.

Marcus's chair scraped back. He came up behind me as I cleared plates, his breath close against my ear.

"Take this" he said putting a pill in my hand. I stumbled at his touch. I turned to see a pill he placed in my palm.

"What is this?"

"Seriously, are you really that dumb, or you just act in front of me" he scolded me and I looked down. "How is it dumb to ask the drug you are giving me?" I muttered.

"Its a contraceptive." He said letting out a sigh and I realized that I am dumb that this didn't't come to my mind. I haven't even thought of asking him to wear a condom.

"I have kept the pack in your drawer. Don't forget them." He said and I nodded. "So... you mean..."

"Yes, Red. I'll take you again. Raw. Always raw. And if I don't want you pregnant, you won't be. So don't miss a single pill" I nodded swallowing it.