“I’m so sick of that shit!” he spat furiously, making her and me jump. “Get over it! She’s not coming back anymore! Can’t you see in that puny mind of yours?! What kind of ‘mother’ abandons her children like that? A loveless mother! That’s what she is! Drill it in your mind, Tiffany! She never loved you to begin with! You're better off just calling her Tracy. She doesn’t deserve the title ‘Mother!’ All the more she’s not worth calling ‘Wife!’”
I grasped the railings on the staircase, gritting my teeth and biting my lips, hard. I didn’t care if they were bleeding. His words made me sick and upset. How could he trash-talk Mom like that?! Rage and sadness mixed together in my heart.
Unexpectedly, the locket containing a picture of my Mom slipped up from my hand and dropped on the ground, making a loud sound. “Shoot...” I whispered, hating myself for committing such a careless mistake. Dad looked above the stairs and saw me right away. He made his way towards me, fast, with his piercing cold eyes fixed to mine.
Adrenaline rushed through my veins. My heart started beating so fast that I feared that it would pop out of my chest. I screamed upon seeing him quickly leap about halfway up the stairs. How did he do that?! Going back to my room was a dumb decision, but it was the first thing I thought of. However, he was much faster than I.
“Dad!” I screeched when he yanked my hair, managing to pull away a couple of strands to my horror. He flung me towards the floor; and he pressed my head, making sure it stayed there as I struggled to break free.
“Aren’t you nosy, Tina?” he growled at me. “Didn’t your ‘mother’ teach you manners and tell you that eavesdropping is a big no-no?” He called for Tybalt to bring something up. I closed my eyes, making my tears drop. It’s the first time that I’ve received punishment from Dad...
Before I knew it, Tybalt came with a leather belt and closed the door as he left. My impending hell was about to start, and there was no escape...
Tybalt
As requested by my Dad, I handed him his leather belt straight from his bedroom. I could tell what he was planning to do. After all, this was the exact same belt that he used to whip me nine years ago. I'd never forget the silver buckle and the smooth black fabric that struck the back of my legs and tore my flesh. Even until today, I could still see the scars that seem to show any signs of fading away. As to why he planned to use it so suddenly after all these years, I had no clue. Whipping someone for eavesdropping? I'd say badass, but it was my sister who was going to receive the blow; so I should pity her.
I should, really. But the problem is that I can't. Emotions such as sadness or depression didn't overwhelm me. Not anymore. Back when Dad taught me how to hunt in his spare time, he also taught me how to cast away all my feelings when it came to dealing the final strike.
“Emotions are a sign of weakness, and they make one vulnerable.”
Those were the words that I never forgot from him. In fact, he reminded me every session; so actions like breaking down to tears is something next to impossible for me to do... To him, emotions contributed nothing whatsoever, and it was an impediment instead.
No hints or signs of screaming from Tina were heard. That was to be expected, anyway. Sounds of the belting striking resounded in my ear as I sat on the sofa across Tiffany and watched her tears fall onto the floor. She hasn’t stopped yet since Dad scolded her. For goodness’ sake, I should've brought a bucket and shoved it to her face. Her tears were forming a puddle already on the ground; and she refused to talk to anyone, especially me.
Travis had no clue what’s going on right now. Maybe he could hear the sounds of “whiplash,” but I doubt it, since he's such a deep sleeper.
With nothing else better to do, I filled a glass of water and gave it to my sobbing sister. In addition, I handed her a box of tissue to pacify her crying. She said nothing in return, as I expected. I speculated that her grudge towards me still remained. Besides, I didn't care about whatsoever hatred she bore towards me. Pathetic superficial restrictions…
At the same time, Dad opened the door and went downstairs. “Clean this,” he ordered, throwing the bloodstained belt towards me. He stomped towards the kitchen and completely ignored Tiffany's presence. I shrugged behind his back and headed upstairs to my sisters’ room. On the floor were specks of blood. The sight of it never crippled my senses unlike Travis. I bet that if he was placed in a hospital, I doubted that he’d survive for a day — heck, even for an hour. That was just how much of a scaredy-cat he is. I gave him points though, for being brave enough to drive a car.
“Tybs? Are you there?” I could hear Tina’s voice coming from the washroom.
“Yeah,” I responded as I wiped the mess from the floor.
“What do you think of him now?” she asked another question, making me halt.
“N-Nothing… Just the same old man…” I replied before returning the question. “Why? What’s he to you now?”
“I… can’t say… But please, think back to what Mom mentioned to you about looking up to Dad. He’s not a good… example for you. Ponder about it, especially your future. He’s not what he seems to be. Choose your friends wisely, and you won’t have someone like Preston. I swear that every time he comes to visit, he never fails to give a creepy impression.”
“You’re such a nag. You know what? You’re beginning to sound like her as well,” I answered harshly. It’s true; she’s getting more and more annoying as the days pass. Maybe she did deserve that treatment from Dad. I ignored any further words from her and left the room without saying another word. I didn’t need to be lectured at all. I’m old enough to decide. That was Tina’s problem. She constantly aggravates me and possibly Dad as well. She likes — no — loves sticking her nose to others’ businesses. Maybe her genius brain’s starting to overload already, and she’s oh-so desperate to share her knowledge with them. Geez, Tina, you were worrying for nothing. That valedictorian prize’s sure to be yours. Just wait for it. Glad I didn’t inherit Tracy’s mind. If it wasn’t for a brother like me, then Travis would be so similar to the others. Good thing he’s still standing in between Tina’s maturity and Tiffany’s credulity up to now.
Life’s like a mist. One day, you’re here; and on the next, you’re gone. I heard of the same principle numerous times but never experienced it. Well, it wasn’t me who slipped away — it was she who did — Tina. Ingest a couple of those crystals and you’re dead. There she was on the stage, coughing up blood after just starting her speech. She struggled in clinging to life. She looked at me. She looked at me with desperation on her eyes before her body crashed to the ground. In no time, emergency was on the rise.
Naturally, they were clueless; but I knew most of them, actually. I saw everything in front of my eyes that night. During the interviews, I intentionally kept it a secret and merely shrugged it off.
One fateful night, I left my home in thirst for vengeance. It was a matter that only I can deal with. That was what I believed in. In that dark alley, the moon towered over us; and that was the moment when I realized.
Maybe her nosiness had a good side to it. Maybe I should’ve listened for once and stayed out of trouble. Maybe Tybalt should’ve broken free from his stubborn skull. Well, it’s too late now; my killer’s standing right in front of me. Life or death? I was no longer the one who decided on my fate.
He did.
Bonus 2
Start from the beginning
