Lion Trapped in a Mouse's body

Chapter 1: Nightmare or reality?

I saw my hand reach out as my mother's lifeless body hit the ground. The last thing I see is my father towering over me saying the words that haunt me "Its your fault" as he clenched the soaked knife in his stained hand I shoot my body up feeling my eyes irritated from the stretching feeling in my eyes.

"Mom! No, no, no, mom don't leave me with him!" I dug my nails into my palms as I clenched the blanket that was over my clammy body. I ignored the stinging sensation from my palms and the feeling of a thick liquid rolling down mixing with the chilly sweat. The blankets beside me moved, as my lover Ethan's freckled face searched mine. Cupping each of my cheeks, he wipes away a salty liquid that hit my dry lips.
"Jake! Jake hey, hey it's okay. You're okay. It was just a nightmare, love." I nod as the calm of his voice flowed through my veins.
"S-S..Sorry. I should've known better, it wasn't real, heh." I rub my neck looking down at my lap. A moment later, I shoot up. I left Matthew home with dad! Shoot! Think, quick quick.

"Hey, uh Ethan I just forgot I have to get to work..! Yeah, it's... uh, the early shift today." Ethan's eyes scan my expression then let out a small sigh.
"Alright, Jakey. Just try and get sleep tonight? I don't want to have to drag you to my house after you pass out at the park, again."
"Of course! I always get sleep, 3 jobs and school doesn't affect my sleep schedule!"
Ethan frowns "Jakey I could hold my groceries in your eye bags! Don't lie to me.. Please.."
I froze going stiff, had I forgotten to wear my makeup again?

"I'll be okay E-bear, trust me." I gave him a smile then headed out; hearing the mumbles of my concerned boyfriend, "You always say that...," I sigh. As soon as I knew he couldn't see me I run to my house as fast as I could possibly run.

・・・

"You ungrateful, stupid child! What is wrong with you!" I heard the shouts of my dad before I even opened the door; biting my lip I opened the door a crack the knob slipping in my hands as I tried grasping it.
"I'm sorry daddy! I didn't mean to knock the vase down... I was just playing pterodactyl!" The familiar small voice of Matthew answering his enraged screams had gotten smaller than it usually was as he pleaded. I heard a growl and a big crash making my heart jump and I rush in seeing Matthew pushed to the ground onto the broken glass of the vase staring up at the tall figure we called dad with glossed over eyes paralyzed with fear.
"Clean it you brat." A low growl followed a grunt as Reed, my father, walked away peering at me through the corner of his eye sending my body chills. I kneel by Matthew and embrace him tightly running my fingers through his sweaty coarse hair.

"Hey, its okay Matthew, go get cleaned up. I'll clean the glass, I don't want you handling that. I'll meet up in your room and we can read those dinosaur books we got from the library, okay?" I smile keeping as calm of a voice as my trembling body could manage and set him down pushing him lightly towards the shower. Matthew wipes to tears from his eyes and nodded.
"Thanks, Jakey..." Matthew whispered and I Follow with a nod and motioned for him to go. He runs off to the shower and I take a rag soaking up the water from the spilled vase. I sigh watching the water swirl with the glass. Once the mess was cleaned up I took an envelope from my pocket and put it on the counter. Turning the corner I see dad in his recliner chair. Glaring bullets through the back of his head I sneak behind him.
"Where are you going." I flinched, the glare leaving my eyes as my body starts trembling. Stopping in my tracks I answer,
"T-To my room, dad." he huffed and got up looking me up and down.
"Did you put the money for rent on the counter," he grunts out, I nod desperately trying to get back to Matthew. "Did you clean up the mess the brat made," he says with an almost boiling tone. I nod again, anger festering in me as he called Matthew a brat.
"D-don't call him a brat. H-he's eight a-and doesn't know an-any better." I looked up at him my vision shaky and blurring. I saw his hand recline in a fist and behind his head, but I couldn't react. If I didn't take this hit, Matthew would. I stood flinching waiting for the blow. His fist collided with my jaw, his terrifying glare making the pain worse somehow. I held my chilly hand to my cheek fighting the tears glossing my eyes. I can't let him see me cry. I can't. I don't cry, especially in front of him.
"I'll call the brat whatever the hell I want. I brought you both into the world, I'll bring you out if I have to, understood?" I nod quickly and run off to Matthew's room. I get to Matthew's room and dismiss his sad look. When he looks up at my face covering my jaw with my hand more. I pull the covers over us and pick up his newest dinosaur book and begin to read. I try my best to make it entertaining using silly voices and hand gestures, his smiles and giggling always lit the room. I can't help but smile when he smiles and giggles. I wish I could put those melodies into a song and play it for the world to hear. I hug Matthew tightly as he falls asleep around nine. I try and sleep myself but every few minutes I was woken up by horrifying memories brought back to me in my slumber.