A Hunger to Share ( Book Two )

chapter 29

Jack   

Jack put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You don't have to do this."

"They should know. Even if they don't accept it, I still want them to know." His green eyes were brave but Jack could see fear peaking through.

Jack smiled, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "I accept you. You'll always have me brother. I promise."

James returned his smile. "I know. Let's get this over with."

Jack followed him into the building. Their parents lived in a small apartment in the city that was empty most of the time due to their constant travels. They both knew how close minded they were, but Jamie still wanted to give it another try.

There was no way Jack would let him face them alone. Jack had lost all love and respect for his parents when they made him kill for the first time at the age of seven.  

His sister would have been pissed if she knew but that day she was at school, and Jack could never say no to his parents. They were too scary back then. He was terrified if he refused, they would hurt little Jamie.

Jack had picked up the Rowan wood with shaky fingers, and plunged it into the Witche's chest while she begged for mercy, telling him she was innocent.

She probably was, or at least her crime was petty, but Jack's strict parents had never understood mercy, not even when it came to their own children.

Jack never told his sister. He didn't want to give her more reason to hate their parents. Vivi had always protected her brothers the best she could, but even his older sister couldn't fight all of his battles for him.

Their parents had never felt like parents. It was always Jamie, Vivi, and Jack. Protecting each other, sacraficing for each other.

until Vivi was gone, and his world fell apart, but Jack couldn't break because Jamie would be left alone with his parents, and he would rather die than subject his little brother to such a miserable hell.

Jamie was his anchor to sanity. Jack made sure he didn't kill anyone untill he was fifteen. He would have prevented it longer, but Jack couldn't fight his brother's cruel fate forever.

It didn't matter how many times Jack threw up, repulsed by what he had done, or how many nights he cried himself to sleep, disgusted by the monster he had become.

He would kill the whole word to keep Jamie safe. Let him burn in hell if it meant Jamie had a place in heaven. James didn't know most of this. He had never seen their parents' cruelty first hand.

James rang the bell. "If they're dicks about it we won't stay long." he grabbed his older brother's hand, like he used to do when he was a kid, and something scared him.

"Ok." Jack gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and let go when their parents opened the door.

"Hello there strangers." Dad greeted them with a barbed smile.

Jack's fingers curled inward. He wanted to punch that fake smile off his smug face.

"Hey dad." James smiled and hugged him.

"Jack." Dad nodded towards him, eyes cold.

"Hey." Jack didn't bother with a smile or a hug. There was no love lost between them.

"Oh hello boys." Mom walked out of the kitchen, holding a six pack. "You're on time. Dinner just arrived."

Jack resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course neither of them had cooked. Jack and his siblings had to learn to cook for themselves from a young age or they would had starved. Jack was lucky he had Vivi to teach him.