Split (discontinued :( sorry)

Library Books (Ch 3)

(Virgil Pov)

I bit the apple 'cause I loved you and why would you lie? But then I realized you're just as naive as I-

"Virgil?"

"Yeah?" I take off my headphones and turn to Remus. He sits on the floor, "I heard papa on a call with Rose." My heart skips a beat, "Is Patton finally letting them talk to us?" Remus shakes his head. I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. "Did you hear what they talked about?"

Remus nods at this question, leaning in slightly. "Papa asked a lot of questions, it was hard to hear the answers but from I can tell, Rose is lonely and Logie likes the books and something or other. Papa also had to tell her our pronouns, so I'm guessing Patton didn't tell them about that. I'm also 90% sure Patton is hitting them." I clench my fists. Though kind of expected, the news makes my blood boil.

"I'm honestly not surprised. He never really hit any of us before the divorce but I guess that was the final-" I'm cut off by my cellphone ringing. Remus grabs the device before I can, and cocks an eyebrow at the screen.

"Do you know anyone fromm place called Limon, Colorado?" I shake my head "Sweet, I'm answering it." I roll my eyes, I don't know why Remus loves answering scam calls so much.

"This is Kinky Boots Services, to hire a sex worker, press one at the tone... EEEEEEEE!"

...

"Is that you, Remus?"

"Lolo?"

(Logan Pov)

"Yes, it's me Remus." I respond, my pale hand clenched around the public library phone. My brother screeches on the other end, before what I assume was putting the phone on speaker. I hear Virgil mumbling to himself, he seems to be having trouble grasping that it's me.

"Lo... is it really you?"

"Yes Virgil. I'm so glad you picked up, I don't think I can leave voicemails on the library phone. Unimportant, I need to talk to you both. Father hasn't been a great parent as of lately, and I needed to talk to papa. Unfortunately, I don't know his number. So instead I called you. I'm sorry, I don't have much time to talk, father expects me to be out of the library in 5 minutes and there is much i need to discus."

I hear shuffling on the other end, before someone yells for papa. He clears his throat, "Logan? Oh god, I'm so glad you called. Are you alright? Is Rose alright? Yesterday she hung up so suddenly, I fear that I pushed the question too hard. It's just really serious that my children aren't going through the same thing Patton put me through. But right now, just tell me what you need, dear."

"I-I decided that I needed to talk to an adult about father. Um- I don't really know how these conversations go... but every book I read said it needed to happen. I guess, ever since we moved away, father has been being really- uhh- physical with his discipline. I read up on domestic violence, and I don't think what father's doing is healthy."

The more I say, the more I want to call this whole thing off. I was so sure father was being abusive, but now that I have to look back on it, maybe he and Rose were right. What if it's just discipline? I never thought I was one for being overdramatic but right now I can't be sure.

"I'm glad that you're telling me about him, Lo. Can you please tell me what he's been doing?" Papa says on the other side of the line. He doesn't sound angry that I accused father of abusing us, so hopefully, he'll take me seriously.

"Well.. yesterday he ended up breaking Rose's nose after he found her calling you. He also took her door off because "liars and thieves are not to be trusted". He hits us a lot when he's angry. A week ago, he found me reading one of the books you gave me and he threw it in the fireplace. He made me watch as he burned it. Father doesn't let Rose see her friends, and we can barely leave the house. If we don't finish our chores on time, our hands get lashed for the amount of chores we didn't do. Sometimes he takes my glasses, or locks Rose in a closet, or takes away dinner for the night. I know that he never intensely beats us, but I still think that it might be serious."

Papa is silent. Did I mess up? Does he think I'm bring over dramatic about it? Why did I even call him about this, father doesn't want me talking to him. This was all a mistake.

"Thank you so much for telling me Lolo, I'm so proud of you. This is serious enough that if we tell the police, I might gain custody over you and Ro, if they find Patton an unfit parent. God, I'm sorry you're going through this. I'll get you and your sister out of there as soon as I can. Here, tell me your address and I can work out the details."

I tell papa the address while smiling. I love father a lot, but the thought of getting away from him and going with papa sounds amazing. Papa never hits us.

"Thank you, sweetheart. I'll talk to you soon!m. Bye Logan."

"Bye papa, I love you!"

"I love you too."

I hang up the library phone and grab the book I checked out. I planned on walking home, but to my surprise, father's suburban is parked right outside. Father is glaring at me through the window. I obviously stayed out past my curfew. Once I buckle my seatbelt, the lecture begins.

"Logan, what time is it?"

I glance at the clock, "It is 6:38 pm." Father nods and starts driving home.

"And when were you supposed to leave the library?" Remember to breathe Logan.

"6:30 pm, father. I apologize for making you wait. I forgot to check the clock and I became preoccupied in my book." I say, although I know my excuse won't help.

"Logan, being preoccupied with a book isn't a reason for being late. I'm disappointed in you. I expect this from Rose, but not you. You're supposed to be the responsible kid. I want to trust you, I really do, but.." Father parks the car and sighs. We're at our home and I still haven't been hit. Is he going to let me off this easily?

"Hand me the library book. And your glasses while we're at it." There it is. I take my glasses off and hand them to father along with the book.

"Thank you Logan. You can get your glasses back in a few days, however, I am returning the book to the library. Now, I'm going inside, and I'd like you to join me."

"Yes father."

~•~