You're Not Alone (An Adam Young Fan Fiction)

Chapter 15

A few hours later, Matt and I handed our sisters back to mom and dad went downstairs with Uncle Joseph to get our presents. Matthew helped mom put Caroline and Brielle in their car seats. I asked her if I can help. She told me no and Matthew gave me a haughty look. I glared at him and he stuck his tongue out at me. I slapped him and he grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back.

"Ow! Matthew let go!" I cried. He didn't listen and I felt my right hand touch my right shoulder blade. "Mommy! Matthew's going to break my arm!"

"Matthew let go of your brother," she said sternly.

I heard Matthew cuss and he let go. My hurt arm went in front of me and I hugged it to my chest. My anger took over and I threw a punch at Matthew but mom caught my fist. She stood beside me and shot me an angry expression on her face. Mom reminded me its Christmas and we don't want to fight. I told her I'd gladly knock Matthew's lights out.

"Go sit in the corner," mom told me.

I knew better than to argue with her and I listened. Matthew laughed and mom sent him to a corner too. I laughed at him and he threw a pencil at me. I ducked and it got stuck in the wall. I threw it back and mom told us to sit still or we won't open presents. We settled down and we gave each other death stares across the room. Dad and Uncle Joseph came in the room and immediately went out with the Christmas presents. They came back a few minuets later empty handed and they looked at us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw mom buckling my sisters in their car seats and she said,

"Matthew stay in the corner."

I laughed softly and Matthew went back to the corner. Mom told me I can get up and Matthew started complaining.

"What?! That's not fair!" He exclaimed.

Mom ignored him and handed me a timer.

"When ten minuets is up you and your brother can open up presents while daddy and I are gone," she said.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"They're going to the hospital you idiot" Matt said.

The adults glared at Matthew and they told me that I can open up my presents and Matt can wait until they're back. Matthew sighed in frustration and the adults went out. My brother had a sneaky smile on his face and as soon as the front door closed, Matthew got up, snatched the timer from me and ran out of the room. I ran after him and I found him drowning the timer in the bathtub.

"Matt you can't do that!" I said while trying to get the timer out.

"Yes I can," he said, "and I can do this too."

He grabbed me and forced me into the bathtub. Water went up my nose and I inhaled some. I was kicking and scratching at Matthew's arms that were holding me under for half an hour and I was getting weaker. Thought the water, I saw his choppy face and his expression of anger changed when Uncle Joseph stood beside him. He lifted me out of the tub and I threw up water in the toilet. Uncle Joseph was yelling at Matt for attempting to murder me and I felt my uncle pat my back as I continued to throw up. I stopped puking and Uncle Joseph put his ear to my chest. He had me breath deeply and he sighed in relief.

"All the water is out of your lungs. Though you'll have a stomach ache for a few days," he said. "I sure am glad I stayed home to look after you."

I thanked him for staying and I muttered,

"Matthew's mean."

"I know. Your brother is growing up. You two will become friends again," he told me. "Let's go open your Christmas presents."

I agreed and we went into the den. The Christmas tree was lit and I saw Matt opening his gifts.

"Hey. Mommy said to wait," I said.

"I don't care. Uncle Joseph is here so I can do whatever I want," Matt said.

Uncle Joseph went over to Matthew who unwrapped a pair of ice skates.

"Cool!" He exclaimed, "I can use this later today."

"No," our uncle said as he took it from Matt. "You're grounded Matthew. And your mom said that. Not me."

Matthew stood up and said angrily, "Joan is not my mother. You're not my uncle and that twerp over there is not my brother. He's not even my friend anymore."

That hurt. That hurt worse than Matt calling me stupid.

"You don't mean that Matt-"

He cut me off. "Yes I do! I do mean it you...." Matthew went on cussing at me and when he was done yelling, he grabbed the skates from my uncle and stormed outside.

Uncle Joseph sighed heavily and I saw him sit in a chair. He hung his head. I walked over to him and he got up and told me not to go after Matthew. I promised and my uncle went upstairs. As soon as he did, I ran to my boots, put on a scarf, jacket, gloves and a hat. Then I went out into the snow and walked for a mile or so through the woods. Everything was covered in snow. It was like Narnia in my backyard. Except. It's christmas and there's no white witch. I ran through the snow as I heard people yelling happily. I reached a lake that went to a small waterfall and I saw my brother skating with his friends.

"Matthew!" I shouted

"Hey look Matt. It's your kid brother Adam," one of his friends shouted.

He and his other friends laughed at Matt.

"Go away Adam!" Matt shouted.

"No!" I replied.

I went onto the ice and made my way towards him. He skated away from me and I followed him. Matt was going towards the waterfall and I followed. Matthew looked annoyed at me and I didn't see him until I felt someone shove me towards a thin patch of ice. That's when it happened so fast. Matthew cussed at his friend, the ice beneath me cracked, I fell into the below zero water and the last thing I remember was my hat getting ripped off my head and being swept away by the raging current under neath the ice. Then I lost consciousness from immediate hypothermia.