The Library

To Make A Change

In order to advance, one must first recognize the problem before combating it. My long history as a bookworm has taught me this as the hero must first conquer their own demons before changing the world.

I didn't want to be a hero or change the world, but I did want to change my home.

As my dad descended those steps, plunging the cellar into a silence so powerful it could kill, I realized something. A child shouldn't be afraid of their parents in this way. Aren't parents supposed to be supportive of your life choice? Pick you up and encourage you to follow your dreams?

Something needed to change, but I was powerless against others.

Dad grabbed Henry and Thomas by their ears and dragged them up the stairs after barking for me to follow him. We marched upstairs leaving Isaac cowering behind us in the cellar. Pansycake.

Once we were out of the cellar, I tried to slip away but my mom grabbed my arm and dragged me along behind my brothers. We left the house and went to the barn; my parents were obviously getting more creative with the punishments. My parents threw us forward into a heap on the barn floor. "You are going to learn to respect us." My dad said with finality before locking us in the barn.

I curled up into a ball on the hard floor, while my brothers rubbed their sore ears. I was only human! I craved my parents love and approval, but I feared them with hatred at the same time. Why can't they just see that we weren't made to be farmers?

I felt Henry wrap his arms around me in a hug. He was obviously trying to comfort me but he still didn't understand. Henry's only rebellion existed in his desire to become an Engineer, otherwise he was considered, "An amazing addition to the family, destined to bring prosperity." Granted they thought he was going to make everyone prosper by way of the farm, but still. I was a freak. My brain worked in a million different ways, like a divergent. My parents only thought in one manner, old fashioned.

Even at school, there was no where I could fit in. Everyone at school has a place except Tommy and I, we are the loners. Henry was the hot loveable valedictorian, not joking he actually made valedictorian something that my parents will only know the day he graduates. Sophie was the queen bee. She leads her own click of popular kids and nearly every guy, disgustingly enough, wanted to shag her. Isaac is an unknown to me because he still goes to the middle school.

I mean I had friends, but only like four.

We stayed there for several hours entertaining ourselves with mind games and rope climbing contest.

Our parents came back around dinner time and said that as punishment, we would be spending our nights in the barn with only a few meals a day. During the day, instead of going to school, we would work for our dad under constant supervision. This was supposed to go on infinitely until we learned to behave. More like 'until you're brainwashed!'

I think we all broke a little inside.

"Tommy," I whispered, it was past midnight and I am pretty sure that Henry was already soundly asleep across the hay loft. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah can't sleep. I now know how the cows feel every night." He replied, with the usual touch of sass.

"We need to make a plan. There is no way we are going to stay in shape for track if we are stuck being servants for an infinite time, and we probably are going to get kicked off the team for missing so many practices."

"What other option do we have? We both know that, at the very least, we are going to be stuck like this for a month. No offense 'Nya, but it is impossible for you to just keep your head down and play 'Little House on the Prairie,' plus I can't hold my tongue for the life of me."