Moments

Chapter 3

Nicki's POV

Late last night my mum drove me home from the hospital. The bill was high because I had to get 6 stitches, but we can manage. Unless Dad looses his job.

I watched as we passed the pizza parlor, then JC Penny's, then the grocery store. I know my way around pretty well here. Kyle and I used to walk to JC Penny's and I would buy him a new hat, then we would go to the pizza parlor to get some pizza and Coca-Cola. Crap, we forgot Kyle! I wonder if Dads home yet? Oh my gosh how could I be so stupid?!

When we finally pulled into our driveway I saw dad was home. As if his car was a trigger to my tears, I immediately started crying. Dad's raped mum and I for years. And he abuses Kyle, my younger brother. I've always been like a mother to Kyle, because when he was about three Dad started drinking, so i've always been really close to him. I was there when he had his first crush, when he was first bullied, when he got his first detention and when he asked a girl to be his girlfriend for the first time. He is only 13, and he has the kindest heart you can imagine. But Dad takes his anger out on him, when me and mum aren't home. I should've known to tell him to go to the neighbors. This is all my fault. These thoughts make me cry even harder because I hear my mum talking to me.

"Nicki, stop crying" she says with worry in her voice. "God only knows what he's doing to Kyle in there so pull yourself together and come inside" she said. "He's not gonna hurt you. You just had surgery. Come on!" Mum was getting more and more frustrated by the second. I know she's worried for Kyle, but she needs to calm down.

"Okay. I'm sorry mum. I'm being selfish."  

I got out of the car, slamming the door and sprinting to my house, despite the pain in my arm, Kyle needed help now.

A ear-piercing scream came from inside. One that could only belong to my little brother.

"Kyle!" Mum screams.

"Oh my gosh." I whisper, the reality of the situation setting in.

I can't find my house keys and begin to panic, my mum pulls out hers quickly and unlocks the door only to find that Dad's put a chair under the doorknob and it won't open.

"Shit. Shit shit shit." Mum says

Thinking quickly, I grab a rock out of the garden, and bust the window with it. As I'm climbing in Kyle screams, louder this time. Then complete silence, not a normal, peaceful silence. It was a dead silence. Frozen in my place, I finally find the will power to swing my other leg over the window, and into my house. It's still silent, and I suddenly have no idea where my mum is. When was the last time I saw her? On the doorstep. I run out to where the broken window is and look around, there's no one there.

"Fuck" I say under my breath.

As I look down I see a puddle of blood. Then, realize it was coming from my leg. It seems all of my senses are coming back to me because in a matter of seconds I get a throbbing in my head, a terrible ringing in my left ear and both my leg, and arm hurt like hell. But I have to find Kyle. 

I ignore the pain and hurry to the basement.

"Kyle? Mum? Dad?" I say

The house was engulfed in a eerie silence, and before I know it a hand clamps around my mouth and I'm pulled into the bathroom.

"Shhh" Kyle says

"Kyle! Oh my god I was so worried!" I say, giving him a hug and kissing his forehead. I looked him over, he had some minor cuts and scrapes, nothing I couldn't handle. Then my eyes travel up to his face. Dried blood surrounds his nose, which seems a bit crooked and swollen. My eyes go wide as I realize what happened to him.