Law Of Proclivity

11.<Madeline>

Heels clicking on the wooden floorboards amplified the presence of Madeline. Her 'date' with Felix was prior a few days ago and yet the resentment only grew for him. Her mood dampened when she thought of the way if only Hyunjin hadn't peaked an interest in him maybe then she would've been his friend. He seemed so chill, naive and soft to her. She almost felt bad for what she wanted to do to him. Almost

Her feet stopped when she exited the hallway of her house, her hands reaching down to unbuckle her heels so she  could hold them in her hands carefully. Her top most priority for now was to make as minimal noise as possible. She lived with her parents and equally hated both of them.

She didn't used to.

Her older brother; Henry and her then boyfriend vernon both died 6 years ago in a brutal way. Beaten to death, faces rammed into walls and left to bleed to death. The medical autopsy's stated that they suffered internal bleeding and even a concussion. Henry had his nails plucked from his hands and both of them had several teeth missing. Vernon's skin from his ankle to his lower abdomen was ripped off; he was skinned alive. The doctors stated that they could've lived if the re- enforcements were called an hour or two earlier. It was likely they'd both suffer from severe trauma and PTSD but would've lived. Sadly, both didn't survive. 

It was Madeline's fault things ended like that. She knew it was. She was convinced, so were her parents.

It was my fault

Fuck

I could've done something

I never should've told them to go

Her father started drinking. The lone thought of his eldest son being stripped away from life was unbearable to him. He did loved him more than Madeline after all. No matter how much he denied it was obvious.

How he bought him a car for his 18 birthday but never for Madeline.

How he was present in all of his regional football games but never in Madeline's.

How he would wait till his son got home to eat dinner but would already be in bed when it was Madeline's turn.

She couldn't blame him. She would've done the same.

After Henry's death her father tried various methods to figure out how to move on, how to grieve less, how to continue living knowing his heir was resting feets in the ground. He found his sole solace in alcohol.

The habit started in minor chunks. Getting drunk monthly though from that it escalated to weekly drinking. He drank more than average, he had to. This was his only way of numbing his pain. He couldn't remember henry when he was drunk. He couldn't remember if he was alive or not. He was at peace when his mind couldn't comprehend and distinguish reality. He was glad he started drinking.

That, though gave peace to him, made Madeline's life a living hell. He would get violent when drunk. He would hit her when not sober, Didn't even care if she bled to much or too little. For him his only son wasn't there anymore, and now his empire would go to his pathetic excuse of a daughter.

He needed a man to run everything not a measley girl who pimped over men she thought were cute or was a B average student in school. He needed perfection. Madeline couldn't give him that. Her father was a misogynistic sexist, she knew that but theres only so much power one has to enlighten someone else.

It isn't as if she was abused when henry was alive. No. She was ignored yes but she had shelter, food, education and everything a child needs. However after henry died nothing was the same. Unlike her parents she suffered twice as bad. On that night not only did she lose her brother but also her boyfriend of 2 years.