The Last Midnight

Chapter Fifteen: "Family Ties"

Putting a hand to his throbbing forehead, Matthew sank down in the water with a soft groan. Even the light coming in from the open barn door was too bright for his sensitive eyes. The Baron stormed up to the wooden tub, kicking the side as he snapped out sternly. "Where were you?" Lowering his hand a little, Matthew blinked slowly and winced from the pain pulsing over his face, before mumbling out groggily. "I... I got sick out in the orchard. I passed out... lost track of the time." The Baron tapped a cane against his leg in irritation as he sneered out through clenched teeth. "I don't believe you. Maisy and the others didn't go looking for you. They weren't frantic... So, I'll ask one more time. Where were you?" Matthew exhaled heavily sinking in the water up to his shoulders as he grumbled out dryly. "What do you want me to tell you? I don't go anywhere. I don't do anything. I'm sick... So run along before you catch it too. I'm too tired to play this game with you." From behind the Baron, Anastasia gasped sharply, snapping out to him. "You're faking it! You're just trying to avoid working because you hate me! You spiteful soot rat! I bet you'd be fine to help Drizella! After all, she's been humming since last night!"

Matthew blinked quickly as he forced himself to look into the light, his voice rough and full of confusion when he said in shock. "She has?" The Baron jerked his head in her direction too, but his voice was a dark growl when he blurted out. "What?!" Anastasia straightened up, telling her dad promptly without fear. "Ya. The two of them have been getting really close. Sneaking into her bedroom and the way he always runs to her. I wouldn't be surprised if she is fat because she's been letting him mount her like a-" Before she could finish, Matthew lost all his self-control and yelled out over her angrily. "YOU LYING BITCH!" Anastasia let out a sharp fake frightened squeal, cowering around the door as she shrieked out. "Daddy!" Matthew started to rise from the water, snapping out to the Baron. "She's a liar! I never touched-" Matthew let his words shift into a startled whimper as the Baron whirled on him. Dropping the cane, the Baron grabbed him around the neck and shoved him beneath the water. Matthew's legs thrashed up out of the water as he listened to the Baron's muffled yelling above the water. "You son of a bitch! How dare you touch my daughter! I swear if she is carrying your bastard!"

A sharp scream distorted over the water and the Baron's grip loosened. Acting completely out of a primal need to live, Matthew kicked the Baron in the ribs to knock him away from the tub. As the Baron fell across the barn floor, Matthew shot upright gasping for air. Coughing and gasping, Matthew forced himself to crawl out of the tub, flopping to the barn floor. He didn't want the Baron to recover and push him back under. Drizella rushed into the barn, dropping beside Matthew to pat his back and keep his head up to allow him to breathe clearly. The Baron shot to his feet, his clothes covered in dirt and hay from the floor. The Baron then snatched up his cane, his face turning red as he yelled out angrily. "Drizella Daniella Tremaine! Get away from him! Now!" Drizella shook her head, prompting the Baron to stomp over with the cane raised high. Panic filling him, Matthew pushed her down and staggered up onto his feet to face the Baron. Drizella adjusted her skirt, sitting up to tell her dad desperately. "Daddy, stop!" Locking eyes with the Baron, Matthew took deep shaky breaths. The Baron ignored Drizella, glaring at Matthew until he lowered his eyes from the heat of them.

Once Matthew's eyes lowered to the ground, the Baron lowered his cane and shoved Matthew up against a stall wall. Bringing his face close to his, the Baron snarled out. "If you were faking it before. You won't be after. Turn around and grab the wall." Matthew didn't want to but knew this was a fight that he wasn't going to win. Turning around, he grabbed the stall door and braced himself. Drizella got to her feet, rushing up to them to take her father's arm as she said coolly. "Daddy, please!" The Baron shook her off, telling her bitterly. "You're next! You should know better! You'll share his beating! Go to your room! If you think you're going to the ball, you are mistaken!" Drizella gapped at him, backing up in awe of him. When her attention went to Anastasia, Anastasia let a tiny smirk cross her lips as she bowed her head in fake submission. Drizella's shocked look slowly turned to a burning hate as she glared at her sister. Straightening herself up though, she lifted her chin high and stormed out of the barn, nearly clipping her sister on the way out. Anastasia's smirk didn't get passed Matthew. Matthew locked eyes with her, gripping the stall door tighter as the Baron started striking his back with the cane.