Kill Me Softly

Chapter 4

"Dad stop, he didn't mean to." I was trying anything to stop him from hitting Luke again. Luke looked so small crying in a ball. I wanted to go to him but I know that would only make my dad angrier. He had the belt in one hand and a half empty bottle of whiskey in the other, he was completely bladdered. My dad turned and glared at me, his eyes blood shot. I was scared yet relieved his attention was taken away from Luke.

"What did you say, shit face? You want to be a part of this too? That's fine with me," and with those last words he raised he belt and the buckle connected with my shoulder. It stinged... a lot but at least Luke was not getting hit anymore. He raised the belt again and this time I turned my back so it wouldn't hurt as much. It was worse than the first hit causing me to land on my face. Luke was staring at me wide-eyed, blood dripping from his mouth from where the dickhead had hit him. I mouthed to him to leave, and he scrambled away.

A bit of relief washed over me, but it was soon gone when the belt hit my spine. The hits came faster and faster, I tried to hold in my scream as much as possible so Luke wouldn't hear. I tried to raise my head but my body was numb and my arms felt like jelly. I heard him chuckle at my attempt to get up, and then I felt him kick me in my ribs turning me face up. My hands went to my side clutching my ribs in pain.

"You ungrateful bastard. You think you can interrupt me when I'm teaching my boy a lesson? He took one hundred euros from me and thought I wouldn't notice. Just because I have all this money doesn't mean I don't notice that small amount taken away. That little shit is more spoiled than you," he knelt down to where I was laying and came up to my face. His body reeked of alcohol making my nose burn. "Next time don't come in between me and my lessons got it?" I just stared with disgust.

"GOT IT?!" he slapped me.

"Yes, sir." I spitted, gritting my teeth.

"Good, I'm off to bed I have a long day tomorrow at the office." He wrapped his favorite belt around his hand and got up walking towards the door. "Jane, come clean this mess up," he yelled. I laid there on my back for a little which was throbbing with pain, but the cool marble eased the burn. Jane came in, her brows furrowed with worry and she rushed to me.

"Oh Ezra dear. What has he done now? I told you to let them be! You are leaving for college in a few days, you don't need this in the way." I smiled weakly. She came beside me and put my head on her thighs. I loved Jane like my mother, she took over my mom's role when she got sick but she had been there since the day I was born working as our maid. My mom and I never called her our maid, besides dad. Jane ran her fingers through my hair to relax me like mom used to and I closed my eyes for a little.

"I had to for Luke, he shouldn't be punished like that, no child should," I muttered.

"But you were..." she said softly.

"Yes I was, but Luke is different than me. He is more sensitive than I was, I hate that I have to leave him. I'll be back every weekend since Oxford is close to here." I got up and looked into her soft green eyes. "Jane promise me you won't let the devil touch Luke the days I'm gone?" She smiled softly.

"I promise dear. Now don't come here every weekend, you need to focus on school. I'll keep Luke nice and safe while you're gone." She put her soft hand under my chin, holding it. "You need to start worrying about yourself my darling, and I know that's hard to do but you come first, don't you forget that."

I grinned, "Jane, school is a piece of cake! When have I ever had trouble with school?" she doesn't say anything and I chuckle. "Exactly, now I promise to worry more about myself as long as you keep your promise." I held up my pinky waiting, thats the only way to seal the deal.