The Family Of The Haunted

Chapter 4, New School

~Mark POV~

I was stunned when he revealed that as I stared open-mouthed at Jack. " H-how did you know that?" He looks at me and gets comfortable on the couch " I heard you and Dad talking about it when we came home from the hospital." He answered as I shakily sat down on the sofa beside him. " B-but I thought you guys didn't hear us and went to the living room when he pulled me into his office." Jack sat up and couldn't help but grin. " it got me curious about what Dad's telling you–when I heard him telling you to become an adult at ten. It fucking pissed me off." He admitted as he looked down at the ground. " He shouldn't have made you become an adult at that age because you deserve to be a child. " He tells me as I hum in agreement. " Trust me, there are some things that I wish I could've said to him back then, but I was too much of a crowd to do it." I confused him. " You weren't a crowd. You were only ten back then, and Dad should've known better rather than put that weight on your shoulders in the first place," he spoke with a bitter tone.

" I am the first oldest, so I gotta carry the responsibility and weight he has put on me. " Jack makes eye contact with me " And what about me? I am your brother who can help you with those responsible and weight, so you don't have to carry them alone." He commented; I stared at him to see the anger in his eyes and wanted to express another feeling towards him but couldn't. I just don't know how to describe it. All those mixed feelings about Dad and what he did were wrong, but I just couldn't be told no. I was only a child, but I wish someone could've been there for us and told him about his choices back then. I didn't want Molly and Polly to know about this, so I opened my mouth to speak with confidence and hope. He promised he wouldn't tell them unless I was ready to tell them about this.

" I will not promise the fact to lie about what's gonna on," He added, going upstairs as I got up and went outsides to the back of the cabin, which I lined against the break wall. I took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up. I smoked it and puffed it out, then relaxed when I closed my eyes, so I listened to the animal's noises.

After a few hours, I heard someone approaching me as I stomped on the cigarette and to see Polly, who was watching me. " I didn't know you smoked," I hid the pack from her and sighed out of nervousness because she was one that I didn't want to get caught by. " I only smoked when I am stressed or nerves got to me," I replied as she tried to see what was behind my back, and I backed away from her. " Mark, what's gonna with you and Molly?" I quirk an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean?" I asked as she sighed heavily and glanced down at the ground while I tossed the pack of cigarettes on the floor, then kicked it. "You two haven't been getting along or even acted like you used to be until Mom passed away." She answered as I frowned and put my hand on her shoulder. I don't want to say to her. She looked so sad and confused, mixed up while I was supporting her to be the big brother, but I couldn't–I failed at this.

" Mark?" She asked, glancing up at me as I sighed deeply and looked down at her. " It's personal between Molly and I." She furrowed her eyebrows forwards " But it worries me so much. " She mumbled softly. " I know, but I can't tell you why Molly and I aren't getting along. " She nodded when the sliding door to see Dad stepped out and saw us " I need you two in the living room with the others," Polly and I nodded and went to the living room to see Jack and Molly.

Dad smiled at us and faced us, " You guys will be starting your new school tomorrow." He shared, and I looked at him. " A new school? Isn't it the same one where you and Mom used to go too?" Molly asked as he nodded and looked at us " Even though the school year has started for them. But you guys will enjoy them mid-semester so you will get the schedule too. " He explained; as we nodded, I could see Polly seemed not so thrilled about the idea of a new school.

~Polly POV~

That means meeting new people and teachers and returning to particular classes. I don't want to get bullied again. It's frustrating that I can't tell my sibling how I feel about them.