All The Dark Little Things

Chapter 8: My family loves me

Fish... My father has a seafood allergy. I glanced at the evidence of his swollen neck and gaping mouth.

"Is he deceased?" My mother suddenly inquired. I sensed that she hadn't contacted anyone for help.

Jonathan nudged me aside, pressing his hand to where his pulse should be. When he raised his head, we all understood that my father had passed away. He would never return.

The head of our household is gone, and no one is acknowledging it. I crawled toward my mother, picking up the phone. She must have contacted someone for assistance. "Mommy, when will the Harrisons arrive?"

She didn't look at me. "No one is coming. We have a meeting." She scooped up Michael, shielding his gaze from my father's lifeless body near his seat.

The thought of him standing up, shaking himself with a smile, and claiming that nothing was wrong made me tremble. I crawled under the dining table, unable to take my eyes off him, while the rest of my family retreated to the living room for their supposed meeting. They were all pretending to save his life just moments ago. Secretly, they wished for his demise. Why? I know I have a motive to kill my father... It's to protect my mother, my brothers, and my sister.

My grandmother peered under the table. "Young woman, why are you sitting there?"

"Daddy is dead. What should we do about it?" I asked, locking eyes with her. "I mean... we know Daddy has an allergy. Who..."

"I understand it's difficult for everyone to comprehend, except you, Rachel. Out of all people, you should understand why your daddy passed away. Come, let's discuss this..."

My head involuntarily shook. "No," I said, my head beginning to throb. "Did you kill him? Who will pay for my education? If the police arrive now, we'll go to jail."

Grandmother rolled her eyes, heading towards my mother's voice. She had given up on me because I would never leave my father's body alone in the dining room.

"Rachel! Get yourself into this living room. You're not a baby. If we can handle the news, why can't you?" My mother bellowed from the living room.

Handle the news? What on earth is happening in this household? "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here until someone inquires about Daddy." I know the kind of people I live with. If it worsens, they'll never let anyone know about his death.

"Nobody is coming, Rachel. Come." Rebecca called. There was a hint of joy in her voice. I wonder why she's happy about her father's death.

Perhaps I should snap out of this and listen to what my mother has to say regarding my father's demise. He has relatives, right? They'll come for him. Sighing, I crawled out from under the dining table towards the living room. I couldn't bring myself to stand on my weak legs.

I crawled into the living room to find my family gazing at me. Jonathan patted the seat beside him, urging me to sit beside him.

"I have something to say. Who murdered him?" Rebecca asked stupidly.

My mother hissed in irritation, ignoring my sister's stupid question. "After your father, I'm next, and if you can't listen to me, I'll send you back to your room."

I sniffled, wanting to say so much, but I kept my mouth shut. Not because I was scared. "I will remain silent. Don't send me to my room."

"Are you crying? Mommy, Rachel is crying. The murderer is crying." Jonathan jeered. Was this the motive behind his request for me to sit beside him? To accuse me of being a murderer?

I wiped away the tears in my eyes. I hadn't even realized I was crying. Lifting my head to meet his gaze, I sensed their eyes on me. Wait, what? Don't tell me they think I did it. "The murderer? I didn't kill Daddy."