Crimson hearts

Four: "Home"

~Celeste~

I walked into my house careful not to male any noise and wake anybody up or even alert them I'm home.

Our house was small and a bit run-down, with peeling paint and creaky floorboards. The furniture was mismatched and worn, and the curtains were faded.

Despite its flaws, my house had character and charm. The cozy living room had a fireplace and a rocking chair, and the kitchen had a vintage stove and a quaint breakfast nook. It was the kind of home that felt lived-in and loved.

But not for me.

There were five rooms in the house; my parents room, my room, the living room and kitchen were one room, and one bathroom.

And Celestino's room.

I closed the door and tip toed my way to my room so no one would hear I'm home.

Safe to say, that did not work.

"Where were you?"

"Papá. . . Hey, how are you?" Just act cool, Cel, act cool.

"I said where were you?"

He's drunk.

"I was at work, papá, I had to pick up an extra shift, Cam needed me to help him." I started to pick on my skin near my wrists, making them bleed, but I was too nervous to care.

"And why the fuck are you so late?" Damn, Sperm donor's getting grumpy.

+TW+

He started taking his belt off in a hurried manner making me even more nervous, knowing what's about to come.

After Tino went missing, mamá and papá started to drink a lot of alcohol, meaning they would hit me whenever they got the chance to.

Papá sometimes also does weird things to me, he started even before Tuno went missing, ever since I was mature enough, alas, he doesn't do that often.

I started to panic and my breath hitched as I truene around and tried to run away, but the door was locked and as I tried to unlock it, I felt a hand grip my hair from the back and pull me back harshly. I knew not to fight back, since it hurts more if I tried to fight back so I just gave up.

I landed on the floor harshly, on all fours, and just waited.

Maybe if I just stay still, it's going to hurt less.

I felt the tears burning in my eyes waiting to spill as I felt my back burning from all the whippings.

Maybe if I close my eyes and open them again, it's all going to be just a dream, and Tino will be okay, and so will mamá and papá.

I closed my eyes as I started feeling numb, and I couldn't feel anything in my body, just hoping mamá and papá would go back to normal. Even an ounce of hope left.

•••

I woke up after what felt like an eternity later, still on the floor of the living room, feeling numb everywhere.