Circles

Chapter VI

"What does this mean?"

Noah casually glanced at the photographs scattered across the table.

"It means what you see."

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

Alister stepped closer to take a look, but immediately recoiled. It had been a long time since he had been surprised in such a way. He never imagined Noah capable of doing such things to anyone else after what had happened.

"Do you want me to apologize? Don't make me laugh."

"Noah!"

"No, let him speak, Alister. This will make you understand that your brother is nothing more than a whore."

"Oh, you say that as if you're not guilty of anything, it's amusing. Remember who made me do those things when I was a child..."

"You bastard!" The man lunged at him and slapped him hard. "Shut your filthy mouth!"

Noah staggered back from the blow, but he didn't seem to care.

"You're nothing but a disgusting old piece of shit!! At least they pay me for what I do!!"

Alister could barely suppress a gasp from the shock. He couldn't believe what was coming out of his brother's mouth.

"I'm going to kill you..." his father muttered before lunging at him a second time, without control. But this time, Alister grabbed him by the waist and stopped him.

"Father...! Please! He's just going through a difficult phase... I'll talk to him, so..."

"Let go of me! Alister, son, you can't defend him now, these photographs... doing something so vile..." The man struggled futilely to break free from Alister's firm grip, without success.

"Why is it vile? Is it because you don't do it?"

"Noah!"

"It's over," the man lowered his arms and stopped struggling, but Alister still held onto him, as a precaution. "Go. Leave this house. I want nothing more to do with you."

"You can't kick me out! You promised Mom, and I'm still your son. You can't do this!"

"You're not my son, you stupid bastard! Who do you think your father is? Your mother didn't even know! She just went around and slept with anyone, and you happened, the misery of my life! I don't care if I promised; it's enough. Go!"

Noah was stunned for a few seconds as he watched him sitting on the floor, touching his sore cheek. He couldn't comprehend everything his father had yelled at him.

"I'm your son," he mumbled finally.

"Didn't you hear me? You're not! Alister isn't your brother either! Now, take your things and get out!" The man managed to break free from Alister's grip at last, leaving Noah staring at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He stomped on the floor and walked out the kitchen door, passing by Noah completely ignoring him, as if he couldn't even see him.

The silence between Alister and Noah became heavy, and both felt like time had frozen. A few seconds later, they heard the front door open and slam shut, causing time to resume its flow.

Noah snapped out of his reverie and looked at Alister with wide-open eyes, as if seeking an answer. He sensed the confusion in them and held his gaze, unsure of what to say.

Noah slowly lowered his gaze, and almost impulsively, he stood up. He shook his clothes a bit and, moving clumsily, turned around and headed upstairs to the second floor.