My Words Are Law

Neighbors (10)

Eight years ago, when they were orphaned, a relative reluctantly took them in. Together with his wife, the older male introduced himself as a distant cousin from their maternal family.

The first year they moved in with the couple, the adults immediately made it clear that they would not support her education as they would already be providing food and shelter for them. Amaryllis nodded understandingly, after all, they weren't their real children. Processing Ivor's birth certificate and providing for his diapers and milk is what's important. She juggled between household chores and serving the couple while taking care of Ivor. When new year arrived, child services suddenly visited them. 

Their neighbor must have wondered why she was staying at home all the time. Amaryllis found out about it when she saw her Aunt fighting with the elderly neighbor next door, saying they should just mind their business. It caused a such a big scene that their uncle enrolled her in a tutoring classes while waiting for the next school opening.

She should have been happy, but she felt anxious leaving Ivor with her adoptive parents. 

She did her best to go home early as soon as school ended, sometimes even deliberately missing classes whenever her aunt complains about how she and her brother remain useless in the house. Because of her absences, it prompted another visit by the children's welfare services, and from then on, her aunt always told her to attend classes while grinding her teeth, and when she returns home, a list of errands await her at the doorstep.

The mistreatment continued until she turned fifteen. Slowly, however, her uncle's snide remarks subtly reduced, and his stares became long and piercing. Amaryllis almost immediately noticed the changes, but thought it wasn't anything serious as nothing sort of physical ensued.

Until one night.

It started like all the days prior. She woke up early to prepare for food before going to school, and in the afternoon, she went straight home to look after Ivor while cleaning the house.

Normally, her aunt would leave the house as soon as she's dismissed from school to help her husband run the small restaurant they have. Regardless, she'd always ask if they're home to make sure, and she did so today, as well, shouting the question as soon as she came home. Nobody responded, and she resumed her responsibilities.

While cooking dinner, she almost threw the spoon  in her hands from upon suddenly seeing her uncle leaning by the doorway to the living room, leering at her.

"Uncle... You're home?" How long had he been standing there?

He didn't reply, and continued to size her up. She was wearing an old pajama where the seams of the leg reached her ankle as she had already outgrowned its length, and the shirt was a little too tight, so she wore an oversized jacket over it. Nevertheless, she felt naked under his scrutiny, making her feel a deep sense of unease.

Amaryllis returned her attention to the food, feeling uncomfortable in the silent confines of the room. Without checking if the food was cooked properly, she closed the stove and went to wash her hands.

"I'll go see Ivor before setting the table."

She had to pass by him to go up the stairs, but if she could get out of the room, then it will be alright. The moment she rushed to the foot of the stairs, a large hand grabbed her wrist. She had quickly pulled away, and lashed at the old man.

"What are you doing, uncle?" She put a hard edge to her tone and immediately retreated to a safe distance. Thankfully, the door opened and her aunt came barging in with an irate expression.

"What are you two doing there?"

As if her uncle didn't just try to catch her to do who knows what, he turned around and kissed his wife saying, "Nothing, honey. I was about to scold the brat, because she wasn't cooking properly. Anyway, why are you home?"