The Story You Were Never Told

1 - Escape

Two years ago:

"Jonah, come here." Oakley ordered as he ushered his little brother into his bedroom. He knew what was to come when his mother started shouting like that, slurring her words, bottles smashing on the floor. His first thought was making sure Jonah was okay, which he clearly wasn't. He was shaking in fear and crying. He was only 7 years old. 'A kid his age shouldn't go through something like this.' Oakley always told himself, seeming to forget he was only 14 himself, still a child who's teenage years were being taken away from him.

"Oaky, I'm scared." Jonah cried quietly on Oakley's bed. It always broke Oakley's heart when he saw his little brother crying. Oakley sat on the bed next to Jonah and wrapped an arm around him.

"It's okay. I'm here and Dad is downstairs. You have nothing to worry about Jo." Oakley reassured him, wiping the tears off of his face using the sleeves of his jacket. He then took it off and wrapped it around Jonah. He took his headphones out of the jacket pocket and handed them to Jonah. "I'll play some music for you. Just put these headphones on little buddy."

Jonah put the headphones gently over his ears and waited for Oakley to start playing the music. He played Jonah's playlist he had saved on his phone, consisting of all of Jonah's favourite songs. He lowered the volume at first so the loud music didn't spook Jonah before slowly increasing it so it blocked out all of the noise coming from downstairs.

With Jonah now occupied, that gave Oakley some time to think. He listened to what was going on downstairs and braced himself in case he heard his mother coming up the stairs. This was an almost everyday thing now. Jonah would be awoken to his mother screaming at his father downstairs while his father tried calming down the situation. Oakley would run upstairs from the living room to Jonah and put him in his own room where he could keep an eye on him and make sure he was safe. He had an order to do things in. This was normal to him.

After a few minutes or so, Oakley heard bottles smashing downstairs. Despite being scared out of his mind like he was virtually every night, he always managed to keep a straight face for Jonah, making it seem like there was nothing to be afraid of. That's what he wanted Jonah to think. But after everything the pair had been through with their mother, it was hard for Jonah to believe that.

Oakley heard someone coming up the stairs shortly after. He quickly stood up from the bed and walked over to the door, holding it shut. He couldn't risk his mother coming into his room. It was better to be safe than sorry. He put his head against the door and shut his eyes before he prayed that it wasn't her as he heard the figure come closer.

"Oakley, Jonah! Come on pack a bag." Oakley's dad called to them from behind the door. Oakley couldn't help but let a tear fall down his face. He was so happy he was getting out of the house. He quickly wiped it off his face before walking over to his wardrobe and started packing some clothes.

Jonah looked up from his teddy he was holding tightly and watched Oakley. He was a little confused since he didn't hear his father. Oakley turned back around to look at Jonah once his bag was packed and smiled at him. He took the headphones off his ears so he could speak to him. "It's okay Jonah. We are going away from here. You're gonna be safe and okay. I promise."

Jonah smiled and hugged Oakley tightly. Oakley wrapped his arms around Jonah in return and held him close for a few moments before picking him up. He put the bag over his shoulder and left the room. He saw his dad in Jonah's room packing his bag and smiled at him. He was so grateful he was finally taking them away from their mother.

Oakley was dreading the moment when he had to walk down the stairs but it came. He had to get Jonah to the car before his mother did something stupid. He quickly ran downstairs and out of the back kitchen door to put Jonah in the car, despite his mother cursing the hell out of him. He ignored her and pushed past her, enraging her more but he didn't care. He was getting the hell out of there.

He opened the door to the backseat of the car and placed Jonah on one of the seats, putting his seatbelt on for him and handing him his teddy, making sure he was comfortable. "Sleep now Jonah. You'll be okay. You have school tomorrow." Oakley told him, taking a jacket out of his bag and putting it over Jonah.

Jonah nodded and closed his eyes while Oakley began to feel his legs giving in. He felt them buckle as he fell against the car door. He rested his head on the door and shut his eyes. He knew his narcolepsy was kicking in since he had been too overwhelmed for his body to cope. It needed rest. Thankfully, his father was just coming out of the house when his legs did give in on him.

"Oakley? Can you stand up for me son?" His dad asked as he ran over. Oakley tried but he couldn't. His body was too exhausted. He needed rest just as much as Jonah needed it. Oakley's father put an arm under his arms and helped him up, guiding him to the passenger seat of the car. He opened the door and sat Oakley down carefully, making sure he was situated comfortably before closing the door and going to the driver's side.

As soon as Oakley sat on the seat, he closed his eyes and instantly began nodding off. He felt a weight be lifted off of his shoulders. He was going to be okay. All three of them were. Finally.

(1027 words. I hope you are liking it so far !)