One Out of Four

Chapter 5.

It's the next day. Diana is unlocking the door to Kyle's room.

Kyle groans.

Diana rolls her eyes at Kyle. "Stand up!" She shouts.

Kyle stands up. His legs begin to wobble as he walks forward. This makes Diana filled with laughter.

As Kyle steps out of the room, Diana grabs him by his shirt. "Go downstairs now," she angrily commands.

Diana slams the door as Kyle continues to struggle to walk downstairs.

"Pathetic," Diana blurts out.

Then Diana walks up to Kacey's room to unlock the door.

Diana grins at Kacey.

Kacey whines, "I'm hungry," her black-circled eyes meeting Diana's. "Go downstairs," Diana tells Kacey.

Kacey seems thrilled. "Really?" Her expression quickly changes to confusion. "Wait. Why?"

Diana smiles as if she has something up her sleeve.

Kacey glares at the open door and walks out.

Diana walks behind Kacey. They go to the living room, and Kacey looks tired until she sees Kyle sitting on the couch, which causes her face to light up.

Kacey sits beside Kyle.

Kacey looks at Kyle, expressing concern, as he looks like he hasn't slept in days and appears thinner. "I was worried about you," Kacey tells Kyle.

Diana interrupts their interaction. "Here is what's going to happen," Diana says as she tosses a backpack to Kyle.

"Ow," Kyle lets out.

Diana tosses a backpack to Kacey. "Ow," says Kacey.

Diana shows a careless expression. "You guys will go to school, and tomorrow the social worker will stop by to see a paper that proves that you two are enrolled in school. You two will go to school today and ask for the paper," Diana explains the meaning behind the backpacks.

Kyle touches his stomach as it rumbles. "Can I eat first?" He mentions.

"Yeah, can we eat?" Kacey asks, agreeing.

Diana gives them a death stare. "Okay, fine," Diana surprisingly gives in.

Kacey and Kyle find themselves seated in kitchen table, their energy drained from last night. Exhaustion has taken its toll on Kacey, who rests her head on the table, trying to steal a few moments of much-needed rest.

Diana, the failed mother figure who has been destroying their lives, begins to prepare a simple meal by placing a packet of instant ramen noodles into a pot filled with water.

She turns the stove on, and the soft hiss of the gas burner fills the room.

With a hint of curiosity in his voice, Kyle breaks the silence, "Ramen noodles?" He asked.

Diana's attention briefly shifts from her cooking duties to Kyle. Her eyes encounter his eye. "Shut up! It's this or nothing." She snaps, her tone filled with frustration and resentment, as if the act of providing even the most basic meal is an inconvenience to her.

Diana turns the stove off as noddles are done.

She puts then in a bowl and throws it on the table making a loud noise.

This makes Kacey wake up in fear.

Diana smirks. "Eat up. Now!" She shouts.

Kacey and Kyle are eating their Ramon noodles.