All is Well.

the argument.

The second of Feburary. 1982. Evans point of view. The Afton household. The kitchen.

Micheal threw two plates of peanut butter sandwiches down infront of us. Before stomping off to his room. I ate, thinking in silence while Lizzie drew. "Is Micheal in a bad mood?" She asked. I shook my head. "He's just grumpy he got algebra for homework." She nodded. "I mean when is he ever happy." I shrugged and continued to eat. Micheal stomped down the stairs and came running into the kitchen. "Which one of you was in my room!" He yelled. In my hurry to answer I swallowed wrong and began chocking on my sandwich. Lizzie slapped my back and handed me water. I smiled at her gratefully and wiped my eyes. "I wasn't." I knew If I didn't answer quick he'd use it against me. "I wasn't either Mikey...something wrong?" Lizzie asked sitting back down. "No-I...ugh!" He ran back upstairs. Lizzie shrugged at me and dropped our plates in the sink. "Need any help with your homework?" I nodded pulling out my book. "Were learning subtraction in math and I don't get it." "I remember learning that when I was seven! It's easy I'll show you!" She smiled, pulling the book towards her.

"Subtraction is hard." I sighed, closing the book after a while. "Just wait until your learning multiplication." Lizzie pulled a face. "Is it hard?" I asked. "Kinda, you don't have to worry about it yet. Do you have anymore homework?" I shook my head. "I'm going to go play in my room." "Okay I'll be watching TV if you need me." She said sitting down as I headed upstairs. I could hear loud, heavy metal music blaring as I walked past Micheals room. I sped up quickly incase he opened the door and accused me of lurking. "Your home." "Yup!" I nodded dropping my bag down and sitting on my bed. "How was school." I paused taking off my trainers and shrugged. "Okay." "What names did they call you today." "Just Crybaby. That's their favourite." "You should talk to your father." "No." I said quickly not even considering it. "Then talk to Elizabeth." "She doesn't need to know." "It's bad enough you being bullied at home, and now school. It has to stop." I didn't respond. Kicking my trainers off I slid off my bed and onto the floor. Pulling my toys towards me. "You can't ignore me." He said. "Wasn't trying to." I mumbled. "You shouldn't mumble." Came his voice from the bed. "Sorry." I responded. "You-" "I'd like to play my game now, I don't wanna talk about school anymore, okay?" I thought he was going to keep pestering me but surprisingly he let it go, and I continued my game in silence.

"Daddy!" I heard Lizzie cry as the front door opened. "You should greet your father." "I know I'm going." I sighed getting up and walking downstairs. "Hello Evan." He smiled as I hugged him. "Hello." "Did you both have a good day?" "Yes!" I nodded as Dad smiled. "Good. Now where is....Micheal! Come downstairs!" I heard the music stop abruptly as he trudged downstairs. "Hey father." "Hello Micheal, I'd like to speak with you later. But for now. Let's get dinner ready." Did Mike look...scared? At dad's words. No he's Micheal. He couldn't have been scared. Dad dished out the soup Micheal had made and pulled out the evening paper. "This is nice Micheal. Thank you." Mike shrugged and continued eating. Dinner was silent. Per usual. We finished eating and Micheal put the dishes in the sink and quickly left the room. "Micheal, come back. I said I'd like a word. Elizabeth, Evan. You may be excused. Go to your rooms and play." "But Daddy I want to watch TV." "I thought I just said, go to your room and play. Perhaps not, please go to your rooms." Dad gave a warning look and Lizzie knew not to press further. We headed upstairs and departed to separate rooms.

Turns out the word Dad wanted with Micheal was extremely loud. I tried to block out the yelling and continue playing my game, but it kept getting louder and louder. "You don't like yelling." He said from next to me. "I don't." I continued playing until it got to such a loud point I could almost feel the ground under me shaking. I took Fredbear and sat at the back of my closet. My hands over my ears. I don't know how long I was there for when a light shone on my face. I opened my eyes and saw lizzie at the closet door. The bedroom light flooded into the closet as she gave me a small smile and sat next to me. "I thought I'd check on you. I know you don't like yelling." She said as I placed my head on her shoulder. "Are they still arguing?" She nodded, placing her head on mine. "It's a bit quieter but there still going at it." "What are they arguing about?" "Dad found cigarettes in Mike's room." I looked up at her. "Cigarettes? But- Dad smokes. Why is he so mad?" "Said he didn't want Micheal to throw his life away. Then Micheal said 'well look at your life.' And then dad brought up him being mean to you and it escalated." My stomach sank. Uh oh. I was in for it. "I-I don't tell dad I don't know how he keeps finding out." I said desperately. "I know." Lizzie placed her arm around me and held me as the yelling began louder.

Later that night we heard the front door flew open and banged close and we heard Micheal stomping upstairs. We poked our heads out of my bedroom door to see him crossing the landing. "Mike? Are you okay. Where Daddy?" Lizzie asked. "He's gone out for a walk. He said we'll see him tommorrow evening after school." "Are you okay Mikey?" I asked quietly. "I'm fine." He turned his head and I gasped. He was crying. Like full on crying. Like the crying I do. He also had a massive red patch on his cheek. "Mike...your-cheek... did Daddy-" Lizzie's hands were over her mouth. "I'm fine. Its late go to bed." He slammed his door. But I swear I heard a sob before it shut.

Lizzie tucked me in that night. I lay in bed awake for ages. It was around 6am when I eventually dozed off. It felt like the night lasted forever. "Tommorrow is another day." Is all I heard before I fell into a deep sleep.