Family

TWENTY

Guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death.

Present || Alonzo

My body shook with rage as I stared at my baby brother's scarred face. Fear clouded his eyes as he stuttered, trying to find an excuse as to why he had such a deep scar running down his eye.

Who the hell did this and why does dad look so guilty?

Dad sat at the table, his demeanour calm but his eyes told a different story. The silver ring he always wore gleamed with the light flashing from the chandelier. My eyes narrowed in suspicion, it couldn't be because of dad. He would never-

A memory of the day when Leo left seeped through my mind, he was sobbing his heart out, begging our dad to let him stay, apologising over and over for his wrongdoings, even when he did nothing wrong. Of course, we were just too stupid to admit it.

I remember Leo crying, dad getting annoyed and then hitting him. Dad had hit him with such force, Leo's head snapped to the side from the impact and when he looked back at us, it was with a newly formed wound dripping with blood. Maybe if dad wasn't wearing that ring, he would've been fine. The reason why Leo has such a scar on his face is because of our dad. My eyes darkened, turning to slits in dad's direction.

A fire burned in my chest, radiating off my body. How dare he still wear that ring even after knowing the damage it caused. He must've known, there was someone informing him of almost everything happening in that school, not that he shared anything with us. Why would he when we all hated him so much?

Never again will I betray you like I did all those years ago. That's a fucking promise Leo.

"Dad," I began, my tone laced with venom," Do you know why his face looks like that?"

Leo flinched at my tone and I took hold of his hand, rubbing his skin in circular motions. It had finally healed and the bandage could come off, his cast would have to wait a few more weeks.

The room was engulfed in silence for a few moments before dad spoke, not a hint of regret in his voice," Yes."

My brother's eyes widened at his answer, anger overtaking their features. From my peripheral vision, I noticed a vein about to burst on Antonio's forehead, his body shaking as his eyes pierced daggers into father's emotionless ones. Any trace of guilt had vanished. 

A humourless chuckle left me as I stood up, gently bringing Leo along with me. Dad stared at us, his lips pulled into a thin line," Where are you going?"

"We're having take out," I snapped.

"Sit back down," He demanded.

"We'll be back after we've eaten, away from this sorry excuse for a family," I spat.

Gesturing for Leo to follow, I walked towards the door, ignoring the looks on my brother's faces. Now they suddenly care?

"You treat your youngest son like utter shit, then attempt to reconcile with him only to push him away again?" Scoffing, I slammed the door behind us and helped Leo back to the bedroom.

Bipolar fucker.

I sat on my bed with a sigh, taking my phone out and ordering us food before flinging it on the far end of the bed.

Leo stood in front of my closed door, his face cast downward, body trembling. My eyes softened and I took small steps towards him before gently lifting his face to meet mine. A sad chuckle escaped my lips, he was so short. Only coming up to my chest. Makes me wonder if he was fed well over there, that's probably why he never has much of an appetite.