freedom

chapter four

Chapter 4

toxic

The familiar voices jolt Milly awake in the morning – another yelling match echoing up from downstairs between her parents. Sighing, she rolls over and pulls the pillow over her head that being her attempt to muffle the noise.

This has become an everyday occurrence lately as their fights grown louder and more bitter. Milly knows it's taking a toll on her brother as well, though he would never admit to it. They both have tried talking to their parents to reason things out, but it always seems to escalate into blaming and door slamming.

Milly squeezes her eyes shut wishing she could block out the hateful words for a little longer. But they seep through, eroding her hopes as always. Her parents' marriage seems on the brink of no repair. Soon, anger and sorrow give way to numb resignation. Just another morning in the household, it seems. Glancing at the clock, Milly decides the coast is clear enough to slip downstairs and start making some coffee before facing this household of tension.

Clutching the coffee mug tightly, Milly knocks softly on her brother's closed bedroom door. "Hey... you up?"

When no response comes, Milly slowly pushes the door open to find him laying facing the wall as usual. Their parent's voices raise again hurling accusations. Sighing Milly sits gently on the edge of the bed. "Another bad one, huh bro?" After a lengthy silence, he rolls over to meet her eyes tiredly.

Milly offers a soft smile. "I was thinking... let's get out of here for the day, escape this madness. What do you say we grab your bike and just ride – anywhere but here?"

At first, he looks like he'll refuse, but then something in his features eases ever so slightly. Maybe he senses the same desperation in her to flee this toxic environment, if only for a little while.

Finally, he nods. "Alright let me get ready." As he climbs from bed, Milly breathes a quiet sigh of relief. This day may yet be salvaged.

After they both finish getting ready quietly as their parents' fight rages on downstairs. Taking a deep breath, Milly tries to steel herself before entering the fray. When Milly emerges into the kitchen, her dad is red-faced from screaming in her mother's face while she yelled back just as bitterly. At first, they didn't notice Milly walking in. Clearing her throat, she softly speaks, "Bro and I are going out for the day."

Her father whirls around, chest heaving. For a moment Milly worries he was about to explode on her too. But then he just growls "Fine, get out of here then. We don't need you kids around!" Before resuming his argument.

Her mother doesn't even glance her way. Swallowing the hurt, Milly nodded and backed out of the room. Glancing outside, she sees her brother waiting astride his bike, just as desperate to escape. With a grateful smile, Milly hops on behind him putting on her helmet and wrapping her arms tight. "Take me away from here."

With a roar, they speed off down the road, parents' yelling fading into the distance.

The wind whips through Milly's hair as they speed down the open road, putting as much distance as possible between their temporary freedom and toxic household. Milly closes her eyes to focus on the feeling – the roar of the engine, rush of air, tight grip around her brother's waist.

For these brief moments, all the hurt and anger swept away on the breeze. It being just them, the open sky and promise of escape, however fleeting. When Milly gets the chance, she glances up at the vast blue above, feeling like anything is possible.

Pulling over to a scenic overlook, they take in the sweeping vista in comfortable silence as the bike idles. Her brother's stern features seem peaceful for once without that ever-present scowl. She allows a small smile, secretly hoping this quality bonding time may bring them closer despite their parents' strain,

"Thanks for this," she says sincerely, meeting his eyes. He just nods, but she sees the understanding between them – hardship, their own little family within the fractured one at home.

Milly turns back to him and leans her forehead against his back, she breathes in the scent of leather and motor oil, familiar smells that have always meant security amidst their volatile home life.

Under the gruff exterior she knows beats a heart that cares deeply for her, as she does for him. Little gestures like todays ride says what their pride often won't allow.

Milly wraps her arms a little tighter as her brother revs the engine, ready to continue their escape. With a mighty roar they speed off down the open road once more, winging through the skies towards anywhere but home.

The view stretching before them takes Milly's breath away – verdant mountains rising majestically into a brilliant blue sky. She takes it all in, as they come to a stop at another beautiful view this time Milly gets off to have a closer look her brother leaning against the bike.

She turns to look at him hesitantly she asks, "When you turn 18 next week... are you moving out?" A swirl of emotions wells inside her – fear of being left alone to endure the family madness but hope that her brother can escape to a happier life of his own choosing. His eventual independence has always felt like an inevitability hanging over them.

Her brother stares out contemplatively at the sweeping vista, usual scowl replaced by thoughtful reflection. When he answers, his tone surprises Milly with its soft honesty.

"I have been saving up...thought I might rent a cheap apartment in town, get a couple roommates." He glances back at me, eyes searching. "You know I got to leave eventually sis. But I wont ditch you completely, I promise."

Eyes stinging, Milly rushes over to hug him tight. To her shock he hugs back. In that moment she realises what matters is that he will always care for her as family, weather near or far and that's more comfort than any concrete walls could offer.

As the tears spill down Milly's cheeks, held safely in her brother's strong embrace, she tries her best to keep her tone light-hearted.

"We better still go on bike rides together," she says up to him with a teasing lilt, looking up at him with a watery smile.

Her brother's stoic features soften. Brushing away a tear with his calloused thumb. He chuckles. "You kidding? I'll be kidnapping your butt away from home on the regular, don't you worry."

A watery giggle escapes Milly as relief floods through. As long as we stick together like always, getting some independence will be okay in the end.

Glancing around at the awe-inspiring natural beauty, Milly feels completely at peace for the first time all day the thoughts the worry everything just gone making her aching heart ease at least for a while. "This place feels like a fresh start."

Her brother nods slinging an arm loosely around her shoulders. Their scribbled family portrait at home may be broken, but two siblings sticking together is something no one can destroy.

The brilliant orange sun sinks low over the towering mountaintops, bathing the valley below in a golden flow. It's a piercing reminder their brief escape has to come to an end.

Reality tugs them back. Sighing, Milly leans into her brother's reassuring embrace."

He nodded in solemn agreement, running a gloved hand through his dark brown hair. The return to their household of chaos weighing heavily on their minds.

With another tight hug, they mount up. As the bike rumbles to life, Milly takes one last look at the natural beauty surrounding them, searing the calming scene into memory. Then they speed off towards the horizon, leave freedom's respite for what awaits in the walls of home.