A Change in Fate

Chapter Seven: Nobody Likes a Cheater

~March 12, 1984~

    "Mike!" A small voice echoed through the room. "Mike, help!"

    Michael startled awake from where he'd fallen asleep on the couch. "Lizzy?" He glanced around, his eyes searching the living room.

    "Mikey!" Her voice came again. "I'm stuck!"

    With a frown, he rose to his feet. "You're...what?"

    "I'm stuck!" Faint banging came from the far corner behind him. When he glanced over, he saw one of the cabinets rattling. "It won't open!"

    "What the..." Sighing heavily, he went over and pulled on the handles. Nothing happened, save another jolt of the cabinet and a panicked shout from Elizabeth. "Relax, it's me." He looked over the doors. "It's probably just jammed. What are you even doing in there?"

    "I was hiding, dummy," she said. "Weren't we supposed to play hide and seek?"

    Michael lowered his gaze. "Oh, right. I...forgot."

    "Come on!" The doors rattled. "Please let me out. It...it's really dark in here!"

    "Yeah, yeah. Give me a minute." He crouched down, examining the base of the doors. Sure enough, a piece of cloth appeared to be jammed in the crack. "I think I found the problem."

    "Really?" Elizabeth said. He grabbed the cloth and began to pull. The doors rattled and shook. Grinding his teeth, he tugged harder. Whatever it was, the rest of it seemed to be on the inside. Just as he gave another good pull, the doors flung open, hitting him right in the face. Giving a cry, he fell backwards to the floor as the stored blanket was pulled from the cabinet. Elizabeth hopped out, stumbling. She nearly fell right on top of Mike, who gently grasped her shoulders and saved her from the fall. "Thanks, Mikey!" She giggled and patted him on the head. "Forgetful dummy."

    "Oh, hush." He brushed her hand away and rubbed at his sore head. "Looks like this blanket caught in the door. Be careful hiding in there, alright?"

    "I'm always careful!" she said, putting her hands on her hips.

    "Really?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

    "I guess not." She skipped over to the couch. "What're you watching?"

    "Nothing, I was...sleeping," he said, tossing the cover aside. He went up behind her as she began to change the channel.

    "Do you think Daddy will get back soon?" she asked.

    Michael shifted his weight and cast his gaze away. "I don't know, Liz."

    "He's been leaving way more recently." Elizabeth stuck out her lower lip, pouting.

    "Mm." He flopped onto the couch. "Guess so." When did he not leave constantly though? He sighed heavily. Dumping all the responsibility on me. I don't really care, though. I deserve it. He sank farther into the cushions, a familiar pressure weighing on his mind at the thought. He clamped his eyes shut, blocking out Elizabeth's next words as she spoke. Anything to silence his thoughts, anything to just to disappear, vanish into nothing.

    A sudden finger gently jabbed at the side of his head. He shifted his weight, forcing his eyes open. Elizabeth now sat beside him. With a frown, she poked him again. "Mikey?"

    Letting out a withering sigh, he grabbed her hand when she tried to poke him again. He held it gently and forced a smile in her direction. "What?"

    She hesitated, gaze drifting between him and their hands. "Are you okay?" He blinked a couple of times. It was such a simple question, asked by only a child. Yet it had an effect on him. He tried to keep a happy face around Elizabeth, tried not to show how much he'd broken and continued to break, ever since that fateful day. He couldn't let her know what dark thoughts lurked in his mind, what his father and his own feelings and thoughts put him through. His free hand fisted, the nails of his fingers digging into his palm. He had to stay strong. For her. He couldn't give in, he had to be there for her. He tried; he tried so hard, but sometimes, it felt nearly impossible.