↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐋𝐗 ー 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥

◉

Bar the ticking of the broken clock, the house is deadly silent. Kaden is sat on the floor with his marked arms draped over his knees. Surrounded by smashed objects and sharp fragments.

Knuckles bloodied, rings stained. Thick rivulets ooze down the side of his face from a cut hidden beneath his hair. He curls his fingers until his fists are clenched.

Grayson crashes into the wall, breathless and wheezing as Kaden lands hit after hit to his sternum and ribs. Grayson strikes his jaw which sends him staggering back. Grabs a framed photograph and smashes it over his head.

Kaden falls to his hands and knees, saliva and blood trickling from his mouth. Grayson spits red on the ground and storms closer. Kaden pushes him away and barrels into him, connecting his fist to his face. Both collapse with thuds.

Kaden runs his hands through his hair. Pulls them away when he feels something damp, examining the shiny red on his fingers.

Grayson's arm flies up to block the knife. He snatches it only for a fist to collide into his face. He throws Kaden across the table, watching him crash over the broken glass. His head thumps against the floor and catches the edge of the bookcase.

Lidded eyes land on the door left wide open.

Grayson pushes himself to his feet, swaying and grabbing onto the wall for balance. He towers over his brother who is slowly rolling onto his side, a pained groan once his weight is on the bruises blossoming there.

Grayson curls an arm around himself and hobbles towards the door. Grabs his phone and keys and swings the door open, taking off into the night. Despite wanting to stand once he hears a car engine, Kaden makes it to his hands and knees before his body gives way.

He looks at Bunny hidden under the staircase with saddened eyes. Lets his head fall back until the wall catches it.

○ ○ ○

Glass crunches under her boots as soon as Sierra takes a step inside the house. Round eyes gloss over the clutter.

Paintings are crooked on the walls, ornaments are in pieces, photographs are torn and frames are cracked. Blood is smeared and dotted almost everywhere.

Her stomach drops when she finds Kaden at the table, ice against his bruised face. Something about his depressed expression is enough of an answer for the questions racing through her mind.

"Where's Hope," comes his monotone voice.

"Dropped her off at Rachel's." Her bag slips from her shoulder. He's sickened by the horror shadowing her face. "What happened?"

He shrugs. "We had a fight."

Instinctively she gazes to the corridor leading to his room. "Where is he?"

Another shrug.

A faint whine can be heard from under the stairs. Sierra drops her bag on the sofa to run over, scooping Bunny up. He rests his head against her chest while she runs her fingers through his fur, peppering kisses over him.