Days I spend with you.

chapter 25

17 years ago

A young 11 year old Atlas sat at the top of his fathers staircase his clothes fresh and clean. Arthur had gone to Korea for a few weeks now and the young boy could finally breathe in peace, the servants cleaned the house not speaking with him and Manny hid in his room.

He walked through the corridors to his little brothers room before making his way inside. His room had boxes where his clothes were kept and a mattress on the floor with a ripped up blanket. little Manny sat in the corner playing with his hot wheels cars. He looked adorable making vroom noises and spitting everywhere, his chubby legs sat wide apart and a pacifier necklace around his neck in case he started to cry.  Atlas could see a faint bruise on the toddlers neck where Arthur had come home drunk and got annoyed with little baby Immanuel who had began crying after the loud noises.

Atlas didn't reach him in time and found his father with his hands wrapped around the toddlers throat.
He discreetly threw a toy under his foot tripping the man up who was too drunk to even realise before turning and leaving the room like he didn't almost kill his own child.

Manny turned to his older brother making grabby hands. "Can I play with you" baby manny just stared in awe at his older brother, he smiled a toothy smile where only his front two teeth were out they were growing quick.
The next hour they both sat playing until the dreaded sound of the front door opening brought Atlas back to reality.
"Listen to me Manny, let's play a game who ever makes a noise has to sleep in the dark okay" manny couldn't speak but he knew exactly what his brother meant. The bad man was back. " be quiet and I'll give you an aeroplane ride"

"Come down here boy" Atlas knew Arthur meant him, he got up picking manny up and placing him in the corner surrounding him with all his favourite toys before leaving the room and shutting it.

He was too afraid to admit it, too afraid to go downstairs. fear was not welcome in this house. Any sign would mean another week of limping and he only just recovered. Making his way down Arthur stood high and mighty. The older man was lean and fit his blonde hair dark and eyes blue. His son was a spitting image of him.

He wore a Rolex and silver rings adorned his hand. Arthur had a scar across his cheek and the tip of his left ear was chopped off. He was handsome in a rugged way there was no denying that but he was much much crueler then you think.
A little boy stood behind Arthur who held no emotion in his eyes not that he ever had any to begin with. "Meet your new brother Zion come out"
He came out dark black hair, his eyes were looking everywhere in wonder, they had a gleam one he'd never seen before it was his first time seeing another boy his age. Being homeschooled Atlas never made any friends. "Hello" the boy was shy and didn't speak much.
Atlas looked toward his father for permission to speak, Arthur looked down and gave his son a nod who replied back with his own hello , Arthur had just the plan for the two young boys he finally found some worthy successors. "His parents died instead of killing him I saw potential he will live with us and you will treat him like family understood"
"Yes sir"
"Good take him to your room he will sleep with you tonight"
With that he turned to leave going to his study which was placed upstairs right in front of all their bedrooms he did it so he could hear whatever they are up to. Potential he said potential potential

You'd think its a good thing.

"You can sleep on my bed if you'd like" the young boy looked around the room shyly.
"No good English" he tried to speak but there was an accent which Atlas struggled with to understand.

So the young lad pointed towards his bed. Little Zion got the hint and hopped on top.
Night began to fall quickly in the sterling Manor after checking on Manny who had fallen asleep Atlas joined Zion in their now shared room.
"Are you living with us forever"

"Ye" he replied back
Atlas felt sorry for the boy,

No good happens within these walls

A few weeks later Zion and Atlas had gotten closer indeed they were like brothers, and a few days for Manny to grow attached to Zion and would not stop pulling the young boys hair. Baby grip was like no other.
Zions English had gotten better Arthur had gotten him the best tutors. Zion and atlas would take turns playing with Manny since he was never allowed out of his room. If Arthur ever saw him death would surly take him

It only took a few months for the screams to start. In Arthur sterling's office a young Atlas and Zion sat with their shirts torn apart from the back.

"There's a lesson to be learned here, not once but twice you've disrupted me"

Lash!

"I told you to keep it down but instead I hear laughing and banging"

Lash!

Atlas knew to keep quiet despite the loud stinging and the feeling of blood dripping down his back. He held Zion's hand who was breathing heavy and crying loudly, "Amma Amma" he kept crying for his mother but little did he know this was his life now.

"Quiet boy, in this house you are born to be men not bitches"

Lash!

That's all it took for Zion to pass out from all the pain. Sooner or later he will get used to it. "Get out" atlas went to help his brother up. "No no leave him he's going to be taught another lesson when he wakes up" 
"Please sir"

"SHUT  THE FUCK UP, you know the rules well or perhaps I need to help you relearn some things" the older man stalked toward his son. " no no please I'm sor-" Arthur slapped him across his already swollen face, he leaned down staring into his sons frightful blue eyes. "When I say get the fuck out you get the fuck out"
He kicked Atlas in the back which was already battered.

With a heavy heart and bloody back now stinging even more from the heavy foot, he left his brother Zion in the office knowing what would await him.

He sat with Manny in his room who looked up at his older brother before taking a seat in his lap and drifting to sleep, Atlas rocked baby Manny and fell into small dream which would soon be ruined by the sound of Zion's terrified screams.

A single tear fell down his cheek, he failed his brother once again.

If only he kept quiet

If only he refused to have fun
He knew the rules

1. No loud noises

2. No laughing

3. No leaving bedroom after 9pm

4. No leaving the house

5. No crying or complaining

They were daily simple rules. It was the 4th rule he had broke last time he had left the bedroom by mistake looking Manny's baby bottle and his punishment was gruesome indeed. In the middle night since baby Manny wouldn't stop crying.

Arthur had burnt his hands with his lighter.
After that Atlas never made the mistake of leaving anything in the kitchen.