Hollow (BEING EDITED)

{~°7°~}

~Aurora Carmen~
8 years earlier age ten.

Song recommendations~
Gilded lily-Cults
Daddy issues- the neighbourhood

I inhale the sweet summer air hiking my hello kitty backpack higher onto my shoulders my ponytail swaying behind me as I cling to my brother's hand trying to keep up with his quick strides.

It's Friday today which means dad is at the pub for half off night and shouldn't be back till late tomorrow so me my brother's and mum have the house to ourselves.

House,not home.

Because homes were full of joy.

That place is not.

I tilt my head up soaking in the sunshine as much as possible because it's not very common here in Britain.

"What are you doing"Roman asks from my left.

"Sunbathing obviously"

"I don't think that's how sunbathing works Rory"he chuckles losing his tie he's still got a cut lip from the other night.

It's been getting worse lately.

Usually its the hits and punches but now it's been happening more and more Roman seems to be getting the worst of it.

"Oh yeah how would you know you ever sunbathed?"I accuse

"No he made sure of that"he sneers not bothering to hide his pure hatred.

He can't sunbathe because of my father beating him black and blue.

Even thinking about it makes my body go into flight or fight.

"It'll be alright Roe remember soon when Kain saves up his money and turns eighteen he's getting us out"

"Yea if he turns eighteen"he mutters not even the slightest bit hopeful.

"He will."I snap.

He will because if he doesn't we're stuck well be stuck in that house with that monster without my brother by my side.

"He'll do it Roe he said and you know Kain doesn't lie to us he never lies to us that's the rules,don't lie."

"He doesn't lie Rory but he words aren't enough to stop Peter"

Peter never Dad he refuses to even acknowledge our relation to him I honestly don't blame him for knowing that man is apart of me makes me feel sick to my stomach.

"It's fine it's Friday so he shouldn't be home anyways which means"he smirks nudging my shoulder with our connected fist.

Which means film night and it's my turn to pick.

"Whatcha picking?"

Obviously Im picking one of the best movies of all.

I smile giddily to myself looking up at him knowing I don't need to say anything.

"Not again come on three times we've watched it now!"

"Ha well it's my turn so you don't get a choice!"I exclaim

"Listen I'm not watching sleeping beauty again"

"Yes you are because it's my turn"I sing song skipping ahead towards the familiar dilapidated garden gate.

And just on cue I see my eldest brother approach from across the street school bag in tow .

He smiles when his eyes meet mine and I'm about to run in for a hug until he freezes in his tracks the colour blanching from his face.

"What day is it?"he says stiffly.

"It's Friday why Kain what's wrong?"

He doesn't respond just nods towards the house.

I turn on my heels as our short spell of happiness comes crashing down with one simple move.

The front door is swung wide open and I can see the the state of the hallway from here
theres glass, shoes and other clutter covering the wooden floor boards the whole place is destroyed.

Meaning my father is in fact not at the pub.

"But it's Friday"I whisper sadly.

"Shit"Roman groans

"Yeah bank holiday Friday fuck I forgot"

No this is all wrong.
I was so excited and now it's all ruined.
Again.

"I'll go first"Kain declares grabbing my hand as me and Roe follow behind quietly.

We follow him straight to slaughter.

"Mum?"he calls

Please be gone.
Please tell me he's gone.

"In here!"my mothers horse voice calls from the living room I feel my body visibly sag with relief.

She's okay.

I side step the clutter trying not to stumble from the weight of my bag as we all creep in the room afraid of what awaits on the other side.

The entire room is wrecked cushions ripped away from the couch the TV is flipped on its side no longer atop the coffee table with what looks like stray wrapping paper torn to shreds amongst it all.

"I tried to stop him I really did"my mother croaks as silent tears run down her boney face.

"No,no,no"Kain drops to his knees frantically tearing at the rubble.

"Really mum I told you to lock the cupboard door just in case"Roman hisses scooping me into his arms.

"What's wrong?"I ask confused but I'm just blanked out while he keeps rapidly digging obviously searching for something.

"Fuck,that's all my wages mum I don't get paid again till June!"Kain pulls at his hair desperately trying to relieve whatever he's feeling.

I swallow hiding in the crook of his neck not wanting to look at my mother's battered face any longer than I have to.

"He took them all theres nothing left"she sniffles wrapping the battered cardigan round her shoulders like it can save her from whatever mistake she's made.

"All that's all Auroras birthday presents gone mum I've got nothing!"he snaps furious.

Gone he took all my birthday presents.

I feel a tear slip down my cheek.

He took away your happiness again.

"H-he took them"I hiccup.

"It's okay Rory "

"He took them all Roe "I whisper

"I know but we'll figure something out"he tries to reassure

"We always do."

I don't know how I feel about this chapter
it's super short so I do apologise hopefully a happier one next time.

Bye lovelies<3