The First Rule

Chapter 35: Hellwater

"Emily, is that you?"

Upon arriving at your house, you hear your dad's voice calling out your name from the living room. His voice sounds strained, so despite the tiredness from school, you put on a joyful respond, "Hey, Dad~"

Peeking from the side, strangely, you notice how the TV's off—and with him sitting on his lazyboy? This.. is definitely off. There has to be something. Moreover, you notice your mom is also there, sitting beside him.

"Oh—hi guys," you greet awkwardly—putting your bag beside the sofa.. and sit beside your mom.

"How's school, Emily~" your mom asks. Despite her attempt to appear cheerful, her eyes betray a sense of worry—even her smile seems forced. You've known her all your life. This is not her happy smile.

"It's.. the usual.." you reply hesitantly. Your mind racing with questions as you squint your eyes in suspicion, still trying to piece together the puzzle of their unusual behavior. Switching your attention to your dad, you notice how.. he's thinning?

"Dad, are you stressed?"

Mr. Winters' eyebrow raised slightly, but he immediately masked it off with his usual witty attack. "Stressed? There's nothing wrong with my handsome face—are you insulting me young lady?!"

Rolling your eyes at his predictable reaction, you try to explain, "You just.. you look like you've lost some weight.. and by some—of your—weight—I meant a.. lot.." your voice trailing off as you realize how awkward the conversation has become.

"Nah, I'm still as handsome as John McClane—" when a sudden cough interrupts him. The worst part is.. this one's different from before. This sounds more serious. Alarmed, you quickly stand up and rush to pat his back—while your mom hurriedly offers a glass of water.

"Mom, what's wrong with dad?" you demand, frustration evident in your voice. Despite your dad's alarming coughing fit, your mom remains silent.

"Come on! By now, you should've stopped keeping this—whatever this is! What. is going on?!" you add, growing increasingly irritated by their mysterious behavior. You quickly move to sit on the armrest of the lazy boy, beside your dad—worried and frustrated by his never ending cough.

Eventually, the coughing fit subsides. However, instead of addressing your questions, your dad interjects, "I just need you to listen to me—"

"Are we going to act like you didn't just—?!"

"be careful in choosing a partner, Emily—"

"oh here we go again—ok. Fine! If you want to stick to the normal routine—" you stand up, distancing yourself from your parents.

If acting normal is what they want, then so be it. But the worst thing is what they'll get from me.

"If you want me to stay like a child—you should've just framed me!"

"Em! Watch your tone!" your mom roars.

With a look of exasperation on his face, your dad snaps, "God! Your statement is exactly why you're still a child!"

"I'm so tired everytime you and Tyler start to play God in my—"

"Play God—?!"

However, John's words are cut off by another fit of coughing. Your mom rushes to the kitchen to fetch water for him—her movements frantic. Feeling awkward and unsure whether to approach, you stand still—but your mom's sudden shout from behind breaks your perplexity, "Enough! Why are you two fighting like this?!"