Obsessive Control ( Under publishing contract )

Prologue

"Seeing her was owning myself less and belonging to her too much."

Without emotion, I watch my brother wander in the distance in what serves as the courtyard of this lifeless orphanage where we both ended up. My brother is a model of confidence, never losing control. I admire him for that. He doesn't need Mother's permission to leave the boys' dormitory and meet Asma, the pretty brunette. They sneak off together in the dead of night. My twin brother knows how to do things his way.

Once, I followed them and discovered they were playing a game I didn't understand... at least not yet. Deep in the clearing, not far from the main building, Nov ties Asma's hands. She looks at him with confusion, unsure of his intentions. I position myself to watch without being noticed. Nov begins to strip her. So, that's what a girl's body looks like? I'd heard about it—Nov had shown me pictures from a magazine—but this is nothing like that. Asma doesn't have breasts like the model.

I hear her moan, startled. Nov, his pants around his ankles, thrusts his hips forward and back, emitting a guttural noise. What is he doing? Suddenly, he flips her over and continues his movements. I try to move closer for a better view but trip on a rock, landing in the mud with a thud. Both Nov and Asma turn to see me. Nov quickly pulls up his pants as I stammer out an apology.

— Sorry... I... I didn't mean to...

— You'd better keep your mouth shut!

Asma flees, tears streaming down her face. I watch her pass by before Nov approaches me, extending a hand to help me up. His expression is calm but icy as he locks eyes with me.

— You saw nothing, Lov... Okay? Absolutely nothing.

— What were you doing with Asma?

He smirks—a wicked, unrecognizable grin. It's not my brother standing before me.

— You'll understand... sooner than you think.

— Mother won't be happy if she finds out—

— THAT'S WHY YOU'RE GONNA KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!

I fall silent and follow him back inside. We walk in wordless tension. Once in the dorm, we each take our places without another word.

*

— AND YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH THIS, NOV?

— I don't know what you're talking about.

— Who?

— I said I don't know what you're talking about, MOTHER.

— Nothing happens in this orphanage without me knowing, and you've made a mess of things, Nov.

— She wanted it. Did that little whore tell you everything? Can't keep her damn mouth shut.

— Stand up.

— And why should I?

Mother turns to me, her icy stare speaking volumes.

— Lov, come here. Insolence isn't something I tolerate...

I obey silently. Mother picks up a sharp object. I know what's coming. She always has us do the dirty work; her hands never get sullied. This time, it's my turn.

— Take this. You know what to do.

I grasp the knife and approach my brother. He looks at me with disgust. I hesitate—it's my brother, after all. I glance at Mother, who motions toward Nov. With her left hand, she points at his back.