Kristen Zinicallei

Chapter 29

New POV! This one ended up being really long, so I hope you enjoy!

Will's POV

It was getting late but as I sat on my roof, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

The way she seemed scared to be near me at first. The way she flinched every time someone touched her. How she looked so pale and skinny now. How she hesitated to eat, or give insulin. I noticed it all. I wanted to know how nobody else seemed to notice. And maybe they did, but they kept quiet.

It wasn't fair, not at all.

Because I knew exactly how she felt.

I grew up with two loving parents, everything was great. Up until two years ago, my mom died. My dad couldn't take it. He started drinking, he leaves early for work and gets home late, drunk. When he's not drunk he's just sad. He buys us food and clothes and other things we need. But he's hardly ever around. It's really not his fault, he's just coping I guess. We moved across the country because he thought teachers were catching on to what he does at home. He doesn't really realize what he's doing, when he's sober he just forgets.

"Will, get inside, dad will be home soon!" I heard my younger sister call to me. It must've been late and there was school tomorrow. My dad would get mad if Roslyn wasn't in bed when he got home. My younger sister is eight. We've got a pretty good relationship considering we're six years apart. She's a quiet kid, doesn't talk much. Not since mom died, not since this all started.

"I'm coming in, go get ready for bed," I yelled back and slowly descended from the roof.

I crawled into my bedroom window where my sister sat in my bed.

"Ros, you ready for bed?" I asked.

"I'm not tired." She stated plainly.

"I know, but you have to go to bed or you'll be super tired in the morning."

"Okay," Roslyn sighed and got up.

I heard her run the water in the bathroom, then heard the quiet steps back to her own room.

"Roslyn, are you in bed?" I asked walking to her door.

"Yep!" She said happily. It's crazy how fast her mood can change.

"Okay, you try and get some sleep, come get me if you need anything. Don't wake up dad, he's got work," I reminded her, like I did every night.

"I know, I know, goodnight Willy," she said sleepily.

"Goodnight Ros, sleep tight," I smiled and left her room slowly.

When I was finally ready to go to bed I heard the door slam open. He was home. I closed my eyes and tried to seem asleep.

"Will, get up. I know you're not asleep." He slurred. He was drunk.

"What do you need?" I asked hoping not to set him off.

"Drop the act, I know what you did. You went out and saw someone. You left your sister here all alone." I could hear the anger in his words. "You know you're not supposed to do that." He stated.

"The neighbor came by to watch her for a bit. I'm sorry, my friend really needed to talk to someone."

"I DONT care!" He snapped taking brisk steps towards me. "You will listen when I give you instructions!" He slapped me across the cheek. "Stupid...Useless...Child." He hit me more causing my head to smack against the bed frame. The noise felt loud but in reality was much quieter. He looked surprised, I couldn't hear anymore yelling over the ringing in my ears. He said one last thing that didn't register with me fully, and left. I curled into my bed and closed my eyes wishing the pain away. I heard footsteps, but they were smaller ones.