The Dead Among Us

7. The family

Fabia's POV

I can hear the sound of the spanking happening upstairs. The loud swats are reverberating, and her howls are distressing.

This kind of punishment is unfamiliar to me; I have heard of it, though. My father told me he was raised with that kind of discipline. However, he made an effort never to spank me like he was. I would occasionally get a smack with a chinelo or knuckles on the head to get my attention. But what's happening upstairs is bizarre.

And God, it's really uncomfortable even for the boy next to me, who I assume is used to it. I've never witnessed something like this before. Part of me wants to go up there and tell him to stop hurting her, but another part knows that this is their way of handling things, and it's not my place to interfere.

I'm also worried he's being extra hard on her by expressing the resentment that he has toward me. I will not stand for that; these kids are innocent.

Eventually, the punishment stops, her cries only lingering, and the boy sighs a breath of relief, looking at me. "I'm sorry you had to see that on your first day."

"Yeah..."

I don't know what to say. I also find it strange he knows this is my "first day." I need to talk to this kid.

"So Sabin, is your big brother, huh? Do you have any other brothers or sisters?" I'm just trying to warm up to him.

He peeks out from behind his book, clearly wanting to be left alone. But I'm desperate. Sorry kid...

"Jason and Manny are also my big brothers. Benji is the baby... if you couldn't already tell."

Was that a dab at me or Benji's behavior earlier?

"But Sabin is a stepbrother?"

"So is Manny. We don't call it that, though. It means not real; they are our real brothers. We don't call Papi our stepfather either."

"Oh, okay, so Jason, you and Benji are full siblings, though?"

"Full?'

"Like you share the same mother?"

His lips twist as he explains, "We don't have a mother."

I am so lost.

I try again with a gentle voice, "I'm sorry... Did she pass away? My dad did, too..."

"We don't have a mom," he says again.

There's a brief silence while I try to wrap my head around what he's telling me. Everyone has a mother, or else you wouldn't be here.

He can tell I'm confused. He rolls his eyes and stands to grab a picture on the mantel above the fireplace.

"See this," he says, passing me the photograph.

In the photo, I observe a younger, skinnier Sabin cradling what appears to be a baby Benji. Kenji, a toddler, is perched on a slender and tall white man's shoulder, gazing down at Benji with an unmistakable expression of pure delight on his face. A teenager is also present, and his features bear a striking resemblance to the Brazilian traits of my father. I'm sure he's Latino.

"That's Jason," he says, pointing to the white man. "Manny," his finger landing on the teen. "Me, Sabin, and Benji is the baby. Dad took the photo, and Papi is standing with him."

"Where's Sabin and Manny's parents?"

I can tell he's getting a bit irritated with me. I must admit he's doing a remarkable job keeping it together. "Papi is their father," he explains again, emphasizing.