It does get better. (Autumn Knight)

Chapter one

TW : Physical abuse

It was a quiet night at home. I was in the living room reading a book when I heard Winter's voice coming from the kitchen. 

"My love, tea is ready."

I smiled softly and put my book down on the sofa to go join him in the kitchen

"Thank you my sweet."

I gave him a small kiss on the cheek and took the cup from his hands. I took a sip and gave him a loving smile. 

"It's good."

He smiled back at me and turned towards the fridge. 

"Hungry? I can make us a snack." "Snack sounds good."

I took another sip and as I was putting it down on the counter the cup slipped from my hands and fell to the ground shattering on impact and spilling hot tea everywhere. My eyes widdend and I started shaking almost immediately.

"Oh, what happend?" Said winter while turning towards me. 

"Oh Winter i'm so sorry, I didn't mean it, i'll clean it up right now."

I almost threw myself on the ground picking up the pieces, bracing my self for the yelling and hitting to start. Instead I felt him bending down beside me and stopped me by grabbing my hands. 

"My sweet, you are shaking, it's just a cup of tea, it's okay we'll clean it up together." 

My heart was racing and tears filled up my eyes. The sound of the cup had sent me straight back to my childhood. I was always so carefull... I looked up at him and sat down bringing my knees to my chest. I didn't need to say anything else, he already knew."Oh my love." He said softly. I felt his arms around me and a small kiss on the top of my head. I leaned into him burying my face into his neck still shaking. 

***

25 years ago.

"Reece give it back!"

I said while running towards him. He had stolen my diary and was reading it aloud to tease me.

"Dear diary, today was a good day." "Give it back!"

He was standing on one side of the table in the dining room, proud of himself. I looked around wondering what I could do to make him stop. In the corner of my eyes I saw an apple. I grabbed it and gave my brother a warning look. 

"Aut... don't." "Too late."

And I threw the apple towards his head. My aim was accurate but I didn't think he would duck to avoid it. Instead of hitting him, the apple when straight through the living room window breaking it on impact. Before I could do anything I heard his heavy footsteps coming down towards us. 

"What the hell is going on in there? "

Reece and I looked at each other frozen in fear. We knew what his tone meant. 

"Jesus Christ who did that!" Roger yelled while entering the dinning room. His eyes were already burning with anger and his fist balled up. He gave me a look, then looked at Reece and focused back on me. He knew it was my fault. 

"Dad I can...expl.." Before I could finish he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me toward the broken glass then he threw me down on it. I could already feel my hands and knees bleeding. He held my neck so close to the ground that my nose was touching the floor. 

"Just because we have money you think it's okay to throw and break things? DO YOU?"

I was wincing in pain, unable to speak. He grabbed the apple that was in the middle of the ground and shoved it in my face.

"And you are wasting food as well! " He yelled

"Dad let her go, you're hurting her! "

Reece was slowly moving towards us. 

"Don't tell me what to do boy! I'll deal with her as I see fit! "

He squeezed my neck harder and I couldn't help but let a small pained gasp out. 

"...I...I'm sorry...I...I didn't mean it. I'll...c..clean it up." 

I managed to say fighting through the pain.

"You what? "He said his nose against my cheek.

"I'm sorry dad." "You better be! "

He stood up, finaly letting go off his hold.

"Clean it up now, and for diner you can have that apple."

"Dad it's full of glass! " Reece said, he was always trying to defend me. 

"She should have thought about that before throwing it against the window. Where do you think you are going young girl? "

As they were talking I had gotten up and was heading towards the broom cupboard. 

"To get a broom?" I said quietly 

"Oh no dear" He said with a vicious smile on his face. "You are using your hands." He turned towards Reece and pointed a finger at him. "And don't you dare help her or you'll regret it." He then left and it was only when I heard his footsteps going up the stairs that I let myself really feel the pain in my neck. I gave a small look back at Reece before bending down carefully and starting to pick up the broken glass. 

"Aut, you're bleeding...let me help you. "

He grabbed a tissue and tried to take my hand to clean it. "Didn't you hear what he said? Don't get in trouble for me. I'll be fine. " I said quietly before moving my hands away from him. When I was dismissed I went straight in the bathroom so I could was my hands and look at the damage he did on me. I could already see the bruising forming on my neck, not that it was something new...

***

"My sweet...Autumn are you alright? "

Winter's voice startled me, I was deep in my thoughts. 

"Oh, yeah, sorry."

I said soflty while leaning away from him. I took a deep breath and stood up. 

"I'm sorry, it's just the sound...it brought back some memories" 

" I know my love, it's okay. Here take my tea and go in the living room. I'll clean this up for you."

I took the cup, gave him a small smile and walked back to the couch. I could hear him sweeping the broken glass. I closed my eyes and let a single tear run down my cheeks.