Expulsion gave Liam Barrett a dangerous choice. Needing to transfer for his final year, he'd known immediately where to go. It was a distantly familiar place that'd taken everything from him; had once ruined him so absolutely and twisted his persona...
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"Charlie, I'm scared."
ㅤCharlie urged his three sisters towards the wardrobe, his arms stretched around them firmly. They wept silently, afraid of being heard. Although they'd gone through this more times than one could count, they'd never got used to it like he did.
ㅤHis mind quick and alert, he fought to distract it from the danger to find something to keep them quiet.
ㅤ"Shhhh." He picked up some teddies from the floor, quickly and sloppily bouncing them into their arms. Kat held baby Gracie tight to her chest. Sarah clung to her arm, holding one of the toys but not engaging with it. The diversion had been a pitiful attempt.
ㅤ"It's okay, Kitty. I have a plan this time." His chuckle was weak. "Stay here okay? Close your eyes and cover your ears. Nothing exists outside this closet door. It's just you, Sarah and Gracie. There's nothing. Do you understand?"
ㅤKat nodded, pulling her sisters closer to her protectively. Tears flowing stubbornly, she looked up at him desperately one last time, just like she always did, studying his features like might be the last time she would see his face—and Charlie knew, one day, it might be.
ㅤWith one last smile, he clicked the door shut.
ㅤHe took a breath, numbed his mind, and calmed his posture; making himself seem as harmless as possible. There was no plan, he would just act like an obedient punching bag and not reveal his hostility. He was only nine—not big enough to fight back yet. But Charlie held on, knowing someday he would be.
ㅤWith one last glance behind him, he walked out of the room, ready to fulfil his role as the big brother, even if today was the day it finally killed him.
ㅤAnd he would still have no regrets.
=====
When Liam opened the front door, he seemed mildly surprised by Charlie's appearance. Charlie knew what he looked like, dark bags underlining his eyes like bruises. Without asking what was wrong, Liam held the door open for him.
ㅤCharlie bumped into Liam's shoulder as he entered. He didn't apologise, of course, and Liam didn't care to rise to it.
ㅤ"We got all day to do this shit," Liam said. "You want breakfast, or something to eat first?"
ㅤCharlie kicked his shoes off, his gaze following different parts of Liam's face suspiciously. Eventually, he shrugged.
ㅤ"No thanks. I don't want your shitty cereal."
ㅤLiam rolled his eyes. "Wait there," he ordered.
ㅤCharlie followed him, completely ignoring the suggestion.
ㅤThrough the corridor, framed photographs hung on the walls. Although Charlie wasn't one to snoop, a particular picture caught his eye. Liam was a little shorter, his hair wild, headlocking his brother. His parents stood behind, smiling at their antics.
