My Brother.

Chapter 13: venomous vermin.

Waking up this morning I felt gross,after an uncomfortable quick shower I go to get changed infront of my mirror in my room. I yank off my pj's and grab some blue jeans and a plain white top, I stare at my reflection before changing into my outfit,pinching at parts of my body,this shell no longer felt like mine,now that Eli had taken my body from me I felt I didn't own it anymore,like I was bodyless, staring at my reflection and thinking about yesterday's trauma I feel myself start to cry and quickly gulp hard and throw on my outfit and wipe my eyes.
Looking in the mirror,I look paler than usual,my eyes have dark bags underneath and it's obviously I didn't sleep well last night and obviously that I've been crying,ill have to try and cover my face with some makeup.

After I finish getting ready for school,dressed,hair and teeth brushed and makeup covering my teary-eyed faced, I leave my room and go to leave. As I reach the bottom of the stairs My dad comes round the corner looking at with slight disconcert "Ellie? Why have you got your bag on? You weren't going to leave without breakfast were you? You know you have to eat 3 meals a day,like we spoke about when you got out of hospital" he gives me a stern look and then tries to give me a comforting smile as he reaches his hand out onto my shoulder,usually I'd find dad's affection to be comforting, but I instantly twitch with nerves at his touch as it flashes me back to Eli's terrible touches from the evening. My dad must notice a twinge of fear in my eyes as he throws his arm around my shoulder and tries to encourage me to enter the kitchen "Ellie I know this is hard for you,but you need to eat, and if you can keep eating consistently then you'll be able to return to the musical and other activities!" He says as he walk into the kitchen,it's not the food I'm nervous about,I think to myself.
When we enter the kitchen I feel myself relax a little as I scope the space and realise Eli isn't here,you can breathe Ellie,I say to myself. My dad is really trying this morning to encourage and support me with eating, I watch his slam box after box of sugary cereals onto the kitchen table and smile at his efforts "we have yummy,nutrious,meh or " he makes a puking gesture as he points to the worse box of cereal on the table and I laugh. "Hmm,I'll choose...nutrious" I point to the second box and dad makes a sarcastic face before pouring me a bowl, I feel nerves tense through my body a little as he doesn't stop pouring after a few grams.
The bowl isn't overflowing,its a normal portion,but I'm not used to having that big a portion,maybe I could get away with not finishing it,atleast I would have had some,which is better than none.
Dad stares at me clearly noticing my apprehension, "do you want a coffee?" He asks as he pours himself one, I shake my head and then he comes and sits next to me and fills a bowl up with the same cereal "We'll do it together" he tilts his head at me with a smile and I smile back as we lift our spoons and start devouring our cereal.

Dad and I are giggling in the kitchen about some of dads mad clients at his work, and im halfway through my bowl of cereal when I hear footsteps and feel a sense of doom fall over me. I look over my shoulder and see Eli entered the room,he glares at me with a dirty smirk and I feel a wave of sickness wash over me. I stare for a minute before violently jumping up from the table, "I can't eat anymore I feel..." I look down at the floor with disgust "sick" Eli walks to my dad about to engage him on some other topic but dad turns his attention to me as I start to slip away, "You do look a little sick Ellie, so it's okay you couldn't eat it all" he peers into my half-full bowl of cereal "Dad can I-" Eli goes to speak but dad interrupts him to address me fully in conversation.
"Ellie,is everything okay?" He asks concerned.
I want to tell him,I want to scream how things are far from okay, I want to let out my explosive anger and sadness but as I turn to answer him Eli contorts his face in a way that is clearly a threat to me, he is staring at every syllable I utter out. "I-I, I just feel sick" I mumble in defeat, Eli smiles very widely giving me a subtle nod and I want to both smash his teeth in and bawl out tears. "If you feel too unwell you can stay home,I have work ofcourse but your mum will be about" Dads offer rings through my ears like pleasant music and I nod "what? Your gonna let her bunk off?!" Eli moans, I smile devilishly at him, Eli will be at school and i'll be safe at home,away from him for the day. "Bunking off! Look at your sister,she's clearly unwell" Dad angrily snaps back at Eli.

I change into my pj's for 'sick' day at home, I didn't feel sick physically but mentally I sure did and dad didn't have to know that if being 'sick' meant I could eat less,wear comfy pj's and snuggle with my mum watching daytime telly on the sofa.
I headed downstairs to the living room and settle myself onto the couch,I pick up the remote and set the channel to the news for my mum as she likes to hear tragedy in the morning, then I pull out my phone and start texting Clara,Ryan and Jessie to let them know I won't be in today. I feel relief hit me when Jessie replies almost instantly and shows care and concern for me with his message,thankfully he didn't listen to Eli's lies yesterday about calling him a plastic prick. "Your not sick" Eli's crept behind me and is lurking over my shoulder, I cross my arms like im shielding my body "you make me sick" I spit out in disgust at him, his eyes twitch with thoughts and emotion I can't quite make out and he walks to the otherside of me and perches on the sofa, I roll myself tightly into a ball.
"Don't be tempted to say anything,-" he leans closely to my face with piercing eyes "-stupid." I stare back at him in fear not knowing what to say,I mean what do you say to your brother after he threatens you?
"Hey! You need to get to school! Your gonna be late,I'll drive you on my way to work" Dad peers behind me,keys already in his hand. I see Eli's face instantly soften as he tries to act the innocent good guy for my dad and then as they both leave I breathe out a huge sigh of relief followed by unexpected tears which quickly flow from light rain to waterfalls.