𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐓𝐄𝐃 | 𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

I - fickle fate

You couldn't say that you'd had a particularly good childhood.

"Why are you coming back so late again? Where have you been?!"

Growing up, you were no stranger to being curled up in your bed late in the night, listening to your mother and father scream at each other from the living room. You'd struggled to understand it at first back when you were really young, but the older you got, it became clear to you that your father was getting involved in things that he shouldn't.

Your father had a problem with drinking. And gambling. Your mother had tried time and time again to get him to quit, but he refused to listen. He never raised his hand against you or anything, but he was cold; distant, even. The deeper he sank into his addictions, he started feeling less like your father and more like a stranger.

One day, things took a turn for the worse.

You still remembered it vividly. There you were, seated at the table eating your breakfast, when your father came stumbling through the front door. He hadn't come home last night, and he reeked of booze, like always. There was something different this time, though. This time, he was covered in cuts and bruises.

Your mother dropped to her knees in a panic. "What happened?! You're hurt... who did this to you? Did you get in a fight?!"

"I'm fine," he gritted out, and shoved her aside. "A business deal just didn't go as planned, that's all."

"Business deal? What on earth are you talking about?"

You swallowed what was left in your mouth and stared at them in silence. By now, you knew that this wasn't the kind of stuff a child was meant to get involved in. Even so, you could still tell that something was really wrong. And with the way your mother's eyes were gradually widening, she realized it too.

She stormed off and came back with her purse, digging out her wallet. It took all of two seconds for her face to turn pale.

"Where's all the money?" she shuddered. "I just went to the bank for a withdrawal the other day. I needed it to make a down payment on the new car. The owners said they'd only accept cash or cheque. Where is the money?"

Your father let out a sigh. "Listen, don't freak out-"

"Don't tell me what to do! What in the hell have you done with the money?!"

"Stop yelling," he snapped. "[Name] can hear you."

"Good," your mother choked out. "She should know how big of a scumbag her father is. I told you what would happen if you ever stole from me again. I told you!"

"Goddammit, you dumb bitch!" He pushed her against the wall, hard enough that you jolted in your seat. "I'm telling you it's going to be fine, so just listen to me for a change! The guys I'm with now are going to take good care of us. One of the idiots I was with messed up last night, but I told them it wasn't going to happen again. I just need to pitch in a little bit more. A little more money and then we'll be set for life."

She quivered, eyes filling with tears. "What in the hell are you on about now? You're still getting involved with those gangsters? That's why you've been beaten so badly? You're absolutely insane. Those men are dangerous. You're going to get us all killed."

"Those men are going to take care of us. Once I become a fully-fledged member, things will turn around. We won't have to worry about money anymore."

"They are criminals. How dare you get us roped into your schemes! Have you ever for a second stopped to think about the wellbeing of your daughter?!"

"I'm keeping all of us safe," he glowered. "You're just too stubborn to see it. This is how I protect my family."

The tears came rolling down her cheeks. "Liar. You've never once cared about this family. All you've ever done is gamble and drink our money away. You've even compromised [Name]'s future. You are a horrible man."