One Bite

One - Eliza

                                                                                                 A Memory

   "Tom, stop it!" I whimper, my eyes as wide as saucers, my eyes stinging and burning from my salty tears.

   Tom, my twin brother, simply scoffs, staring me down with his cold, cruel eyes - almost devoid of any emotion, except the faint glimmer of amusement. He already towers over me, in fact, he towers over most of the boys his age. I shudder visibly, wringing my hands anxiously as I watch him. I feel as though the desperation might make me vomit - and I know that he senses it.

  "Come get it," he replies menacingly.

   I make no move to come forward, knowing how easy it will be for him to have me on the floor, crying in pain. He's stronger than me, he always has been. Instead, I remain where I am, face twisting in pain as I resist the urge to give into the overwhelming need to sob.

   "Ah well," he sighs and his hand begins to tight around the small creature.

   The sharp  squeak of pain breaks my already weakened willpower and I let out an audible sob, tears sprouting from my eyes.

  "Tom, please!" I beg.

   He laughs and ignores me, fingers squeezing, pinching at the tiny creature as it squirms and cries in his grip. I take a deep, shuddering breath - already knowing how it ends - and jump forward abruptly. He moves, faster than I would have thought, and slams his hand into my chest, knocking me to the ground and winding me as his other hand remains tight around the mouse.

   I sit on the dusty floor, my chest hurting, in more than one way, fear gripping me tightly.  Bile rises in my throat as I sob weakly - and Tom begins to laugh.

   "Mama," hic. "Go - gonna," hic.

   "Mama ain't gonna do shit," he mocks, his voice slightly crazed. "Now, watch this."

   This time, he doesn't stop, not until the creature splits, blood oozes out and its tiny body is crushed, fragile bones broken. I scrream, eyes shut tight, wanting it to be over, the sound of its agony and terror echo through my ears - a noise that I will never, ever forget.

   He chuckles, tossing the corpse to the side and smearing blood over his musty shirt that not too long ago, had been a crisp white. I refuse to look at him, instead staring at the ground, tears staining my faces as my body shakes violently. I rub my hands 

   He chuckles softly to himself, tossing the tiny, lifeless body to the side and smearing blood over his musty shirt that had once been a crisp white. I refuse to look at him - can't in fact. I shake all over, my face wet - and when I try to rub the tears from my eyes, I realise my hands are covered in mud. The burning sensation sends me over the edge and my sobs become tangled with misery and pain.

   "Aw, sis!" Tom tuts, kneeling in front of me.

   I flinch as he reaches a hand forward and brushes some hair back from my face, tenderly rubbing beneath my eyes, leaving trails of blood there. I bite the inside of my mouth, trying not to throw up at his vile touch and what is on those fingers of his.

   "I'm trying to teach you a lesson," he sighs.

   "What..." hic. "Lesson?"

   "Don't allow yourself to get attached to things."