Quote Of The Chapter: "I'm Just A Boy Who's Angry At His Mom, And I Hope In Fact She Breaks Her Back The Moment I Step On This Crack." - Falling In Reverse, 'Just Like You'
Calum
"More potatoes." my father grumbled. I nodded, adding more onto his plate when a knock sounded. He glared at me, and I shook my head.
"I don't know who it is." I said, and he tried to see who it was from the window.
"Answer it." he finally said. I was glad I hadn't gotten to taking off the make-up when I got home from school. I went to the door, opening it to see a police officer. I gulped.
"U-uh, dad? An officer is here." I stumbled over my words, making my dad stand up. He was staring at me, and I wanted to tell him so badly that I hadn't called anyone. I had no idea what the hell two officers were doing at our front door.
"Sir? I came to check up on the kids, I'm the uncle of Emma, a friend of your son's-" he was cut off. Emma. Oh god, Emma, what did you do?!
"Why are you here?" my dad got to the point. I could tell I was gonna pay hell for it, but all I could think of was Mali.
'If you ever tell anyone, especially the police of what happens here, your sister won't wake up again.' Mom's voice rang in my ears.
"Well, someone is concerned that your children are getting abused-"
"How dare you?! Unless you have a warrant-"
"Dad," I stepped in, tugging on his sleeve gently. "if they come in they can see nothing is wrong. Then they can leave." I said, trying to convince him. He stared at me, grumbling unhappily.
"Fine." he muttered, letting the two officers come inside. They walked in, looking around the house as I ran up to Mali.
"Mali... Mali!" I gently shook her awake from her nap.
"Huh?"
"Don't talk to anyone, if you have to talk, lie. Say we're okay, alright?" I said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because if you do, we won't see each other again." I told her. Dad always reminded me about how the system always split siblings up.
"I don't want that." Mali whispered.
"Neither do I." I replied, picking her up. We were about to walk downstairs when I heard my father shouting.
I picked up Mali and went downstairs quickly.
"Because it's none of your damn business!" my father said. They were in front of the basement door.
"Open the door." the officer who hadn't talked demanded.
"Sir, you can't do that without a warrant." I spoke up. Mali was hugging me, hiding her face.
"Son, if something is wrong here, you can tell us." the officer said. Emma's uncle was looking at me, expecting a proper answer. And my dad... he looked at the point of homicide.
"If something was wrong, I would've said something."
"Why are you wearing a jacket when it's hot in here?"
"It's a sweater, and it's because I'm feeling cold. You can't force my dad to open that door without a warrant, and I think we've shown you enough for you to see that everything here is fine. Please... take your leave." I said, Mali hugging me tighter.
The two officers shared a glance, a knowing look, and they walked away. But not before my mother walked into the house.
"What's going on?" she asked, and I looked at the floor. There is no possible way I'm getting out of this.
Emma
"Why hasn't he called?" I frowned, looking at my house phone. I'd had plenty of time to clean myself up, and no word from my uncle.
"Maybe he found something." Luke said, biting his nails. He was just as worried as I was.
"I hope not. I really, really hope not." I replied, and he hugged me.
"Let's just hope for the best." Luke said, right as the phone rang.
"Hello?!" I asked, quickly answering it.
"Emma? I'm afraid you may be right. The girl looked downright terrified as soon as the mother arrived. Listen, we're going to call the school, ask around, would you happen to know who his other friends are?" my uncle asked.
"Just me, Luke, Michael, and Ashton. We haven't been friends with him for too long, but maybe Mali has friends she's told. You'd have to ask her teachers." I replied, feeling upset. I didn't want to be right this time.
"I'll check it out. But honey, I think it's been going on for a long time." my uncle told me. I frowned, feeling my eyes tear up. How could they?! They're just children! They don't deserve that. Luke rubbed my shoulder, seeing the tears in my eyes.
"I'll call you when we find something." my uncle said. When. Not if. "Try to keep them out of that house. Tomorrow, invite them for a movie or something, just keep them away from their parents." my uncle said.
"Okay." I replied, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. I should've said something sooner. Maybe I could've gotten them out of there earlier. I just didn't want to believe it.
"Alright. Bye, Em." my uncle said before hanging up.
"They're just kids, Luke." I breathed out, and he pulled me into a hug.
"I know." he nodded, and I just wanted to help them. "But hey, you noticed now. You did something. They now know, that they have a way out." Luke tried to cheer me up. I wrapped my arms around Luke, biting my lip.
"He said it's probably been going on for a while. Maybe before Mali was even born, if I'm thinking correctly. Maybe that's why he didn't have friends before us. He couldn't tell anyone." I frowned. It hurt just to think about it. And I don't even know how bad it could be.
"What will happen when his parents are arrested?" Luke pondered aloud.
"Whatever happens, we'll help him. We owe him that much." I spoke up. I heard a door open, before I heard keys hit glass.
"I'm home." I heard my mother call out. I jumped up and ran to her, hugging her tightly as Luke followed me.
"Thank you for being a good mom to me." I quickly said.
"Thanks honey, but what's this about?" she asked.
I realized that I'd never really told her what I suspected, and I pulled her to the couch and began to explain, and Luke called Michael and Ashton to update them on the situation, as well as to let them know before cops showed up at their house.
I hope he's alright at the moment.
