The Educator (dark h.s)

Chapter 35- revelation

'Old sins cast long shadows'.

*flashback continues*

We both kept quiet. Trying to control my heavy breaths, I felt fear spreading throughout my body. My chest was heaving up and down rapidly, my heart beating like heavy drums in my ears as I closed my eyes firmly. The silence made its way through the house, as I suddenly heard loud and heavy footsteps of two people along with rummaging.

"Gwen! Gwen, are you home?" My mam called out and my eyes flew open. I couldn't speak a sound.

I could hear the creaking of her footsteps as they trudged up the stairs, drawing closer. I found myself grabbing Harold's hand as a source of comfort. He gave me a reassuring squeeze,

Even Harold wasn't exactly calm.

The door was yanked open to reveal my mother's wide smile, though it completely disappeared when she caught sight of my damaged room.

"What the actual fuck? Derek! Come see what your empty-headed daughter has caused!" She called for my monster of a father. We were in deep trouble. A single tear rolled down my eye, going down my temple and falling to the wet wooden floor.

Father's clumsy footsteps stumbled up the stairs, making it clear he was drunk.

Great, just great.

He stopped in his tracks in front of my room. His jaw locked furiously and his eyebrows furrowed, nearly touching each other as a prominent frown pulled over his face.

His eyes were bloodshot, I was the only girl who knew what bloodshot eyes symbolise at the age of seven.

"Mess and muck everywhere!" He barked, marching closer.

He reached down and grabbed me by the shoulders. "You've been a very very bad girl, Gwen." He spat in my face, breath reeked of the alcohol.

Smack. His fist collided with my cheek.

I shakily tried to pry away from his unwanted harsh grip on me. Tears pooled from my eyes, and I could feel a new bruise forming. My eyes widened in fear and my heart pounded in my chest. I struggled against his firm grip, but he effortlessly crushed my small body into the wall, ready to throw another punch.

I was surprised when a hand caught his shoulder and pushed him away from me, guessed it was even easier in his intoxicated state.

"Leave her alone you sick psycho! It was my fault, I distracted her so she forgot to close the window. No big deal." Harold explained, his face showing sheer horror as he met my glossy eyes.

"You boy... Always knew you were a bad influence on my daughter." He shook his head disapprovingly, diving at Harold's smaller figure.

I began to cry hysterically, sobbing as my best friend was toppled to the floor, my sick father climbing on top of him. He started pummelling his face. I screamed in pure horror, trying to pull my father off Harold.

My efforts were pointless and futile as my mother grabbed my petite body, dragging me away from them.

"No! Stop! Please don't hurt him!" I cried out, reaching my hand forward as I was pulled away. The sight was utterly terrifying.

"Who the fuck brought you up to behave like this? You were supposed to set an example to Gwen, and not the other way around!"

I cried harder as dad grabbed a piece of glass, shoving it into Harold's side mercilessly. I closed my eyes- feeling like I'd faint if I kept watching the gruesome, sickening scene playing before me.