Rescue Me

Chapter 2

            I wake up from my dreamless sleep, feeling an odd object rested on my stomach.  I reluctantly open my eyes to find my baby brother, Tucker, staring at me, indifferent, waiting for me to finally get up.  I'm not surprised; this happens every morning.  Tucker is two years old, and he still hasn't said his first words.  He doesn't talk.  And he won't talk, because I told him not to.  I told him that if he doesn't talk, then they won't have a reason to hurt him.  He's the sweetest thing ever, and adorable at that.  His dirty blond hair is a mess, and his bright green eyes are clouded with sleep, so I'm assuming he just woke up.  He just stares at me, waiting for me to finally wake up.

            "Time to get up?"  I ask, already knowing the answer.  He just nods and crawls off, waiting for me to help him get ready.  He lightly grabs my hand and we walk into his room, and I help him pull on his clothes.  When I'm done helping him, I walk back into my room and get ready.  I pull on a t-shirt and some jeans, and slip on my sneakers.  I run a brush through my dark brown hair, and brush my teeth.  I grab my back pack and run downstairs, hoping that Tucker is OK.  When i see him silently sitting on the couch, watching the stairs, I sigh in relief.  I jog to the kitchen and grab an apple and a banana.  I hand him the banana and take his hand, walking to the door.  I don't even try to speak, because nothing can be heard over the screaming.

            The screaming finally stops, and then there is a crash and my mother's scream.  Tucker and I freeze.  He grips my hand tighter, and starts to tremble.  We hear footsteps coming from our parents' bedroom and grudgingly stay frozen in our place.  We watch silently as our tear stricken mother walks toward us, a fake smile on her lips.  Our unwanted father trailing behind her with his mouth in a grim line.  Tucker clings to my side as they come closer.

            "Hi, baby boy!"  My mothers exclaims with a strained voice.  Tucker manages a small smile.  "Can I get a hug 'bye bye'?"  She asks, crouching down and opening her bruised and battered arms.  i flinch at the sight of them.  Tucker looks up at me, wondering if he should.  I give him a small smile and nod, letting go of his tiny hand.  He hesitantly takes a couple steps toward her, and she wraps her arms around him, while he awkwardly places one arm around her, lightly tapping her back, and letting go, grabbing my hand once again.  She gives him a heartbroken look, and her eyes cloud up in tears again.  "Why do you hate me, baby boy?"  She asks quietly, her voice betraying her as she tries so hard not to cry.  Tucker just stares at her, and out of the corner of my eye, I see my father's eyes flare up in anger, so I quickly step in.

            "He doesn't."  I say quickly, squeezing his hand protectively.  My mother looks at Tucker, waiting for him to confirm it.  When he doesn't my father steps in.

            "Speak to your mother, boy."  He commands in his gruff, hateful voice.  Tucker shudders and seems to shrink down a bit, but remains silent.  My father growls and raises his hand.  My emotions go haywire.  I start to panic.  I do the first thing that comes to my mind; my first instinct.  I step in front of Tucker, pushing him behind me.

            "Don't touch him!"  I scream at him, standing my ground.  My father seems to get even more angrier, his face getting red.

            "Don't tell me what to do, little girl."  He spats, and raises his hand again.  I clench my jaw and refuse to flinch.  He likes it when I flinch.  It makes him think that he won.  I'm not about to give him the satisfaction.  Just as he's about to bring it down, my mother panics.

            "No!"  She cries out.  He looks at her with a look that says he'll deal with her later.  She gulps and looks at me, fighting back tears.  "Go."  She mouths to me.  I hesitate at first.  I know I shouldn't leave her to face his wrath, but there is nothing I can do.  I give her one last forlorn glance and tug Tucker outside with me.  Once the door closes, I hear a scream, and I flinch, but keep walking.