Living hell

3.|| It's not like we have a choice.

Joe's p.o.v

"Yo, earth to Jace? Are you there?" I ask while waving my hand in front of his face, trying to get him out of his thoughts.

"I'm fine." he snapped. What's up with him?

"Jace, look at me." I command while sitting next to him on his bed. He raised his head and looked at me. "Is it mom?" I watched as he slowly nodded in response. "Listen, ever since dad came back-" When I spoke those words, I felt him tensing up beside me. "I'm sorry, ever since he came back, I haven't felt safe either. The way he threatens mom, The way he t-touches us. I-I-I don't know what to do either Jace." I said, my voice cracking. I tried hard holding back my tears, but failed as I felt a salty tear roll down my face.

"Come here" Jace said while turning to embrace me. A few minutes later, still hugging, we got interrupted by someone abruptly opening the door without knocking.

"What the hell, that's fucking incest. You fags, you're brothers for God's sake. Soon you're gonna start making out well." It was him.

Joe and I looked at eachother in fear and broke apart a fast as we could. "Dinner is ready."

-

"The food is nice mom" I said, being the first one to even attempt fill in the awkward silence.

"Thanks baby, it's South African." She said looking at me from the other side of the table. Next to her sat Jace. I was the one who had to sit next to him today, he insisted. I felt his eyes burning holes through the side of my face.

I felt his hand resting on my knee. Oh, no. I instantly tensed up. I felt it getting higher, and higher, until it stopped a little too high on my thigh. I felt a lump growing in my throat. Please, please don't go higher. As if reading my mind, and punishing me, his hand did go higher. It was now dangerously close to my male parts. Please someone help me.

My mom must've noticed something wrong with me as she carefully spoke up. "Ehmm, boys, your father and I have something to announce." Higher. "We have decided t-"

"Can I be excused." I quickly interrupted, standing up before even getting an answer.

"No, sit down." he sternly said. "Now." I did what he said, making sure to sit as far away from him as possible. I learned that that wasn't a smart move, when I felt his hand back on my jeans. On my crotch.

I cursed under my breath, hoping someone would hear. Eyes squeezed shut, heart beat racing, biting my lip so hard it's almost bleeding, chocking on every shaking breath I take.

"Marylin, would you continue?" He spoke, as if nothing was happening.

"Erm yes, well, your father and I are going on a holiday. And we didn't want to bring you guys for.. uuhh.. reasons." She said awkwardly.

He lifted his hand off my crotch to pour in a drink. I could breathe again.

"You guys are going to stay with William until we get back. Are you guys fine with that?"

"It's not like we have a choice." Jace said. "But I guess we're okay with it, right Joe?"

And let mom alone in a strange land with that monster? As if. I thought by myself, not having the ability to speak.

"I-I- Ehhm y-yeah of course." Is all I managed to get out.

xx