Across the Bridge

Chapter 7

The stifling silence in our dilapidated wooden living room was horrible. My sister was shaking and her eyes were wide with fright. The only noise was my father's loud and angry breathing. He slammed his cereal spoon down on the breakfast table.
'You useless pile of rabbit droppings!' he yelled at my younger sister.
'Dad, please-' Madi started.
'No! You killed your mother!'
Madi gasped. This had gone too far. The alcohol in my father's brain had affected him so much that he was constantly blaming my sister for things like this.
I stood up abruptly and sent my cereal bowl flying. My father did the same and we were now face-to-face.
'You will not blame my sister for this!' I yelled.
Before he could say another word, I grabbed my sister's arm and ran with her into my room. I locked the door behind us and stared into her shaking face. Madi's beautiful eyes were glistening with tears.
'Madi, we're leaving,' I whispered.
She nodded silently and I grabbed my backpack. I could hear Dad banging on the door and swearing.
'Grab our money, I'll get everything out,' I said, rummaging around my chest of drawers for my favorite sweater. My hand hit something hard and cold. I held it up.
It was a family photo of my parents, my sister and me sitting by the dining table eight years ago. My long platinum blonde hair was in braids and Madi was sitting on my lap. My dad looked young and fresh-faced, in contrast to his looks nowadays. Mom's looked as beautiful as ever.
Tears gathered to my eyes and I shoved it into the bag with mixed feelings of longing and anger.
I took the rest of the stuff I would need and the money from my sister's hands before putting it in my bag.
I opened the window placed between our two beds and tossed the bag out of the window. Luckily, we were on the first floor so no damage was done.
I ushered Madi out of the window and I followed after her. I grabbed my bag in one hand and Madi's hand in the other.
'We're free, Madi.'