One Step

Darkness.

Not even a shed of light could be seen inside Caden's room.

Loud shouting could be heard throughout the premises of the humongous golden mansion. His parents are at it again. When will they ever stop? Caden pondered. It's only a matter of time. Their happy family façade is only hanging on a piece of thread, as thin as his sibling's hair. Fortunately, he doesn't have a sibling. After all, what can he do to protect his brother or sister from this chaos?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

After a while, the shouting ceased. Caden closed his eyes, bathing in the sweet sound of silence, a rare occurrence in this house.

Suddenly, a loud crash broke Caden's reverie. He jolted awake from his half asleep state. Coming from below, probably the kitchen, are the screams of agony and cries of a woman.

His mother.

Caden hurriedly threw his bedsheets and put his feet on the cold tiled floors of his room. He fumbled in the dark, trying to walk without stepping on anything. After a while, he opened the door and shielded his eyes from the bright hallway. When he got used to it, he immediately ran towards the stairs.

Caden cursed, why does this house have to be so big.

Finally, the wide marble stairs adorned with a red carpet and flanked by fake plants, as fake as his family, came to his sight. He quickly went down the stairs, worried about his mother. Coming to a stop beneath the steps, he ignored the luxurious living room in his left and briskly walked to his right where the kitchen is located, he didn't want to be heard especially when their arguing turn into violence.

Ten steps

Nine steps

Eight steps...

One step away from the door, Caden peeked into the kitchen. The usual could be seen, expensive silverwares, huge ovens and shining countertops. Stainless steel kitchen with complete utensils, as if it came out of the Trends Kitchen Magazine.

But there, in the middle of the place, sat a sight that will forever be embedded in Caden's mind. A sight that is not suitable for a place where families would sometimes gather to make delicious cookies with their children or turkey for thanksgiving. It is a place for making food with love and joy. It is a place for those, not for this. Tears fell through Caden's eyes.

If only Caden stopped everything when he had the chance. If only he didn't turn a blind eye on everything. If only he accepted the fact that their family will never be a 'family'.

If only...

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The surroundings are deeply dyed in white, making the sleek black SUV's stand out. The passenger seat opened and a girl with flaming tresses, who must be on her twenties, stood straight on the carpet of snow. The color of her hair greatly contrasted with everything.

She stared in awe at the large mansion in front of her. Golden but at the same time it emits a dangerous aura, as if saying that this place is off limits.

"Eerily beautiful, isn't it?" his father said, a puff of white smoke coming out of his mouth due to the cold weather.

Eloise almost jumped. She was so engrossed in marveling their new home; she didn't even notice her father walking towards her.