Silent Scream

3.

Ashton's Pov:

I scrambled to pick up my drawing notebook above all else. It's one of the most important things I own. "Oh-uh-sorry Ashton is it?" He held out his hand to help me up.

I nodded to confirm that my name was indeed Ashton. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up. Then handed me the rest of my stuff. 'Thank you' I signed. 'God I'm so stupid. He probably can't read sign language!!' I mentally scowled myself and face palmed.

"You're very welcome." He said.

'He can read sign language?!' I thought.

"We'll see ya 'round." He walked off.

The rest of the day went by unusually slow. No matter how hard I tried to focus my mind kept wondering. We were studying trigonometry. "Okay class," said my geometry teacher Mrs. Fouch, "please find the tangent of angle s."

I started working out the problem. 'So first I do.. Nate, he talked to me.. no focus Ashton.. no one talks to me.. Ashton the test is next week.. does he like me?.. no, not possible no one likes me..'

"Miss. Quinn if you're not going to pay attention in my class then you may feel free to exit." Mrs. Fouch was standing over me at my desk. Every face in the room turned in my direction.

'I'm sorry.' I signed to the teacher forgetting that she can't read sign language

"Head up and pay attention." She walked back to her desk.

'Riiiiiiiiiiiiing' finally the last bell of the day. I walked off to my locker to get my bag and rush out to my brothers car. I walked past Nate and his friends while exiting. He looked over and gave me a half smile. I gave him one back then started speed walking to my brothers car.

I found his car and hopped into the passenger seat, throwing my bag at my feet. "How was school?" Dylan asked.

'Good I guess. ' I signed.

"You guess?" He asked as we turned out of the parking lot.

'Yeah. Bruce bothered me again.' I signed.

"I swear I'm gonna freaking kill him!" Dylan hit the steering wheel.

'Dylan stop! Leave him alone. You can't stop him.' I signed.

"Well I could if you would let me."

I shook my head no. The rest of the ride was silent. Finally after a 10 minutes car ride, we pulled into our driveway.

"Good. Dad's car isn't here. He'll probably be home late. Probably drunk again. He's still pretty upset with me. I suggest you stay in your room.." he looked over at me.

'But Dylan.. I want to help you.' I signed.

"Then don't come downstairs regardless of what you hear. Please Ash. I don't want to see you hurt."

'Then come upstairs with me.. please..' I signed, tears threatening to spill.

"I will.. Later, but I will." He pulled me into a hug and I cried on his shoulder. "We better head inside and finish our homework before dad gets home."

I nodded in agreement. We both got out of the car and ran to the house. Dylan unlocked the door and I ran upstairs to start my homework.

'Lets see.. geometry and history.. uuughhhh.' I thought to myself.

I started with geometry first because it's easier and I have more of it. Then finished off with history.

'SLAM'

'Dad's home.' I thought. Dylan opened my door and whispered, 'stay here. Promise me."

I sadly signed 'I promise' and he left. I heard him walk downstairs.

I ran to my door and locked it before pressing my ear as close as I could. I needed to hear the conversation they had. "Get your homework done??" My dad's deep, angry, terrifying voice filled the house.

"Yeah.. Ashton did too." My brothers voice was a lot higher pitched and quieter compared to my dad's.

"Did I ask about her?"

'Uh oh he's getting angry. He's definitely been drinking' I thought starting to panic.

"No.. I just thought-"

"Thought what!! That I actually cared about her! It's like she's not even here because she never freaking talks!!"

"I'm sorry.."came my brothers weak voice again. He was so quiet I had to strain to hear what he said.

"Oh you're darn right you're sorry. You're gonna be sorry." My dad sounded calmer which is never a good sign.

Then I heard what I didn't want to hear. A 'WHIP' then the deafening sound of my brothers scream of pain. I wanted so badly to run and help him, but I promised I'd stay here.

The 'WHIP' and the scream continued for a good four minutes. I sat in the corner of my room with my hands pressed over my ears to dampen the sound. Then I heard the front door 'SLAM' shut and the dad's truck start. He wouldn't be back till tomorrow. Probably going to find another girl at the bar like he always does when he's upset with us.

My brother came up the stairs, very slowly of course, he did our secret knock at my door. We came up with it incase dad came and knocked I would know it was him.

I very quickly unlocked the door and lead him into my room onto my extremely comfy rug. I could tell what my dad did so I immediately helped him take off his shirt to reveal about twenty different slashes from whatever my dad uses to hit him.

"It hurts." He whined as he laid on his stomach.

'Just stay quiet and let me help' I signed to him. He nodded.

After the first time my dad beat him, I started learning the basic first aid so I could help.

I grabbed the first aid kit I kept hidden in my room and found everything I needed. I dabbed at his wounds to keep them from getting infected and he winced every time. I feel so bad for him. I hate that this happens to him.

He looked back at me and I signed, 'almost done. Just need to bandage it up. But for that you need to stand up.' He understood and I helped him up, leading him to a wall so he could brace himself.

I carefully wrapped a bandage all around his stomach. He once again winced at the touch of the bandage on his raw skin. 'I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.' I thought as if he could actually hear me.

After I finished I took his shirt to go wash it and grab him a new one. He didn't even ask where I was going. He probably already knew. I threw his shirt in the washer and got him a new one. One that was bigger so it wouldn't hurt.

This is basically what at least two nights a week are like. Although usually Dylan would cook dinner. Tonight it was on me.

I hate life like this. Dylan is turning eighteen next year and when he leaves I don't know what I'll do. Until then I'll just hang in there and take care of my brother when he needs me.

3 Cast Members
Kathryn Newton as Ashton Quinn
Nathan Sharp as Nate Morris
Joey Graceffa as Dylan Quinn

A/N
Hey guys!!! Just saying that I have nothing against Joey Graceffa whatsoever!! He's an amazing person and it made me sad to write this. I'm not the heartless demon that many people think I am. Lol just kidding. But I do have a heart. So as I said in the description this story is going to be a bit darker. Yes it's starting off sad, but I promise it will get happier😊. Also there are two reason I wrote this. 1) to show what Ashton goes through in her life. 2) to show a really close relationship between Ashton and Dylan. So thanks so so much for reading. Comment. Vote. Follow. Thanks again. Bye!! :)
-Kat