Dancing in the Rain | ✓

Chapter 15: Naked

Trigger Warning: Mentions of child abuse. It will be a little graphic but nothing extreme, I promise. 

Clarissa Patton was chopping vegetables for dinner in the kitchen refusing to play with Eli. The boy was beyond bored, sitting on the carped in the living room and staring at the cartoons on TV. His father was at work and he wouldn't be home anytime soon so he wouldn't accompany his son either.

Seeing as there was nothing for him to do, Eli stood up from the floor and walked up the stairs aiming for his bedroom. He walked down the hallway but before he reached his room, the boy noticed that the door to his brother's bedroom was slightly ajar. The door was usually locked so this seemed like a sign sent from heaven.

Eli could remember all the treasures that were hidden there so he didn't even hesitate. He pushed the door fully open and entered Henry's bedroom. Everything was in perfect order which meant that no toys was in the plain sight but Eli knew better than that. Maybe Henry always acted so big and grown up but every once in a while he would still display his toys all over the floor and dust them off.

The boy knew that his older brother hated when he touched his things, fearing that Eli would break something, but he just couldn't help himself that day. He pulled the boxes from under Henry's desk and opened them. A huge grin appeared on his face when he saw all the toy cars, little soldiers and a even an electric miniature chopper.

He emptied the boxes and started creating imaginary worlds were brave soldiers had to defend Earth from an army of evil robot cars. He was so absorbed in playing that he didn't even notice the time flying by. He didn't hear the front door being opened. He didn't hear his mother cheerfully greeting her oldest son. He didn't hear his quick footsteps on the stairs. He didn't even hear the door to the bedroom being opened.

He did hear, however his brother's angry voice. "What the hell are you doing here?" Eli quickly jumped away from the toys as if they suddenly started burning his skin. His eyes landed on his brother's angry eyes and clenched fists.

"I...I'm sorry." Eli managed to mutter quietly.

"How many times have I told you not to touch my toys, huh?" He asked slowly approaching the little boy. "How many times have I told you not to go to my room?"

"I'm sorry." Eli repeated, unable to find anything else to say.

Henry's gaze was so intense that Eli couldn't look him straight into his eyes. "Don't ever do that again."

"I won't. I promise." Eli said standing up from the floor. He started heading for the door but Henry grabbed his shoulder and turned him around so that the brothers were facing each other.

Eli finally dared to look into the teenager's eyes but that was a mistake. He didn't even register when Henry's open palm collided with his cheek but it hurt. It hurt horribly. Eli immediately tried to back away but Henry's grip on his shoulder was solid. He touched his cheek feeling tears flowing down his face.

He didn't want to sob like a little baby in front of his older brother but he couldn't help it. The first sob came without any warning and it was quickly followed by another one. "Please." Eli said not even knowing what he was asking for. "I'm sorry."

That was apparently still not enough for Henry as he pushed his little brother against the wall. Eli yelped in pain as his back hit the hard wall. He fell down onto the cold floor, now too overwhelmed and in pain to cry. Henry still looked angry but before he had a chance to do anything else Eli gathered all the strength he had left and lifted himself up.