When Lily's Cry: Puppet Strings

Chapter V. Poor Thing

WARNING: May contain mature content such as self harm, murder, suicide, abuse, swearing, sexual harassment, etc...

A/N: This chapter contains some sexual content, such as sexual harassment and insinuations.

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Matthew hummed softly, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He was humming to some catchy pop song that he couldn't remember the name of for the life of him. He watched as the street light turned from red to green, and pressed on the gas.
A smile played on his peach colored lips as he thought of who he was visiting after 2 long years. His baby brother, Alfred. He wasn't really a baby anymore though, considering he was a junior, 16, and already had a part time job. Matthew still treated him like a child though, since he was older by 4 years. He thought of his brothers reaction when he saw him. Would he be excited to see his big bro after so long? Or would he still be angry because of the fight they had before Matthew went to Canada?
The violet eyed man, lost in thought, drove down the familiar roads leading to his father and brothers home. After grabbing his duffel bag from the back seat he slammed the door and locked the car, causing it to make a beeping sound.
He walked leisurely to the door of the house, staring at it for a moment, remembering all the things that happened when he lived there. After composing himself, he knocked.
After a minute or so of waiting, the door opened to a middle aged man with raggedy aftershave, and dirty blond hair. His blue eyes were dulled by the years filled with drinking, smoking, and the occasional high. Of course Matthew didn't know that. The chaos only became worse once Matthew left, so he had no knowledge of his fathers violent drunk behavior towards Alfred. And if he had known, he couldn't say he would be angered by his fathers abusive nature towards the youngest of the family. Matthew smiled at his father, and spoke in his usual timid manner.

"Hello, dad."

The latter nodded and attempted to smile back, which only showed off his teeth that were rotting away from his use of pot. Matthew didn't pay any mind to it, deciding a hug was the best greeting.
He wrapped his arms around his father, who was now shorter than him by an inch or two. The dirty blond returned the hug, running a hand through Matthews golden locks. They stayed like this for a moment, before Matthew retracted his arms and picked up his duffel bag once more. The older of the two stepped back, allowing Matthew to enter the small home. The scent of cigarettes was stronger than he had remembered, and he took note of the missing family photos that were now replaced by empty beer bottles on the coffee table. He took off his shoes, setting them by the door, and turned to his father.

"So, Alfred still at work?"

His father gave a nod, grunting as he sat on the end of the couch farthest from the door.

"Yeah. He has the late shift, won't be home till 12 or so."

Matthew hummed in understanding, taking the seat closest to the door, and leaving an empty space between the two. He glanced at his father, watching as he lit a cigarette. He noticed the pained look his father wore, and the wrinkles that were now collected under his eyes, and between his brows.
Matthew reached for the remote, waiting for the TV to turn on, and then flicking through the channels, ultimately deciding on a monster fishing show that he thought his father would like. His thoughts wandered back to Alfred and the hurt look he had when they fought, and the way he screamed at the latter while sobs racked his fragile body.

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"Stop being so god damn stubborn Alfred! Dad would never do something so cruel, especially not to his own wife and kid!"

A look of betrayal flickered in Alfred's eyes, before hatred replaced it.

"You seriously think I'd lie about this?! Are you kidding?! Did you not see the bruises, the way Mom cried at night, the cigarette burns on her arms?!!"