Silently Loud

Chapter 3

       After a couple minutes, Darren was caught. I watched as he struggled against my father in vain, with a smile on his face. I'm sure if he actually tried, he could get out of my father's vice-like hug, he just didn't want to seem rude to the man who's house in was in. Besides, he seemed to be having fun. My dad was too busy cackling madly at having caught his prey to notice me slowly sneaking up behind him. I took the opprotunity to throw myself on his back and give him a noogie. He let go of Darren, who immeadiately scrambled to take shelter behind the supposed safety of my mother. 

        "Darren, NO!" I yelled, as I rolled around on the floor struggling to win the wrestling match i was now having with my dad.

        "Yes, kid. YES!" My dad screamed in retort. His booming laughter seemed to have no end.

        I watched in horror as my mom slowly turned to Darren, a demonic grin sliding onto her face. I watched as Darren's face morphed from comfort to absolute horror. He realized just what a bad decision he had made. My mom's hands shot towards Darren's sides at the speed of light, and the tickling began. 

        While my dad and I tumbled around on the floor, Darren was slowly sinking to his knees, his eyes squeezed shit and tears running down his grinning face. My mom was leaning over him and laughing at his giddy pain, her voice chiming around the kitchen along with me and my dad's grunts, chuckles and playful smacks of warfare. Darren was grinning so hard I thought his face would rip apart. While I was glad he was having fun, I felt a slight pang of sadness. I knew he couldn't talk anymore, but I hadn't realized that meant he couldn't laugh either. I couldn't imagine not being able to laugh. Sure, you could smile and grin and cry, but... for not even a chuckle to be able to leave your mouth? 

        "GOT CHA!" My dad laughed as he took advantage of my distraction and gained the upper hand of the battle, pinning my hands to the sides of my head and resting his knee on my stomach lightly. 

        I was about to accept my defeat when I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet stampeding closer and closer. I shot a wild grin at my father, who hadn't heard them yet. They were coming. The little warriors of the house. And they always came for blood. Figuratively of course. I let out a chuckle as the three kids bolted into the kitchen, skidding to a stop right under the doorway.

        All was silent. My mother had stopped tickling Darren. Darren had frozen up as well, along with my father. Three pairs of eyes quietly took in the current situation, giving off no reaction. We stared back, fearing what was bound to happen. And then, Katie took a step forward. She took a deep breath, then let out a high pitched screech. Her chicken war cry comfirmed our fears. She had signalled the beginning of what the teenagers and adults who were victimized would forever call 'The Attack of the Midgets'.

        The absolute mayhem that ensued was horrifying. 

        A good twenty minutes later, everyone layed beside each other on the floor panting. I lay beside an exhausted Darren, our limbs splayed out just as haphazardly as the rest of my family. Katie was between us, resting her head on my bicep and sucking her thumb. Link had crawled onto Darren and was now using him as a makeshift bed, lying on his side with his eyes closed as Darren pet his head softly. My parents had collapsed on either side of Jaden, who was smiling at his victory. My parents, Darren and I had been utterly defeated by the pure power and stamina of the young ones. 

        My dad gave out a loud groan as he pushed himself up. He put his hands on his hips and looked around the room, giving out a small satisfied sigh. 

        "Well." He drawled out, as his eyes landed on Darren and smiled. "I'd reckon it's about time for dinner. Someone can introduce me to our new silent friend while we set the table."