Working With The Enemy

Chapter Four

The next morning, I wake up and find the handkerchief I had lent Bill next to my bed with a note attached:

"Hiya Pine Tree,

I forgot to give you your handkerchief before I left so I came back to give it to you but you were asleep. I was going to wake you up but you look cute when you're asleep so I just left it next to you.

Also, I maaaaaaaaaaaaaay have taken a picture of you while you slept. I'm going to buy a phone just so I can set that as my wallpaper now. ;) Sorry I'm not sorry.~

- Love your favourite murderous, psychopathic demon. <3"

I sigh. Typical Bill. That picture better not be embarrassing, if Mabel finds out about it...Ugh.

After getting dressed I head downstairs. My father has the morning off and is in the living room watching TV. I make sure to avoid looking as him as I walk into the kitchen - which is interconnected to the living room - where my mother is. "Oh, good morning, sweetheart." mum says.

"Morning." I reply.

"I was worried sick about you, you know." mum says.

I frown, immediately assuming the worst. Why would she be worried about me? Did she realise I left the house last night? "Your father said you randomly started yelling at him for no reason, then locked yourself in your room and refused to come out." mum says.

My blood starts to boil. I shoot a glare at my dad and ask, "You said what!?"

Before he can say anything, I turn to mum and say, "That's not what happened! He barged into my room - without knocking, might I add since he always preaches so heavily about knocking before entering - while I was hanging out with my friend. I told him you said he could stay but he blew up because I didn't get his permission."

I know I shouldn't have blow up like that but I'm not going to let him make me out to be the bad guy, no matter who he is. "That is not what happened!" my father says, although the fact that he didn't actually form a rebuttal speaks for itself.

"Honey, are you sure you didn't misunderstand? I'm sure your father was only saying what's best for you." mum says.

I glare at them both, tears of anger and betrayal stinging my eyes. This always happens. When anyone of us argue with dad, mum immediately takes his side. "As if! He is by far the least supportive father ever!" I snap.

"I will not have you ridicule me like this." dad yells, before slapping me across the face as hard as he can.

I fall back onto the cold tiles. Tears rolling down my face as I yell, "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU SO MUCH! I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO YOU SO WHY DO YOU TREAT ME LIKE SOME OBJECT ON DISPLAY, RATHER THAN YOUR SON!?"

I don't think about the next words, they just come tumbling out of my mouth.

"I WISH I HAD A DIFFERENT FAMILY!"

Suddenly, we hear sobbing and hiccuping coming from the doorway. Standing there in her pajamas is Mabel. Uh oh...My glare softens as I look at Mabel's tear stained face, "Mabel, I-"

I don't get a chance to finish before Mabel runs off.

I'm about to run after her when dad grabs my arm roughly and twists it behind my back, applying pressure to it. I whimper in pain as my dad growls angrily, "This is not over, got it? We will discuss this more once you come home from school."

I break free from my dad's grip once he loosens it a bit and run straight upstairs to Mabel. I find Mabel with her head in her knees, crying her eyes out, in her room. "Mabel..." I say as I sit beside her.