Hold Me Tight

~4~

Dad carried me in the house and to my room, with Zeus and Julius right behind me. Mom walked out of Leroy’s room, carrying an empty bottle, but no facial expression.

“Hi, Mom.” I said, shaky. She looked at me coldly.

“Hello, Kampton.”  She replied, walking right past me.

“Bro, do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?” Zeus asked me as Dad set me down. I shook my head, and then started climbing the ladder to the top bunk.

“Son, she does care. Your mom just doesn’t know what to think. She’s scared, and probably a little in denial. Night, Kam. If you need anything talk to Julius or Zeus or call for me, okay?”

“Okay, Dad.” I smiled. “Love you.”

“You too, Kiddo.”

Zeus climbed up to my bed, and looked at me silently. Julius sat on his bed looking up at me. “Kam.” Zeus said softly.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I took my blankets and covered myself.  It was hot and I didn’t need them, but I felt safe with them.

“Please.” He begged quietly.

“Why are you so curious?” I snapped.

“You’re my brother. I want to know what was going through your head.”

I nodded; I never kept anything from my brother. Looking over to Julius, I motioned for him to join us, and he came.

“When you guys take me to the mall and amusement parks and stuff, and people do that, I feel safe, and I know nobody can ever lay a hand on me. But this time, I was alone. And I was so scared. I tried talking to him like Julius talks to people, but he didn’t care.

                Then, he pulled a knife on me. Held it to my throat. But that wasn’t the only way he touched me.”

“Kampton, where else did he touch you?” The tone of my brother’s voice scared me greatly.

“He ran his hand up my shirt, and kept feeling my…me-everywhere.” I gulped. “His other hand…he kept moving it to my butt, and to my…” I started shaking, then Zeus moved me to his lap.

“Did his skin come in contact with your little you?” Julius asked. He was fuming. I had never seen him so worked up before.

I shook my head no, but I don’t think they believed me.

“You can tell us, Kam.” My brother hugged me.

“He didn’t.” I assured him.

“And you’re positive?” Julius asked me.

“I’m really sure.” I was honest.

“Okay, Kam…” Zeus sighed.

“What?” I asked, worried.

“Just, try and be careful. Kay, Bro?”

I nodded slowly. “I’m really hungry, but I don’t want to get up.” I told him shyly.

“What do you want? I can get it for you.” Julius offered, climbing down from my bed.

“What did you guys have for supper?”

“Mom made spaghetti.” Zeus smiled, as well as I did.

“Sure. Can I also have some apple juice?” I innocently asked.

“Yeah.” Julius sighed, but laughed right after, to show he was only faking annoyance. Julius shut the door behind him, and Zeus slowly scooted me off his lap.