But He Stopped Pt 2

Just Free Fall

*** WARNING MATURE THEMES AND CONTENT THROUGHOUT***

***SOME NONCON ELEMENTS***

**DRUG USAGE**

I felt fear. They were screaming and yelling again. Mom and Dad. It happened a lot. Guy pulled me off my bed, his big brown eyes were watery as he whispered for me to get into our closet. We huddled down by the shoes and toys, shutting the doors as quietly as we could.

"I'm scared." I whined.

He said nothing. I admired him, my brave older brother. His sandy brown hair looked darker in the reflection of the water peeking through our floorboards. The soft lapping of the water whispered at the edges of our cabin. The noise was at odds with our life. I wanted to dive beneath the waters, let the silence take everything away.

I sniffled, wiping my arm across my nose, pushing curly hair out of my eyes with the clumsy hands of a 6 year old. I reached for Guy's hand as the shouting in the next room intensified. He slapped me away with an angry look.

"Shut up or you'll get us in trouble."

I stopped sobbing but I couldn't stop the tears. I wished I could have been brave like Guy. He wasn't crying at all. The sound of a sharp crack, a muffled crash, and Mom shrieking made us freeze. Guy's arms wrapped around me in fear and protection as the solid, heavy thud of Dad's boots came down the hall. Mom was screaming; crying. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. Guy clutched me tighter as the footsteps neared our door. His eyes met mine; he shook his head slowly in warning.

No sounds.

We could see the silhouette of dad through the wood planks. He was tall, muscular. If the room had been lit his hair would have gleamed a deep auburn, grey lacing around his temples. His eyes were as blue as mine; he kept his facial hair well groomed. He was, in every sense of the word, a man made to look the part of salesman. And that's what he did; he sold our city to other communities. Sold the idea of what we could do for those not as well off. He offered protection, increased revenue, assistance from the Minute Men, and supplies.

But now he was shrouded in darkness; his face lit harshly by the light playing off the water. He looked like a monster, he looked like the man he truly was. I shrank against Guy as Dad's boots shuffled and moved on further dow the hall. Guy relaxed a little as the sound passed by the closet. We both jumped in alarm as the door to our parents room slammed closed. Something fell off the wall. The sound of glass shattering, Mom's quiet cries of pain - pain so much deeper than physical ails, after all, stimpaks could heal a multitude of wounds- mingled with the calm lapping of the water. I could feel Guy shaking me and I became aware of my body again.

"Stop cryin!" He hissed, "Dad'll find us. Stop-"

Our parents bedroom door burst back open, smacking against the wall violently. Guy placed a hand over my mouth and nose to quiet me. His eyes were wide in terror as they pleaded with me. I struggled against him, panicking.

I can't breathe! But my young body couldn't match Guy's strength and determination at three years older.

I could hear Dads boots coming back towards us, Mom smothering her pained gasps with words.

"Patrick, Patrick please-"

My lungs burned.

"Martha, you shut your whore mouth or I'll slap the teeth outta your head." I could almost taste the cruelty in his tone. "I'm the husband, I'm the head of household. I have the power here, I'm in charge. You don't tell me what to do you fucking cow!"

I felt light headed, the edges of my vision going dark.

The door to the closet rattled, then shook. Something boomed from beyond the doors. Vaguely I could see light coming in, everything kind of glowed. I felt my body jostling around, pressure, and then nothing as Guy floated away into the light.