Sacrifices (vkook)

79

They were yelling again.

They were always yelling.

They'd yell and scream until it suddenly all stopped and all that was heard was mommy's cries.

I wasn't afraid though. Cause mommy said that I'm strong. And I have to stay strong for her. And protect her from Appa when he hits her.

But Appa says mommy deserves it like I do when I'm a bad boy.

But I never did though. I never protect mommy because I'm scared of Appa.

My bedroom door opens and mommy comes in and shuts the door.

"Eomma. You're bleeding, eomma." I say when I see mommy's face.

She doesn't like when I call her mommy because I'm a big boy now.

"Taeby. Come here to Eomma, Taeby." She says wiping the blood from her lip.

I was scared but I scoot close anyway.

"What happened, Eomma?" I ask wiping her tears.

"A-Appa hurt Eomma, Taeby." She says crying more tears.

"Did Eomma make Appa shout?" I ask.

Mommy nods but before she can speak the door flies open, like BOOM!

Eomma stands pushing me behind her.

"You think you can take my son?" Appa asks walking towards us. He's walking funny again.

"Stay away from him." Eomma says madly.

She never speaks madly to Taeby though.

Appa pushes mommy away. Now's my chance. Now I can protect mommy.

"Stop it, Appa! It's not nice!" I scream pushing him so he knows I'm serious.

Appa draws his hand back and swings it at me hitting me in the face.

Eomma screams standing and pushing Appa with all her strength.

Now my lip's bleeding like Eomma's.

I know I shouldn't cry. But it really really hurt Taeby.

Appa leaves Eomma and me alone in the room.

Eomma always got him to go away somehow.

"Taeby. Are you okay, Taeby?" Mommy cries picking me up.

I can't answer cause I'm crying. Even though I should be being a big boy.

"It's okay, Taehyung-ah. Mommy's gonna get us out of here. And we're going to go far far away from here. Don't you want that, Taeby?" Mommy asks.

She's crying too. Maybe it's hard for her to be a big girl.

I nod. "Taeby hates Appa."

"Don't hate him. People like Appa need all the love in your heart. Okay Taeby?" Eomma asks. "Always give Appa all your love."

-

Taehyung makes with a start, his breathing uneven and his heart beating fast.

He pushes himself into a sitting position looking around the bedroom, Jungkook must have brought him up during the night.