Unknown

7

I yawn and stretch back on my bed. "We've been playing video games for four hours. Are you hungry?" I ask, my stomach growling. "Yeah, I could eat." He says. 

We walk down the stairs and to the kitchen. "What would you like?" I ask, leaning on the counter. "Do you have any cereal?" He asks. "Cereal? Yeah. You want cereal for dinner?" I ask, wondering if that's a normal thing.

"You've never had cereal for dinner? Man, you're missing out." He says as he sits down in a chair. I laugh. "Okay. What kind would you like?" I say as I open the cabinet. I hear the front door open and footsteps.

I walk to the entryway to see who it is. It's my dad? He looks up and meets my eyes. "What do you want?" He says in an irritated tone. "Oh, I was just seeing who was coming in," I say calmly, remembering the store. It's 7 o'clock in the evening.

"So? It's my house. You're not the first thing I want to-" He stops and he looks behind me. I turn to see Eli. "Who is this?" My dad says, changing his whole attitude like he usually does in front of guests. I guess he didn't notice him with me in the store earlier. "Hi, I'm Eli. A friend of your son's." Eli says, extending his hand. My dad shakes his hand. "I didn't know that Kei had any friends. He's kind of a loner" He chuckles. "Yeah, it took some convincing." Eli laughs with him.

"I didn't know you were gonna have friends over." My dad says nicely to me. But I can tell his tone is actually rage. "Sorry, I should've told you first," I say. "I was about to give him some food." I avoid eye contact with him. "Oh. Is Cali still feeling unwell?" He asks. I nod. "Well, make sure to keep an eye on her. I'm going to my room to read." He says as he walks past me. He has a slight smell of alcohol and perfume.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Man, he's rude," Eli says behind me. "He was calling you names the whole time and talking about how he was gonna beat the crap out of you." He says, eyeing me. "It's a metaphor. Don't think anything of it. I'm probably just gonna be grounded." I say, walking back to the kitchen. He rolls his eyes.

"I already know the truth you know. Quit saying lies." He says as he follows me. "I want that one by the way." He points to a box of cereal in the cabinet. I chuckle a little. "Okay then."

**As I'm putting our bowls in the sink, I hear a knock at the door. I hurry to open it, wiping my face in case there is anything on it. I open the door to see a highway patrolman with one other. My heart starts to pound. "Yes?" I ask, hoping it's not what I think. "Are you of kin to Erin Reyes?" He asks. "Yes, I'm her son," I say. "Is your father home?" He glances behind my shoulder. "Yeah. Hold on." I say as I turn. "Dad! Some people are here to talk to you!" I call to him. 

A few seconds later, I hear my dad's footsteps coming. He comes into view and he freezes for a second when he sees the officers. He gives me a quick glance, before coming to the door. "Mr. Reyes?" The officer asks. "That's me. What is it?" He says, slightly worried. "May we come in?" He asks. My father nods as he steps aside. The officers enter and my dad closes the door.

The officers' eyes land on Eli. I look at him. "Can you go up to my room? Please don't bother Cali. Just stay in my room until I say you can come out, okay?" I say, smiling at him. He nods and goes up the stairs. The officers turn their attention back to me and my dad. The officer sighs and I already know what he's gonna say next. "It is my sad duty to inform you that Erin Reyes was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. She was killed on impact."

My heart pounds so hard it hurts. This wasn't an accident. I feel tears run down my face and I crumple to my knees. She's dead. I'm stuck with this monster now. "Do you know if she left a will?" The officer asks my father but it sounds muffled.