The Ivory Tower

Winter

Annie and I began to fear him immensely, with Mama being our merciful protector from his wrath. Anything we did wrong, be it not get a good grade or do a chore incorrectly, we would fear for his yelling, and even cursing. Papa was always warm and caring, even if we didn’t do as he pleased. Father was cold and insensitive, turning more into a slave-owner than I had ever imagined him to be. It seemed like that fresh power of owning another human being couldn’t be controlled- he was letting it slowly take control of him, and only we could see it.

But then he started using his belt. The first time it was used was when Lucas was so sick of being pushed around and being denied rights he rightly deserved, that he stayed in his room when he was called. Father got impatient -very impatient VERY quickly- and shouted how he was going to “teach someone a lesson.” He took out his belt-probably a trick he got from his new friends- and stormed into the stables, where Lucas’ bed was located, right near the horses. He was dragged out by the collar and ordered to go on his hands and knees. 

We had just gotten home when this happened, and when I heard Father command Lucas to do that, I felt that it was only a matter of time before I heard the screams. They were the earth-shattering cries of an innocent child, our little brother. We all bolted out the door and rushed to where Father was. Even little Annie tried to stop him, tears streaming down her face, begging him to stop. Then he did something we had never seen him do before; he grabbed for her to beat her too. Mama and I had to hold his arm back to bring some sense back into the punisher. That sense only seemed to register as one thing: they’re disobeying my order. I instinctively stood between him and the rest of us as he stormed past us, eyes glaring with malice, something I had never seen before.

After the coast was clear, I went to Lucas and gently picked him up back onto his feet. He looked terrible. His clothes bore new tears amongst the other stains and rips. After being denied a bed and a good meal for a good few weeks now, especially during the cold months, he looked half the boy he was on that podium. That night, I snuck out after father left the house with leftovers of supper for Lucas. As he ate, I couldn’t help but ask him where he came from.