Six Deadlier Sins

eight| bars and confrontations

I awoke on this fine Saturday morning by the sound of glass being broken.

Briefly, I forgot where I was. I sat up, forcing my brain to work and realised I was in my room.

I sighed. Why did I choose to go back home for the night? Alex said I could sleep over at her house too. I was an idiot and a bad decision maker.

"Jade! Come out!"

Gabe's voice was already getting on my nerves.

"Fuck this," I muttered, glancing at the window.

Jumping out didn't sound too bad. I knew that I wouldn't survive a ten floor drop but that's okay.

"Darling? Are you awake?"

I shot out of bed, "mom?"

Unlocking the door, I stumbled out and into my mother's arms. My eyes burned with tears and I buried my face against her purple scarf, breathing in the scent of lavender.

My mother stroked my hair and I nearly let out a sob.

I pulled away from her embrace after a few seconds, making sure I wouldn't burst into tears before I did, "you didn't tell you would be coming home."

"Wanted to surprise you," mom smiled. "How has the few months been?"

"Good enough," I ignored Gabe's glare. "I made new friends."

"Like you have any," Gabe scoffed from behind us.

My mother shot him a look, "that's not nice."

"Whatever," Gave rolled his eyes, heading into his room and slamming the door shut.

"How long are you staying?" I asked,"a week? A month?"

My mom's smile faded a bit, "I'm sorry, Jade. I just here because I need to take some more money from the vault. I'm going to Australia this time."

Oh. Of course. What was I thinking? Mom was too busy being the only job holder of the family since Gabe had gotten his ass fired a month back.

I shouldn't be selfish and beg her to stay. Yet, I wanted her to stay because Gabe would never lay his hands on me when she's around.

Gabe loved her and she loved him back. Even though Gabe constantly threatened to hurt her if I didn't do what he wanted, I knew he wouldn't but that never stopped me from obeying his commands. Gabe was unpredictable. He could suddenly stop caring about mom.

He hated me because mom favoured me over her.

Mom walked across the living room towards a locked cupboard that we called the vault. Mom stored all extra money she didn't need in there whenever she returned home. When she needed more, she'd come and take some.

The thing was, Gabe had access to the vault and since it's been months since mom returned, the vault was practically empty. Gabe was forced to work part time at a convinience store so he could buy his cigarettes.

Mom opened the vault after unlocking it and I bit my lip, guilt filling me when I saw the drawer was empty. I wished I stopped Gabe from spending all the money.

"Where's the money?" Mom asked, turning to me.

"The brat used it," Gabe stated, poking his head out of his room, giving me a look which clearly meant that I had to cover his ass.

Mom turned to me.

I sighed, "school fees."

"I had over ten thousand in here."