The Unimaginable Hidden Power

The Cursed Dinner Table

I glared at the glop in my dinner bowl.
I then realized glop was too kind of a word for whatever had been thrown together for dinner tonight. I pushed the bowl aside and slid over a plate of salad and started to mix it when my brother appeared out of the hallway to his room.
I ignored his presence of course.
I always do.
I picked at my food as he sat down in his seat. He slumped back and kept his eyes hidden. Concern picked my mind for a second, but my pride quickly shoved it down.
I crunched on my lettuce for was seemed for forever in awkward silence with him. My other brother joined his seat; but of course we paid him no mind. I looked up from my food to glance at my brother beside me.
He still kept his eyes hidden. Concern picked my mind once again but I let it linger this time.
Could something actually be wrong?
My parents appeared from behind the wall. I quickly averted my eyes and slid them over to my food. They took their seat beside each other and looked down at the food. My father looked down in disapproval. He pasted on a smile as he picked through the sludge.
Ah, yes, that's the word I was looking for.
My mother was the only one brave enough to break the silence tearing apart my insides.
"I think that in honor of Thanksgiving coming your we shall go around the table and share one thing we are thankful for." She looked straight at my despaired brother. "Salali? Would you like to go first?" He nodded and put his elbow on the table, his hand propping up his head.
"Food. I am thankful for food." His eyes finally showed to me. Though they were no help since all i saw was numbness.
What happened to him?
A million things flashed into my mind. I shook my head as if that would get rid of the thoughts. It didn't work.
"Thank you Salali, Chata, would you like to go next?" My youngest brother pipped up immediately.
"TV!" His smile beamed across to me from across the table. I had to look away, his happiness was so easy to obtain. I could only wish small things like TV could make me happy.
"Well then, Y/n, would you like to share?" I nodded and kept my eyes on my food, terrifies to see the prying looks in my parents eyes.
"Music."
My mother shifted in her seat. I can feel the disappointment in her gaze.
"And why's that, Y/n?" My mother pryed once again. It irritated me. She knows it does. Well then, mother, I'll bite your bait. But i never said it wouldn't hurt you too.
"Helps block out the world." She gasped.
"Y/n L/n-" She was interrupted by the scrape of Salali's spoon against his glass bowl. I cringe at the noise. I cringe for him. He's playing with his food. Once again. No matter how many times you tell the kid, he won't listen.
"Salali, son, you know better than to play with your food. Eat the right way or don't eat at all." My fathers voice threatened. I struggled to keep myself from shivering.
I looked over to him. His eyes started to tear up. He took a bite of his sludge, a tear threatening to spill over. My cheeks flushed in fear for him.
"What are you crying for?! Your a man! Your 10 years old! you have nothing to be sad about!" My fathers face turned full of rage.
"Sorry, sir." Salali squeaked.
"Quit being sad. Sit up and wipe your face. Now." My father went back to neutral, used to giving orders.
"Pull your you chair up to the table. Pull your bowl in front of you and eat." My mother chimed in.
Anger filled me.
It raged in my reins.
I stuffed my face with the horrid garbage we call dinner. I didn't dare show even a twitch of muscle that would give away my anger.
He abided by their orders. He sat up ridged, and took a large bite of sludge.
I looked to his eyes for answers. His eyes were full of tears wanting to be set free. They struck my heart with such pain. Something happened.
Who dare hurt my brother?
They made a huge mistake. Ooo, they were going to get it-
"Mom, did you see the new toy i want?!" Chata scrambled my thoughts.
"Yes, Chata, I did-"
"What makes you think your going to get a new toy?" My father looked up from his dinner.
"Mom said-"
"I don't care about what your mom said. You have never kept a toy for over 48 hours in which you haven't broken. I refuse to waste money like that." Anger surged faster now. I looked over across from my brother. His eyes filled with liquid.
Anger. Anger. Anger.
Chata has wanted that toy for the longest time. He told me all about it. About how it can be torn apart into different units and put back together up make one big machine. His face held such a happiness I longed for. He was annoying, sure, but he was full of light and i hoped nothing would ever put it out. Tears spilled out of his eyes.
I furrowed my brow.
"What? Are you going to make my cry too? Tell me I don't have a right to be hurt or ruin my dreams?" My face flushed as I realized i said that out loud.
"Well, I knew you would speak up sometime, Y/n. I am only telling them what they should already know." My father looked at me. I looked up at him and held his gaze.
"They're children." You monster.
"I raised them to be more than that." He countered. My face flashed in fake shock.
"No, what you raised us to be is normal human beings with unreal expectations." My father hesitated.
Yeah, I hope that hurt.
I returned my gaze upon the sludge. I took a bite and scooted back out of my seat.
"I'm going out." I started to make my way out of the dinning room.
"Young lady, you don't get to just-" I slammed my bowl into the sink.
"I said I'm going out." I took my black jacket off my hook next to the garage door and pulled it over myself. I stepped outside and slammed the door behind me.
The cold bit at my nose, a nice contrast to the usual numbness. I made my way down the street knowing where to blow off some steam.

A/N:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS FAR! it really does mean the world! 🥺
Rn i'm working on the beginning. ik it's rough but just bear with me. the good stuff will come very soon. i promise!
I hope you have the bestest day/night! 💗