Silence.
I think at times it would be bliss but at this point, I wish he would start talking.
Say something! I begged silently, tugging the corner of my shirt and biting my lip.
And for once, my prayer was answered.
'That tattoo new?' he nodded towards the tattooed chain on my exposed tummy.
Okay... now shut up.
I shrugged my shoulders and nodded nonchalantly. He gripped the steering wheel harder; his veins showing all too well on his hands.
Silence crept into the car and made itself heard loud and clear. The only sound cutting into it was the rumbling of the tires on the little pebbles on the road.
Suddenly he slammed the brakes and the tires screeched like a banshee's wail and halted to a stop with my face almost kissing the front screen and his protective hands was already on my.. exposed tummy.
I slumped in my seat, shocked and frightened with fear as his eyes scanned, or more accurately, x-rayed me from top to bottom before he bit his lip and unbuckled himself. My eyes were pretty much staring ahead, wide and eyelids moving not a flutter. He stepped out on the car and bent down to check if he had managed to knock whatever he was trying to avoid. My guess was his eyes scanned me and his brain checked me as fine, hence no attention needed for me.
In that few transient moments of yet another silence, unaccompanied, I wished that I had taken a plane and not trusted him, not since his divorce with Mrs. Heart Reaper. He yanked the rusty old car's door open and peered at me.
'Are you okay?' his voice grave and his eyes steely.
What the hell do you think? was about to be my answer.
'What did you hit?' I managed to stammer out, my fingers digging into the flesh of my thighs. Oh, horrendous thighs.
'Didn't. Baby sheep,' he answered shortly, getting back into the car again, as if that itself explained everything.
Right. Baby sheep. UH-HUH.
Silence. Kill me now please.
***
We arrived almost midnight and the house looked dead from afar. The lights weren't alight as before, of course, that was the death of Great Aunt Tabitha. GA for short. As kids, Jeremy and I were always teasing GA's name as it sounded more like a witch's black cat's name. And of course, we were well-spanked when GA headed home, whistling under her breath while we cussed under ours.
'Here,' he announced somberly.
I stepped out and sniffed the minty fresh air circulating the house. Then later cringed as my skin felt the icy cold of the wind howling nearby. He took his coat and covered my body. His hands felt like a dead man's. I stared into his blue eyes. Steely. But cold. He looked away and walked, hunched, towards the wooden house.
I glanced into the night and sighed heavily and joined my brother.
***
'I'm never coming back here again you know.'
Eighteen year old Jeremy Breckner made that decision while clutching to his luggage bag; with four years younger, Cassie Breckner sitting with him on his bed. She quickly stood up and stared, horrified at this sudden announcement.
'What do you mean you're not...?' she demanded loudly.
'Shut up! Do you want Mum and Dad to hear us?' he hissed violently at her, standing up as well. He was a foot taller than his sister and his eyes glared menacingly at her small figure.
'Yeah, well. I'd rather they hear it so they can put a stop to this .. crazy!!! stupid!! running scheme of yours!!' she shot back acidly.
Jeremy kicked his luggage in frustration and bit his lip. He frowned sadly as he looked upon the floor.
'I thought you'd understand, Cassie. I love her.'
Cassie clasped her hand on her mouth with a fake concerned expression on her face.
'Is that so?' she whispered, sarcasm dripping thickly from her voice. She strode forward slyly.
'And.. what happens when it runs out?'
Jeremy's eyes met her and the two glared at each other for a moment. His momentary sadness replaced with anger.
'So be it.' was his last sentence and having said that, grabbed his luggage and ran downstairs and out the door, Mrs. Beckner's screams tailing after him.
And as she stood there, she wondered if she should have supported him or tried better to stop him.
***
'Mum?' The door creaked as I opened it slightly. Stupid door. All the doors in the house were built so the little minions of the years wouldn't get pass the tight security : Mum and Dad.
She groaned slightly and sobbed in the dark.
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