I place my ear on the old floor boards to listen out for his foot steps. "shhh he may hear you!" My heart pounding out of my chest. "It's ok, you know I'm always here for you. And let's look at the bright side, he's waking up from his nap. Usually he's pretty cool after a nap" Britney explained. "Yeah well that's easy for you to say, you hide every time he comes around." Still shaking in my boots. Britney's reassuring words didn't help this time. I knew he would get up and become pissed off about something we had no control over. And the abuse shall begin. "In my defense, in order for me to have your back I must first stands behind you." Britney said with an agitated tone "I'm sorry, I'm not made at you. It's just last time he became upset. I felt the better half of a garbage can top. And grandma cries for help didn't stop him for hitting me" my eyes started to burn with salted water laced in pain "I'm sorry, I wish I could've helped." I could hear the sorry in her voice. The pain of being restricted my the universe. "It's ok, it didn't hurt all that bad anyway" As I finished my sentence I could hear the scramble of feet and the whispers of fear. He was awake. "Shit! He's awake" my sister cried. My door flew open, strikingly me so hear my ears ring. "What the hell are you doing laying on the floor!?" He said angrily "Oh I was just playing" my voice shook with fear. I couldn't read his mood nor could I clearly see his blood shot eyes "You need to clean this fucking room! Yo' momma just raising a house full of dirty hoes!" He spat I moved hastily towards to one pair of shoes and single sock laying in the middle of the partially empty room. I watched my movements, making sure they are not too sudden or rapid. Things could turn ugly if they are mistaken for attitude. He shifted his attention to my sister, who's always the first step to his rampage of abuse. I locked eyes with her standing at the end of the hall, in front of an open door, holding her leg in an upright position. As he taunt her for falling asleep. He's voice echo throughout the house with words so sharp it could cut the coldest sleet. I could feel my sister pain as strong as the Florida sun. I do my best to ignore her, he hates if we show a sign of empathy. A sign of hurt. A sign of pain. He sits back at her heavy metal desk, smoking his cigarette. As he look around at his self made kingdom he rule in hatred and fear. I look at my siblings trying to look busy to avoid is tyranny. "This bitch really playing with me! I know you can't be that damn sleepy! Y'all just look at her! Look! She's a real piece of lazy shit." He shouted We all turned to her, pretending to hate what we see. Survival of the fittest. We had to pretended he hated our own sister as much as he did. Or it will turn on us. "Hahaha she so lazy." Co signed my mom. As she sit back in her green, grease stained recliner with a cigarette burning between her manicure fingers. She looked over at me and rolled her eyes. A combination of fear and hatred boiled within my soul. But my body stayed stealth. "It's ok V, when we grow up. Well leave this place behind and never look back." Britney whispered. I looked over at her, swallowing tears as she tried to comfort me. "I know but it doesn't fix anything now. I hate my life, I hate it here." I whispered "Who are you talking too? Stop talking to your fucking self." She spat. The spirit of fear filled the air while the smell of pain stung in the nostrils of all who what's the King and Queen of this sanctuary of hell.
