Four or Dead by G O A

Four or Dead

Chapter 136

Flashback, Reyes 7 years old

Loud shouting and the sound of objects breaking come from downstairs

I am hiding under the bed in the small, messy room I share with Alec, my older brother. I have always been scared when our parents fought

Lately, it has been happening more frequently than before

My father, Ander, works many hours and is rarely home. When he is home, he spends as much time as possible with Alec and me

My mother, Roxanne, fills her days with drinking and is drunk most of the time. When Alec and I return from school, we often find her passed out on the couch. There were times when we found her with other men, drinking or inhaling a white powder through their noses-cocaine, Alec called it. I have never liked those men. Especially Azael. He has always looked at Alec and me in a way that makes me uncomfortable

Sometimes, Azael and Mother would go into my parents' bedroom

Since her room is next to mine, I could hear strange noises coming from there. When I asked Alec about it, he told me to ignore it

I even started to think Azael was hitting Mother. Once, when Mother was screaming Azael's name, I was on the verge of tears because I thought he was killing her. Alec took out his guitar, the one our father got for him the first time he went to a very special place on the day he turned twelve-which I am not yet allowed to know about-and played a song, calming my nerves

Chapter 136

When I turned seven, some months ago, Azael brought me a book about angels and demons. It told the story of how the demons rebelled against Heaven, and God cast them out. Father told Alec and me that the demons left Heaven because the angels became corrupt, so I confronted Father about his lies. When asked where I heard about the angels being good, I showed him the book and told him about Azael. That day, my parents had their real first fight

The front door slams and only Mother can be heard yelling, letting me know my father has left. Knowing what will happen in the next few minutes, I curl into a ball

"Tt will be alright. I won't let her harm you anymore," Alec tells me. He has been sitting on the bed since the start of the fight

A few minutes of peace followed, and I think Mother might not be mad at me tonight. I am about to get out from under the bed when I hear

footsteps down the hall, and I freeze

The door to the room opens

of shit?!" Mother stands in the doorframe, a

has me peeing my shorts. I bite my fist. Will she be even

"Mom, you should go to your room and lay in bed. You

Chapter 136

father left me because that little bastard couldn't keep his mouth

is seven years older than me, has always been my hero. And now, he sounds as frightened as

under the

is." Alec tries

protect Reyes after all

is only seven,"

will teach you two

never hit Alec before.

see what is happening, I can hear the sound of the belt on skin, followed by Alec's scream. I can't let him be

she is facing away from me. When she is about to hit

says as she hits

yells and grabs me by the hair, and throws me on the floor. "Did you just soil

Chapter 136

of my mouth. She hits me with the belt over my bare legs. When

final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter

intervene, but she slaps him across the face so hard that he hits his head on the nightstand and falls next to the

him!" I wail when Alec

the belt until my legs are full of bruises, welts, and blood. The first time she hit me was the day I told my father about Azael, but she has never been so vicious "Look at

the door closes behind her, I drag myself to where Alec is. "Wake up!" I beg my brother

his back. His left brow is split in two, the bone visible. I put my head on Alec's chest and cry silently. Alec puts his arms around me,

you cleaned up," Alec says.

helps me clean the blood from my legs. Before taking me back to

Chapter 136

the blood flow

you?" Alec asks as he sits on the bed. "Could you bring it to me? I am a little

in, and I sit next to Alec on the bed. I love listening to Alec play the guitar. One day, I will also learn. Then, we will play

on the second song when the door opens again, and Azael enters.