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

you little piece of shit?!" Mother stands in the doorframe, a belt

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

"Mom, you should go to your room and lay

Chapter 136

little bastard couldn't keep his

older than me, has always been my hero. And

under the

don't know where he is." Alec tries to push her out

protect Reyes after all he has done?!" she

seven," Alec

a man. And tonight, I will teach you two what

Alec before.

the bed, and while I can't 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 punished because

from under the bed. Mother does not see me as she is facing away from me. When she

as she hits Alec

yells and grabs me by the

Chapter 136

mouth. She hits me with the belt over my

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

killed him!" I wail when Alec does not move or make any

hit me with 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

Alec is. "Wake up!" I beg my

bone visible. I put my head on Alec's chest and cry silently. Alec puts his arms around me, and

cleaned up," Alec says. I

blood from my legs. Before taking me back

Chapter 136

the blood flow

want me to play the guitar for you?" Alec asks as he sits on the bed. "Could

I sit next to Alec on the bed. I love listening to Alec play the guitar. One day,

door opens again, and Azael