pens and paper- chapter 5

Weakness.Its a funny thing, how we are defined by what makes us strong or weak. Or rather, what society interprets as weak. It was weird, seeing the thing that controlled me most in the world, spread out on this wall. It terrified me a little that I could so easliy see my weakness, it made me wonder if other people could see it too. After all, this 'strenght' i had was an act. For charlie. For me. Its scary how things change, one minute you're ready to get through anything the world throws at you, the next you're digging your own grave. 

The door clicked shut behind me. My hand instictively went to the door knob, as loud, angry voices echoed down the hall, harsh words hitting me like slaps in the face. I should have stayed outside. The house was dark apart from a slither of glowing, yellow light creeping out from under my parents bedroom door. A warning sign. STAY AWAY!  

I crept up the stairs, past their room, limbs ridged with fear. I opened my door and slipped inside, closing it slowly. Leaning my back against the door, relief flooded my body, only to freeze again as a small, whimpering sound came from my closet. I tiptoed over to my closet and slowly opened the door.

No.

No. No. No

Tears pricked my eyes and my whole body started shaking. Charlie. He was curled up in the corner, beaten and broken, crying silently to himself.