The wooden door slammed behind me, the sound bouncing of the walls of our quiet house. Matthew and Hannah kicked off their shoes ahead of me and I did the same, letting the comfort of my freed feet sink in. It was 10:30 at night, and we had just arrived home from Ty's. Yes, Matthew had insisted on coming home with us even though he'd been banned.

Hannah flicked the dim light on from the kitchen and the room lit up. Hannah was about to yank open the fridge and rade it greedily but she paused, looking like a deer in the headlights. Two figures, all to familiar, sat at the long wooden dining table. Our parents. My mother and father sat beside each other, arms crossed and each looking equally angry. Matthew noticed the tenseness immediately. Even in his injured state, he pushed Hannah and I behind him, protectively guarding us from Jack's dangerous touch.

After a long stare down Jack stood, throwing the dining chair back into its place against the table. It crashed into the table, a stark contrast to the silence in the room. His dirty blond hair was tangled in a mess, like he had just woken up. His dull gray eyes narrowed, eyeing Matthew. His gaze then flickered to Hannah and I, and his expression softened. I even saw the hint of a smile. This reaction confused me, but I put it to the side and focused on the present situation.

"Jack," Matthew grunted.

Jack's head shot to the side his fiery gaze landing on Matthew once again. "You," he pointed to Matthew, "call me Sir. Not Jack, not dad, nothing else." Jack's voice was overflowing with hatred. His venomous tone made me flinch, but no one noticed.

"Girls, please go up to your rooms," Jack requested in a softer tone that slightly calmed my racing heart. I looked at Matthew warily. There was no way on earth I was going to leave Matthew with him. But, of course, my brother had to be the hero. He had to save the day.

"Yeah, I agree with Jack. Go get some rest," he said. Matthew gave me a stern look. I knew that look. It was his I'm-not-asking-I'm-telling look. Hannah apparently knew too, because she gave Matthew a solemn nod and turned to walk up the stairs but she didn't get far.

"Girls, where do you think you're going? You can't go to bed without giving your mother and I a goodnight kiss," Jack said. His chuckle sent shivers down my spine. It was as if he truly wanted a goodnight kiss. It reminded me of the Jack I knew years ago. He was acting like the dad I knew when I was an oblivious, innocent ten year old.

I looked to my mother, Janet. She hadn't said a word. She hadn't moved. Her blue eyes glinted with hope and amusement, but something else too. Was it fear? Was it sadness? Was she as crazy as my father? Or, was she just to afraid to do anything? I raked my teeth over my bottom lip so hard I was afraid I'd draw blood. I took a few hesitant steps towards Jack.

"Come on, I won't hurt you. Don't be silly. Come and give your father a hug."

I had to hold my tongue. The last thing I wanted was to turn the strange situation into a dangerous one. I approached my father, and wrapped my arms around him. I only came up to his chin. He rested his head on the top of mine and kissed my forehead before letting me go. Hannah did the same, and we hugged our mother before scurrying off out of site.

We didn't go to our bedrooms though. Instead we hid behind a wall, where the start of the staircase was. Hannah and I sat on the bottom step, huddled together.

"That was so...weird," Hannah whispered.

"I know."

We then heard Jacks voice echoing down the hall. Or maybe that was what it sounded like to me. His voice was loud and clear. I could hear him better than I ever have been able to before, even though we were in different rooms, separated by walls.

"You're not allowed here. You need to leave!"

"I won't leave Hannah and Rebecca here alone," Matthew replied. Strangely, he didn't sound angry or afraid. His voice was soft, calm and steady.

"Why? You aren't their parent. Why do you need to be here?" Jack accused.

"I need to protect them."

"Protect them?" Jack laughed. "Protect them from what?"

It was silent for a moment but then Matthew said, "You."

"Hmm," Jack mused. "Well you're waisting your time. I would never hurt the girls."

Hannah sucked in air, her fearful and curious silver eyes flickering over to me. I shrugged, not knowing what was wrong with Jack, our once loving father who was now a maniac.

"You hurt me," Matthew stated. He gestured towards the cast weighing down his arm. Wait a minute? How did I see that? There is a wall in between us. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting, and I quickly realized I was seeing through the wall. I gasped, a little to loud.

"Did you hear that?" Janet asked. Hannah and I gave each other a knowing look and we both scrambled up the stairs, diving into our bedrooms. I could see Jack looking at the stairs. He shrugged and mumbled something to himself but went back to the kitchen.

"Matthew I hurt you because you deserved it. Son, my only regret is adopting you. You have no idea how many nights I thought about dumping you at the adoption agency and leaving you there, but I didn't. You should be thanking me. But, you're an adult now so act like one and leave my family alone."

"I-it's my fam-family too," Matthew choked out. I could feel the strain in his voice. I knew he had tears in his eyes, but he tried to be strong. Like always, he hid his pain.

"No Matthew. This is not your family anymore. Leave, and don't ever come back here. This is your past, but not your future. Rebecca and Hannah are better off without you. You know better than anyone that you are the reason this family is falling apart. So, just leave. You're dragging the family down. Do us a favor and go. It will be the best, for all of us."

Hot tears streamed down my face, pooling at the dimples in my cheeks. Silence filled the house until it was broken by a short pained growl from Matthew. 

He cleared his throat and with a raspy voice he said, "Jack I will never leave this family. I won't abandon Hannah and Rebecca like you did. We've suffered for years. We've dealt with you. You come home  shouting and yelling. We watched glass shatter against the walls. We watched the memories of this family, this home, fade away. You replaced them with fear. A fear we can never forget, a fear of you. We have come home to an empty fridge for as long as I can remember. But Jack, we have stuck together. I can turn you in. I could have you locked away in a jail cell. Now, not only do I have the emotional scars but the physical scars to prove it."

Jack once again let out a low sorrowful laugh. "Oh Matthew, don't be stupid. This world isn't fair. Justice is just a word, a fantasy but not a reality. Maybe you should think about this. You three have stuck together. Well, where has that gotten you? Now, all three of you are suffering. If you'd just give it up, Hannah and Rebecca could be happy. But you're keeping happiness from them. Matthew, you're being selfish and if you continue, you'll ruin all of our lives. Let them be happy, Matthew." Jack paused, and thought for a moment.

"The police rely on me to much. I'm to powerful. I have to much money. Even if they did believe you, they wouldn't care. Like I said, 'fair' is just a fantasy. But, the police would definitely allow a restraining order."

"A-a restraining order?" Matthew asked, fear apparent in his voice.

"Yes, a restraining order. You wouldn't be able to see this family ever again, not without being arrested at least." Jack smiled. "Is that what you want Matthew?"

Matthew took a step back, running into the wall. He was cornered my Jack. "What? No! Please, Jack. I'm sorry. Whatever I did to make you hate me so much, I'm sorry! Just, please don't take them away from me."

Jack leaned forward, one hand on each of Matthews shoulders pinning him to the wall. Matthew winced, and seemed to shrink underneath Jack's stare.

"Well Matthew, the choice is yours. Leave on your own, or I'll make you. But, remember this one thing Matthew. You're the one keeping Rebecca and Hannah from being happy. Are you willing to take away happiness from them? Are you that selfish?"

Matthew dropped his head. "I'll leave. Just, please don't get a restraining order."

Jack grinned, a proud grin. He looked triumphant, like he had won something he'd wanted for his entire life. "I won't. For now, anyways. Goodbye Matthew."

Without another word Matthew left. He didn't say goodbye. He didn't fight. He didn't do anything but turn and walk out that door. That door that will haunt me forever. I didn't bother to stand. I slid down the wall, my knees trembling. Tears soaked my face. My eyes stung. I felt hopeless.

I don't know when Hannah had come in. At some point she walked through my door with red eyes, tears shining in the light. Her hair was matted to her cheeks and her beautiful eyes were red and puffy. She dropped to the ground beside me and wrapped her arms around me.

I didn't bother to stay awake. I let my exhausted eyes close and fell asleep on the ground with only two words running through my mind.

Goodbye Matthew.

Well, okay then. No, I'm not crying. What would make you think that?

This chapter was so terribly hard for me to write. But honestly, this is such an important matter to me. So many families are torn apart each year. It broke my heart to write this chapter, but it had to be done. Before you freak out though, (well I don't have many readers so you're probably not freaking out but if you are just hear me out) just know this was an extremely important chapter. As badly as I want to ball my eyes out, (Are any of you crying right now or is it just me?) I must continue with the story.

Anyways, I had to listen to 'Tomorrow' by Olly Murs the entire time I wrote this chapter. Yes, I was actually crying as I wrote it. But, that's just how I write. I write better when I'm feeling the emotions my character is feeling. So, go check out that song while you read this chapter!

I feel like this is a fitting chapter to add Matthew's picture. Up above is what I envision him to look like.

Alright guys, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think. Comment and vote!

Don't be silent readers. Have a beautiful day!