Little Sister

Trick or Treat Freak

I laid in my bed, Bailey curled up at my side, per usual. I don't think I've really slept at all, I was waiting. Waiting for whatever punishment Billy wasn't able to give me earlier in the day. I couldn't help but grow anxious, listening to the clock in the background tick, I was hoping it could happen sooner than later, if it happens at all, just so it's over with. That's all I wanted, to get it over with in hopes that I have a good interval of time before the next "punishment". But the waiting was over.

As I dozed off, my eyes shot back open to find Billy standing above me. I inhaled deeply in an attempt to hide any sort of fear or weakness. Slowly I slipped out from under Bailey and laid her on my bed, laying the blanket over her. "Come on." Billy said. He clearly was impatient. I took another deep breath then went and followed him to his room.

He entered behind me and closed the door, as the lock clicked I took another deep breath to keep myself steady. I tried to hold myself together but as soon as he laid his hand on my shoulder I couldn't help but shiver.

"Are we putting up a fight tonight?" He whispered in my ear. I shook my head in response. "Good. Just try to be as quiet as possible. You don't want to wake Bailey, right?" I nodded. "That's good...now do as I say, and it'll be over soon."

-

I stepped into my bedroom, tears being held back as my eyes grew glossy. I closed the door as slowly as I could, in hopes to not make a sound. Once it was closed I turned and looked at my bed. Bailey laid there, her eyes shut and her arms wrapped around her little white bear. She must've been sound asleep.

I slowly sat down on my bed flinching at each shift I made. I leaned forward resting my elbows on my legs, placing my hands over my mouth attempting to keep myself from sobbing. I had every right to cry in the moment, but I always made myself feel bad about it. I felt I needed to be strong for Bailey, to show her that I was okay. But we both knew damn well I wasn't.

I was soon startled by a small pair of arms wrapping around my neck. I jumped and turned to meet face to face with Bailey, she knew what happened. She knew exactly what happened. She had seen it with her own eyes what happened to me. And I can't help but be ashamed of that every time I look at her.

Unable to keep myself, I finally wrapped my arms around her, pulling her small self into my lap. Rather than crying, I laid her in my arms and cradled her like a baby, resting my forehead against hers and rocking from side to side.

-

I wasn't even sure if I watched the sun come up. I just knew at one point I was sitting at the side of my bed in the dark, and now here I was, laying in my bed, my eyes staring at the sunshine beginning to come through the window.

I looked over at my alarm clock to see what time it was, 6:57AM was the time, meaning we had to get up soon. I sighed and sat up, going to rest my back against the headboard of my bed. I hissed in pain as soon as my back hit the surface and realized I needed to be a little more gentle.

When I settled myself I stared up ahead at the calendar that sat just above my dresser. I hadn't been very consistent with marking the days so it was hard to tell what the date was. But then it hit me. It was Halloween. I guess I wasn't excited enough over it to really remember. But I knew just the person who'd be ready to celebrate.

"Bailey." I said, shaking the little girl at my side.

"Huh?" She answered tiredly, she raised her head and rubbed her eyes.

"You know what today is?"

"No." She answered without a single guess, a yawn following.

"Today's Halloween." Suddenly all sense of tiredness left her body, her eyes lighting up as she gasped with excitement, but that all fell as she looked me in the eyes. "What's wrong?" She stood up and walked over, taking a seat on my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck.