Eighteen

VINCENT

Several years ago,

"Vince? Wake up!" I opened my eyes at the sound of my mother's voice.

"You need to get up. Take your sisters to the closet and hide" she said, her tone filled with urgency. I was feeling too tired and unwell to do what she'd just asked. So, I continued to lie there.

"Please, sweetie. I know you're hurting. But, you have to hide. Your father is coming home!" She had tears in her eyes, her brows creased into a frown. I didn't want her to cry, so I dragged myself to a sitting position.

My head spun but I ignored it. My sisters were standing by the closet, rubbing their eyes, sleepily. Emma was half asleep and Ava could barely keep her eyes open. Rising to my feet, I limped towards the closet, taking hold of their hands. After I managed to get them into the closet, mum closed the door. In the cramped space, Ava and Emma fell asleep again. I couldn't go back to sleep because I was anxious. The last time our father had come home, he had hurt my mother so badly, s