Chloe

I squeezed my eyes shut tight and tried to block out the sounds of my grandfather's loud footsteps and angry words.

This night started out just like every other night, and unfortunately ended just like every other night, as well.

At eight o'clock I brushed my teeth and put on my fuzzy pink pajamas. I picked up my big stuffed monkey and begged grandpa to let me stay up for one more hour.

He picked me up onto his lap and told me that if I didn't sleep I couldn't explore tomorrow. This line always got me to listen, I loved exploring more than anything.

So I ran off to bed, and quickly shut my eyes cuddling the large amount of stuffed animals surrounding me.

My eyes would always open again as I thought about exploring with Taylor and Paolo the next day. I'd always hear the door open around 8:30 and I'd slam my eyelids shut and even out my breathing so grandpa would think I was asleep and I wouldn't get in trouble.

He would tuck the blankets in tighter around me and kiss my forehead before leaving again.

Then I'd hear him rummaging through the cabinets and cupboards, and I'd hear the glass clink off the table and the liquid being poured in.

I don't think grandpa realized these walls were paper thin; that I could hear everything that went on when they thought I was asleep.

I'd hear the drinks being poured into the glass so many times, and each time grandpa grew more careless with the noise he was making. He'd slam doors, and knock over chairs. He walked around with heavy feet and a sailor's mouth.

That's exactly the stage he was on now. He stomped around the kitchen and grumbled to himself. I couldn't understand what he was saying, but I think it had something to do with the fire's power being low.

I heard a loud crash and the sound of shattering glass. This made my heart rate speed up and I bit my lip, pulling my stuffed dog towards me for protection.

"Son of a bitch!" He screamed, there was silence that followed.

A tear slid down my cheek, but I didn't dare make a noise. I didn't want him to find me awake in here. I don't want to know what he'd do.

I turned my head very slowly towards my clock, it was midnight. I was scared.

I heard the front door open and I pulled my head further under the blankets, here it comes.

"What the hell- What's wrong with you?" I heard Owen's angry voice.

Grandpa didn't say anything.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing this?" He yelled.

"You're a poor excuse for a grandfather, you're a poor excuse for a man!" Owen bellowed. I shook my head and clamped my hands over my ears.
"Every single night! Every fucking night I come home to find you like this! You're going to hurt yourself or Chloe! This needs to stop! You can't keep turning to the bottle every time you slip up!" Owen was shouting now.

He must have been drinking tonight, too. Usually he was quieter during these confrontations. He knew I was trying to sleep.

"Don't talk to me that way." Grandpa mustered, meekly.

"I'll talk to you how you deserve to be talked to! You are pathetic." Owen growled.

I heard a strangled cry come from my grandpa.

I bit my lip and tried to stop the tears from escaping.

"You wonder why grandma left you? You pushed her away! You push everyone away! Everyone is so damn afraid of you because you're fucked in the head! Why would you ever believe that drinking would solve everything? In case you haven't noticed, it makes everything worse." Owen shouted, I wished he would stop. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. The flooded my cheeks. I forgot to wash off my pink face paint before I went to sleep, so I had streaks of it all over my face and pillow, and my hands when I wiped it.

"Leave me alone." Grandpa cried.

My grandpa was crying. He was the strongest man I knew, He was even stronger than Owen. I was afraid of my grandpa, yes, but hearing him cry was unbelievable.

"I would leave you alone if I could. If it wasn't for Chloe I'd leave you here!" Owen said.

I buried my face into my pillow, desperately wishing I could just sink into it and disappear forever.

"Get out of my house." Grandpa said. I heard movement.

"What are you doing?" Owen asked frantically.

"I said get out!" Grandpa bellowed. I heard a crash of metal.

"Stop it! Crazy bastard!" Owen screamed.

"You don't talk to me like that!" Grandpa repeated. I heard another metal clash.

I heard a loud smack and then silence. I flinched and tried to stop the tears and the shaking futilely.

Suddenly the door swung open and Owen stood there. He carried grandpa into the room and set him in his bed. He tucked him in and set a glass of water on the nightstand by his bed. He then came over to my bed and sat on the edge of it.

I didn't even try to hide the fear on my face.

"Chloe…" Owen whispered tenderly and laid his big hand on my head.

I let myself cry and be scooped up into his arms. He grabbed my purple blankie and three of my favorite stuffed animals, too.

We entered his room, and he laid me on his bed and tucked me in before curling up next to me.

"Why are you shaking?" He asked me.

"I'm scared."

"Don't be scared. He won't hurt you."

I still cried.

"What's wrong?" He asked again.

"What if he kills you?"

He laughed a little, "He won't kill me, Chloe."

I sat up and looked at him, "He tried to tonight, didn't he?"

His eyes darkened, "Of course not."

I knew he was lying. Just because I was eight doesn't mean I was stupid.

I laid back down regardless, "You won't kill him either, will you?" I said quietly.

"I'm not going to kill anyone, and nobody is going to kill me. Don't worry." He said gently.

I shut my eyes, as he smoothed my hair back.

"Don't worry, Chloe. Nobody will hurt you. I'm going to protect you forever."

I smiled softly, "Promise?"

"Promise." He smiled, holding out his pinky finger that was nearly as large as my whole hand. We locked fingers and he shut his eyes, too.

"I love you, Owen." I mumbled, feeling myself drifting off to sleep, finally feeling safe.

"I love you, too, Chloe. To the end of the world and back."

A/N: I plan on doing almost all of the characters from Animal Parade, but if you want a particular one let me know so I can post it! Thanks.