Daddy
By castelgard – edited by Lila Paige Rose
Sweetie if your dad comes there to pick you up don't go with him okay? Go straight home.
I stared at the message, reading and rereading the sparrow-sent message my mom flew to me. I was with Team 7, training, one more hour and it was home sweet home. But the message I just read sent up a chill down my spine. I knew something was wrong. And I suddenly dreaded going home. I didn't want to go home.
Finally Kakashi-sensei jumped up, waved at us and vanished with a poof, his horny book clutched in one hand, signaling the end of the day. I stood up, gathered my things and started walking out of the clearing. Not even Sasuke's worried look interested me; I was too worried. Naruto, ignorant as always, bounced over to me and asked to walk me home. I nodded absently, not caring who was walking me home.
Finally, we started down the path that will lead to my home. Surprisingly, Sasuke also came with us, although he's a few yards back. Naruto, as always, stopped at the ramen stand and ordered for the three of us. Finally, we finished and we continued on our way.
We finally reached the street that separated Naruto's apartment and my house so we parted ways. Sasuke, who lived on the opposite side of the village, vanished without a trace a few turns back. For once, I didn't care. And suddenly my mind drifted back to the night before.
My parents were fighting. They were both shouting at each other. And then silence. I thought it was over. My mom went to work. My dad stayed home. We slept. I got up at 4:30 in the morning. I got ready for school. My dad drove me to school. I thought it was back to normal.
I walked step by step towards my home. My mind was full of questions. I didn't want to go home. It was like I was watching everything in slow motion.
I saw the front of our house was empty. The empty spot was where my dad's car was supposed to be parked. I walked slowly down the familiar street. The street I walked on for the past three years when I was coming home from school. And now suddenly, everything about the street was strange, and I was a stranger.
I reached our house. I opened the door and went in. I walked on the familiar floor. I climbed the familiar stairs up to our room. I opened the door and saw my mom lying in bed, crying.
"Your dad left us. He took your brothers with him." She sobbed.
"Did you call him?"
"No. But I know he's with your grandma."
I saw the table beside her bed was empty. The table where I always prepared my baby brother's milk. It was empty. His feeding bottles and water weren't there.
I saw their cabinet. It was also empty. Their clothes were gone.
I picked up a pillow, I smelled it. It still had the essence of my baby brother. The scent was baby-ish. I could feel hot tears filling my eyes. But I blinked them away.
I felt weak.
They're gone.