He finally came home. She had expected this. He had been gone for almost a week without checking in or saying anything.
What was new?
She had had it. She was sick of that stupid intoxicated face of his that she was so accustomed to. She never talked to him anymore, let alone saw him sober. This wasn't the one she had fallen in love with, married, the one who would rock their daughter to sleep or read her bedtime stories before leaving to join her in bed. This was…
…an asshole.
She was surprised she still had tears to shed over this. For years now, this was all she did. She would make it through the day behind a mask. At work, she was all smiles. But when she got home, oh that was a different story. Dishes cluttered the sink. Dirty clothes and used tissues full of her sorrows littered the ground. And at that time, so did a red headed drunk.
"Mama?" She heard that voice calling her. The only thing keeping her going right now.
She turned her head. "Yes, Maka, honey?" She asked, her voice hoarse from the hours of sobbing.
"Papa's back, and he just barfed all over the floor." The 9 year old girl told her. "Should I go get the bucket?"
Crack.
That was it. She had enough. Enough of his lies, his face, his clothes, everything of his. She was sick of this filthy house and the tears and, and just-
She was sick of everything.
She stood up. Passed right past the little pigtailed girl into the living room.
There. There he was. Lying right on the floor, clothes a mess, in a puddle of his breakfast.
"Spirit." She called him, so calmly.
He laid there, unmoving, a stupid grin on his face.
One she was just dying to get rid of.
Her façade shattered. "SPIRIT!" She screamed at him. Bending down, she grabbed the tie she spent so much time and effort choosing for him and yanked him up by it. He started awake, utterly confused and choking.
Two green eyes just watched from behind her mother, startled. This wasn't like her strong mama….
He put a hand on the floor, now being supported by that trusty limb and not that foul contraption around his neck.
"K-Kami…" He gasped for air. "W-Wha' tha hell was tha' for? Can't you see I'm not feelin' very well righ' now?" He slurred, bloodshot eyes narrowed in anger.
"…You don't feel very well. YOU. " Her mouth turned up at the corners into a bitter smile. "Heh. Do you have ANY IDEA HOW I FEEL? HOW I'VE BEEN FEELING FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS?"
"M-mama…" The observer whimpered.
"…Do you have any what it's like to live in a hell like this every day for years?" She whispered. She was that scary calm again. "To come home to a house like this and knowing your husband is out there with another woman, having the time of his life? Who only comes home to mooch off of his wife, saying she's the only one he loves? Do you know what it's like to be lied to like that for years? To cry everyday and all night, and knowing only the same thing will happen the next day? To have to be seen like this by your own daughter? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH NOT ONLY ME, BUT MAKA HAS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF YOU?"
He looked genuinely surprised. "Y-you… because of me… Maka, too…?" That was all he could muster at the moment.
She'd been feeling this for a while now. The world seemed to have turned darker a long time ago. She felt like she was drowning. The water pulled her in, it's depths luring her in, but she had resisted before. For so long, she fought it.
And fought it.
And fought it.
Everyday was a battle.
But now…
"…I'm sorry, Maka…" she whispered. "I can't do this anymore."
She felt herself sinking, the darkness slowly over taking her. The last thing she was aware of was getting to her feet, and walking to the kitchen, dirt sticking to the soles of her feet with every step.
There.
She grabbed the handle of the drawer. Tugged it open.
Pulled out what was inside.
Ah, sweet salvation came in the form of metal. Light gleamed off of the sleek blade.
She smiled.
Gripped the hard plastic handle.
Raised it over her chest, the cold point teasing the covered skin under her blouse. Her last clean one.
At least she wouldn't have to worry about laundry after this.
"Ma- Mama, what are you-?"
She let go.
Gave in to the darkness.
And down she went.