Each day felt extra long. Dragging on until the moment when sleep took over. Then sleep felt quick. It was worse on days where he just didn't want to wake up. Sleep went by too quick for his liking. Especially with the fact that he always got so little sleep. He stayed on the watch just in case that bastard of a man came back remembering he ad brother existed.

So with each day felt long with this restlessness of just wanting to sleep. It was irony in itself. Sometimes sleep overcame him at the worst times which led to trouble. This time it was huge trouble. It seemed like the teacher had started to take notice of his trouble.

He was eating what little dinner he was given. When suddenly, the phone rang. It was answered. Gilbert starting eating quicker scared what the phone call might have been about. Next thing he knew, he was hit hard by a hand.

"I provide everything for you and this is what you do! You cause nothing but trouble!" The man yelled with disgust and anger in his voice. Gilbert just stayed quiet something he had learned within the past year or so. To just stay quiet. "You little shit!" He was hit again. And again. And again. Almost in a loop. Before he knew it, he lie on the floor with a mess of blood and tears coming down but no sound. The man had left. The dark of night filling in and he lie there not wanting to move. Fearing that the action might cause something worse.

Everything had been fine until that moment. He felt nothing but regret.

The next day was a Saturday. The school empty and quiet. The silence bothered him immensely but he kept quiet. He cursed himself for his mistakes with each second that passed. The man sitting next to him scowling at him wasn't helping. It just made him all the more angry at himself for making a mistake.

He heard footsteps and the principal stood talking to the man sitting next to him. They were led to the office that Gilbert had only been in once. She spoke.

"Are you Gilbert's parent or guardian?"

"I'm his guardian."

"Alright." She paused to look at Gilbert for a moment. "I know you must be worried about Gilbert."

"I am. What did he do?"

"He's been falling asleep during class. His teacher has become worried that he might now be getting enough rest at home." Not enough was an understatement. Gilbert felt like he was going to drop at any moment from the lack of sleep. He grew nervous at what she might say next. "He hasn't been doing his work either. His teacher has said it's like he has too much on his mind." She looked at Gilbert as if searching for a reaction. He stayed still trying not show emotion. Biting his lip as his nervousness grew.

"That's odd. I always make sure he has enough sleep." What a damn lie! Gilbert gripped his seat tightly trying not give a reaction in fear of the consequences. "And as for his distraction from work, I don't simply know what he could be thinking about." He breathing became quick but he kept quiet. He gripping the chair tighter and grit his teeth.

"Gilbert?"

"Yes?" He tried not to show his anger and nervousness.

"Is there anything wrong?" She sounded truly worried. It conflicted him. He had to tell himself such a thing was a lie. The man right next to him was intimidating. There was a split-second war going on in his head just looking for what to respond.

"No." The answer a lie. He wanted nothing more but to say the truth. The consequences were just too much. He had to protect his brother. Despite how much it would all hurt.

"Alright. Thank you for coming." Gilbert stood as did the man that he dreaded to even look at. But he was stopped. "Mr..."

"Beilschmidt."

"Yes, , could you wait outside for a moment. I want to talk to Gilbert for a moment." The man stayed silent for a moment.

"Alright." The door was closed and Gilbert sat back down.

"Gilbert, are you sure nothing is wrong?" His breath was caught unsure of what to say.

"Yes I'm sure." Those words burned his tongue.

"Okay, just know you can always tell me if something is wrong."

"Okay."

He hated the fact that he had to believe such thing as a lie.