Chapter 5 and nothing even resembling a plot has appeared.

The previous chapters have all been re-written, nothing drastic, but there were a few mistakes to correct.

This one is decidedly short and full of dialogue, my excuse remains the same, I am still ill and surly.

Please read and review.

Chapter 5

Jien opened the door carefully, easing it open slowly, inch by inch, as to not make the hinge creak and betray his entrance. He tiptoed across the wood flooring, instinctively checking his pockets for anything suspicious or illegal in case his mother happened to go through his jacket. He systematically patted himself down. Nothing in his jeans, but he came across a half an un-smokable blunt in his front shirt pocket hidden along with half a pack of camels. Nothing he couldn't safely hide from his mother. Though he admitted, considering the time at night, she was probably too spaced out herself to be even concerned about his misadventures. She was most likely in bed, sleeping off the few too many glasses of wine she was routinely throwing herself into. Relaxing at little, he headed towards the bedroom door before he stopped suddenly, realising he was not alone.

He tensed, unnerved. He peered into the far corner of the room over to the small shadowed figure stood facing the corner.

"Goyjo?" He whispered, squinting through the semi dark before approaching cautiously.

The figure nodded wildly but did not turn to face him.

"What in the hell are you doing stood in the dark?"

Goyjo turned round and pressed his finger to his lips, indicating silence and snapped his head back to its original possession.

"What are you doing here at this time of night?" He came up to his brother and crouched down to his level, taking hold of his shoulders more roughly than he had meant to. "Why aren't you in bed?"

The four year old flinched, glanced around the room nervously and then whispered,

"Mom said I gotta stay here."

"Why?"

Goyjo didn't answer.

"Well how long have you been stood here?"

Goyjo glanced up at the clock, squinting up in the poor light, his lips moving silently for a moment before he finally admitted..

"I dunno Jien, I can't tell the time."

"Okay, okay." Jien sighed, "Do you know where mom is then?"

His half brother pointed to the kitchen door and sure enough, Jien noticed a thin crack of light peeking out from underneath it. So much for remaining unnoticed.

"Jien?"

His mothers voice called faintly from the other room and Goyjo's head snapped back round to face the wall immediately. Jien rose back onto his feet.

"Jien is that you?" His mothers voice repeated, this time more alarmed and shrill. There was no use in pretending he didn't hear her.

"Yeah mom, its only me." He left his sibling where he stood and swung open the kitchen door.

"Where have you been then?" She began coldly, taking a long drag of her cigarette and sharply flicking her ash onto the floor.

"Out." He answered, hanging on the door frame, not wanting to be brought into conversation in case she smelt the fags (among other things) on his clothes.

"Out where?"

Jien shrugged.

"Just out. I went into town with some friends." He figured the less he revealed about his nightly whereabouts the less likely he would screw up and trip over his own lies. His mother however didn't pry any further, she instead leant back on her chair and took a sip of wine.

"Do you want a drink?"

Jien frowned, suspicious, unable to decide whether she was trying to catch him out or whether her offer was indeed sincere.

"Yeah sure,"

"Wine, beer or cider?"

"Beer?"

She tossed him a beer from the fridge before slumping herself back on her chair.

"There you go." She smiled, amused at his surprised expression. "Sit down, talk to your mother. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

Jien obliged, taking the seat opposite her. From this point it was pretty obvious his mother was drunk, her smile was too wide, her cheeks glowed rosy with colour. The whole way she composed herself made it all too apparent,. He took a swig of beer, feeling uncomfortable, but grimaced at the taste, it was 'lite' and was as weak as cats piss.

They found themselves at a loss, neither one knowing what to say. Sumire went for another cigarette but found the packet empty.

"Shit." She felt her pockets for another pack but found she had none. She stared across at her son, almost examining him, before exclaiming. "Lend your mother a fag, Jien. I'm desperate here."

Fainting innocence Jien began to deny that he smoked at all but was quickly interrupted by his mothers lazy drawl.

"Don't take me for a fool, I know you smoke, Jien. You come home stinking of them every night. Hand them over."

Reluctantly Jien pealed a cigarette from the pack.

"Thanks." She hastily lit up and took a deep inhale before exclaiming, "Camels taste like shit."

"Yeah," He smiled weakly as his mother let out a wry chuckle. Once again he couldn't think of anything to say, the whole situation was awkward. " Hey Mom, how long has Goyjo been stood out there?

"Hm?"

"Goyjo is out in the hall and says you told him to."

"Oh, yes I did."

Pause

"Well, its nearly 2:00 in the morning, how long has he been there?"

"God, I don't know." She replied, her voice becoming more agitated.

"Well what did he do?"

"What do you mean?"

Jien felt himself loosing his patience.

"Jien, don't look at me like that." She leant forward, placing her glass on the table. "You don't understand."

"What don't I understand huh?" Jien stood, suddenly furious, "For Gods sake, he's not even five years old yet and your already knocking him around . He's just a kid."

Silence.

Sumire buried her head in her hands.

"You hate me don't you?"

"What? No Mom I…"

"You do." She interrupted, bloodshot eyes appearing through her fingertips, "I know you do."

"Mom I don't hate you, its just…"

She reached out and grasped his hand, her eyes full of tears.

"You don't understand. His eyes, his hair. Oh God, I'm not a monster Jien. I can't explain it. I just hate him Jien, I hate him so much. His face reminds me so much of your father and I can't stand it. I can't deal with him anymore."

"Mom?" he gently pulled he away from her, "Mom you're drunk, you need to go to bed."

She shook her head, inconsolable.

"Mom? Come on," He lifted her from the chair, resting her weight on his own. She was more drunk that he had originally perceived. She buried her face in his shoulder.

"Oh Jien, I don't know what I would do without you. You're the only thing keeping me sane in this house."

Jien returned the embrace, feeling the patter of soft tears seeping through into the his shirt.