Terror gripped me. Seeing the fear in Eyeball's eyes was scaring me. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak.

He didn't move either. He didn't even move a muscle. He just stood there, staring into space, listening.

"Rich…" I whispered, unsure of what to do.

Another series of thuds came.

"He's up. Shit, Cassie."

"Richard! Goddamnit boy, where are you? Christopher!"

"Cassie." He said in a hushed voice turning to face me. He placed his hands firmly on the sides of my arms. "I need you to get under my bed and stay there until I come get you. No matter what. Ok?"

I nodded dumbly.

"Now go." He said firmly.

"Richard!" Another shout came.

He went out of the bedroom door into the landing.

"Yes, Daddy. I'm here." I heard him say.

"Where's that good for nothing mother of yours?"

"She's still staying with her sister, Daddy. Anne's sick."

"Where's my breakfast?"

"I can make you something if you'd like."

"Damnit. That bitch should be here."

"I am sure Mama will be home soon," he said through his teeth. I could hear him getting defensive as he often did when anyone said something against his mother. He was very protective of her.

"Don't you talk back to me, boy."

"Sorry, Daddy." I heard footsteps come closer. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I'm sorry"

I heard a sickening crack. I heard Eyeball falling to the ground, banging into the wall and sliding down it. I curled up into a ball under his bed. I longed to help him, to protect him but I couldn't. There was nothing I could do. I heard a dull thud and a low agonised groan.

"I'm going out." Footsteps retreated down the stairs and I heard the front door slam.

Tears welled in my eyes. I brushed them away, swallowing hard to stop the tears. I rubbed my eyes roughly to dry the tears away. I lay under his bed, waiting for him to return. I heard him get up and come back into the room.

"Cass, you can come out." I saw his feet by the door.

I slid out from under his bed. He had his arm across his ribs. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I shouldn't have answered him like that. He wouldn't have done anything if I hadn't.

"Did he hurt you bad?"

"No. Just a little slap and a boot to the ribs. As if I didn't look bad enough," he smiled. "Could've been worse, hun. I just wish I had've kept my mouth shut. You shouldn't have had to hear that."

I kissed him on the cheek. I took him by the hand to the bed and we sat down.

"You called me Rich earlier," he said.

"Yeah, I dunno. It just came out. It's nice though. It suits you… Could I call you that?"

"Sure." He smiled.

He leaned down and kissed me.

"Y'know something? I could get used to going steady." He said smiling at me.

He kissed me again, this time leaning me back on to the bed so he was lying on top of me. He laid his head on my chest with his arms wrapped around my waist. We lay there for about ten minutes just talking when Chris shouted upstairs, "Rich! Ace is here…"

He looked at me, his eyes wide.

"Shit…."