Chapter 2: Where Did It All Go?

"Hunter, I'm cold."

"I know, Shawn, but we're almost home."

"Can't we stay here? Please?"

"No," Hunter sighed. "What would Mommy and Daddy say?"

"You know what Daddy would say."

Hunter couldn't complain since his head was still throbbing from the beating he took two nights ago, not feeling up to going back home and facing another night. He and Shawn were even lucky to make it out of the house after dodging their Dad's drunken state when he slept upright in his chair. Shawn leaned against a tree and crossed his arms over his chest, wanting to ignore his brother's silent pleas to go home.

"Shawn," Hunter said. "We have no choice."

"There's always a choice." Shawn's nose had a big cut on the side and his jaw was a little swollen, but that didn't seem to stop Shawn's eating habit when it came to lunchtime at school.

Hunter touched the bruise on the side of his head and winced when the pain came. It looked purple when Hunter looked in the mirror this morning, as it was just a lump the day before. He soon felt a pain in his stomach from not eating at lunch for the sake of his brother.

"Hunt?"

"Yeah, Shawn?"

"Why hasn't Mommy been up to see us?"

"She sleeps all day, Shawn. They call her condition 'Night Owl'."

Shawn nodded and looked at the ground, the leaves swirling in the light breeze. Hunter walked over to his brother and placed an arm around his waist.

"We have to go, Shawn."

"I hate going home."

"I know, but we have to go."

"No."

"Come on."

Hunter pulled lightly on his brother and held him close as they both walked down the path around the woods. The sun was beginning to set in the distance as the boys walked down the forest and soon found theirselves towards the fence, grabbing their backpacks and throwing them over before crawling under and walking across the yard towards the front door.

Hunter put his hand on the doorknob and looked over at Shawn, seeing the look on his face, and turned it. The two scurried inside fast, no one present in the livingroom. Shawn peeped around the corner of the kitchen and saw no one was there either, quickly walking into the room and opening the refrigerator. Hunter followed and grabbed an apple from the stand on the table. He bit into it and enjoyed the taste. Shawn took out a glass from the cupboard and poured some milk into it, drinking it while ignoring the pain in his jaw. He finished it fast and set the glass in the sink, washing it throughly. The last time he didn't wash the glass he got a bad beating. Hunter held out the apple and offered it to Shawn silently, but Shawn shook his head. Hunter nodded and took another bite.

Once the two finished in the kitchen, they went upstairs to their bedroom and placed their backpacks on the floor. Shawn laid down on the bed and Hunter closed the door silently. Hunter walked over and sat on the edge of the bed continuing to eat the apple. Shawn smiled at his brother before closing his eyes and falling asleep, Hunter watching over his brother.

A loud noise caused Hunter to open his eyes. He sat up slowly and looked at the closed door, noticing how dark it was outside. Shawn stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes.

"Boys! Where are you?!"

Hunter gasped and Shawn sat up quickly in bed, his breath quickened when loud noises trailed up the stairs.

Before Hunter could speak, the door flew open, the smell of alcohol smelt on instant, and the hands of the Father went straight for Hunter's neck.

The room was full of darkness that Hunter couldn't see anything in front of him. He looked around the best he could, but shadows of the windowpane couldn't help that he was lying on the floor of the basement. He attempted to move, but pain followed and his breathing cut short. He tried to find Shawn, but couldn't see him anywhere, shadows or not.

He laid there on the floor, his legs and back in pain, trying to remember what happened before he blacked out. He didn't recall anything and closed his eyes, waiting for a moment when he could move freely. He knew he'd be laying here awhile.

Then, he heard something echo in the room and it wasn't long until a tough hand gripped his collar and forced him to sit up. The smell of alcohol and cigarets hit Hunter's nose.

"I'll give you one chance, boy," A voice said. "Tell me what you were thinking when you stole my food?"

"W-What?" It hurt to talk.

"Don't get smart with me! You and your stupid brother stole food from me! That Milk wasn't half empty when I last saw it and there were four apples on the stand! You can't play dumb with me!"

Hunter tried to dodge the screams and horrible smells, but he had no choice and had to endure it along with the pain in his arms and back. He then felt a strong hand come across his face and fell backwards face-first on the floor. He breathed deep and felt a tug on his arm, causing him to yell, and felt one punch after the other on his face and back.

Once the tortor was over, the door slammed shut and Hunter laid face-first on the floor in a pile of blood, as if there wasn't any already. Soft noises came from the corner of the room and soon echoed in Hunter's ears as his shoulder was shaking. Hunter felt hands on him and tried to move on his side, but couldn't move another inch.

"Are you okay, Hunt?" Shawn whispered, fear in his voice as his hands trembled against Hunter's shoulder.

"Y-Yeah." Hunter whispered, his throat sore. "Don't worry about me."

"You're hurt."

"How did you get here?"

"Daddy threw me in here, too."

"Oh."

Shawn tried to stay strong for his brother, but felt tears in his eyes when he heard his brother's breath loud and clear. He sobbed quietly and hugged Hunter, who touched Shawn's hands with his, hoping to sooth their damaged spirits.

Since Mommy hadn't come home from her job, the boys had no choice but to face the wrath of their Daddy's punches.

Where did she find a guy like him anyway?