With the back of his hand, Arthur wiped the tears from his eyes and walked out of the bathroom, stumbling slightly. As much as he wanted to sob all day, he needed to stop crying. I mean it's not like it's solving anything. In order to have any chance of surviving today he needed a plan of sorts. He would have to avoid his brothers at all costs, he thought this was a given but he should think about it anyway. If he was just roaming around it'd be easy to find him. If they find him, they'll tease him. So he'd need to pick a spot and hide there for the day. Seemed like an okay plan, to an extent, but he knew it was going to end up being harder. As he searched through his wandering thoughts, he made his way through the living room where he grabbed a few books before heading to the kitchen. In the room, there was a rather large cabinet. It was very roomy, ideal for hiding. The cabinet was located up above the counters where food was made. It was usually filled with biscuits, crisps, and other non-healthy items that they were given on occasion. It was nearly empty at the moment; Mum clearly needed to go shopping. There was only a small jar where only 1 biscuit was held captive. The small Brit carefully made his way upon the counter top and even more careful into the cabinet. He successfully made it in the cabinet, though nearly slipping a few times. He grabbed the one biscuit and munched on it politely, wasn't the best breakfast but it would do for now. He then opened his book and started to read, also trying to get himself into as comfy a position as possible. It was becoming quite difficult, as cozy as a kitchen cabinet was. But he'd need to get used to this. This was going to be Fort Arthur for the day, his own little country.
After only a few minutes, Arthur heard his Mum finally head out; she had been talking to his brothers for quite a while. Probably spending most of that time trying wake the dummies up, they were not morning folk. His brothers were night owls for sure. They stayed up until 3 am sometimes! He was entirely convinced the trio was nocturnal. After Mum had headed out, the brothers got dressed. In almost no time flat, he heard the stomping of his brothers' feet as they ran, presumably to play some sort of sport outside. He wasn't entirely sure though. After the sound of the back door creaking open, sounds of people running into the backyard, and the door slamming shut, he was sure they've gone. With relief, Arthur dove straight in to his book. He was reading Lord of the Flies. His mother just recently got it for him; he was very excited to read it. He could read for days. He read extremely high above his grade level because he read so often. He hoped this was a trait he'd keep until the end of his days.
After a good couple of hours or so he heard the boys enter the house once again, probably a bathroom break or something of the sort. Arthur was correct, they all went to the bathroom and each grabbed a fruit of some sort out of a basket on the dinner table before resuming their activities outside. Another 3 hours flew right on by without notice. His brothers must have been extremely tired, playing sports for 5 hours? I mean he still didn't like them in the slightest but that's still impressive! As if on cue to Arthur's thoughts, he heard the back door swing open as heavily panting individuals came through the door. They each found a seat at the dinner table and grabbed another piece of fruit. Arthur just then realized how hungry he was, he was so immersed in his book that he didn't even notice. All he had to eat to day was a measly little biscuit, not much of a breakfast. It wasn't like he could jump out and grab something in the kitchen to eat, not with his brothers there. He decided instead to listen closely to them and wait until they head out to do something else. Not in the kitchen would be nice. Arthur paid close attention to their conversation. "Al, you're getting real good at runnin'!" Dylan said in between bites from devouring the banana he grabbed from the same woven basket as the others. "Thanks Dyl, I could say the same about ye, a lot of improvement there mate!" They were so nice when they weren't talking to him our about him. Figures. "No problem man." He replied, almost finished with the now mangled banana. Connor climbed into the conversation. "Oi, quick question guys, I haven't seen Arthur all day today, have you?" Arthur's eyes widen in fright and he tensed up. They better not look for him. "Nah, I haven't a shame too, I would love to push him around real good, especially since mum and pa are away, and we've got no one to stop us!" Allistor's words chilled him to the bone, made him shake even. He must never get caught. Never. "Eh, he'll turn up soon enough; we can push him around then." Dylan said. The others nodded in approval. Arthur was slightly relieved; at least they weren't going to look for him. "Hmm… since we have all improved so much, I think we all clearly deserve a biscuit! Ah! But wait, you think there's enough in the yummy cabinet? I think it was pretty empty last time I checked." Connor stated. Allistor replied, "Well why don't we go on and check then?" Arthur almost dropped his book. He put a hand to his mouth; a terrified expression crept upon his face. Oh no. Oh please no. He heard them walking towards him. Both hands were at his face now. The fear inside him twisted pulsed through like a disease. There was a fault in his plan. I mean of course they'd want to get some sort of snack from this cabinet; it was the sweets cabinet after all. Stupid Arthur. Stupid bloody Arthur. He put his hands down from his face as one of them grasped the handle on the cabinet and pulled it wide open, completely obliterating Arthur's cover. Ending his peace and reading and instead starting the torture.