The sounds of fighting could clearly be heard through the paper-thin walls; Leon had never particularly cared about where he slept. With a family as large as his, it was a miracle that he had his very own, albeit cramped, room.
His heart was racing; the fighting had been going on for almost an hour, and Leon didn't know how much more he could take. His mom was practically sobbing, and if he were a stronger, better man, he would have gone into the room and told his father to back off.
The door creaked open, and the terrified face of his younger sister popped into view. Linka's eyes were red-rimmed, and she looked absolutely terrified. The albino was wearing an orange nightgown, her long white hair fluttering around her hips.
" Can I come inside"?
Leon wasted no time, saying, "Of course, shut and lock the door."
Linka looked immediately relieved; behind her, the sounds of arguing seemed to intensify. Their parents must have been fighting at the bottom of the stairs for it to be so loud.
She slipped into the room quickly and crawled into bed next to Leon.
Leon could hear Linka crying softly; he snuggled her close in an attempt to soothe her. He had no words that would make this okay, and he didn't want to lie to his little sister, not when he was just as scared himself.
" Don't you dare think you can keep him or any of these kids from me"!
" GET OUT! JUST GET OUT ALREADY"!
The sound of his mom's cries reverberating throughout the house was accompanied by a loud crash, causing Leon to jump out of bed and run out the door.
Almost every door was open, revealing wide-eyed and frightened children, shocked by the return of these events. Their parents rarely fought, so this was a nasty fight.
Leon and Lynn Jr pounded down the stairs to find their mother crumpled at the side of the banister, her nose bleeding, and worse yet, their father Lynn Sr standing over her with his hand still raised.
Time seemed to stand still for a minute, Leon would never forgive his dad for what he did nor would he forget seeing him standing over his mom with her blood still on his raised hand.
Lynn Sr turned around shocked and surprised, Lynn jr and Leon were now joined by Lori, Leni, and Luna. It was obvious what had happened and all of the kids were horrified and upset.
" Kids what are you doing down here...me and you mother are having a private conversation...it's not what it looks like she fell"...
Leon closed the distance between his mom and dad and pushed the older man away. "Bullshit, everyone knows that you hit her! What's wrong with you, Dad?!"
Lynn Sr flinched at the accusation but did little to deny it. "This is between your mother and me."...
Rita straightened herself; her eyes were filled with tears, and her nose was still bleeding slightly.
Even though she was hurt, she was still a very beautiful woman, a fact that made Leon even more furious; how could he have done this to her?
" I need you to leave Lynn...you've gone to far and if you don't I will call the police", Rita spoke with a trembling voice pulling Leon away from his father.
Lynn Jr and Lori rounded up standing at each side of their mom and brother, the athletes face was twisted in a look of grief and rage while Lori just looked terrified.
Lynn Sr recoiled looking stricken, " we can talk about this...you know I didn't mean it Rita."
Luna scraped her axe against the floor before lifting it threateningly, " get the fuck out you abusive prick"!
Lynn Sr threw his hands up and backed up to the door spitting venom, " All a bunch of ungrateful little wastes of space...just like your whore mother"!
He slammed the door so hard the family picture fell of the mantel and broke as if to symbolize their broken family.
Leon felt his mom sob into his shoulder while all of his other shell shocked siblings came to terms with what would be their new reality...