Chapter 7:

'Hmph!' she swatted my hand and rushed outside, angry I betrayed her. It's not like it's that big of a deal. To be honest, babysitting sisters is not the most favorite thing in my world.

'I hate you! I hate you so much!' she shouted from upstairs. I tried to ignore her in one ear and ignore my parents' scolding in the other. I didn't manage to do it so much.

'God, I cannot believe you let her scratch like that! Go and fix her up! And don't come out of your room till I call you down.' she screamed and hurled the first aid box at me. I thankfully managed to catch it.

'I will geez, calm down, it's not that big of a deal, mum, just go back to unpacking boxes.' I bit. I shouldn't have said that, because my mom was furious that she started yelling at me while my dad calmed her down. Eventually, she did, but her face was still red as a tomato.

Mom's face softened, the anger momentarily subsiding. 'Trish, you were supposed to be watching her, and you didn't. Do you have any idea how much you've put your sister through?' she asked, with concern shaping her face.

I nodded, regret palpable. 'I-I'm sorry Mom, I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, I just left her for five minutes, I didn't think it would be this bad.' I gulped. I have to own up now, though I think it's not my fault entirely.

'Sorry is not enough young man. Do you see what you put your sister through? Remember, we came here with the hope you would take care of the family, and protect your sister. I heard that the forest is where wild animals roam. What if she got bitten by something venomous, or if she stumbled upon something dangerous?' Dad inquired, making me even more guilty.

My heart sank as I recalled the event of the day. I don't know how to deal with this kind of drama, Mom and Dad were really serious about moving because they couldn't afford the house anymore.

I sighed heavily as I stomped upstairs. The stairs creaked, unable to stand the weight of my anger.

'Alright, no need to gang up on me.' I whispered.

'Her face is ruined, Rob! She didn't let me see it! It's her first day. We should call an ambulance!' her concerns echoed through the halls.

'It's ok, Mich, it didn't look that serious. Besides, Trish apologized. You know the boy is careless sometimes.' he assured her.

'Ki, open the door, it's me.' I knocked on the door aggressively. She didn't open it.

When I noticed, she had taken the bigger room. That brat, she used this situation as an excuse to pick out the better room! Can't blame her though, I should've picked one sooner.

'Kiara, I know you're mad, but you have to fix those wounds. They will be infected if you don't treat them now.' I said, but there was still no answer, and it agitated me.

'You know, if you don't treat it, you might get rabies, and you will grow claws and ugly hair all over your face.' I chirped, hoping that will do the trick. but it didn't work, the door didn't budge.

'Oh come on, man! I didn't have lunch, there's no internet, and I'm left with the broom closet of a room, all because I didn't watch you for five seconds. Kiara, all I told you is to wait, and you couldn't manage to do that, huh? Ki, I warned you about the cat, and you chose to be my tormentor today. Man, I want a sandwich.' I cried.

My stomach growled, realizing I'm stuck between the ground floor and the first floor, I sighed and pulled on the knob to see if it is just stuck or closed normally.

She locked the room! She doesn't even lock the bathroom door sometimes. How does she get to have this luxury? She doesn't deserve this!

'Kiiiii, what do you want from me!!' I groaned.

I looked down annoyed. The floor was made of pristine marble. It must've cost a fortune to build such a bungalow with fine materials. My grandma used to say they belonged to a rich landlord, who they auctioned the house from.

I clutched the first-aid box hard to hold in my scream. No one replied to my text or I haven't posted anything in four hours and fifty-five minutes. She's the absolute worst!

As my mind wandered deep into a daydream, it was obvious the responsibility that burdens my shoulders. Big words from a little man.

I sunk down on the door, as guilt washed over me like a tidal wave. 'Ki, I-i'm sorry.' I said, my voice trembling with remorse.

'What do you expect me to do? I don't know, Mom and Dad are being extra today, a-and I guess it's kind of my fault for being extra too.

'I mean, what I mean to say is, I'm sorry for, everything. For lying to you, for not watching over you, for not protecting you from that stupid cat. It's just a cat, I mean, I don't think there won't be any scars.' I said, holding some tears behind me. What's the big deal?

Kiara usually brings down the whole house and wants everyone to notice her when she's down or sad or mad, but what amazes me is that she hid behind a room, and not expressing her emotions hardcore so everyone would notice. She didn't even cry loud, she just mewled and ran upstairs. Something is certainly strange.

But from a first glance, her scars ran deep and looked really painful. I felt a sting of guilt every time I remembered that.

'It's not a cat.' I heard a whisper behind the door.

I was taken by surprise when she spoke. It was barely a noise like the wind was breathing its frustration.

'You keep saying it was a cat.' she said, her voice mixed with fear and confusion.

'What do you mean by that Ki?' I asked, morbidly confused by those words.

'It wasn't a cat, it was something else.'