Closed gates

"Austin!" We both jumped away from each other when we heard a pounding on my door. Feels like I was in a trance. It felt so different. She is definitely doing something to me. Otherwise, what is even happening? I am feeling like I found myself. I have been living dead. She gave me life. Now I am feeling alive.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the pounding again. It must be mom. Why is she always blocking out my happiness? What is gained from all this? Power? I know she always wanted power. But what have I even done to her? Is she taking out her frustration on me because she was unsuccessful in her life? What have I ever done to her? Why does she even hate me? Dying is better than living in this hell.

I went over to the door and opened it to reveal a very anxious mom. She annoys me so much that sometimes I think of throwing her out of the window. She is very clever and has a way with words. But she is selfish and will get anything she wants with the power of my dad in this city. She is a queen. Everything is beneath her.

She looked tense when I opened the door. Maybe those two girls have told someone about me and she is here to check. Why do they hate me? What have I done wrong? I walked away when they made it clear that they don't like my presence. What was the reason for reporting it? People here are so dramatic. I can write a whole drama series with the day-to-day patterns of life in this city. There are going to be lots.

She relaxed a bit after seeing me. She was definitely here to check on me. She heard that I was spotted outside the house. The calm atmosphere didn't last long. Her face became pale when she saw Emma. Time for drama! Let me just grab a pen and paper real quick.

"Who is she?!" Mom asked, pointing at her. Mom is pale and looks like she saw a ghost. I groaned in frustration. I wanna punch a teddy bear right now. She didn't want to see anyone else with me. I am her prisoner. She has the power on me.

I turned to see Emma. She is worried. Who won't be? Mom is overreacting. She looked over at me and I just nodded reassuringly that everything was under control. She doesn't need to worry, I can handle this. I let out a sigh.

"Mom, meet Emma. Emma, meet my mom." I said with a blank expression. I don't want them to meet each other anyway. They are the complete opposite. Emma is empathetic and caring. But mom… she is just her. I don't want mom to have a bad influence on her. I hate my parents so much if you haven't figured it out.

"So if you don't mind?" I said with a sarcastic smile as I began to close the door. But mom stopped me.

"STEVE!" Mom screamed at the top of her lungs. I rolled my eyes clearly knowing what is going to happen next. My dad is going to come running as if he is her dog and it's time for a treat. If I was dad, I would have already killed her. I can't stand her.

"What happened?" Dad came running as I had predicted. He is getting fatter day by day. My mom on the other hand is becoming more and more beauty conscious. One day, I am sure, they are going to look like father and daughter and I can't wait to see it.

"Why did you call me?" He asked as he was breathing like he was underwater for a long time. Why don't you exercise? He can't even climb the whole steps to the third floor without losing all his energy. Aren't you planning on living a long life? Just walk to work, dad. God! My parents have some real issues.

My dad looked from my mom to me and then to my room. They are not allowed inside. So they peck whenever they get a chance. Maybe making sure I am not developing a weapon to end life on earth.

Then it happened. He saw Emma and he frowned. He turned to mom to confirm that it was why she called for and she nodded to go ahead. That's his queue. He always seeks permission from mom before doing anything. One should always obey the owner's order!

"Who is she? How did she get in? What is she doing in your room? Where do you find her?" My dad began to attack me with questions and I know it's not going to help my situation. His voice was warningly low. It's not going to end well. He was fuming with anger and the whole house shook with each breath. Emma is the living proof that I went outside today. He is going to punish me, I am sure. But I got to save Emma. I don't want her to regret the idea of coming to check on me. I am going to make sure she reaches home safely.

"She is my friend, dad. Emma, meet my dad." I said and turned to her. She was shaking. Her hands were clenched and was trying her best not to faint. Her eyes were wide with fear. Before this encounter her eyes held innocence and love. Those were the emotions meant for her. Not fear. I am not going to stand it. No one is allowed to scare her. Not even my parents. She is my friend and I am going to protect her from whatever.

My dad rushed in and walked towards her. She took steps away from him with the same speed as him till her back hit the wall. She stood there, eyes closed as she was shivering. I ran in between them and stopped my dad from getting any more near her. He knows that I jumped out. If I am not answering, he is gonna get the answers from her. I am not going to let him touch her. If he wants to beat anyone, I am here. Not her. I hid her behind me. She grabbed on my shirt and looked at my father's face which was now red. I stood there looking straight into his eyes. I am angry too. He was about to hurt her. I have the right to be angry. And besides, I am his son. Like father, like son.

"Don't you dare." I hissed. I stood at my ground. She is not going anywhere. She is going to be safe, with me and I have to make sure of it.

His face turned into surprise. Didn't thought that his prisoner would talk back? But his shock was replaced with a dirty smirk. He always does that and I hate it. With a quick movement, he threw me to the other side of the room with a swish of his finger and grabbed her hand. He dragged her out. Her eyes were filled with tears. She was looking at me, her eyes were asking 'are you alright?'. Why is she caring about me when she is the one being dragged? This girl is going to get herself killed one day if she keeps doing her empathy thing. Think about yourself for a minute, will you?

I stood up and ran after them. He dragged her out of the gates of the mansion and closed it on her face. He turned around to me. His face holds satisfaction. How can a human be this cruel? What did he gain? Why is my mom silent? Is she also with him? I knew that mom is selfish. But I never thought she was going to be as cruel as him. I always wished my mom would be different from dad. Maybe she turned cruel like him over the years.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, taking deep breaths to calm down.

My mom started, " Try to understand what we are saying, dear. You are not supposed to have any contact with the outside world. You are cursed and you may have a sudden outburst any time.Try to understand the situation, dear. You are cursed to destroy everything and everyone in this Riverlook. You should distance yourself, for your own good. She will also be in danger if your demon comes out. We can't risk getting anyone hurt. You are alive at the mercy of these people here. You should be thankful to them and obey the only condition they put forward. Stay away from the people here, will you?"

There was a pause as the dusk withdrew. The sun was setting down and the air was filled with the cry of birds returning to their nests. The wind was cold and it was taking the falling leaves with it. The sky is now turning to a deep shade of red and the night is just a few hours ahead. Soon the sun gave up and darkness took over.

"I would have been better off dead."