Shattered Silence

Maya's hand trembled as she pushed open the front door, stepping into the darkness of the house. The night air still clung to her skin from the party, but the weight of the atmosphere inside quickly suffocated her. The familiar, low hum of her parents' arguments grew louder as she walked down the hall, her heart already sinking.

"You can't just leave me, Claire!" Her father's voice ripped through the house, sharp and guttural. "We're in this together, you and me!"

"You think this is together?" her mother's voice cracked, breaking with years of resentment and pain. "I've had enough, Adam. I can't do this anymore."

Maya froze, her stomach twisting as she heard the suitcase being dragged across the floor. She stepped into the living room and saw her mother's packed bags near the door, already half-closed. Her father's back was to her, his broad shoulders rigid with anger.

"Don't you dare walk out on me again, Claire!" Her father's tone dropped into a venomous growl as he spun around. "I'm not done with you yet. You hear me?"

Maya's heart raced. "Mom…?" she whispered, stepping closer, trying to reach her mother.

Her mother stood stiff, her eyes swollen and tired, but she didn't speak. She just grabbed the suitcase handle, her hands shaking. Maya wanted to call out to her, to beg her to stay, but her voice caught in her throat.

"You're pathetic, Claire," her father sneered, venom dripping from every word. "Always running away. Can't handle a damn thing. It's the same every time."

Maya's mind scrambled, the confusion and panic rising. She looked between her parents, searching for something—some glimmer of the family she remembered. But there was nothing but coldness between them.

"You don't get to do this, not again," her father spat, his voice rising. "Not after everything I've done for you."

Maya moved, stepping between them, her hands trembling at her sides. "Please, stop this!" she pleaded, her voice desperate.

Her father didn't even look at her. His eyes were locked on her mother, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I'll let you leave without a fight?"

He lunged, grabbing her mother's arm as she tried to turn away. Maya's pulse thundered in her ears, her body on fire with anger and fear. She couldn't let this happen again. She couldn't let him hurt her.

"Dad! No!" Maya screamed, rushing forward to pull her father's hand away.

Her father snapped around, his eyes wild with fury. He reached out and struck her across the face, the slap loud and vicious. Maya's body slammed against the wall from the impact, her legs buckling beneath her. She could taste the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.

"Maya!" Her mother screamed, her face twisted in horror. But it was too late.

Maya stumbled to her knees, the sting of the slap burning into her skin. Her cheek throbbed as tears welled in her eyes. "Why?" she gasped, her voice cracking. "Why do you do this?"

Her father stood over her, his chest heaving with anger, his hand still raised as though he might strike again. His face was red, veins bulging at his temples. But as he looked at Maya, something changed. His gaze softened, but not with remorse. It was more like the fury inside him had nowhere else to go, so it stayed locked on her, unrelenting.

"Why do I do this?" His voice was low, almost mocking. "You think I care? You think I'm going to take your whining seriously?" He threw his hands up in frustration, the harshness of his words cutting through the room. "You're just like your mother, weak, always whining. You think you can leave whenever you want? Huh? I'm the one holding this family together. You don't get to walk away. None of you do."

Maya's mind raced, her heart beating furiously. She wanted to scream at him, but her throat felt tight, her body limp. She could feel the heat of her father's anger like a suffocating weight on her chest.

Her mother's suitcase was already by the door. She had already made her choice, already packed everything she needed. But there was nothing left to say, no more words to bridge the gap between them.

Maya's eyes flicked to her mother. Her face was pale, tears streaking her cheeks, but there was no fight left in her. She couldn't even look at Maya. Her mother turned away, a single sob escaping as she walked out the door, leaving Maya behind with the wreckage of what had once been a family.

The front door slammed shut with finality, and then there was only silence.

Maya remained frozen in the same spot, her back pressed against the cold wall, trying to find her balance. Her head spun. The blood that had trickled down from her split lip was still fresh on her tongue. She wiped her mouth, tasting salt and copper, but it was the emptiness in her chest that hurt the most. It felt like her world had turned upside down, like she was drowning in a sea of anger and grief, with no lifeline to hold on to.

Her father stood there, watching her, his eyes hard, unreadable. "Get up," he spat, his voice cutting through the silence. "You're pathetic, you know that?"

Maya didn't move. She didn't have the strength. She couldn't face him. She didn't want to.

"Didn't think so." Her father muttered, his tone dismissive as he turned away. "You're just like her. Useless."

He walked past her, leaving her in that cold, empty house, and Maya finally collapsed onto the floor. She curled up, pressing her palms into her eyes to stop the tears from falling. She had no strength left to hold them back.

Hours passed in a blur of silence. Her father was gone again, off on a business trip for the next three days, leaving Maya alone to wallow in her own suffering. She didn't know what to do. The walls felt like they were closing in, and her mind swirled with the devastating silence of being left behind.

When he returned, there was no apology, no softening of his demeanor. Only the same bitter silence as he walked through the door. His presence filled the house with an oppressive weight, making Maya feel like she was drowning under it.

His footsteps echoed through the house as he came into the living room. His face was unreadable, hardened from the days away, but the tension was palpable. He looked at Maya, barely acknowledging her as he dropped his suitcase on the floor.

"Get up," he barked. "We need to talk."

Maya didn't have the energy to argue. She stood slowly, her legs still weak from the events that happened three days ago.She faced him, but she didn't look into his eyes. She couldn't.

"Why are you still here?" His question hung in the air, cold and harsh. "If you want to go, then go. Don't waste my time."

Maya bit back the tears. She wasn't sure what she was holding on to anymore, but she knew she couldn't stay here much longer. Her father's presence was suffocating her, filling her with more rage and resentment than she could handle.

Her voice was a whisper as she muttered, "I don't know anymore."

But his words stung more than anything. "Then get out of my way."

Maya felt the walls closing in again.