I bit back anyresponse to that because it would only fall on deaf ears, as they say. I wastwenty-five years old, and my father treated me like I was a child. He alsotreated me like a pariah. It didn’t matter what I did, or how hard I worked, itjust wasn’t good enough for him and it broke my heart.
Jed stood with asmirk. “Come on, Len, let me walk you upstairs and make sure you don’t get mugged.”
I nodded, risingto my feet, and following him out of the room, after I’d kissed my mother’scheek, of course. I had to make sure I respected my mother in all ways orthere’d be hell to pay once Daddy got home.
“Obedience andhonor in all things, Lennox,” he always said.
That memorycaused another wave of sadness, but once again, peace flooded me, and I took adeep breath and did my best to hold onto it. I had no idea what it was, but Ichalked it up to God filling me with his promise to never forsake me.
Except, in theback of my mind, I knew it wasn’t God.
“Len?”
“Hm?”
“You okay?” mybrother asked.
“Sorry, yes, I’mgood. I’m just making mental notes.”
“Well, youbetter write them down,” he mimicked our mother. “Or you’ll forget.”
I chuckled.“Careful of the cameras,” I whispered.
Our house wascovered with surveillance. Every room and hallway had a camera, except thebathrooms, and we were never afforded privacy. We were watched constantly. Myfather knew everything we did and said, and we were punished accordingly.
It was stifling.
“I’m not the onewho gets in trouble,” Jed pointed out in a whisper.
I grimaced. Thiswas very, very true. “Thanks for walking me.”
“Night, Len.”
“Night.”
I stepped intomy room, and closed the door, leaning against it as the feeling of peacecovered me again. I closed my eyes.
I don’t know whoor what is making me feel like this, but thank you.
I could havesworn I felt fingers stroke my face gently, but when I opened my eyes, no onewas there, so I shook my head and took a deep breath.
I was obviouslystarting to lose my mind… or maybe I just needed a good night’s sleep… or avalium. I pushed off the door and headed into the bathroom to get ready forbed. It was time to put aside my fantastical thoughts and get some rest.
* * *
Phineas
I sat reclined in my usual seaton the family’s private jet while my brother paced the aisle.
“Did you hearthat maniac?” he ranted.
“Yes, I heardhim. I was there.”
“He admitted towanting to commit genocide.”
“Aholy cleansing,”I corrected.
Liam dragged hishands through his hair. “I’d like to givehima holy cleansing.”
