To hide it from Danny’s watchful gaze.
“What the hell’s that?” He growled, shifting closer to me as I straightened up, paper in hand, my heart hammering.
“It’s nothing,” I tell him, the words catching in my throat.
He leaned in, “Show me.”
“I said it’s nothing.”
Squeeks tugged at my sleeve, “Screech.” Her pleading tone begged us to escape from him.
He lunged as I tried to shove the paper into my pocket, but he was faster. He grabbed my wrist and yanked my arm up like he meant to tear it off, a pained yelp leaving me.
“What are you hiding, boy?”
“Leave him alone!” Squeeks yelled, grabbing his arm. He ignored her, just pushed her away with his free hand. I twisted, barely pulling myself free as I grabbed her hand. “Just go to our room,” pushing her towards the stairs.
“You think you’re clever, eh? What have I told you about keeping secrets?” turning the paper over as if it were coated in poison.
“Who the fucks Chester? He ya boyfriend or something?” I didn’t speak. Just tried to keep still, keeping calm as I couldn’t be arsed to fight with him today.
“What’s goin’ on?” My mum slurred, dragging her feet from the living room, wearing yesterday’s makeup and nothing decent.
Danny turned to her, waving the paper. “Your boy here is following in your footsteps.”
Mum blinked, rubbing one eye. “What?” Stepping closer as she took the note from Danny’s hand.
“Not a bad shout y’know. Maybe it’s time,” Danny said, looking me up and down like I wasn’t even a person. “Needs to start payin’ his way.”
I froze in place, trapped between them as he decided my fate.
He looked at her, shrugging his shoulders.
“Cocky little shit, but he’s not ugly. Bet there’s a market for this kind of thing. Pretty boys, clean skin. I mean, apart from those fucking freckles. Could make us a few grand easy.”
Mum didn’t laugh; she just stared at me with glazed eyes, already calculating numbers.
“Be more useful than I’ve been lately,” her voice turned my stomach.
“You can’t be serious,” I whispered.
She shrugged, as smoke from her cigarette weaved across her face with shaking hands. “You’re not a kid anymore Screech. The world doesn’t wait for you to grow up. Well, they didn’t for me, that’s for sure.”
I hadn’t noticed Danny leaning into my ear. “Could always use your sister instead.”
My eyes shot him a hateful glare.
Danny grinned, “Plenty of people like ‘em young. Especially ones that don’t talk.”
I pushed past my mum, the fear and disgust written across my face. “Don’t you dare touch her.” I spat.
Danny chuckled low, “You don’t get to say ‘no’ in this house boy.”
“Fuck off,” I hissed, voice barely a breath as Danny smirked towards my mum. “I swear…” I added, voice rising now, “You ever come near her like that, and I’ll slit your throat in your sleep.”
The air crackled. Even Mum stepped back, a flicker of something human in her face, guilt, or fear. Danny didn’t move, didn’t speak. He just stared at me like he was trying to decide whether to hit me or laugh.
I snatched the crumpled number from her hand and backed up toward the stairs. Squeeks was waiting at the top, eyes wide as tears pooled at the corners. She hadn’t said a word the wholetime, but I knew she’d heard it all. I put an arm around her and led her back to our room, locking the door behind me.
