Just Beyond the Horizon

     I stared at the ceiling, at least I thought it was the ceiling. The darkness in the room seemed to swallow everything like a soft blanket. As I stared deeply into the darkness before me, my eyes found sparkling star dots. They flickered then faded, reminding me of the galaxy just beyond my roof. I had been up for an hour, maybe it was because I wasn’t tired or maybe it was the commotion just downstairs. As I listened, my heart sank as it had so many times before. Yes, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. I tried to shut it out and pretend like it wasn’t there, but I could not. The screams and cries of my fellow family leaked through the spaces in my fingers, proceeding to stab my very soul. This kind of stab cannot be seen, but for those I know it can most assuringly be felt. I breathed deeply as I felt the blood surging through my body. My heart pumped loudly as if any moment it might give way, and never beat again. As I pondered a soulful death, my mind wandered. As if to go back to another night, very much like this. I was five, sitting at the top of our tan carpeted stairs. Tentatively I leaned against the wall behind me, and felt the new tan carpet seep between the gaps in my toes. I looked across to see my brothers deep blue eyes looking back at me. Full of sadness he lowered his head and stared blankly at the floor. We both listened intently to the screams, the breakout of complete and utter war. Why we were so determined as to listen, I do not know exactly. I would say we felt in order to understand our family, we needed to listen and know what was going on. Although, there was never such a thing as grueling as the screams. They were bloodshot, shooting through your chest and spearing your very soul. All who have withstood them know, there is no worse family trial to face. 

     As I listened, I brushed back a golden lock only to release a single silver tear. It trickled down my cheek, reached my chin, and splattered onto the soft tan carpet. I snapped back into reality as my dream came to an end. Woken up by the screams, I stood up and walked quietly down the hallway. Peeking into my brother’s room I noticed he was also awake, and had been for several hours. Giving him a sympathetic look, I turned and knelt down at the steps. He had gone through much more as a boy than me. Having been older, he still remembered the fights from years before. While I being younger, only remembered a few. Sitting silent in the dark, I felt the carpet beneath my feet. It was no longer new and seeping between my toes. Instead it felt flat and frayed, like a wilted flower in the winter snow. 

     I drifted off only to be awakened by the sound of footsteps approaching. Looking up I saw my brother, reluctantly he sat down opposite of me on the steps. It was dark but I could still see his deep blue eyes. They stared at me full of hurt and pain, but beneath the blue I saw a horizon. Yes he had experienced much pain, but there was a sense of strength underneath. A strength that would help me to make it through the years. That although life has its dark moments, there will always be someone strong enough to lead you to the light.

Reviews

[char]

I always hated when families fight. That kind of mental anguish destroys a child's innocence. It forces them to grow up far to fast. Adults don't realize that children are people with actual personalities and feelings. To them, kids are just that, kids. This story is powerful. And I congratulate you for writing this.

[TheMadnessWithin]

:) Thank you

[char]

You're welcome :)

[INeedNerve]

I really liked it, you described how it felt to hear your family fighting so well, it was really good

[TheMadnessWithin]

thank u

[chemical rave rink]

I liked this very much, fights between family always were like an accident to me. You know you shouldn't be paying it attention but it was almost impossible not too. Good read, nicely written