Aurora

I stayed awake most nights to watch after my siblings. Too afraid to go to sleep as I thought someone would try to come in. Of course the door is locked but that wouldn't stop them... it never did. But somehow some way, I ended up falling asleep, and awoke to the sounds of snoring. Rolling over, I wiped the crust out of my eyes as I checked the time on my phone which read 3:30 am.

I don't know how I've managed to sleep for so long but I'm just glad that no one tried to sneak in here. Not my mother and not that nasty ass pig she has with her. I looked over at my siblings as I watched them sleep. I smiled as I thought about them but I couldn't stop the feeling of sadness from taking over me. For them to be younger than me, they've been through so much. We've all been through so much. Too much for us to go through at our age.

We didn't deserve the shit has happened to us and we still don't. I just have to figure out a way to make more money and put it to the side. I'll have to hide it somewhere I know my mother won't look. She used to come into my room and search for drugs, that was only if she was out of her own stash. She hasn't came in here in about two weeks but I don't put it past her if she's been coming in here when we're at school. I yawned as I tried to figure out a plan.

I'll be graduating soon so I'll need to figure out a way to set my siblings up somewhere safe. They could live with James' family but I don't want to put all of that stress on them. Who knows if they would want to take in three kids. Kane will be graduating the year after I graduate so I hope he moves far away from here. It's only September and I have until May when I graduate to save up enough money for all four of us. The sudden urge to use the bathroom started to take over me so I swung my feet off the bed, as I stood up.

Making my way towards the door, the floorboards creaked with each step. I unlocked the door quietly as I made my way down the hall towards the bathroom, but not without closing my door afterwards. I looked around to make sure no one was following me or watching me, but I could hear loud snores coming from my mothers room on the other side of the hall. Her door is closed and I hope it's locked. Once I made it to the bathroom, I did my business.

Our house isn't all that but with the money left from my dad, my mother spent half of on it on the house. I assumed he would've wanted the money to go towards his children but of course my mother claimed that it wasn't supposed to. She actually said that I didn't know what I was talking about and that I need to stay in a child's place. That's black peoples favorite thing to say about someone under eighteen and even older.

She bought this house a few months after my dad's death. We had to move out of the old house because my mother thought it would've been better for us. But then later down the road, my mother started to change. She became distant, mean, she started to drink, and often began to miss work until they fired her. We've been living in this house for five years and what I can say is that it's not as bad looking as I thought it would've been.

Making it back to my room, I was about to open the door until I heard noises coming from downstairs. Whatever it is, I do not want to figure it out. It's probably Denver doing whatever. As long as he stays out of my room, I don't care. Those footsteps started to get closer as it sounded like stomping coming up the stairs. I practically ran into my room as I locked the door, and backed away. Keeping my eyes on the door as I heard the footsteps get closer until they finally made it to my door.

I held my breath as I watched the footsteps stop in front of my door. I bit my lip as I prayed that he would just keep walking. My siblings continued to snore as if they didn't hear someone coming up the stairs. The door knob suddenly started to shake as he tried to get in but then stopped. Eventually, he walked away, and I was finally able to take a deep breath. My stomach started to growl but I had to ignore it.

I wasn't about to go back out there, knowing that predator is on the prowl. I would just have to wait until later on when he hopefully leaves. They all leave sooner or later. Especially when they get what they want from mother. I walked back to the bed slowly and laid down. Luckily it's a big bed that can fit four of us. I used to hate sleeping in the same bed with my siblings but as I got older, I couldn't wait to sleep with them. At least then I would know that they're safe with me.

I can keep them safe. As long as they're with me, I can keep them safe. As long as I'm here with them, I can keep them safe. I will do everything that I can to keep them safe. I continued to repeat that mantra as I tried to keep my cool. Once I laid down, Sydney cuddled up to me as she laid her head on my shoulder. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my stomach as I tried to calm down the growling.

"Are you ok?" A soft voice asked. Looking down at Sydney, I ran my fingers through her hair.

"Yes I'm ok. Go back to sleep."