Page 192 of Releasing 10
Throughout their relationship, Caoimhe and Mark had always argued, but since January, when Dad allowed Mark back in the house, their fights had become more frequent and vicious than ever.
Moments later, the front door slammed, and the screaming grew louder, following by heavy footsteps on the stairs.
“Let’s just go on the holiday and we can talk about it when we get back,” I heard Mark say.
“Are you completely mental?” That was Caoimhe. “I’m not going anywhere with you, you fucking pedophile!”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You raped your stepbrother,” Caoimhe screamed at the top of her lungs. “You’re an adult. Gibsie’s a child. You defiled his body. I saw you with my own eyes. That’s called being a pedophile!”
The sound of a nearby door slamming filled the air, followed by fists pounding against wood. “Open the fucking door, Caoimhe!”
“Go to hell!”
“Don’t do anything stupid.” The pounding grew louder and louder. “I’m warning you!”
“Get out of my fucking house,” Caoimhe screamed. “I’m calling the Gards right now, and when they get their hands on you, you’ll never see the light of day again, you sick, twisted bastard!”
A loud crashing ricocheted through the air, followed by my sister screaming, “What the hell are you—no, stop! Give that back. No, Mark, don’t—ahhh! Get your hands off me!”
“No, you’re not going anywhere until we talk about this!”
“There’s nothing to talk about because I see you, Mark. I finally see what you are. You’re a monster in disguise!”
“…I finally see what you are…”
“…You’re a monster in disguise…”
“…You’re a monster…”
Eyes widening in horror, I gripped my duvet and pulled it over my head.
Monster.
He was a monster.
The monster was real.
Markwas the monster.
MY FAMILY IS YOUR FAMILY
Hugh
APRIL 5, 2000
WHENIGOT HOME AND CONFIDED INMAM ABOUTLIZ’S SUDDEN DROP IN MOOD, SHEgave me a sad smile and told me low moods came hand in hand with bipolar and the only thing I could do to help was to be there for her.
Sleep didn’t come easy that night. My mind was set on panic mode, and I couldn’t shake the horrible, unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Liz was slipping again.
I saw it on her face today.
I heard it in her voice.
The light in her eyes was dimming, and I didn’t know how to reverse it.
