Page 9 of Green Light

“Hurry up and close the fucking door. What are you waiting for, you useless prick?” the beast barked. “You think I’ve got enough left in my dole money to heat the whole fucking estate?”

The sliver of Kai’s face that I could see hardened.

Fuck it, I’d have to just pray the bruises had healed enough. I wouldn’t risk exposing Kai to the beast’s fury.

That was my burden to carry.

Racing down the stairs, I yanked the door open and shouldered past Kai. I didn’t stop to speak to him, just bolted for the woods at the edge of our estate.

Need to get him away, my brain screamed.Need to keep Kai away from him.

Kai was the singular good thing in my life. I wasn’t having the beast take him from me.

I didn’t stop until I could no longer see the estate through the trees. Leaning against a tree trunk, I pushed a hand against my side and winced. Fuck, that hadn’t been a good idea with the state my ribs were in.

“Si? What was that about? Wha—” His final question faded as he stopped in front of me.

His mouth fell open, disbelief warring with horror. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing,” I blurted. “Seriously, I’m fine.”

“Fine,” Kai had echoed, his voice rising to a shout. “Silas, this is far from fuckingfine.”

I couldn’t help it. I flinched at the volume, the condition so ingrained that it was as natural as breathing.

Kai stepped back, raising his hands with his palms facing me, his tone dropping like he was gentling a horse. “It’s okay, Si. I just want to help.”

Tears filled my eyes. I swiped at them, embarrassment rising. What must Kai think of me? Did he think I was weak for letting my dad throw me around? That I was stupid for not saying anything?

He crept closer, biting his lower lip. “Where else are you hurt?”

“Nowhere.”

His nostrils flared, my stubborn best friend making his appearance. “Don’t lie to me, Silas. We don’t do that.”

Shame flooded me. Without saying a word, I gingerly lifted my shirt. Kai’s hands quickly took over when he realised how immobile my left arm was.

Between us, we got the material off. Kai scrunched it in his hand, the dirty white cotton clenched in his fist as he surveyed me.

“I’ll kill him.”

“Don’t say things like that,” I hissed, yanking my T-shirt back. “We’re just kids, Kai. We can’t do anything to change things. It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

“No.” There was a dangerous gleam in Kai’s eyes that I hadn’t seen before. “You don’t need to be used to it. I’m not having it.”

He spun on his heel, his long legs taking him back towards my house.

Shit. I couldn’t let him confront the beast.

Ignoring the pain in my ribs, I tackled him around the legs. Thank god for mandatory rugby lessons in school.

Kai hit the ground with a gasp. “Gerrof, Si! I’m serious. I’m not letting him hurt you.”

Panic rose in me, so visceral I almost choked. Using all my weight, I leaned on his upper back, pinning him. “Kai, listen. Please. You can’t do anything.”

He froze. “What, you’re saying I just let him keep using you as a punching bag?”

“If you say something, it’ll be so much worse,” I whispered. I knew that from experience. Whether it was a neighbour or a concerned teacher, the few times anyone had tried to step in only resulted in more pain for me.

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