As he slowly arised from his slumber, shouting came from downstairs. Rubbing the drowsiness from his tired eyes, Kayden hopped out of bed and to the top of the staircase. He didn't begin his decent in fear of disturbing his parent's arguing. Instead he peeped out of the railing, watching the fight from above.
"You idiot! Why did you do that to our son?!" Victoria screamed at her husband, blonde hair flying everywhere. Her hazel eyes were filled with both sadness and rage.1
Atsushi ran his fingers through his jet black hair and answered, "He's short, weak, and a disgrace to the family! His grades are low and he even gets bullied at school! Has he not the honor to stand up for himself?"2
Victoria clenched her fists and shook. Apparently Atsushi had just explained to her what he had done to Feliks while she was in the kitchen cooking dinner. She had always been aware of his abusive habits, but tried to stop the adversity before it began. After all, no mother enjoyed it when her husband nearly killed her children.3
Atsushi gave a long deep sigh before hugging her. To him she was like some aesthetic trophy. He would pretend that he loved her and their kids. In truth, he figured the only thing he gained was a worthwhile son named Kayden. True his appearance differed from the norm, but he was still everything a man could ask for in a son. The lies came easily as he said, "Look honey, I'm sorry. I love you and I don't want to do anything to harm you either physically or mentally."4
She lingered in his grasp before pushing away. "I can't get near you at the moment. Every time I do I picture our son harmed in some way."5
Atsushi gave her a frown before nodding. "I'll give you time then. Starting work early will give you a couple hours more to heal."6
He shuffled around the house, grabbing all his supplies before walking out and gently closing the door. Kayden took this time to race down the stairs and into his mother's arms. "Mommy, are you mad at me?"7
Victoria blinked a couple times before shaking her head with a sad smile. "I could never hate you, Kayden dear."8
Kayden shook his head and said, "But you were fighting with daddy and he said he liked me. Doesn't that mean you hate me as well?"9
Victoria took a deep breath before saying, "Even if I don't agree with daddy on most things, him thinking that you are a wonderful son would not make me hate you."10
At that moment little footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. Feliks had a stuffed bear in his right hand and was rubbing his eyes with his left. The noise had woken him up as well but, unlike Kayden, had chosen to rest a bit before leaving. The adverse anecdote that had happened the previous night left him pretty scarred. Not just mentally, but on his body there were still bruises and injuries his father had inflicted.11
Kayden grinned at his brother and ran over to him enthusiastically. "Feliks! You lived!"12
He wasn't quite sure if his brother would make it or not, but figured a good night of rest ought to do him good. While that wouldn't heal everything, to Kayden it was treatment enough for nearly getting strangled to death.13
Victoria looked over her son, just now noticing some of his partially healed wounds from previous battles with his father. Around his throat was a deep red mark from his father's hand. It pained Victoria to see her son in such a state.14
Kayden smiled at his brother. "Everything is gonna be fine. Dad left for work early today! Mommy scared him away!"15
The twins turned around to face their mother with adulation and awe. To them she was everything. She could clean up any mess or fix any problem. In their world, she was as great as a superhero.16
Victoria couldn't help but to smile at the pair. With a joyous, bubbley voice she called out, "Who wants breakfast?"17
They ran over to her, full of life and enthusiasm. The event with their father was long forgotten, but at least temporarily erased from their minds or at least pushed away. They never stayed in the past, always living in the present and eagerly looking forward to the future. 'If everyone had a child's heart,' thought Victoria, 'the world would be a better place.'18
In the kitchen, clashing and clanging of pots and pans could be loudly heard along with screaming. She ran over to the kitchen to see the issue when a giant spider came into view. The boys were shaking in fear, seeking sanctuary in a small corner. Victoria swiftly grabbed a tissue and picked up the large insect. Opening up the window, she flung it out.19
Kayden and Feliks clapped their appreciation at this feat. They always seemed to have a cheerful outlook when it came to their mother. She just laughed and gave them a wink. "I'm sure he knows not to mess with me now!"
Both of them nodded cheerfully. Kayden's stomach rumbled, making him look back at the pots and pans. "We made a mess..."20
Feliks looked up at his mother and asked in a depressed voice. "You aren't going to get upset like daddy, are you?"21
She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows. "Of course not! You'll make mistakes, it's all part of growing up. Those who punish errors are just jealous themselves because they probably make just as many if not more mistakes."22
With another smile she clapped her hands together once and instructed, "Now let's get cooking! Any breakfast preferences?"23
Kayden jumped up and down three times before blurting out, "Miso soup!"24
Victoria shrugged and answered, "Okay then, miso soup it is!"25
Feliks grinned widely with his twin. Although it wasn't commonly a breakfast food, miso soup was their favorite meal. 26
Taking out the ingredients from the pantry and fridge, their mother started preparing to cook. While this wasn't something she would let them participate in (due to knives and boiling water) the twins still watched Victoria in amazement. She was expertly slicing onions and making precise water measurements. It was all so astonishing for them. 27
Soon enough the soup was on the stove being cooked. Inhaling the wonderful aroma, Kayden and Feliks could feel their appetites growing. Being gently shooed out of the kitchen, the two ran over to the couch to watch TV until their meal was ready. 28
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