The Elements of Rage | ?

? T W E L V E ?

Colette is Amadeus' and my mother. Hardy is my father and Emerson is Amadeus' father. Malstrom never wanted to have more than two kids in the house so he never had a child with our mother.

I look at Malstrom silently and wait for him to explain why he wanted me.

"Amadeus," He starts, not noticing the way his mere name causes me to flinch. "Has been severely beat up a few days ago."

I nod. I remember him coming home bloody and beaten. He was bandaged up and taken care of, but you can tell that someone took their anger out on him. It was probably from that fighting ring. Amadeus is the champion fighter there. Well, he might not be anymore.

"What happened? Do you know?" He questions.

I merely shrug, not sure what he wants me to say. Amadeus already swore that he would kill me if I said anything about his fighting or the way he hits me.

Malstrom leans in close, but the effect is kind of ruined since he has to look up at me.

"You better tell me," He says sternly. "If your brother is getting hurt, don't you want to put a stop to it?"

Not really...

Sometimes, I wonder if they really don't know about Amadeus beating me. Do they not know? Or do they simply not care?

I shake my head. "I don't know anything," I reply quietly.

My silence comes from hiding. I don't like lying to others, but I have to. It's just best to avoid talking when I can.

Malstrom gives me a satisfied look and backs up. "Just make sure you're supporting your brother, yeah?"

Biting my tongue, I nod silently. Swallowing thickly, I turn and head back to my room. Maybe I'm just being dramatic, but it feels as if they favor one son over the other. They're just oblivious, though. Plus, I'm good at hiding stuff. The only person who knows about Amadeus is Rage. I don't know why I trusted her with that information. I guess we really do just have a connection of sorts.

Ugh, I sound like an idiot even in my own head.

Shaking my head, I quickly clean my room. I don't have much in my room. I learned when I was young that Amadeus would just take whatever he wanted.

Amadeus is my older brother. When he was a senior, I was so excited. I thought he would move out as soon as possible. After all, that's my plan. However, he is now twenty-two years old and still lives at home with his parents. Really, it's not a bad idea since he doesn't have to pay rent or anything like that, but I can't imagine staying in this place any longer than legally necessary. As soon as I am financially able to, I plan on moving out.

The slam of the front door tells me that Amadeus is back and angry. I wince and gingerly rub my already heavily bruised ribs. I know what is coming.

I sit down on the floor and cross my legs as Amadeus storms into his room and drops off his stuff. Like always, he flings my door open, slamming it into the wall where there is a hole in the drywall.

"They can't do this," He mutters under his breath. "I'm the best fighter there. They can't give the title to fucking girl."

My eyes widen in surprise at the news of the loss of his title. I of all people know how destructive and fierce Amadeus is. Whoever beat him must be incredible. A trained soldier, a warrior, a hardened badass. But he said that it was a girl? Girls can definitely be fighters and warriors, but it is just simple anatomy. The male body is built to be stronger. This girl must be incredibly tough and skilled to have beaten Amadeus of all people.