We were dumb kids,
about 6 and 2 at the time, and had gotten a hold of mom’s phone when she wasn't looking. We were warned since the moment we could talk to never call the police, at the time we didn't know why this was such a big deal so the second we had snuck the phone into my bedroom, we dialled the forbidden number. At the time Mommy and Daddy were arguing, it was so loud you could hear it even though my door was shut, though to me and Remody it wasn't that loud. We were used to the loudness, and we’d heard louder from them before. As soon as the call picked up we ran away from it and hid, giggling underneath our breath. The operator said something that we couldn't hear since we were far away from the phone, but the second she repeated herself Mommy had let out a shrill scream followed by the sound of something breaking. We flinched, looking at each other from our hiding spots with slightly worried faces. The 911 call was forgotten for the moment, we were worried about what was going on in the room across the hall.
“Hello?! Is anyone there?” The operator shouted, causing us to gasp and rush back to the phone.
I knew deep down we should've hung up, Daddy warned us never to speak to the police, but before I could think of pressing the red button, Remody leaned closer to the phone and yelled, “Hi Ms. Police! I'm Remody and my brother name is Mobi!” She said cheerfully, clapping her hands. I looked at her with wide eyes, shocked that she had spoken to the operator. I thought something bad was going to happen. I looked to the door in fear, expecting a bunch of officers to swarm in and drag us out, kicking and screaming, but nothing happened. A beat of silence passed before we heard a massive bang followed by more bangs, it sounded like something fell down the stairs. Mom screamed even louder now, followed by angry shouting from Dad.
“H-hi Remody and Mobi, I'm Susan. Can you tell me what's that shouting I hear in the background?” The operator asked, her voice sounding strained. Even though I was young, I knew she was putting on a fake cheerful tone as to not scare us.
“Mommy and Daddy are arguing again. They do that alot.” I explained, pulling Remody into my arms. She looked like she was about to start crying.
“Do you know where you live?” The operator asked, and I frowned, again looking at the door expecting to be rushed by cops but no one entered the room.
“Mommy said to not tell that to strangers.” I said, flinching when I heard another loud scream.
“That is very smart of you to remember that, Mobi, but I think your Mommy might be hurt. I just want to help her.” The operator admitted, her voice sounding more strained.
I looked down at my little sister in my arms, frowning as I heard glass shattering. I knew deep down Mommy needed help, but all I knew was that the police were bad and would take us away. I didn't want them to know our add-
“We live on XXXX Street!” Remody chirped, looking up at me proudly. I gasped, looking down at her in fear. She took note of my reaction and the proud look on her face turned to a frown.
“That's good! You're so smart, Remody!” The operator cheered which made Remody smile slightly. I held her tighter in my arms, not really knowing what to do now. We shouldn't have told her that.
“Ms. Police, y-” I was interrupted by the loudest scream I've ever heard from my Mommy. It was like I was suddenly drenched in cold water, a massive chill racked my body.
“YOU FUCKING BITCH!” Daddy yelled, followed by even more yelling.
“Mobi I'm scared..” Remody whined, hugging me tightly. I squeezed her back, tucking her head underneath my chin.
“M-me too Modi..” I admitted, looking at the door fearfully. I didn't know what I expected to burst through this time, it was an amalgamation of Daddy and a police officer, flashing in between the two rapidly. I felt my breathing quicken.
“Don't worry, ok? I- officers are on their way, ok? You two are so brave.” The operator said, and I remembered that she was still on the line. I again wanted to hang up, but I was interrupted by the sound of banging at the front door.
“Who the Fuck?! Ferrow I swear to God if this is because of you I'll fucking-!” Daddy yelled, the sound of stomping led its way to the front door and the banging stopped. I suddenly snatched up the phone and pulled Remody out of the room and down the stairs, just as we reached the foyer Daddy had pulled the front door open.
“Wh-” Daddy had barely got a sound out before he was tackled and his arms pulled behind his back. It suddenly got very loud, everyone was shouting and there was so many people. Remody cried into my chest while Daddy screamed profanities and tried to get out of the police officers’ grasp. I began crying too, my lip quivering as I watched them drag my Daddy out of the house.
“W-wait!” I ran out behind them, gripping the belt of one of the cops holding my Daddy and trying to stop them. “I didn't mean to call! It was an accident! Don't take my daddy!” I screamed, Remody had ran out as well and stood on the porch step and screamed loudly, tears ran down her face. I met the fierce gaze of my Daddy and then he looked down and noticed the phone in my hand, the 911 operator still in the call. I will never forget the way his face morphed into one of the purest rage, a face I had never seen directed at me before. I flinched and let go of the officer, as soon as I did I was swept up into someone's arms and pulled away from my Daddy just as he began raging again, requiring more cops to hold him down.
They had pulled him halfway down the driveway before it all went silent. I looked around, trying to find out what was happening when I saw my Mommy stumble out of the front door.
She was.. She was almost unrecognizable. Her dark brown hair was a tangled messy, blood stained it dark as it obscured her face. She was naked except for a bloodied tank top, the neck of it stretched to the point it almost slipped off of her. She had glass in her hair and sticking out from her shoulder and collar bone. Her left leg walked funny and she held her right arm to her chest but she still raced down the steps as if nothing could stop her. Though once her foot met the last step it buckled from underneath her and she fell, luckily a cop caught her and steadied her. “P-please don't take him..” she begged, her voice slurred and barely audible. If it wasn't for the utter silence at the moment her pleas would've fell on deaf ears. But everyone heard her and everyone's eyes were on her.
She was a pitiful sight, even as a 6 year old little boy I knew my mother should never have to look like that. I began wailing at the sight of her, at the sight of what Daddy did to her. Remody, upon hearing me cry began sobbing again, rushing from the cop who was holding her to dive into Mommy's arms. I didn't move, I merely cried right where the officer held me. Watching as they lowered my Daddy into that cop car and took him away. I watched the car as well as the two others drive out of our driveway and all the way out of our block before I couldn't see it anymore. Then I shut my eyes tightly and screamed until it hurt.
Chapter 7.