All I Ask—To Be Bathed in Sunlight Chapter 2

I ducked into an alley and pulled out my phone, opening the hidden camera app.

The moment I was out the door, my dad had come right back in.

"She didn't suspect anything, did she?" my brother asked nervously. "I'm scared she'll hit me."

My dad's face darkened. "You're pathetic."

My mom scurried to the door, peered out both ways, and shut it tight.

"She's gone, right?"

"My heart is pounding."

My dad sat back down, unconcerned. "Long gone. You're as useless as your son."

"She's an adopted girl. She costs more than anyone else in this family. She should be grateful."

"If she weren't so stubborn, this wouldn't be necessary. She wouldn't sleep with our boy, and she wouldn't agree to marry that old creep Thompson. If we could have gotten the money from that, would I have to go to all this trouble?"

He punctuated his rant with a kick to my brother's shin.

"You coward. Can't even get a girl into bed."

My brother clutched his leg, whining. "Her pants were too tight, I couldn't get them off."

"And she's strong! She hits hard."

My mom pulled Kyle into her arms, glaring at my dad. "Why are you kicking my son? Go kick that ungrateful wolf."

"After all these years we've raised her! She won't marry our son, fine. But she won't even let us use her to get some money for him! It's infuriating!"

"I say we should have just tied her up and let him have his way. Once she had the baby, what could she do?"

Kyle trembled in my mother's embrace. "Mom, I'm scared of her! I don't want to do it!"

My mom soothed him while her voice turned venomous. "Just thinking about her makes me furious. Last time she kicked my son in the family jewels, almost made him a eunuch."

"Just wait until we get into those mountains. I'll show her."

She turned back to Kyle. "Don't worry, sweetie. After we get the insurance money, Mom will find you a beautiful influencer to marry."

My dad shot them a look, but a smirk played on his lips.

The three of them began to dream aloud about the wonderful life they'd have once they were rich.

I shut off my phone, my face a blank mask.

That evening, I returned with all their favorite foods.

My dad smiled, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a hunter who has tamed his prey.

As he ate, he started his usual brainwashing. "Your mother and I have worked hard our whole lives to put you through college. You may only be a gym teacher, but at least it's a stable state job. Your brother isn't very bright. Your mother and I will have to rely on you in the future."

I ate my rice in silence.

My dad's eyes shifted. "Still mad about what happened?"

He stood up, went to the kitchen, and came back with a meat cleaver.

He held it out to me. "Here, honey. Take it."

"Your brother lost his mind and did something unforgivable. It's my fault. Today, if it'll make you feel better, you can cut him. Hell, you can chop him to pieces for all I care!"

My mom froze, trying to grab the knife, but my dad shoved her aside. "It's because of you, you useless shrew, that he turned out to be such a coward!"

"That's his sister! How could he do something so despicable?!"

"Go on, honey. Whatever you do, I'll support you."

I took the knife and looked at him, staring him straight in the eyes. "Really? You'll support me, no matter what I do?"

His gaze flickered for a moment, then he gritted his teeth. "That's right. Your old man's word is his bond!"

I held the knife and turned to my brother. I stared at him until his legs started to shake and a dark patch spread across the front of his pants.

The smell of urine filled the air as he collapsed to the floor, trembling.

"Don't… don't kill me…"

I suddenly felt bored. I tossed the cleaver onto the floor near his feet. He shrieked and passed out.

I looked back at my dad. I saw a flash of murderous intent in his eyes before it was replaced by his usual harmless, folksy expression.

"Dad, I forgive him."

"And I'll go with you to Blackwood National Forest."