1993

"Kevin!! Get your ass over here!"

"Yes, Mum!"

Quickly, I put down all my homework, and ran to the kitchen. Being tardy wasn't an option when it came to Mum's demands. My little legs carried me through the hallways, and right to the kitchen in record time. Mum was standing there with her arms crossed. She didn't look happy. Immediately, I started sweating. When Mum gave me that look, it meant I did something wrong.

"I thought I told you to clean the bathroom." She said coldly.

"I did." I said quietly.

"They're still dirty. Go get the job done. Properly, this time."

I sighed, and made my way to the bathroom. I grabbed the cleaning supplies out of the cupboard that was almost too high for me to reach. I was only 8, so I wasn't exactly tall. And yes, I know. Eight year olds aren't supposed to be cleaning bathrooms, but that's just how it was at my home.

We lived in a small town in Belgium. There were four of us in the house. My mother, father, and younger sister by two years, Daisy. Mum was definitely the queen of the house. She was a short and very overweight woman, with light brown hair that was usually back in a low bun. She always wore a stern look on her face, and only smiled when she was spending time with Daisy or Dad. Never with me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she hated me. Why? Because she never wanted a son. Hence why Daisy was always treated better. I have no ideas as to why she was like this, but it’s just how life was I guess.

Dad was pretty neutral towards me. He was a tall, thin man with a constant tired expression, and short black hair. He wasn’t one to intervene when Mum was screaming at me, but he would do small things here and there that were out of Mum's sight to make me feel better. I didn’t think he hated me, but I knew he didn’t want to get in Mum’s way when she was throwing a fit. I didn’t blame him. She could be very scary.

Daisy on the other hand, was completely different. Daisy had Mums build and metabolism, and had brown curly hair that was always held back with a headband, with bangs in the front. She was always happy to spend time with me, and always tried to protect me if she could. I admired her for trying to stand up to Mum and Dad, despite only being 6. With her being the favourite of the family, she was able to get away with a lot more than I could, and sometimes would save me from a beating. I knew there wasn't much I could do at the age I was, but I hoped that eventually I'd be able to give back for all she's done for me.

"Kevin?"

I looked behind me to see my sister, poking her head through the crack of the bathroom door. I smiled tiredly at her, and she came in. Quietly, she shut the door behind her. She had a piece of paper in her hands. She probably had something to show me.

"Mommy's making you clean?" She asked. "Again?"

"Yea." I said as I scrubbed away. "What are you doing?"

"I just finished a drawing!" She smiled. "Wanna see?"

"Sure!" I said happily. It always made me happy that Daisy always showed me her projects and stuff before she showed our mother. Daisy flipped the piece of paper she hands around to reveal a little doodle.

"See? That's me, and that's you!" She smiled as she pointed out who was who. "We're playing outside! And that's the snowman we made!"

"Awww!" I said with a broad smile. "That's really nice, Daisy!"

"You can have it if you want!" She said. "I can go put it up with the other drawings in your room!"

"Go for it." I laughed. I had a whole mural of Daisy's drawings that she did for me. It was one of the things that I could look at and smile about. Happily, Daisy ran off to go put the drawing in my room, as I continued to clean the toilet.

Minutes later, she came back. I looked at her in confusion as she grabbed some of the cleaning supplies I had, and walked over to the sink. She had to step on a small step stool to reach the sink, which I thought was cute. Surprisingly, she started cleaning.

"Oh! Daisy!" I cried. "You know how mum is about you helping with chores!"

"It's ok." She said. "We just won't tell her."

"She's going to find out!" I said nervously. Mum wasn't stupid.

"Nope." Daisy said happily. The problem with Daisy being 6, was that she thought everything was simple. To her, if nobody told Mum, then it was all good. She wasn't exactly sneaky about things either.

"Daisy, please. I don't want to get you in trouble." I pleaded.

"I think you should be more worried about yourself." The bathroom door opened, and there stood Mum. Looking extremely upset. The sudden opening of the door surprised Daisy, and she toppled off the stool, falling to the floor. Like any normal kid would've, she started bawling.

"Daisy!" Mum cried as she ran over to her to comfort her. Silently, I continued scrubbing. I wish I could've helped Daisy after falling, but I knew Mum would've only pushed me out of the way. So, I just continued doing my job, nervously worrying about what was coming my way later.

"You're in some deep trouble, boy." Mum hissed as she carried a bawling Daisy out of the bathroom.

Nervously, I rushed to get the job done as fast as I possibly could. I hoped that if I hid in my room, I'd be able to escape Mum, but deep down I knew I wouldn't be able to. After finishing my chores, I scuttled off to my bedroom, and hid. I couldn't hear Daisy crying anymore, but I guess Mum was still comforting her, because she hadn't confronted me. I hoped that hiding silently would let her forget about me. Unfortunately, my plan didn't work, and Mum found me. She stomped into my room and I felt her glare from underneath my blankets that I was hiding under.

"Kevin." She hissed. "Get out from under the blankets."

Slowly, I came out from under the blankets, and faced my upset mother. Right after I uncovered myself, Mum slapped me right across my left cheek. I let out a small yelp, and fell back.

"Don't think I don't know what you were doing." Mum said coldly. "Don't drag Daisy into doing your chores. I know she's easy to convince, but I won't allow you to trick her like that! You hear me?"

I nodded. I didn't dare tell her how Daisy decided to help me on her own. I would only get myself in more trouble. Suddenly, Daisy ran into my room. Mum and I watched as she jumped into my bed, and threw herself onto me.

"Don't hurt him!" She cried. "I wanted to help!"

"Daisy..." I muttered nervously as I tried to push her off. Unfortunately, she had a rock hard grip on me, and wasn't letting go anytime soon.

"Sweetie, please go to your room." Mum told Daisy. "I know he tricked you into helping him. You don't have to pretend-"

"No! I wanted to help big bruther!" Daisy told Mum off. "Don’t hurt him!"

I could feel Mum's ice cold glare. Now I was in for it. Mum didn't like it when Daisy stood up for me, and I usually ended up paying the price. I guess I somehow brainwashed her into liking me or something according to her.

"Alright, that's it." Mum said as she reached for Daisy and pulled her off of me. "It's time for bed, you."

"No!!" Daisy screamed. She tried to resist being carried out of my room, but failed miserably. Mum carried her to her room, and put her to bed. After dealing with Daisy, she returned to my room. Only this time, with a belt. When I saw it, I immediately freaked out.

"N-no!" I cried nervously. "M-mum! Please! I'll do anything!!"

She glared at me, completely ignoring my pleading. "Turn around, boy."

I obeyed. If I didn't, it would've only made things more painful. After turning around, I pulled my shirt off, and waited. There was a moment of tension before I heard the belt whip through the air, and then come into contact with my back. My back exploded with pain, and I let out a scream. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try and recover from it because Mum whipped it a second time. I fell to the floor on the second time, and curled up in a ball, trying to ease the pain.

"Next time, don't go dragging Daisy into whatever it is YOU should be doing." Mum said coldly. She then left my room, slamming the door behind her. I stayed in a little ball, hoping the pain would soon pass.

This is something that wasn't exactly new to me. Ever since I could remember, if mum or dad were mad enough at me, they brought out the belt. And once they brought it out, I had no choice but to do what I was told. I just had to take my shirt off so it wouldn't get ruined, and deal with it. Sadly, I wasn't the only one to get this punishment. On the rare occasion Daisy's bad behaviour got on my parents nerves, she also got whipped. But not nearly as hard as I did.

Silently, I laid there. This was my life. Stuck in a family that hated me, and being beaten for actually having someone who wants to be around me.