Page 48 of Drowned In Silence
How in the fuckis Elliot my step-brother, and why the fuck didn’t anyone tell me!
How long has he known about this, how long has Spencer known about this, and why keep it from me?
I’m not upset that we’re somewhat related. Not at all.
I’m fucking livid that no one told me. I hate when people keep secrets. My parents have kept secrets from me my whole life. Now this guy who comes into my life and disrupts everything I’ve ever fucking known, and what…
Just keeps it hidden from me?!
I know being related by marriage is weird as fuck, but my whole life has been weird. It’s been dirty. I’ve been used and abused and torn the fuck down. I don’t really give a fuck that the one man I’ve ever even considered being with shares a parent with me. It’s not like we’re blood related.
Why would he keep this from me?
I feel… used.
Again.
This is my last straw. The last time I will be kept hidden in the fucking dark.
Elliot fell asleep about a few hours ago. I don’t know if he knew I was still awake or if he thought I was sleeping, but regardless… I’m fucking done.
I slide out of his reach and get out of bed.
I can’t think straight, let alone fucking sleep. Why would he just betray me like that? Why wouldn’t he just tell me what’s really going on?
What else is he keeping hidden from me?
I walk into the hallway, shutting the door as softly as possible and walk into the kitchen. I might as well get a cup of coffee and start my day. I look at the clock hanging above the fridge.
5am.
Well, at least it’s morning.
I have about five minutes of peace before Spencer’s door opens and he stumbles out.
“Why are you awake?” He mumbles half awake. I press start on the coffee pot, making him a fresh cup.
“Doesn’t matter.” Once it’s finished, I hand it over and walk past him into the living room.
“Are you alright, Dynah? Everything okay?”
“I’m fucking peachy,” I reply. My attitude seems to be getting worse by the minute. “We're just all one big happy family. Don’t you know?”
He sputters on his coffee, but hides everything with a cough. He nods his head and sits down on the bar stool.
“So you know?” He asks quietly.
My head snaps to his as I stare at him in disbelief. “Yes, I fucking know. How dare you two…”
“How dare me?! I’m the one who tried to convince him not to come to your tiny little fucked up town! I’m the one who told him that he shouldn’t be looking for the girl in the photo! I tried to stop this, Dynah! Not help it!”
I stare at him in shock. It’s been a long time since I’ve been screamed at, and for once, I don’t feel like crying out of fear. I’m crying out of anger.
“That’s not at all what I meant, but I see where your true colors lie. I’m not ashamed that we’re step-siblings! I’m upset you didn’t fucking tell me! Now I’m more upset that you tried to convince him not to help! What kind of deranged psycho are you? Why would you stop my– my brother– from finding me? What kind of monster are you? Did you not hear about all the shit I told you guys the other night? Did you not hear how pathetic my life has been and how much I wouldliterallykill for someone else to give a fuck about me? And you kept me from having that?!” I scream. I’m out of breath, panting– shaking in anger and frustration.
How dare him.
“Dynah,” Elliot says, sneaking out of the bedroom. We must have woken him with all of our screaming.