Unseen Passage for Class 4 - Passage 07

Passage - The drive back to the city was solemn. When my brothers spoke, they did so softly in order not to upset Mother. When we reached the city, Mother tried to humour her boys by treating them to McDonald's. As usual, I sat in the car while they went inside. I looked out the open car window at the sky. A dull grey blanket covered everything, and I could feel the cold droplets of fog on my face. As I stared into the fog, I became terrified. I knew nothing could stop Mother now. What little hope I had was gone. I no longer had the will to carry on. I felt as if I were a man on death row, not knowing when my time would come.

I wanted to bolt from the car, but I was too scared to even move an inch. For this weakness, I hated myself. Rather than run, I clutched the package Father had given me and smelled it, trying to pick up a scent of Father's cologne. When I failed to pick up any odor at all, I let out a sobbing cry. At that instant. I hated Father for not taking me with him.

Outside, I could hear the sounds of Mother and the boys approaching the car. I quickly wiped my tears and returned to the inner safety of my hardened shell. As Mother drove out of the McDonald's parking lot, she glanced back at me and sneered, "You are all mine now. Your father is not here to protect you. His career is more important than anything else." At that moment, I know all my defenses were useless.

As my brothers wolfed down their hamburgers, oblivious to what was happening. I clasped my hands together and bent my head down. I knew she would not let me go.

Adapted from A Child Called 'It' by Dave Petzer