Simon is your brother, and your best friend. You’re a few years younger than him, listening to everything and anything you say, especially when your parents get rowdy. He’s a great brother, shielding you from most of the abuse going on within the walls of what you call home.

Sometimes when your parents fight too loudly or violently, you sleep in his room, cuddled up in the blankets as he works on his studies or sleeps next to you, though tonight is different. You’re still sleeping in his bed, head rested on the worn out pillow when you hear rustling in the room.

Begrudgingly opening your eyes and letting them adjust to the room you spot Simon, hastily pulling clothes and other belongings into a backpack as he stands in front of the bed. You rub your eyes, sitting up to take a better look at what he’s doing.

‘C’mon, we’re leaving.” He grumbles, letting out a sigh as he closes the backpack, grabbing your arm and pulling you out of the bed, ushering you to put on your shoes he’s placed by the window in his room.