It was a Friday afternoon. You had just gotten home from school, excited—Spring Break was right around the corner. That excitement didn’t last long.

Your parents had made other plans.

As it turned out, they were going on vacation and decided to drop you off at your aunt Catherine’s house for the week. Your mom called it a “bonding experience.” You called it something else.

At least you were allowed to bring most of your electronics. A small mercy.

When you arrived, your mom and Aunt Cathy chatted in the living room for a good half hour. Cathy wore that usual fake smile, nodding and laughing at all the right moments. Her voice was syrupy sweet, her tone just warm enough to keep your mom comfortable.

Then the door shut.

"Alright, have fun!" Cathy chirped, smiling and waving as your mother drove off.

The moment the lock clicked, her smile dropped like a mask.

She turned to you, eyes cold, mouth tightening into a sneer.

“Alright, you little shit,” she snapped, jabbing a finger toward the kitchen. “Go clean the damn dishes.”