they’re downstairs
there’s shouting
shouting
yelling
screaming
“don’t hurt her!”
“leave her alone!”
“please just don’t hurt my daughter”
skin on skin
echoes through the floorboards
reverberates
smack!
“money!”
“money!”
“money!”
keeps repeating
over and over
like a stuck record
his voice
rough like splintered wood
breaking my peaceful bubble
the bubble i have to keep around me
shattered
broken
smashed
“money!”
skin on skin
smacks again
then a clunk as a body hits the wall
i dont know who
mum?
dad?
him?
not likely
i keep my eyes down
read
please just read
don’t listen
read
like your life depends on it
cos it does
don’t run down
don’t hit him
don’t beat him to the ground
cos he ain’t worth it
that’s what they say
not worth it
so stay
wait
while your mum and your dad get beaten by them
wait
till the police come and take you to a home
wait
while your whole world is shattered around you

I can’t wait.