[WP] In an alternate universe, childhood rules such as "finders keepers" are law.

From the angle in which I lie sleepily in the bed, the door to my room is in perfect view. It remains ajar, as it had been left the previous night, and the darkness beyond sends me a shiver down my spine. They could be watching, or worse; waiting.

The pillow had grown too warm for my liking and I longed for the untouched coolness of its opposite side, but suppressed the urgent desire with all of my own willpower. One slight movement, the action of flipping the pillow, would signal to my parents that I was awake. I didn't want them to know I was awake. Despite the frustration, my body remains still and quiet; my breathing controlled, to give the impression I still belonged in slumber.

My only hope, I muse in fear, is if one of my siblings wake up first.

And much to my relief and joy, that was exactly what happened. Through the black slit, I see a second door open and my little brother cautiously step out into the hallway. Idiot. I experience some sort of pleasure at the situation, especially when he realizes his mistake. Oh, the fear in his eyes - how I wish I could have captured and framed it, to humiliate him for future days!

But it's too late. The hand snatches his forearm and yanks, pulling him over the threshold of his room and into the hallway. My mother, with boisterous bed-hair and not a speck of makeup, laughs deliriously as she helps my father carry him down the stairs.

Now that I know that I'm safe, I jump from my bed eagerly. Whatever fear I felt had elated moments ago. I didn't want to miss this.


The table has already been set out, five plates placed in front of each chair. Four are already filled breakfast; my favourite meal, syrup and pancakes! Only one remains empty, the one that belonged to my brother.

My sister and I watched eagerly, knife and fork in hand, as our youngest sibling struggled against our father as he was forced into the chair. My mother, who had been busying herself in the garden, came through the open door, dirty mud-stained hands holding the very thing - which squirmed and wiggled in her grip - we had all been terrified off.

My brother started to cry and in stark contract, my wolfish grin only grew larger as burly hands forced his jaw apart and his mouth open wide. My sister let out a raucous chuckle as the pink creature fell in and he was forced to swallow it whole.

"The early bird catches the worm!" Mother expressed with sickly sweet smile, before gesturing for the rest of us to begin eating. We tucked in ravenously, whilst my brother puked in revulsion.

God forbird if that happens to me tomorrow.

/r/WritingPrompts Thread