I got home later that day.I sat at the table eating my food. I looked across the table where my dad sat glaring at me from across the table.

Where have you been? My dad asked.I ignored him and kept eating GOD DAMMIT WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ANSWER ME!! he yelled, why do you care!! I yelled back.

all heads turn to me then i scooted my chair and ran upstairs. I could hear yelling so i put my ear to the floor and listened to yelling between my parents. Max ran to his room and shut the door
Max I whispered,he peeked through his door from across the hall , his eyes filled with tears then he walked into my room holding a book

Can you read this to me he said sitting next to me on the floor, I opened the book and started reading to max,I was startled to the sound of my dad slapping my mom, it was all my fault I thought to myself. I heard my dad stomp up the stairs to my room. I kept my head down, looking at the book, max sat close to me.

Well are you going to say something !!? My dad yelled with fury in his eyes, I stood up looking him dead in the eyes what do you want me to say I scolded. Max sat on the floor crying and watching me and dad argue. Don't you ever! Ever! Talk to me like that my dad yelled and spit in my face. My brothers face turned pale white when my dad lifted his hand hitting me in the face making me fall to the floor. My dad walked out of my room glaring at me, max ran up to me and hugged me, I could feel his tears seep through my shirt. My face was red and tingling.

That night I heard my mom crying in her room, I layed in bed, dreaming about what it would be like to have no walls or rules and to be free. The next day I seen Casey outside playing fetch with the dog. I was so happy to see her again, I actually missed her. I ran and hugged her tight in my arms what happened to you Casey said backing up slowly. I told her what happened and how I got the bruises that covered my face, she hugged me again feeling sorry.

Me and Casey hung out with the dog a lot , we got to know each other better everyday. We ended up deciding to name the dog chase, because he chases just about anything and the name fit him. We went to the park hanging out and sitting on the swings why Casey threw a stick for chase. Chase followed us everywhere, we called him our dog and took care of him everyday. The next morning I headed to Matt's house, I havent seen Matt in days.

He answered the door wearing brown boxer's and a tired lazy face hey what are you doing here he yawned. Do you wanna hang out I asked smiling, max rushed to his room and got dressed. We sat on the sidewalk and played marbles I have someone I want you to meet I said. Matt looked confused so I got up leading him to an old wooden shack where Casey lives. Hey she answered in excitement standing in the door, inviting us inside. I tried to talk but my words kept getting jumbled up.

I noticed the house had a bed in one corner and a table in the other. We all talked and hung out for a while then it started to get dark out, we better go max said pulling on me. Casey whispered in my ear meet me tomorrow at the park around noon she smiled bye see you tomorrow I blushed then headed out the door.