Conflict

You know, I used to think Rosie and I were ruthless with each other, never afraid to hurl an insult or crack a joke, Poppy less so, she always seemed too soft to mock. My sister's called me a man-whore, I called her a frigid bitch, she called me a weak-willed piece of shit, I called her... Well, you get the idea. Siblings spend half their time tearing each other apart, it's a thing, I accepted long ago that it's all in good spirits...

Then I spent time with Echo and Ty.

"I wouldn't worry about losing your virginity, Poppy, honestly, his dick's so small I doubt it'd reach deep enough to break your hymen." Echo spits, ensuring her brother can hear her. The hand-holding didn't last too long before Echo took the opportunity to pull Poppy away and walk with her... I'm not sure how the insults started, but I sure wasn't going to get in the middle.

"Surprised you can remember what a hymen is considering you've taken more cock than a hen house in breeding season." Ty snaps back. I know that not to be true, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna share that information. "It's appropriate you were born on a highway, it's where most accidents happen." He adds vitriolically.

Echo simply scoffs at Ty's attempts. "You must've been born in a puppy farm then, since you're such a little bitch." She answers unfazed. The two seem to be increasing in intensity, I'm in two minds as to whether to stop this or just let them work it out, this does seem to be their dynamic.

"I like puppies." Poppy chimes in. A moment passes while we wait for her to finish her thought, before we realise that was the whole thing. Laughter is pulled from each of our lungs, with my sister seeming confused as to what was so funny.

"Never change, Poppy." Echo grins, petting her head. We continue walking until we reach the outside of Echo's building, I remember it from our impromptu bike ride... Wow, that feels like a long time ago now. "Wait down here with Poppy, I'll... Go make sure she's presentable." She orders her brother, whose demeanour changes instantly, nodding silently.

Echo looks at me, as if asking a question without words, I don't know how she would have said it exactly, but I know what she needs. "I'll come too." I decide, summoning a flicker of a smile on Echo's face. We enter the passcode protected door and follow a short, drab hallway to an elevator. The inside looks like the set of a low-budget horror film, but my girlfriend strolls inside like it's the yellow brick road.

"Homely." I snort, as the doors close, and we begin to travel upwards.

"Yeah, we don't all live in palaces." Echo shrugs off my comment. "So, rules, don't let her drink ****, it interferes with her meds, don't touch her, even a little, and only call her 'Ms Birch', it's all she'll respond to." She explains, her nerves obvious from her tone, and from what I've heard, I can't blame her. Seems like she needs some relief.

"Wait, your last name is Birch?" I smirk, causing Echo to look at me scornfully. "No, no... Echidna Birch, very cute." I add.

"My full name is Echidna Jennifer Cyprus." She corrects me pointedly. "I changed my last name to my dad's after I turned eighteen. Ty's had his since birth... Typhon Ryker." She continues, with what sounds like a hint of envy. Must suck to have your own name remind you of a horrific time in your life... Kinda makes me mad... Probably not a good thing when going to meet the perpetrator.

The lift dings and the doors slide open, revealing a new corridor with doors every dozen feet or so. Echo sets off, heading determinedly to one of the nearby doors, pulling a key from her pocket. I follow closely as she walks inside, flipping on the switch as she goes.

"I'm home." She announces loudly, as we enter to a dimply-lit living room, illuminated only by some barely working lamps, and a TV with cracks stemming from the bottom left corner. The place has seen better days, no carpet hides the floorboards, flecks of grey paint chip from the walls, and the floor is covered in an assortment of clothes and rubbish. Echo begins picking up the nearby refuse, throwing the clothes over her arm, and stuffing the debris into a nearby black bag. "Looks like you couldn't figure out the wash basket or the bin..." She sighs.

I've never seen Echo like this, docile, melancholy... Sad. Most of all, sad. I was expecting some anger. I look over to the figure she's addressing. Skinny doesn't do it justice, she almost looks like a skeleton, her worn clothes hanging off her as she clutches her knees in the foetal position, her blonde hair shown to be fake by the dark roots and thinning over her head, looks like she may have even pulled a handful out at some point.

I pictured Echo's mother as a monster, a demon, the stuff of nightmares... She just looks hollow. I look Echo in the eyes, who nods her head for me to introduce myself. This isn't what I was expecting, but I'll have to roll with the punches. "Hi... Ms Birch. I'm Rufus.... Echo's boyfriend..." I state, unsure if she's even listening. I move closer, walking around the sofa, so I'm within the woman's eyeline. "It's nice to meet you." I offer meekly, unsure what to say in this scenario.

I'm caught off-guard by the gaunt face suddenly turning to me, as if I've surprised her long after she's noticed me, her blue eyes analysing me before her gaze shifts back to the television. "Make-up. Pussy." Her croaky voice decides.

I should be offended... But honestly, it'd be like being offended by a toddler. "I think it makes me look suave, you don't agree?" I grin, now that I know she's responsive, I guess it's less unsettling. "Echo seems to like it."

"Echo likes pussy." Ms Birch growls. "Whore. Whore. Dyke slut." She repeats, almost like an internal monologue. I want to tell her off... But something tells me it wouldn't matter.

"Yeah... That's me." Echo states, unfazed by the slurs being thrown her way. "I get all the fun nicknames." She adds for my benefit. I guess this is normal for her... This whole situation sucks. "Ty's on his way up. Be nice when you meet Poppy." She demands, throwing the clothes into a wash basket.

I walk closer to Echo and wrap my arms around her. I knew it was bad... I didn't realise this was what she was living with. "I don't think you're a whore." I whisper gently as I hug her.

"Oh, I am. Only for you and Andi though." She chuckles, before pulling away and picking up the basket, taking it to the end of the hall where a lone washing machine waits.

"Hey, everything good?" Ty's voice rings out as he emerges through the front door, with Poppy hovering behind him, I'm guessing she got the same instructions I did. "How're you doing, Mum?" He adds, sitting down next to her. To my surprise, she seems to acknowledge him, turning to face him, and even placing a hand on his cheek.

"Baby boy. Precious boy." She coos, her tone unrecognisable from the venom she was spewing earlier. "Where have you been? I've been all alone. I saw her. I saw the creature." She continues, growing more distressed as she continues.

Echo returns from putting the washing in to join Poppy and I. "That's me as well, apparently I'm an emissary from Hell or something. I don't mind that one. It's pretty metal." She explains. My sister walks a little closer, clearly wanting to introduce herself.

"H-Hi... Ms.... Ms Birch... I-I'm P-Poppy." She stammers, the fear in her voice overwhelming her desire to greet the ill woman. Ms Birch seemingly ignores her, like she did me, at least she doesn't discriminate. "It's... It's really nice to b-be here. Ty talks about you all the-" My sister continues, but she's cut off in surprise when the bony face of Ty's mother shoots to her.

Just like with me, she immediately turns back... It's like she takes a photograph and uploads it to her brain... It's eerie, but not as much as what comes next.

"Her." Ms Birch gasps. "It's her. Her. Evil. Hate. Hurt. Hurt." She rambles, launching to her feet, her hands gripping her head. I look for Echo and Ty's reactions, but they seem as alarmed as I am. "Took everything. Everything. Coming. They're coming. First. Strike first. End. No more. No more. No more." She begins repeating, as her voice raises to a howl.

Before any of us can react, the woman throws herself towards Poppy, screeching like all the hate in her heart is escaping through her voice. Instinctively, I throw myself in front of my sister, putting my arms up to block the oncoming ****, but it never comes. Ty picks up his mother like she's a child throwing a tantrum, while she claws at the air trying to reach us.

"What's happening?" Poppy asks, her voice catching in her throat.

Echo grabs my arm. "Take Poppy and go, she won't calm down until her fixation's gone." She orders me. I understand what she's saying, but I hesitate, this is Echo's worst nightmare. "We'll be fine, we've done this before, I'll call you later, just go!" Echo urges me, as if reading my mind, pushing me and Poppy to the door.

Without another word, the door slams shut behind us, I look at my sister's pale face and tear-filled eyes, pulling her into a reassuring hug.

What the Hell was that?