It was clean and fresh smelling. My slippers too had been replaced.I was feeling better, the fear had left me with the establishment of a routine. I w...oke, ate, washed. Mary would come and build up the fire for the day and then my thoughts were my own until lunch.Currently I was combing my fingers thinking I may ask for a tub to bathe tonight, my hair was overdue for a washing.I heard the scrap of the doors bar and turned to greet Mary. My smile faded quickly when I saw the stranger. He was. " Did you talk to him since he took off yesterday?" No. I waited around after school and he never showed up. I walked home alone. I called but his mom said he was sick." There's a lot of that going around." Huh?" Oh, Mary had a stomach ache yesterday and she's staying home today." That's too bad. I like Mary." You should tell her that." But she's your sister." Yeah, she is. But she's also a girl. I don't want her sitting home alone for the rest of her life just because she's my sister. She. John began to speak as his mother regained control of her breath."You must never tell me no, Mother. It will only make it worse for you. You can scream all you want. But you must never tell me to stop. If you do this is what you'll get!"WHACK! CRACK! WHACK! CRACK!Two more severe blows on each cheek caused Susan to jerk up straight, nearly falling from the chair. She tried to grab at her ass to block the attacks but John grabbed her wrists to stop her."Hold onto the chair legs, Mother. Don't. 'Ik doe het gewoon', dacht ik. Ik verruilde mijn badjas snel voor kleding, trok mijn schoenen en jas aan en ging de deur uit. Google Maps leidde me naar de flat waar hij woonde. Het was frisjes die voorjaarsavond, maar dat ik sidderde kwam door de opwinding. Met een licht trillende vinger drukte ik op de bel. Hij deed open. Ik stapte in de lift naar de bovenste verdieping. Eenmaal voor zijn deur aarzelde ik heel even, voor ik aanbelde. Het was donker binnen. Hij deed open, in zijn grijze.