Ethan — mc

Some people were lucky enough to live in a good and loving family... while others had to cover their ears and pray for the latest parental quarrel to end soon.

Ethan was lucky. He grew up and learned to ignore his parents' arguments and his father's drinking. He would have lived like that, ignoring everything... but he had a younger brother, Will, who couldn't yet simply close his ears. So they had to live in a hell of broken plates, screams, and tears.

Another cold evening in their house, no longer a fortress. Father came home drunk again, and now he and Mother are arguing. The shouting was even louder today. Perhaps a fight wasn't far off...

Ethan sat at the computer, headphones in. He and Will shared a room, and Ethan often complained about it to his friend.

But through the music, he heard quiet sobs. He turned in his chair and realized Will was awake. Ethan sighed heavily and, rising from his chair, closed the doors, separating them from the screams.