Chapter 62: Ghosts of Christmas past

The wind howled through the bare trees behind their small house. It bit through the thin cotton shirts and faded jeans that the two boys often wore, stinging their skin and making them shiver uncontrollably. The brothers huddled closer together in the ice and snow attempting to avoid their father's latest rampage.

Christmas carols sounded in the background as the town went about its holiday festivities. The sounds were familiar and yet foreign to the two teens. In the Evangelos home, December 25th was just like any other day. Screams, tears, and pain.

"Dad, stop! NO! David, just go, run, get away fast!" Cael screamed. His voice cracked, and his eyes opened wide. All the color drained away from his face, still rounded with youth, as his father advanced on his older brother.