Free Halversham by RS Anthony

it’ll only get worse for me. You mustn’t go to the police.”
    “But…”
    “No buts. Promise me on your mother’s grave that you will not tell your father or report this to the police.”
    Andy dropped his head and nodded, hating himself for it.

Chapter 4
    Andy’s night was filled with nightmares of his father drowning in the sea over and over again. The clock on the wall said seven when he woke up with his skin coated in sweat. He closed his eyes, and the violent memories from the day before resurfaced, reminding him of how dysfunctional Aunt Magda’s family really was. When he opened his eyes again, Aunt Magda’s warning rang in his ears.
    He rose from the bed, took a shower, and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Piffy was making pancakes, and the smell of coffee helped clear his muddled brain.
    “Good morning, Andy. Would you like some pancakes?”
    “Yes, please. I want lots of them. And lots of maple syrup with it,” Andy said, much to Piffy’s amusement. He was ravenous, having slept early last night. Piffy prepared a pan to fry some bacon and eggs while he poured coffee. It tasted fantastic, and he said so to the beaming housekeeper.
    Five minutes later, she heaped four pancakes onto Andy’s plate and refilled his coffee. Another minute and the eggs and bacon were ready. Andy took his time chomping down everything on his plate and added one last pancake before pushing the plate away with a belch.
    “That was amazing. It’s just what I needed this morning,” he said, and Piffy smiled as she cleared the table.
    He remained at the table for a little longer, staring out the window. Mort was not around today, probably out getting supplies. Andy’s palms turned moist and clammy at the thought of visiting his aunt, but he had to do it. There was so much pain in the family that he had no idea how to help. Minutes later, Andy picked up his bag and left, planning to slip out before Uncle Matt or Corrine woke up. While Andy was on his way, his phone rang. It was his father.
    “Dad?” Andy asked, his voice a little high.
    “Why do you sound so surprised?”
    “Nothing.” Andy hesitated. “It’s just, you called two days ago. You never used to call me before.”
    There was silence on the other end of the line, and Andy feared his father had hung up.
    “I just thought I’d check up on you,” Paul said finally. “How’s everything there?”
    Andy remembered his promise to Aunt Magda and gritted his teeth. “Everything’s okay. Nothing special,” he said, closing his eyes, feeling like a coward.
    “Did you make any new friends?”
    “Dad, it’s been what? Two days?”
    Paul chuckled. “Alright. Did you meet Corrine?”
    “Yeah, I did. We talked.”
    “How is she?”
    “The same, I guess.”
    “Where are you now?”
    “I’m on my way to Aunt Magda’s. How are things there?”
    “It’s still too early to tell.” Andy was now approaching Aunt Magda’s place. “Did you Google any interesting places to visit?” Paul asked.
    “I haven’t. I’ll do that soon.”
    “Good. I’ve got to go now. Send my love to your Aunt Magda.”
    “Bye, Dad.”
    Andy entered the yard to the excited barks of Jetta and Toddy, circled around the goat pen, and pushed open the unlocked back door. The house seemed to exude bad energy now compared to three years ago. Uncle Matt wasn’t very warm even back then, but Andy had never seen Aunt Magda beaten up like that. Even Corrine had become cruel, bordering on evil. He entered the kitchen and found Aunt Magda working as usual, kneading a large batch of dough. She looked tired, and the bruises on her arms and neck were an angry shade of purple.
    “Hi, Aunt Magda.”
    She started and clutched at her heart with a gasp. “Andy,” she said when she realized it was him.
    “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “That’s okay. I thought… Never mind. Can I get you breakfast?”
    “No, thanks. Piffy just made me a huge breakfast. How are you