[ WP ] The last time

I pulled hard against the nob. 
 
 “ Let me out of here! ” cried a voice through the door. 
 
 “ Hmm, no. ” 
 
 I continued to hold the door fast until I could tell my little brother was pulling with all his might inward. Knowing the moment was right, I let go. The door crashed open with a bang, and my brother, already taller than me and certainly packing more weight, fell hard on the carpet of his room. Giggling I ran. I had started with an all out sprint before he hit the floor. He would soon be on me with enough anger to fry a dozen eggs and I did not want to be within his reach. I jumped behind the recliner and ducked down, out of sight. 
 
 Breathing hard I began to wondered, why, why I tormented him, knowing it would just make him angry, why I pushed buttons, knowing it could only end badly for everyone, including our hardworking, worn-out parents? What did he really think of me? Was I a bully, even though he retaliated with full power? Did he still love me, or was there only hate and anger there? 
 
 I felt his pounding feet and heard his roaring yells. Seriously, what was I doing to him? I was turning him into a monster full of rage and pain just for a few laughs. Were all our encounters like this, where I egged him on, tricked him in a game, blamed something, that was my fault, on him just because our parents didn ’ t trust him as much? 
 
 Really it just seemed as if I was Satan on Earth, bringing hate and rage, stomping out love and compassion. Well, I could change, I told myself, never again, right?
