This is a fictional story based on the information received during Space Clearing
In a run-down council house on the outskirts of a commuter belt town lived a family torn apart by the abusive behaviour of their mother. A woman who, on the surface, seemed to have it all together but behind closed doors, was a tyrant.
Her name was Susan, a middle-aged woman with a mane of greasy blonde hair and a perpetually sour expression on her face. Her husband and two children, a teenage son, and a young daughter, were the targets of her rage.
From a young age, Susan's son, Jack, had learned to keep his head down and never draw attention to himself. This was becoming harder to do as he turned to alcohol and drugs as a means to escape. He was now becoming part of the problem. When he was under the influence his anger would boil over, leaving his father and little sister, Claire, running for cover.
Susan's outbursts were frequent and vicious. She would fly off the handle at the smallest things, hurling insults and objects at her children. The sound of her screams echoed through the walls of their house, the anger was directed towards her family. Although the root cause was her own unhappiness, the family were unable to see that.
One night, after a particularly violent episode, Susan locked Claire in a wardrobe. She would remain there until her mother was asleep and her father could free her.
Jack’s behaviour also was escalating. He was now out of the house more than home, he would always be drunk or high when he returned.
This was fuel for Susan’s own demons. They were becoming louder every day until she could no longer project the feeling outwards and turned on herself. Susan hit rock bottom. Her addiction had taken over her life, and the realisation of what she had inflicted on her family and on her children left her in deep despair. One night, in a fit of desperation, she attempted to slit her wrists. But her attempt was unsuccessful, and she was rushed to the hospital.
It was during her recovery that Susan finally realised the depths of her addiction and the damage she had caused her family. She knew she needed help, and support for not only her addictions but also her mental health. She was placed in a facility that was able to give her the care she needed.
Her husband Paul was able to make a break and get his son the help he needed.
Jack was taken to a youth facility to work on his issues. He was not happy and would escape regularly. He would turn up outside the house and scream abuse and throw things, this would continue long after his father and sister had moved.
Paul and Claire relocated to a different part of the country, and they started again, where no one knew their story. They had nothing to do with Susan and Jack again. They created a new life free from violence and abuse.
Susan got the help she needed and although she would always miss and regret what she had put her family through, and missed them, she ended up living a clean and happy life.
Jack, however, wasn’t so lucky. He was unable to move past the trauma of his childhood and his addiction. He ended up in prison. He committed a robbery that went horribly wrong and killed someone. He will not be released.