People Are Devastated In These 'Am I The Jerk?' Stories

"I (19F) have two stepbrothers named Dave (23M) and Jack (25M). I have one half-brother who is 9. Growing up with them was honestly a nightmare. I don't get along with them or their mother (my stepmom). My mom died before they came into our lives so she's really the only 'mother' figure I've ever had. It'd be a whole lot to get into, but in general, they bullied and teased me from the moment I met them. Their mom played favorites quite a lot and I would get disciplined for little things like leaving a light on while their sons lived in absolute filth and didn't shower for weeks. I was forced to get a job at 15 while my stepbrothers were allowed to live at home rent-free, with no job or college. I moved out last year to stay at my step-aunt's (stepmom's sister). Almost everything I make goes to 'rent' a room from her and STILL contribute to chores/housekeeping for parts of the house that I'm not even allowed to use. Staying with her and still within my family's control is the only way they would let me keep in touch and see my little brother who I practically raised. They use him to threaten me every time I do something they don't approve of. I went on a weekend trip with friends a few hours away. When I came back I realized that my entire family was waiting for me on the couch. Older brothers, stepmom, and my dad. All just sitting there waiting for me to walk in the door. When I did they started yelling at me and telling me that I'd turned my location off and that they couldn't text me because I ignored them. And "How dare I tell my friends not to respond". Yes, they found and harassed my friends. The whole argument turned into them following me to my room. When I opened the door I saw the entire thing was trashed. 3-day old food, rotten bowls, plates, and old pizza boxes all piled up on my bed (which had been stripped of its sheets and was completely bare). Dirty clothes and trash everywhere. It smelled like urine. I lost my temper at that point because I knew the stuff was my step-brother's. When I asked why it was in there, they said that they let him and his friends play DnD and sleep there because they were in a rough spot, and "boys just get rowdy sometimes". Let it stand that I have OCD which I've learned to manage myself, but was crippling during high school and literally almost drove me off the deep end. I don't let it interfere with other people or their lives but it very much impacts mine, and the fact that they allowed my stepbrother and his friends to trash my room KNOWING that it would basically make the whole thing a biohazard for me speaks volumes. I slammed the door in their faces, grabbed my essentials, and left. I haven't spoken to any of them since but now they're accusing me of leaving my aunt without necessary income and overreacting. I responded by posting their texts to me online. Somehow the pictures found their way to my stepmom's boss (it's a very small town) and they're threatening to 'review' her employment due to it. AITJ?" Another User Comments: "NTJ. This is the "find out" portion of the program. They treat you abominably. Do not go back there or let them make you feel bad. You are not obligated to do anything for them or anyone related to them. I am so sorry they are terrible people, but none of it is your fault. I hope you can find a place where your boundaries are respected and are treated with the kindness and care you deserve." RebaSpeaks2It Another User Comments: "NTJ - I need you to talk to more people and ask for help finding a new place to live. You don't deserve to be homeless. You may want to talk to the police about the harassment, potential child mistreatment, and destruction of property to have some of this on record. Even if they do nothing, it'll help your siblings. I'd strongly consider going no contact, turning off your location, even with a beloved brother if they keep weaponizing him. He's living in a toxic soup, but it's going to take some work for you to be emotionally and financially able to support both of you. You need to be there for him to run to and in this world. A local church or community center might be able to help you replenish the basics. If stepmom gets fired, stay safe. That's not your fault." BountyMounty Another User Comments: "NTJ. This is heartbreaking. I hope you have a safe place to stay. If not, please contact the local women’s shelter to escape this abusive situation and hopefully, they can find you some temporary housing. They can also help you with getting restraining orders against these people. You may even be able to get that rent back as you were a tenant but that’s a secondary concern to safe housing. Please don’t keep in contact with them. You need to look after you first." [deleted]