Cloud sat on the doorstep to his house. His chin rested in his hands as he stared out into space, only one thing occupying his thoughts. Father.
Cloud had watched his father carry his suitcase out of the room and head for the door. He'd seen his father pause and turn back to spot him, standing awkwardly in the hallway. He had watched as his father left his suitcase and walked over to put a hand on his shoulder, smiling a sad smile.
"It's better this way, Cloud." his father had said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Cloud hadn't said anything. He had watched his father sigh, straighten up, and walk back over to his things. The door was pulled open and the man who Cloud had looked up to for five years walked out of his life.
It was now morning, and Cloud was sitting in the same place he had been sitting in for seven hours. His father had walked out of his life at one o'clock in the morning.
What had he done to make his father leave?
"David? Cloud!?"
The door opened and Cloud turned to see his mother standing there. Her hand went to cover her mouth for only a moment before she then hugged him. He didn't say anything. I'm sorry, mum.
"Cloud, oh Cloud. I thought he'd taken you with him!" she sobbed, picking him up and taking him back inside the house.
Cloud found himself clinging onto her shirt and crying against her as well. The image of his father walking out that door stayed in his mind, and he cried harder as if doing so would shove it from his thoughts.
"I'm so sorry, Cloud. I'm sorry this had to happen." his mother said, sitting down and rocking him gently. He still didn't speak, unable to think of anything to say. Why are you sorry, mum?
Cloud never saw his mother cry again after that day.
His father never came back.
He didn't care.