Daddy says you're not like the other kids at school. He calls you special, but you know it kills him to say it, because he tends to wince when he lands on the last word. Sometimes, you can hear him crying at night. You think he cries because of you. But when you asked him about it, he said that he just misses Mommy.
You think he's lying, but you're not sure.
...
The other kids at school pick on you and tell you that Daddy doesn't really love you and that he's going to get rid of you soon. One part of you wants to go cry. The other part of you wants to go smash their heads into the wall. But you try to ignore that part.
You're scared that what the kids say are true; that Daddy will get rid of you once you turn six.
You don't want to leave.
You don't want Daddy to let go.
...
You hate school. Sometimes, you just want to make all the people in the school disappear, especially the ones that try to hurt you.
But what you want more than anything is to rip out their insides and see them bleed. You want to hear them scream and cry, begging for mercy.
You're scared from those thoughts and you tend to skip school. You don't want to hurt anyone, but at the same time, nothing will make you happier.
...
You asked Daddy what your name was. He said that your name was Caliborn. You told him that you hate that name and that it's a pathetic excuse for a fucking name that you've ever heard.
Daddy sent you to your room and you could hear him crying all night.
You slept with a smile on your face.
...
You asked Daddy what your name was. He told you Calliope. You told him that you loved him and you made him dinner that night.
He still cried.
You still smiled in your sleep.
...
Daddy told you that you were going someplace special. He said that it's a place for kids like you. You wonder what that means, but you're pretty sure it means kids with your condition. You're scared the whole ride there, but Daddy holds your hand, so that makes everything better.
You get to the place and walk inside with Daddy, holding his hand the entire way there. You have a backpack slung over your shoulder filled with all your clothes and favorite things.
A nice lady named Rose hands you a lollipop and goes over to talk with your dad. The candy is red, your favorite flavor. You look around the room and see pictures of different animals along the walls. It's very interesting and colorful. It reminds you of the playground at school.
Rose and Daddy some back. Daddy is crying like he does almost every night. Then he hugs you and tells you that he loves you. You say it to him back and he calls you Calliope. He whispers goodbye and you tell him that you'll see him later. You say that you'll make him dinner when you get home, but he doesn't answer you. He walks away and doesn't say a thing.
Rose takes you to a nice room with green walls and a carpeted floor, which you never had at your house. You always had hardwood. Rose tells you that you'll be here a while, until you're older and able to go places alone. But you don't mind, you say, as long as Daddy comes a visits you often.
Rose tells you that, no, Daddy won't be visiting often.
Like Daddy, that night, you cried yourself to sleep.
You wonder if he is crying as well.