The first thing Pip felt when he woke that morning was pain.
A dull throb pulsed behind his left ear as his eyes opened to take in the morning light. Ignoring his headache, he looked over and read the numbers flashing on the clock.
6:30 AM.
Time enough to get ready for school. Time enough to nurse the wounds from the previous day.
Soft light filtered in from the open window. Pip's pale skin shone whitely as he crawled from his bed and stretched the slim length of his body.
Bruises bloomed on his arms and abdomen. Purple, blue...some had already faded to yellow and hints of green. Gashes were scattered over his back-their pain evident.
All of these were the norm, though. A natural occurrence of everyday life.
The beatings in the hallway...his body being pushed into the harsh metal of his locker. Not a day did pass without assault. For as long as he could remember...
Torture.
Fear.
The other students at South Park High were cruel, unyielding in their ceaseless carnage.
But Pip didn't focus on this. He hoped for something more.
An escape.
TO BE CONTINUED.
