The boy ran the whole way home with the occasional curses under his breath. He finally stopped when he reached the door of the apartment. He took a deep breath and opened the door slowly, just in case his father had fallen asleep….But no such luck. He saw his dad at the table, his back turned to him. He also saw his sister down the hall curled up on the couch. The boy let the door close with a click. The father, hearing the door turned around and saw his son. Uh o, he thought, now I'm in for it…
"Hayden!" the father shouted.
"y...y..yes dad?" the boy, Hayden, answered.
"What have I told you? It is past dark and I want my dinner!" His face was already getting red. Hayden knew his father wouldn't be like this if he weren't drunk.
"I have told you so many times! There are rules in this house that need to be obeyed! Do you think that you are an exception to those rules??"
"No sir," Hayden stammered. He knew all too well what came after the shouting, and he dreaded it every time.
"Someone needs to teach you a lesson! And I suppose I am the one to do that! Since your mother had to go and die on me!!"
Hayden knew why his mother had died. He may be young (even though he acted older that his age), but he sure wasn't stupid. He didn't even think that his father knew the real reason why his mother was dead anymore. He had said that it was her fault so many times, that he had started to believe his own lies. He knew how his father had beaten his mother, beaten her until her body couldn't take it any more. He had to watch it every night, his sister did too. He even beat them sometimes. But now that their mother was gone, his favorite target was Hayden. He beat him almost every night now, and his sister too, although less often. Hayden hated the way he was so powerless against this man he was forced to call his father. He hated how he controlled his life. Hated how he couldn't help his sister. And well, he just plain hated everything about him.
Every time his father mentioned his mother, Hayden felt his heart tug at him. She never deserved the life he gave her. No, she was so much better than that…….
"Ha! Your mother!" he yelled, "She was worthless! All she was good for was cooking and cleaning, but even you are more worthless! You can't even get home in time to cook me my dinner!"
Hayden felt the blood rising in his face and clenched his fists. He knew he could do nothing, so he stood there and braced himself, taking all the verbal abuse, while waiting for the physical….
"You worthless piece a…" His father walked over to him and struck him across the face. It was a heavy blow, and would have knocked any eight year old down. His father picked him up and hit him across the cheek again. Once Hayden had crumpled to the floor, he came over and gave him a final kick in the stomach. He had found by now that not fighting back would make it go faster.
"Don't even fight back, you're pathetic."
Besides the pain, Hayden had a lot of things on his mind. Most of them things to say….but he knew what would happen if he did.
His father went back to the table and sat down grabbing his beer. He gave a horrible laugh before taking one last swig and laying his head on the table. It wasn't long before his snores filled the apartment and Hayden dared to move.
Author's Note: Ok, I know it is brutal….but it kinda has to be. I will try to make it happier from now on!!