Max sighed as he took his final step off the bus. Watching as David frantically waved goodbye to him, Max gave David a small wave back, his lips pulled tightly together. He watched his time at camp officially come to an end. The bus doors closed, leaving Max to stare at his reflection in the windows before the vehicle quickly drove off. He saw Neil waving in the rear window with a solemn face, saying a final goodbye to his friend. At least till next year, that was if he was allowed back. Little did Neil know, Max couldn't wait for next summer. He'd never admit it, but he knew that he was going to miss everyone. He waved back, watching his friend disappear.
He grunted as he picked up his black duffle bag and started his journey. With every step he took he regretted more than the last; one step closer to… 'home'. One step closer to his… 'parents' - parent? - If there was one thing he didn't miss while at camp was going to bed cold, hungry and miserable.
Max continued to walk down the streets, hood up, head down low. As he continued to his location, he felt multiple gazes on him... Finally, he saw it; the shit hole that his 'parents' - if he should even call them that - called home. He slowly raised his head and gazed at the old, rotting house. The place hadn't changed much; the house was still etched with vandalism; it still smelt foul. He stepped onto the deck, taking a few steps until finally reaching the front door.
"Deep breaths." He whispered to himself, Max hesitantly reached up to open the door. Unlocked. Of course, it was. He pulled back the door to enter the "Shithole Dimension" as he called it. One step. Two steps. Three steps. Four. He reached the living room to see his father laid out on the old tattered couch.
Where was mum?
His father shifted causing Max to tense up and pray that he hadn't woken him. He squeezed his eyes shut as tight as he could before a loud snore filled his ears. He relaxed.
"Oh thank God; Out cold." He muttered quietly to himself. He looked around the room, not much had changed from when he left for camp. Glass shards were scattered among the floor. Alcohol bottles stacked in piles randomly and portions of drug remains that were difficult to differentiate from glass. Everywhere you looked it was chaos. Max sighed, deciding to just get to his room and shut the world out. Just like always. It was safer that way.
No one understands.