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I sat on the stoop, smoking my third cigarette of the day. The sun was still high in the sky and I could tell it was barely noon. It had only taken a matter of days for me to become dependent on the awful thing. They burned my throat and left a horrid taste in my mouth, but I couldn't stop. I needed them...

Needed them like I needed Arthur- an addiction; something I could never live without. Just another thing I couldn't live without.

I hugged my coat tighter to me, the chill of the fall getting worse each day. It was almost winter, and soon the snow would fall.

I stood, putting out the cigarette and wiping off my pants. Arthur would be angry if I tracked dirt into the house.

He stayed a while this time, not leaving for several weeks. The days dragged on as I had developed what seemed to be a perpetual limp. Everyday was another beating, each more brutal than the last. I would fall over nearly everyday, breaking things as my eyes grew worse. Everyday seemed to be a battle to complete my daily tasks, trying not to hit anything or get in trouble with Arthur. My limp continued and I fought myself pretend nothing was wrong.

I walked inside, making some tea to warm my chilled body (since I wasn't allowed to have coffee, and could never sneak it under his watchful eye) I sat at the table, taking small sips, letting the liquid warm my body. I watched over my cup as Arthur walked through the door, hanging up his coat, and walking into the kitchen; his posture reflecting the proper gentleman he was. He sat down at the table and I smiled at him hopefully. "Welcome home! How was your day?" I greeted him lovingly, praying he was in a good mood today.

"Good." He replied coldly. He casually flipped through a book I had left on the table, clearly becoming annoyed by it. It was written in the colonies and made me smile; the idealistic themes portrayed always seemed to amuse my. The placid expression on his face was only under toned with malice and distaste, proving to me he didn't like the book very much. "Make me tea, would you boy?" He asked rather politely, though I knew it was an order.

So I stood, placing down my own tea cup as I prepared his. I placed it in front of him obediently, and a soft hand ruffling my hair told me I did a good job. I quickly moved back to my seat, sipping at my tea timidly, wanting to keep his good mood in tack.

"Alfred, do you believe this rubbish?" He looked at me with genuine curiosity and I returned it with one of excitement.

"Well, no, of course not. But it's interesting, isn't it? I mean, this guy's ideas. He-" I was cut off as I felt a hard cover bash into my cheek, lashing my head to the opposite side.

"There will be none of this kind of talk, understand me boy?" With that, he walked over to the stove, moving the tea kettle and lighting it back up. He held the book over the small flame until it too took fire, and he dropped it as the hardcover began to flicker and light, it's detailed lettering charring. I watched as my favorite book burned, and Arthur sat back down, calmly sipping his tea.

"M-my book..." I unconsciously spoke, regretting it instantly as a tear slipped down my face. An eyebrow was raised at me before anger flicked through them, a chair screeching against he floor as it was pushed back. Suddenly he was standing next to me, yanking me up by my arm, and leading me toward the stove. My book lay in ashes, merely a small glimmer in the flame. My arm was held securely over the fire until I screamed in pain, wretching my arm away desperately. Another hit was landed across my face and I felt the cold wall hit my back.

I sunk to the floor, sobbing silently as he loomed over me. "Alfred, I will hold you over that flame until you learn to bite your tounge and just listen." Another yank to my arm. He held the arm without burns over the flame, and I cried as the skin blistered away. He pulled my arm away swiftly, dropping it. "You can treat yourself." And with that, he once more strode out of the room, taking his tea cup with him.

I sunk back to the floor, cradling my arm in my opposite hand, crying softly as I listened to the small flickering of the still burning stove.

I stood back up on shaky legs, running my arm under cold water before wrapping it.

This would be a reminder to choose my reading materials more carefully. It was clear Arthur didn't want me to read anything that would harm me later. I mean, Arthur always had my best interest at heart, so next time I would merely have to be more careful with what I chose to read. After all, Arthur was always looking out for me, I should return his generous love.

Short Chapter is short.