"Cody! Get up!" My father kicked my side.

I looked up, squinting my eyes in the bright sunlight.

"You didn't wake me up this morning! That's two days in a row, Cody!"

"I'm sorry, sir. The door was locked. I couldn't get in. I fell asleep out here and-"

"Get in the house!"

"Yes, sir." I pushed myself up off the damp porch and headed into the house.

Once I stepped over the threshold, my father pushed me onto the floor, then slammed the door shut behind him. He glared at me. "Because of you, I missed my favorite TV show!"

"Sir, I'm so sorry. It won't happen again. I promise, sir. It was all my fault. I'm sorry."

"I give you a place to stay…food. And you can't do this one thing for me?!"

"Sorry, sir."

"You're so irresponsible!"

"I know, sir. Sorry, sir."

"You are the worst boy I've ever met!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm trying to be good, but, sir, I-"

"-am a worthless piece of s***!" He spat in my face.

"I know, sir. I'm sorry, sir."

"Go to your room, Cody." He turned to walk into the living room.

"What about school, sir?"

He faced me again, pulling me up by my hair.

Our heads were centimeters apart.

I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"I said, 'Go to your room, Cody.' That mean, 'Get your lousy a** in that f***ing bedroom right now! I don't wanna see you even take a step out of that room until I say so! You got that?!"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." He threw me towards the door to my room. "Now go!"

"Yes, sir." I quickly pushed myself up off the floor and headed into my room, shutting the door behind me.

I fell onto the bed, the tears already leaving my eyes.

I had to stay quiet, though. I couldn't let my father hear me cry.

That was the first rule on the list: 'No crying.'

I was shivering, still in my wet clothes after sleeping outside in the rain. Tears streamed down my face.

_______________________________________________________________________

I sat in the corner, my arms around my knees, rocking back and forth.

*FLASHBACK*

"Sir, please don't do this to me. Please, sir. Anything but that. Please. I-"

"Cody!"

I immediately got quiet.

"Don't you want food and water?"

"Yes, sir. But-"

"How long's it been?"

"Sir, I don't know."

"How long, Cody?!"

"At least a week, sir."

"Did you know that the average person can only go three days without water?"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't you want some water, Cody?" He poured his beer into his mouth, swallowing slowly.

I watched, licking my dry lips. "Yes, sir."

"Well, then lay down."

Hesitantly, I did. "Yes, sir."

He smirked, taking off his shirt.

I tried to block out what was happening as my father wrapped his arm around me. I forced my mind to travel to other places, since I couldn't.

*END FLASHBACK*

A tear fell down my cheek.

My father stepped into the room, a glass and pitcher full of water in hand. "Is that a tear I see?"

I quickly wiped it away. "No, sir. I'm not crying."

"Don't lie to me, Cody."

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It just came out. Please don't punish me for it, sir. Please. I won't let it happen again."

"You broke the main rule of the house. And you lied to me about it. I don't think you deserve any water. Do you?"

"No, sir."

He turned to leave the room, water in hand.

"Please don't do that, sir. Please let me have some water. Please, sir. I'm thirsty. Please. I am so sorry, sir. I'm sorry. Sir, really. I am. I'm sorry. I'm-"

He shut the door behind him.

I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry, causing me to cough instead. I rested my head on my knees.

All of a sudden, the door burst open.

My father came inside, laughing. "I'm just messing with you, Cody. Here you go." He poured about a centimeter of water from the pitcher and into the glass, then reached over the mattress, handing the cup to me.

"Thank you, sir." I poured it into my mouth thirstily, having a little trouble swallowing.

My father was watching me, amused.

When I was finished drinking, I said, "Thank you so much, sir. Thank you."

"You want some more?"

"Please, sir."

"Give me your glass."

"Yes, sir." I handed it to him. "Thank you, sir."

When he handed it back, I drank.

With each sip, it became easier for me to swallow.

After a couple more glasses, my father said, "That's enough for today, Cody."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Call me when you want some food or more water. You know what to do to earn it." He winked.

"Yes, sir. I know, sir."

He left the room, taking the rest of the water.

I rested my head onto my knees and closed my eyes.

_______________________________________________________________________

My father pushed himself off the mattress, zipping his pants. He headed out the door.

I was breathing heavily, sweat dripping from my hair.

A few minutes later, my father walked into the room. He lay a small plate and a clean outfit onto the floor. "It's just like I promised, since I didn't have to do all the work this time."

I pushed myself up. "Thank you, sir."

He stepped out of the room.

I changed my clothes and grabbed the plate of food, eating quickly.

I didn't like what I had to do to get things now. But I didn't have a choice.