Back To Hell

It was a slow dreaded walk to the place that we disliked.

John: Be careful and leave you window unlocked. Also do not forget to hide your fangs. They will most definitely scare anyone who sees them.

Ty: I can do that. Love you.

John: Same to you.

He then hid inside a bush near the door and I rang the doorbell. My mother answered the doorbell and my father showed up next.

Ty: I apologize as I realize I made a massive error in my choices. I would love to go back to school and earn my football scholarship.

Ty’s mother: What about John?

Ty: He’s gone. Lost him more than a week ago.

Ty’s father: We will have to get back to training but first you sound awful. Let’s get that checked out.

Ty’s mother: Your stuff was also stolen so we will need to buy you more.

Ty: Thanks for understanding.

Ty’s father: We knew you would come back.

They took me to their car so I could get some help. John was still sitting in the bushes as we drove away. So many tests were taken and some medication was given. Apparently, my parents also forced me to go to some therapy that had to end short due to my condition. We also went to the stores to grab a new mattress and a few other things that were stolen, unknown to them that it was me who stole those items. They drove around town talking about the things I missed while I was gone and how stupid I was. By the time we got back home, I was on the verge of tears. Both my parents, set up the new things in my room. My father called off work so they could spend some time with me and try to convince me even more to stay. My mother was very understanding and accepted me back now that I was ‘normal’. On the other hand, my father was not understanding at all. He thought that he would beat sense into me. I could also tell he had had a few drinks.

Ty: I think I am going to lay down.

Ty’s father: As soon as you wake I want you down here.

I turned to walk away and he grabbed my arm harshly. I pulled away and ran up to my room locking the door. All the yelling caused a massive headache and having massive coughing fits and a headache is not the greatest thing to have. My arm was literally pulsating because he grabbed it with all his strength and he has not done that in a while. As I laid in my bed, a knock came at the window and John hopped in. I was comfortable to cry around him so I let out everything I was holding in. He knows what my father is capable of but he does not know that he did it again. It was nice to have his comforting

hand. I tried to explain through my tears.

Ty: He did it again.

John: Not again. Where? I can see one of your face.

Ty: Let me show you.

I painfully removed my shirt revealing the risen, red hand-marks of my father and the red marks of random objects that were thrown my way. My arm was now shades of purple, black, and blue. You could see exactly how he grabbed it.

John: You need to put ice onto that.

Ty: I know.

John: Go down to get some. Just walk right past them and ignore them. Pretend like you are half asleep.

Ty: Okay, stay hidden.

John: Clean up your face first and put your shirt back on.

He wiped off my tears and went into my closet. I put on my shirt and went downstairs. My father was not anywhere in sight and my mother was sitting in the living room. So I snuck past her to grab some ice and maybe some food for John. My mother noticed me and stood up to meet me in the kitchen.

Ty’s mother: You finally eating?

Ty: Kind of. I just wanted to take some food up so it can eat a bit know and maybe some later.

Ty’s mother: I really am glad you’re back and just in time to celebrate Christmas with you.

Ty: Me too. I am going to go lay down and take a shower. See you in the morning.

Ty’s mother: Okay sweetie. Get a good night’s rest so we can all celebrate in the morning.

I grab the ice, a drink, and some food. Back inside my room, I locked the door and sat down with everything. With the door locked, John knew it was safe to come back out. He took a seat on the left side of the bed and patted my leg.

John: The ice should make that feel better.

Ty: Physically.

John: Ty, I did not expect him to do that.

Ty: Nor did I. Here I brought you something to eat.

John: Almost like your mind reader.

Ty: I am going to hop in the shower.

John: I will stay here silent as a mouse.

Using an actual shower felt amazing. I left it running so he could get one without my mother realizing. He got in the shower shortly after I got out. We sat there cuddling in only flannel pajama bottoms with a Christmas movie in the background. A light knock was heard on the door ruined this moment. John threw himself under the bed and I got up to answer the door still not wearing anything by flannel pants and my necklace.

Ty’s mother: Your father and I wanted to give you an early present. And your next dose of medicine.

Ty: Alright.

Ty’s mother: May we come in?

Ty’s father: Just go in. What’s with the necklace?

Ty: A gift.

Ty’s father: From who?

Ty: Don’t worry about it.

Ty’s father: Whatever.

He pushed past me knocking me into my desk and onto the floor. I mean if they came up here to give me a gift, pushing me should not be a part of it. They sat down with a box wrapped in Christmas paper and left me almost laying on my desk. I sat next to them and opened the box. Inside was a bunch of gear for football but little do they know I hated that sport.

Ty: Thank you.

Ty’s father: Now you can work in the New Year.

Ty: Alright.

Ty’s father: I mean it.

Ty: Alright.

Ty’s father: Do not raise your voice to me.

Ty: Alright.

Ty’s mother: Okay we are leaving as this is supposed to be a happy time.

They got up and left. I got up and locked the door. John got up and sat on the bed studying me picking up the things that were knocked off my desk.

John: Just ignore him. The sooner you get better the sooner you can get out of here again.

Ty: True. Do you want to finish the movie?

John: Sure.

I got up to switch off the lights and then crawled back into bed next to him. We finished the movie and laid here in the darkness. It was extremely silent. All I could hear was my parents wrapping and talking downstairs.

John: Your parents are horrible.

Ty: They were not always like that.

John: For four of the seven years I have known you, they were.

Ty: It started before I even met you. It mostly happened behind a closed door. Nobody knew and I was too ashamed to tell. You only know what I have chosen to tell you. Good times with them especially my father are often scarce or faint memories.

John: That is terribly saddening.

Ty: Back then it was but now I’m happy. Well, kind of. I will be when I get out of here again.

I moved my head to kiss him and he did the same. He then held me in a way that made me feel safe, protected, and happy. I never wanted to move but I knew that somehow I would have to move. Maybe an hour later after we had both fallen asleep John had woken me up after hearing a knock on the door. I left him laying bed and I got up to answer the door. When I answered the door, I had to hide my body behind it.

Ty: What?

Ty’s father: Your mother told me to me to apologize.

Ty: At this early in the morning.

Ty’s father: Why don’t you come out from the door so I can talk to you face to face?

Ty: I am barely dressed.

Ty’s father: You’re used to it. Oh wait I’m wrong. You made the wrong decision.

Ty: I want to talk in the morning.

Ty’s father: No you will talk now and there is no other option.

Ty: Can I at least have five seconds to put a robe on?

Ty’s father: Yes.

I closed the door and relocked it. My robe was in the bathroom so I walked over there to get it. John motioned me over and gave me a kiss to help me through the conversation. I left him lying in bed buried under several blankets unable to be seen by my father.

Ty: What do you want to talk about?

Ty’s father: Everything.

Ty: It is too early for me to try and comprehend what you are saying to me.

He reached up and rammed his fist into my cheek. That actually knocked me backwards and caused blood to pour out of my mouth.

Ty’s father: Can you comprehend now?

Ty: Wait five seconds for the spinning to stop and then yes.

Ty’s father: Good. I will keep it short. Your mother told to apologize so I apologize. Then I need to tell you that you are walking on thin ice. I have so many things set up if you break the ice. Watch yourself. This is the only warning you will get. Now go grab some ice before your mother kills me.

Ty: I will in a second.

He went back downstairs and I stood there for a moment before heading down to get some ice. When I came back up, I locked the door, switched on the light, and sat in silence for a second with the ice on my face. He really did hit me hard. The side of my lip was swelling along with the side of my face.