Page 111 of Voices

Is it because I’m a bad person?

I don’t mean to be difficult.

I’m so tired of everything.

So fucking tired.

A key sliding in the lock has me hurrying into the corner and covering my head.

“Get up Charles,” My father demands.

I slowly get to my feet as my entire body vibrates in fear.

I’m roughly grabbed by my bicep and pulled from the bathroom. I can still hear music and laughter coming from the dining hall as we turn and go up the staircase.When we get to the top, I’m shoved into his office.

I stand in the middle of the room shaking like a leaf as he removes his suit jacket, places it over the back of his chair, and rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt.

“Why do you think it’s okay to act like a rebellious teen, Charles?”

He doesn’t look at me as he pours himself three fingers of whiskey from the decanter in the corner. He tosses it back like it’s water then slams his glass down, making me jump.

“I asked you a question and I expect an answer!” He yells.

“I-I don’t-”

His empty whiskey glass shatters as it connects with my head. Warm blood drips down the side of my face as I cry out and I shield my head from anything else he might throw. When nothing happens, I slowly open my eyes and jump back when he’s standing right in front of me.

“I thought we took care of the stuttering problem. I paid good money for those therapists to fix you. Seems like even that wasn’t good enough to fix your fucked up head.” His spit hits my face a second before he punches me below my ribs.

Red hot pain has me falling to the floor, doubled over.

“P-please. I-I’m sorry,” I gasp through the pain.

“P-P-P,” he mocks before kicking me in the ribs on the other side.

Air rushes out of my lungs and I struggle to take a breath. I make loud sucking noises as I beg my lungs to work.

“Pathetic piece of shit,” he spits on me before he grabs my arm and twists it behind my back. I cry out in pain as he pulls up until I’m standing.

“I won’t be embarrassed like I was tonight. Ever. Again. Keep this locked in your memory for the next time you want to act out.”

He spins me around quickly and the second I’m facing him, his left fist connects with my face. My head jerks back and I fall backwards landing on the broken pieces of the whiskey glass. Sharp pain slices through my back causing me to cry out again.

With tears blurring my vision and my head ringing, I try to roll out of the glass, but he pushes me back down with his foot, sending the shards of glass deeper into my skin.

He shakes his head as he walks to the chair and puts his suit jacket back on.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Charles.” He straightens his tie and smooths back his greying dark hair before walking away.

Leaving me bleeding on his office floor.

I try to get up but I don’t have any strength left. With the adrenaline quickly leaving my body, I close my stinging eyes.

The sun is beginning to rise when I wake up. Rolling to my side, I whimper at the intense pain all over my body. My head spins as I slowly sit up.

Fuck it hurts to breathe.

I look down at my ruined suit covered in blood.

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