It's Getting Better [Larry Stylinson]

“One…” Harry muttered to himself. “Two… Three…” He squeezed his eyes shut as he dragged his penknife across the already-scarred skin of his wrist, allowing the temporary feel of bliss to wash over him as, for a moment, he was able to escape the terrors that lay on the other side of the bathroom door. 

Since the young age of six, Harry had been both sexually and physically abused by his own father; Des Styles. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried to run away from it; to tell him to stop, but it only caused the beatings to worsen. Of course, throughout it all, his mother Anne had been oblivious to everything. The slightest touch from his father; the lingering stares; they were all just warnings to Harry - an almost coded message to presage him of the things that were later to come as soon as Anne turned her back.

Now, eleven years later, Harry was still receiving the same treatment; except it was gradually worsening. He had no friends - he didn’t even have a job - all thanks to the one man in his life who he had once looked up to and adored. He was older now, he should be able to fight back; to stop his father from continuing the consistent abuse, but he simply couldn’t. He was weak; physically and emotionally drained. His mum had even spoken about referring him to a professional psychologist to get him sorted out; but what would be the good in that? No-one ever believed the young boy when he reached out for help - and he certainly didn’t want a stranger knowing the ins and outs of his troubled life. 

He sighed, bringing his knees to his chest as he let the blood trickle down his arm, a lone tear running down his face. He was tired and hurting, the deep welts and bruises scattered all over his body were a symbol of the pain his short life had endured. Maybe one day, he’d escape all this.

One day.