DLMLU

Scant

Scant
A

djective
barely sufficient or adequate.

~~•••°°°•••°°°•••°°°•••°°°•••~~

"They're beautiful—" Jisung whispered out, causing Minho's eyes to widen before clenching them and pulling away. Not exactly what he was expecting, Jisungs words tried smashing into Minho's guarded walls. It sent memories flashing through his mind, completely unprepared for the nightmares he wanted to forget, but taunted with day to day.

The unforgivable words that etched them into his back and arms. The tortuous mind games that plagued his mind from time to time. Everything hit Minho fast. His breathing ragged.

"Disgusting freak with scars." A child in his elementary class laughed at Minho. He thought no one was in the changerooms but he was terribly wrong. The boys had hid to attack Minho. It was supposed to be gameplay, but it turned into a battle of tormenting emotions.

Minho curled in on himself hiding his body as he ran for the bathroom stalls. Hoping the teasing would fade away. The little boys had no idea what Minho's home life was like, as kids Minho tried to pretend it was because they were young. Maybe not taught the rights and wrongs.

But hearing it at home soon followed him into the older grades of elementary.

Where Felix had no scars, it sent rumors around that Minho harmed himself. Teachers soon got involved and contacted his parents.

It made it all that much worse.

Minho sat at the moon shaped table as he was scratching at his wrists anxious. He probably would have ended up bleeding if not for being distracted by sets of chairs scraping against linoleum. Not allowed to leave until his parents talk with the teacher.

The door opened to the office where a cheap mask of his parents left the office. Minho visibly flinched. His mother gripped his wrist like she was caring. Her nails lightly digging into his skin

"Come on sweetie it's time to go."

Her smile forced. Minho didn't say a word but nodded quickly following her racing paces. He was lucky to keep up without tripping over his short legs.

He rushed into the car as the door slammed forcing all three of them to make it to the house. Minho ran fast. He wanted to hide, find Felix and hide in the closets with the doors locked.

He was in big trouble… his teachers got involved.

"Look dear, these scars will never go away!" Minho's mother yelled out sinisterly, she forced his head into the house sending his body toppling to the wooden foyer. She wasted no time to head to the kitchen kicking her heels directly at the boy's face. She popped open a whiskey while she sipped the alcohol and watched as his father ripped his belt off. Minho knew what was coming as he cowards against the wall. His father was out to brutally hurt him. The whipping of the belt against his spine, he screeched before shutting himself up. His arms pressed against the wall to keep himself balanced as he bit harshly against his hand. He bit down so hard he drew blood from his own bite. Blood seeped upon his own lips. The crimson metallic taste filled his mouth, holding in every ounce of pain.