There'll Be Storms (Spanking Story)

Chapter 57

*Hi everyone. I know this is a shorter-than-normal chapter, but it's a cap to Eryk's POV. I hope you all enjoy*

CHARLIE'S POV: 

I pulled into the driveway, noticing there were only two lights on in the house; the boy's room and the kitchen. I'd be surprised if they were asleep, if anything they'll probably ask me to extend their bedtimes for tonight, but the house seemed inactive. It was quiet. Too quiet. Almost empty as if I were coming home to a vacant house again. 

There was an unbearable tightness in my chest, a crushing pain that spread down my back and through my arms. I worry about Eryk leaving so much. I know he's strong and extremely determined, that kid has a will like no other...but sometimes he has this unquenchable thirst to self-destruct. It can all be sourced from the trauma he's been subjected to, but I worry that it'll resurface too often in military school. 

Military school has a unique way of testing you; learning how to obey orders while consistently questioning whether you're good enough. If you're doing well enough of a job, or if everything is crumbling beneath you. I remember my first few months there; I would wake up every morning not remembering where I was, it would take me a few minutes to gather my thoughts and then I'd get a small nerve pinch in my nose that left tears in my eyes. That never ended. 

Sometimes it felt like there was no one there with you, that you are just utterly alone. There were other students there, but solidarity wasn't something we all picked up on until after the first year. Everyone was trying to suffer in silence and make it through, fearing that anything less would be chalked up to weakness. That's what I fear the most for Eryk. I hope he never feels alone. 

I at least had Audrey to remind me that I wasn't. Others weren't so lucky. Her support was something that got me through the day. And when Eryk was born...nothing made me happier than to see him in her arms when I came home. 

But her disappearance was the one thing in my life that finally broke me. 

I'll never forget that day. Coming home to find nothing but a dark house that lost it's homing sense...it imbeds in your head and haunts your memories. I tried for years to forget about all the stupid little things that gave my life purpose but I never escaped the memories. Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you. That was the last thing Audrey said to me before she packed her bags and decided to leave me. 

Why does this feel the same? 

"Dad." Eryk said abruptly, coming to the window, nearly giving me a heart attack. 

"Eryk." I rolled my eyes after flinching. "Jesus Christ." 

"Sorry. I'm sorry." 

"What are you doing out here?" I gathered my things before gripping the door handle and gently opening the door after he moved back. "Where's Cody?" 

"He's inside, taking a shower." 

When I took a step forward, I recognized a darkness lingering in his eyes. He looked as if he aged five years in a single hour. 

Pointing to the house, I summoned for him to follow me inside, I made sure to make direct eye contact with him. "What's the matter with you?" 

"Uh." He darted forward, shoving his hands deep inside his pockets as he walked ahead. "Fine. I'm fine." 

Opening the screen door, he allowed me to enter first. 

Hanging my coat on the rack, I set my shoes below and stood there patiently. "You're not yourself. What's wrong?" 

"Nothing. I'm alright, I just....I, something was brought to my attention at therapy today." He started, pausing for a reaction from me. "Cody has confrontation issues."