Billy Hargrove might rule the corridors of Hawkins High as the bully. Yet, behind closed doors at home, he's the victim, tormented by his own father. His mother abandoned him, so he has no defender against his abuser.
But at school, Steve Harrington...
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Inside the walls of Billy's bedroom, clothing is draped over a chair, and the wardrobe hangs open, revealing a poster of a centre-fold model. "Back in Black" by AC/DC plays through his stereo system, as his father slams him against the bookcase.
Billy Hargrove finds himself trapped in a cycle of torment. He's known for his tough exterior, for picking on kids at school and turning their lives into hell. Nobody knows that he carries the weight of a deeply dysfunctional family life. He only flaunts his aggression, so the world can feel his pain.
The air is thick with tension and fear in the Hargrove household. The abuse perpetuates a cycle of pain that extends far beyond the walls of their home, seeping into every aspect of his life.
'You're worthless.' Neil spits in Billy's face, full of contempt.
Billy avoids his father's hateful glare. He doesn't dare wipe his face.
'Look at me when I'm talking to you.' Neil grasps his chin with a callused hand. 'Do you understand?'
Billy's eyes burn, and his lips tremble. He nods.
Neil tightens his grip on his son. 'I can't hear you.'
He gulps. 'Yes, sir.'
'You're just like your mother ... weak, pathetic, and selfish.' Neil's grimace twists. 'She left because of you.'
The pain of abandonment and rejection slices through Billy like a knife. Hearing his father blame him for his mother's departure shatters him.
He shakes his head. 'No, that's not true.'
'You're calling me a liar?'
'I-I'm sorry, D-Dad,' he stammers.
'Oh, don't you dare apologise. Your apologies mean nothing to me!' Neil backhands him across the face.
Billy knows better than to look away or speak another word now.
Neil weilds his words as weapons, tearing down Billy's self-esteem and making him doubt his worth. But words are often not enough, and he resorts to physical violence until Billy is bruised and broken ... inside and out.
'You think you're tough, huh?' Neil taunts him and strikes him again.
His father used to inflict physical and emotional abuse on Billy's mother. After she was out of the picture, slowly but surely, Neil made his son his new target.
His father punches him, causing him to double over. Neil's hateful screams burrow deep into Billy's psyche, leaving scars that run far deeper than the bruises on his skin.
He's certain that he could knock down his father and overpower him ... if only he could stand up to him. Yet, the years of conditioning keep him paralysed.
Billy's mind drifts to memories of his mother—the distant recollections of her warmth and love as they played together on the beach. He struggles to hold onto the faint image of the woman who once cared for him, and her gentle voice.
He needs to desperately believe that she didn't abandon him.
Why didn't she take Billy with her? Or at least call him or look for him? How could she walk out the door, knowing that she was leaving her son to suffer in her place?
No matter where the blows on his body fall, Billy's heart is the part of him that hurts the most.
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