My Sunflower(Elio Story)

💛🌻Chapter 11: Scars and Sunflower💛🌻

**Trigger Warning ⚠️:** This chapter contains graphic depictions of physical abuse and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.

Last night, as I sketched by the soft glow of my bedside lamp, the image of Luna and me sitting in a garden surrounded by Sunflowers and Moonflowers took shape on the page. She twirled a sunflower between her fingers, and I couldn't help but draw my gaze locked on her, love unmistakable in my eyes. As the pencil left the paper, sleep claimed me, the pencil slipping from my grasp.

The sun had barely risen when I was jolted awake by a rough, slurred shout that echoed through the house. "Elio Ekatsim Goldendock!" My father's voice-sharp, grating-sent a bolt of fear through my chest.

I curled into myself, hoping to become invisible as his heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs. The door flew open, crashing against the wall, and there he stood, anger twisting his features. The stench of alcohol hit me as he snarled, "You better be here, you mistake of a son."

"I'm here," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling with the effort to keep calm.

In one swift motion, his hand clamped down on my arm, his grip bruising as he yanked me from the bed. "Where were you yesterday?" he growled, his breath hot against my face.

"I... I slept at Luna's," I admitted, heart racing, knowing what would follow.

"Luna?" His sneer cut through the air. "So, you two are friends again? Like that's going to last long." He shoved me forward, his hand still wrapped around the back of my neck. "You're such a fool, Elio. Time for your punishment."

His words dripped with contempt as he dragged me downstairs, my feet stumbling on the steps as the cold dread settled in my gut. The basement door creaked open, and the chill in the air bit at my skin. He pushed me against the concrete wall, the rough surface digging into my back.

"Take off your shirt," he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion.

My hands trembled as I pulled the shirt over my head, dropping it to the floor. The icy concrete sent a shiver down my spine as he positioned me, one hand pressing me firmly against the wall.

The clanging of metal echoed in the cold room, followed by the hiss of the rod heating up. My heart hammered in my chest, and I clenched my teeth, bracing myself for the searing pain.

The first burn was unbearable, a blinding, searing pain that shot through my body. I bit down on my lip, refusing to scream, even as the taste of blood filled my mouth.

Again and again, the rod came down, each strike a fresh wave of agony. The world blurred as the pain became all-consuming, drowning out everything else. I lost track of time, of how many times the rod met my skin, each burn layering over the last.

Finally, he stopped. My back throbbed, a mass of raw, burning flesh layered with old wounds from the whip and the belt. My knees buckled, but I forced myself to stand, knowing that falling now would only make things worse.

My father's voice was filled with disgust as he spat, "Do you really think Luna isn't going to let you down again? You love her, don't you? Like she'll ever return your feelings." He tossed the rod aside, the metal clattering against the floor as he turned away. "Get out of my sight."

I didn't wait for him to say it again. I stumbled up the stairs, each step sending a jolt of pain through my body, my vision swimming as I struggled to stay conscious.

The bathroom mirror reflected a ghostly version of myself-pale, hollow-eyed, sweat clinging to my skin. My hand trembled as I turned on the shower, the water scalding as it hit my raw wounds, but I welcomed the pain, hoping it would numb the deeper ache inside.

When I finally stepped out, I was too weak to do more than pull on a black hoodie and sweatpants, the fabric sticking to my wounded back. School felt like an impossible task, but I knew I had no choice. I forced myself downstairs, slipping on my black sneakers before stepping out the door.

By the time I reached school, every step felt like a battle against the pain that wracked my body.

"My Sunflower, are you okay?" Luna's voice was soft, laced with concern as she searched my eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine, my Moonflower. Just tired," I lied, keeping my gaze averted, knowing she wouldn't believe me.

Her eyes lingered on me, worry etched on her face, but she didn't push. Instead, she handed me a brown paper bag. "I went to your uncle John's and asked what you usually order, so here you go."

I unrolled the paper bag and pulled out a breakfast muffin.

"I also got you s'mores hot dark chocolate cocoa," she added, holding out a warm cup.

"Thanks, my Moonflower." I offered a small smile as I took the cocoa, savoring the warmth of the drink and the kindness behind it. But even as I ate, the heaviness inside me refused to lift.

"We've got to get to PE," Luna reminded me gently, and I nodded, forcing myself to move.

As we approached the gym, Coach Eriz's stern voice greeted me. "You're late, Elio."

"Sorry, Coach," I mumbled, feeling the weight of his disapproval.

"Since you're late, you can run 100 laps around the field," he declared, barely glancing at me.

"Coach, I can't d-" I started to explain, but he cut me off sharply.

"Do you want it to be more?" he challenged, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I shook my head, resigned. "No, sir."

"Good. Everyone else can do 20 laps," he said.

I turned toward the field, the thought of running 100 laps with my battered body almost too much to bear.

"I'll join you," Luna announced, appearing at my side. "I already asked Coach, and I'm your assigned volunteer tutor."

"My Moonflower, I don't need a tutor for PE class," I protested, glancing at her.

"Too bad," she said, determined.

I sighed, knowing there was no talking her out of it. "I'll race you, then."

A mischievous smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, you're on."

"On three," I counted, though I didn't wait for her response. "One, two-" and I bolted, each step a jolt of pain.

"Hey, SUNFLOWER!" she called after me, laughing as she chased me down.

"Three!" I shouted over my shoulder, grinning despite the pain. "This is payback!"

She caught up to me quickly, grabbing the back of my hoodie and sending us both tumbling to the ground. We rolled over each other, laughing breathlessly until she landed on top of me.

I blushed, looking up at her. "Seriously, My Moonflower?"

She grinned down at me. "Well, that's my payback."

"Elio! Luna! Get up!" Coach Eriz's voice snapped us out of our moment, and we scrambled to our feet, still laughing as we resumed running.

"Luna Jayanti Foster," I called out her full name randomly as we ran, savoring the sound of it.

"Elio Raphael Goldendock," she shot back, using the middle name Sylvia had wanted for me.

I stumbled slightly, her words hitting me harder than I expected. "You don't think of me as-" I started, but she cut me off.

"Of course I don't," she said, meeting my eyes with fierce determination. "I hate that your dad gave you Ekatsim as a middle name. You're not a mistake. You're my sunflower."

Her words wrapped around my heart, easing some of the pain inside. I smiled, and she smiled back, the connection between us stronger than ever.