The boy in the down low

Flashlights

Michael's pov:

I retraced my steps back to the employ's locker room I guess it would be called. Grabbing the step-stool from where I left it. I dragged it over to the second shelf, it scraping against the floor in an annoying matter behind me. But I was more focused on finding out what was in that Auditorium room than some dumb noise. 

Opening the step-stool again, I climbed up. Balancing as the stool rocked slightly on the dents in this side of the floor. I wasn't sure why there was dents, maybe someone just dropped something. Yeah, that must be it. Reaching my hand up, only for my hand to only brush the rim of the box labeled 'flashlights'. A frustrated groan escaped my mouth as I went on my tiptoes to try and reach. Father just really loved making my life as hard as he possible could. Didn't he? He'd never do this to Elizabeth, no matter how big of a mistake she made. 

I paused, holding my arms out for balance as the stool rocked. Thinking back to what got me in this situation to begin with. What would he do if it wasn't me? If it was Elizabeth instead, but she'd never do that. Sure Elizabeth was no above getting revenge for something. But I couldn't see her going that far. She isn't like me, she's not a would be murder.

 I sighed, looking down at the step-stool, feeling the rubbery ridges underneath my shoes. Maybe I deserved to be done here. I nearly... I could've killed Evan. Even if I never meant for him to get hurt, I did it anyways. I'm not sure Evan will even look at me, let alone forgive me when I get back. I hope he did, but I couldn't help but think he shouldn't. I wouldn't if someone nearly killed me. And I was never the best to Evan. What almost happened has set that clear, I am an awful older brother. Evan was better off without me.

But I didn't want to, I wanted to get home. At least apologize to Evan, he deserves that much at least. Though I wasn't sure if he'd even listen to me. He could very easily think I was lying, and I couldn't be mad at him for it either. I didn't like the idea, but I knew it was a reasonable and very likely chance. That all was if I even got home.

I was slightly startled as the unexpected idea came to my head. If I even got home? Where did that come from... what was I thinking? Of course I'd get home, Father wouldn't keep me  down here forever. Just a little while.... I hope. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Silently wishing I had water to splash on my face to help clear my mind further. 

"Focus Mike, come on. Get home first, figure out what to do with Evan later." I reset my focus on grabbing a flashlight. I had get home, before I could apologize to Evan. I went back onto my toes, moving closer to the shelf and near the edge of the step-stool. Pausing as it rattled underneath me. Taking a deep breath, I stretched my arm out as far as I could make it go. But didn't find anything past the rim of the box. 

Seriously? This box wasn't full like the ones on the other shelf? Seriously Father, was that truly needed? I huffed, grabbing the rim of the box. Trying to ease it off the shelf. The stool shaking underneath me, making things harder than they truly should be. 

The box came off the shelf quicker than I thought. Sending me off balance with the unexpected weight, I fell back the back of my knee hitting the other end of the step-stool, the sharper corner briefly digging into my skin. I couldn't catch myself so the rest of me fell off the stool, my head wacking painfully off the ground. A sharp pain shooting through the back of my head and back. The box landing onto of me, I winced as it hit my stomach. The flashlights inside rolling out onto the floor. 

I winced, the back my head throbbing. My hair spread out around me, the hat I grabbed a few inches above my head. My vision flashed in and out, my ears ringing as it was hard to focus as I laid there. The ringing in my ears too loud to hear anything that may be around me. Black dots dancing across my vision, my mind quiet as pain made itself known across my body.