Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Then

The carpet was shaggy, scratchy, and lightly stained. The light buzz of the television resonated in the young boy's bones. A 7 year old Seiko focused on the humming sound it made, on the texture of the rough carpet on his palms as he sat on the floor. He desperately held on to those sensations, trying to disappear into them and hide from the man coming in the living room. He had gotten into the habit of making himself small and as inconspicuous as possible when he came around. His mother's boyfriend was a tall wiry man. He had a face covered in stubble, yellowed eyes and terrible breath that often accompanied his day drinking. Seiko didn't move a muscle as the man made his way to the couch behind him. He knew how easy it was to gain his attention. It was never a good idea to do so. The man sat on the couch, the staccato of a can being opened made Seiko flinch slightly. He sat frozen, back turned away from the man, his hands buried in the carpet. The little boy's face burned. Why did he have to be here? All he did was drink and torture Seiko.

"Hey."

Fear washed over the boy in an instant. He fought the urge to move.

"Hey, are you ignoring me? I'm talking to you." The man grumbled. He was becoming more agitated as Seiko remained paralyzed in fear.

"You little shit. Are you broken, huh? That little peanut brain of yours shut down?" He stood and sauntered over to the boy. A live audience cheered on the Tv and Seiko wished he could jump into it to escape. He wished hard that he could be anywhere than where he was at that moment.

"Moron. You're definitely your mom's kid. Both of you are wrong in the head huh?"

Heat flushed the boy's face as he grit his teeth. He could feel the familiar prickle of tears welling up in his eyes. He wanted so badly to yell at the man. He wanted to tell him to get out and leave them alone. A finger jabbed him in the back of the head, hard. The man chuckled as Seiko's head wobbled. His shadow eclipsed the boy. Hot, wreaking breath filled Seiko's nostrils as his tormentor crouched down behind him.

" She's tired of taking care of a useless kid like you. Did you know she told me that? Pretty messed up. What kinda mother says stuff like that?" He whispered.

The tears slid down Seiko's face. He shook but dared not turn his head.

"What do you think? Should we make it easier on her?" an arm snaked around Seiko's throat, choking him. The boy gasped. His head swam as his oxygen supply was cut off.

"L-Let go..." He wheezed, but the man only squeezed tighter. He laughed sadistically as he did it.

Just as he could feel his airways closing all the way, his vision blurred. He felt himself drifting off to sleep. For a split second, the boy thought that maybe this would be better. To just fall asleep forever. Just as he was about to pass out completely, the power cut out. Someone had forgotten to pay the bill. Thank God they did. The tv's buzz went silent as the living room was knocked into total darkness. This startled the man enough for him to loosen his grip. Seiko gasped in a huge breath of air and seized his chance. He kicked up wildly to run away! He had to get away as fast as he could. Maybe he could make it to the bathroom and lock the door! It had worked in the past. Yes, he could do it! But it was dark, and he didn't see the wall. He felt it though as his head cracked into the corner. Darkness. It could be an ally, but only if you know where you're going.