Song: The Kids In The Dark, by All Time Low.
The next days, daddy seemed like nothing had happened, nor mom, though she still had the bandage. Traviz was so scared of dad. He did his best to stay in bed as long as he could and get out only when sure dad was not home anymore, but at the same time he was alert, afraid of hearing them shouting and fighting. The sex-plays got back, and Traviz felt a relief, but it didn't last long. Their second fight came, with no wound this time, only shouts. And then the third, and the fourth. Traviz, heart shaking while he was in bed listening to the horrible sounds above the roof, was terrified. He couldn't sleep anymore, he couldn't play with his friends, for he wanted to get back home for his mom, but at the same time he wanted to run away from his parents, scared. And not to mention that, gradually, a weird sensation was taking over him, like an illness. All he wanted to do was to fight as well, scream and punch like them, 'cause he couldn't stand still while people around him were fighting. It was like their rage was filling his body, and he had to release it. But the poor boy was lost, he was confused and drowned in agony. What was happening? And to drive him crazier, they would always get back to normal, talking normally and even laughing sometimes. He didn't get it. He'd never had friends whom he fought and laughed with. Either you liked them or not. My parents are crazy... Actually, right now he trusted no one. All people were threatening. Feeling constant anxiety and fear, he watched his parents dig a deep hole in their relationship, and in his fragile heart. He wished so much dad had stayed in North Pole, working...
What was even more maddening was his mom. She acted like everything was just fine, when actually she was the one who seemed insane. More than thrice, Traviz caught her fighting alone, crying desperately and shaking her head, not noticing his presence. He would stand right in front of her, calling her name, and mom was deaf and blind, crying nonstop. One day, when dad had just left, after another fight, mom entered in Traviz's room. 'Baby, we have to leave this place. I'm sorry, honey. Daddy is not the nice daddy anymore. He's dangerous to us. We have to be careful, okay? Do you trust momma?' Traviz nodded, desperate. 'When we get the chance, you and I are gonna leave this place, and we'll travel all around the world, and we'll go anywhere you want to...' she touched his face, kindly and affectionately. But soon, her expression darkened. 'We have to leave. We have to leave..' she repeated the line many times, more to herself than to him. 'We have to figure out... A way out... A way out...'
But in the end, mom seemed stuck. She didn't touch the escape subject again, to Traviz disappointment. He wanted to run away with mom, yes. He hated dad. Dad was a monster, an evil man. The villain. Because he beat mom, he made her bleed. And dad made him afraid, and being afraid was terrible, 'cause he couldn't move, and he wanted to move, to scream, to yell, to throw those curses people used to. He wanted to beat people, too. But how would he do that under his dad's presence? They needed to get out of there as soon as possible...
One night, dad didn't come back home. Traviz thanked God, wondering whether his father had died while crossing the street, drunk. Traviz wanted to see him dead. So dead. But his mom didn't seem to feel the same. She freaked out for the hundredth time, yelling so much. Were the neighborhoods listening to that? Of course.
What happened next, he couldn't understand. He walked out the room, wondering why it got so suddenly calm and silent. A tiny note was under his door, with mom's letter: 'Dear, momma loves you the world and back. Keep behaving nice, honey. I love you so much, do never forget it. No matter what happens, be strong. I love you, and I'm sorry. But momma can't stay. Momma has to go. And you must stay. Daddy is going through a difficult time, but he'll get through it. Everything is going to be fine. I'll pray to God everyday to keep you warm and safe, my dear. With big love, Mother.'
No, no. What did she mean she had to go and he had to stay?
Who would get through it?
Who? Who would get through it?
YOU ARE READING
RED PARALLEL
General FictionHis world was gasoline and spark. From flame to flame the boy carried on his life. This is the life of Traviz O'Brien. He is just a boy, engulfed by the flames of a harsh world. An angry rich father, a crying mother, a cruel friend. Until the very d...
