I Couldn't Care Less

The Memory

FLASHBACK (Beijing, China)

"Luhan honey, you have to cut down on your sweets! Eat more fruits!" His mom demanded as she handed him a plate of strawberries, taking away his bag of cookies.

Luhan eyed the plate with disappointment.

"Mom, can't you bake strawberry cake instead? I'll definitely eat that," an 11 year old Luhan pouted.

She giggled, "What's the point of me telling you to eat less sweets if I make you a cake?"

Luhan opened his mouth to respond but she cut him off, "Even if it is strawberry cake."

Knowing that he'll never win against his mother, he grabbed a plump strawberry and popped it in his mouth. Ugh, cake is better..

Luhan went back to what he was doing before – laying on his stomach, watching his favorite cartoon.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Someone was pounding against their front door. Luhan didn't really pay it any attention, but his mother's eyes widen in fear. She hastily ran to the shoe closet and grabbed a pair of Luhan's shoes.

"OPEN THE DOOR!! DAMMIT! LET ME IN!!" A man hollered from the other side. Luhan finally looked up from his spot near the television.

"Mom, isn't that --"

"Luhan go play outside for a few minutes. I see fireflies. Why don't you go catch some to show me?" His mother interrupted, pulling him up from his spot. She handed him the shoes and ushered him out to the backyard.

"O-okay!" He puts on his shoes and runs outside. His mother closes the door but not before telling him to stay outside until she came out to get him.

This has been happening a lot lately. She would abruptly tell him to play outside or go run errands for her. Luhan honestly didn't mind because he liked playing outside and whenever he went to the store, he would stock up on candy (his mom doesn't know about his secret candy stash).

It was a breezy summer night. Looking around his backyard, he spots plenty of fireflies flying around. He smiled. This is going to be fun! But then he realized he didn't bring a jar to catch the fireflies. Darn!

Luhan walked back to the door, but suddenly stopped. He hears banging noises and muffled voices.

CRASSSHHH. He hears something breaking against the floor. Worried, he twisted the door handle and stepped in.

"Mom, what is going on--"

Luhan gasped. His mom was on the floor, gasping for air. A man had his hands on her throat. His stepfather.

But he didn't look like himself. He was extremely red in the face, his eyes unreadable, his clothes shaggy.

What is happening?....M-mom???

Luhan's mom, with terrified eyes, ordered him to leave. "Luhan, you're not supposed to be here! Go outside!" Her voice came out raspy.

He, however, did the complete opposite. He ran towards the man and starting throwing punches with his little fists.

"LET GO OF HER!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY MOM?!??!?!" Luhan screamed as he continued to pry the man off of his mother.

The man snapped.

He release the grip he had on Luhan's mother and turned towards Luhan. The boy froze. Those eyes. Those bloodshot eyes were coming towards him, but before he could react, the man grabbed a fist full of his collar and roughly smash him against the wall.