'If this is a dream, it's a really weird one. I mean, it all seems so real. Is it real? How did I even get here? Is he behind this? Is this some game he made up?'
Once I walk into the living room chaos surrounds me. A mass of people around my age or younger were everywhere. My anxiety spiked and I grabbed my sleeves on impulse. I make my way through the crowd to the kitchen where the girl from before was running around and checking pans and pots and chopping things. Instantly I jumped in, helping her out by chopping veggies, flipping pancakes, and other things like that. Once she stopped, I looked over and saw her smiling. "Thanks kid. Ready to meet the gang? I'm sure they'll love ya so don't worry." She reached up to a huge bell and started ringing it so loud that I felt the vibrations from three feet away. The crowd that was in the living room poured into the kitchen and sat down at the huge table, still talking, screaming, laughing, and arguing. I leaned against the counter, feeling sick from anxiety.
'Oh god. There is too many people here. I need to leave. It's too loud. Grab your stuff and run. Just run.'
"Listen up!" She yelled, causing everyone to look over and go silent. "We have a new kid. Be nice to him please or you'll have to answer to me." She looked over to me and smiled. I tried smiling back but it probably looked super strained. A lot of the kids started whispering and giggling, mostly the girls. I sigh and look around, trying to find my way out. I muttered something about needing some fresh air and took off. Once outside I sat on the porch steps and looked out at the scenery surrounding the massive place these people called a house. There was a driveway just big enough for a car to drive on, next to it was a light green field sprinkled lightly with bunches of wildflowers and a willow next to the small lake that rested comfortably next to the land. I relaxed a little from the welcoming site, I closed my eyes and leaned against the railing.
'He stepped closer cautiously, afraid to touch me. Ironically, the look in his eyes said he didn't want to hurt me. Yeah, like little six year old me trusts that masquerade. It's not like I could move back anymore , he had cornered me. It was the one of the rare times he was sober. He looked as if he was about to cry. My small child hands clutched the blanket and bear I loved so much to my chest, afraid that if I let go they'll disappear. Suddenly his face changes. His hand comes crashing down and everything blanks out to the same cycle of pain all over again.'
My eyes snap open and I find myself face-to-face with a boy looking to be around my age. His face is absolutely filled to the brim with worry, causing me to look down and see my sleeves had rolled up. The scars that he had caused were completely showing. I quickly pulled down my sleeves and got up, trying to make a quick escape. I felt him grab my hand and turned around to see him roll up his sleeves. His arms were covered were covered with cuts, scrapes, and bruises. My eyes widened and sat back down, not looking away from him. He puts his sleeves back down and smiles. "I'm Aaron."
"...I'm Ash."
