Iceheart

Chapter 5: Interrogation of Imperfections

Trigger warning: Viewer discretion is advised for those who suffer with depression, self harm, or suicidal thoughts. You have been warned.

The car drove up to Jason's house. Jason got out. "Thank you, Mr and Mrs Chase," he said, hopping out of the car with his backpack. He gave a salute with his finger and headed inside. He opened the door and went inside. As soon as he went in, he flopped onto his bed. Nanook hopped up onto the bed with Jason.

"Hey, boy," Jason said. "How you been, little buddy?"

The dog happily leapt around the teenager. Jason chuckled.

"Well, that's good," he said. "I'm alive, so that counts for-"

"JASON!"

Jason froze in fear. He heard the anger in the voice he heard. His father. Jason slowly turned around to see the menacing figure, standing in the door.

"WHAT IS A MUTT LIKE THIS DOING HERE?!?" he yelled. "And what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at school!"

"I was sent home," Jason said. "I fell on my head and got a concussion. I could barely see straight."

"You wanna see not seeing straight?" Jason's father yelled. "I'll show you not seeing straight!"

As his father screamed at him, Jason felt a blow to his right cheek. He groaned and held his face. He flopped back on his bed.

"Dad," Jason groaned, "please. Please. You're drunk. You're not in control!"

"Oh, you'll learn, boy," the man growled. He balled his hand up into a fist and punched Jason in the gut. Jason doubled over, groaning.

"Please," Jason moaned. "I'll do anything, just stop. What would Mom say? What would she say if she saw you like this? Please, stop!"

Jason's father stopped and growled. He grabbed Jason by the collar of his shirt.

"I don't see why she cared for you," he said. "You're worthless. As soon as you turn 18, you're out of my house. As soon as you can, you get a job. All of the money goes to me."

Jason's father dropped his son onto his bed. Jason groaned in pain as his father left the room and slammed the door. Nanook was cowering behind the bed, whimpering. Jason shakily stood up and wandered over to his dog. He gently pet him.

"I'm sorry, boy," he said. "It wasn't you. It was me..." He sniffled and hugged the white husky. The husky whimpered and nuzzled his head against Jason's chest.

"Thanks boy," Jason said. "What were you, a therapy dog? A circus dog? A genetics experiment?"

Nanook cocked his head. He rolled over on his back.

"Maybe not," Jason chuckled. He stood up and headed back to his bed. He stared at the empty ceiling and sighed.

"Mom would be devastated to see me do this..." Jason sighed. He sighed and leaned under the bed. He pulled out an object. A metal, shiny object with a wooden handle. An object he used for something other than its original purpose.

A knife.

Jason sniffed and looked at the knife. "I'm sorry," he sniffled. "I can't stop. It's an addiction now. I can't help it... I'm so sorry I'm such a wreck."

Jason held the knife and rolled up his sleeve. There were scars. Some old, some new. Almost all from this same knife. This knife was his escape, but it was a terrible escape. But he couldn't stop. It was beyond that now. No help could help him at this point. It had been 3 years since he'd started.