Gold And Coal (Ryden AU)

1.12 ◇ Camisado

The basket didn't fit through the crack in the wall, so I had to cram everything in my pockets before squeezing through the tight space.

Inside, a candle was lit and I paused slightly. I had hoped he would be asleep so that I could drop off the food and leave, but now I had to confront him.

I mentally prepared myself for a few seconds before emerging into the small room.

"Where have you been?" I flinched at the anger in his voice and stared at the floor, shuffling my feet nervously.

"I... I got you a lot of food," I mumbled, avoiding his question.

"That's not what I asked," he growled, taking a step closer to me. Simultaneously I took one backwards, my back hitting the wall and I was cornered.

In a last attempt to save myself, I pulled the food out of my pockets and threw it at his feet.

He barely gave it a glance before grabbing my collar and pushing me up against the wall.

"What the fuck are you wearing? And why are you so clean?"

I didn't respond. I didn't have a believable excuse. I just had to endure whatever he was going to do to me.

Brendon's words popped into my mind at that moment.
'You didn't fight back. You let it happen. It's like you didn't mind dying. Like it would be a relief for you. In my opinion, life is a wonderful gift and it should be appreciated.'

I sighed. He was right. I had been too much of a coward to stand up to that guy and now I was too cowardly to stand up to my dad.

But I couldn't change it. Even though I knew I was a coward, I wouldn't change it. Because a bigger part of me knew that standing up to these guys was hopeless. I didn't stand a chance against them. I was just a scrawny kid.

So I gave up struggling to get out of his grip.

His first punch landed on my jaw. He had never hurt my face before.

Then he turned to his usual spots, letting me drop to the ground and ramming his fist into my stomach so I sunk onto my knees.

I wanted to scream in pain, but I couldn't. I couldn't risk someone finding this place just because of my incapability of deeling with pain.

My eyes started to water and I felt a single tear roll down my cheek.

It hurt so much as he used his entire power to kick my frame with his feet. I couldn't bear it. I was sure I was going to die.

But I couldn't. No matter how hard he beat me, I fought to stay awake. Brendon was outside waiting for me. He trusted me to come back. He would take care of me.

I held on to these thoughts with all my might.

When he finally stopped, he knelt down beside me and pulled my head up by my hair so I was forced to look at him.

"This will teach you not to runaway," he whispered dangerously and I shuddered.

He then took the food and slumped down onto his usual spot, wolfing down the food I had provided for him.

I pulled myself up, still fighting the blackness that kept on creeping into my vision. It hurt so much. Everything screamed in pain. It was worse than anything I had ever experienced.

He didn't stop me as I dragged myself to the small opening and crawled through it, probably feeling exhausted with the amount of exercise he had done today.

I winced everytime my body made contact with the wall, but I finally made it outside.

I knew I couldn't go any further. I couldn't fight it any more.