Dreamland Dimensions

Chapter Three: Cry

"Hey little man".

I glared at the strange man sitting on the sofa as I entered the front door, my mother walked out of the kitchen and cleared her throat, "Quinton, here go to your room". She shoved a lunch able into my arms, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside the house as she slammed the door behind me. "See you later, little man" He laughed, waving. As I walked down the hall, I could see my mother waltz over to him and straddle his waist. The man seen, his lips turned into a twisted smirk as he wrapped his arms around her waist. I looked away, walking down the hall to my room and slamming my bedroom door. I threw my backpack on the floor, kicking it and clenched my teeth. Those men only wanted one thing, they were here for only one reason and no matter how many times my moth sends me to my room. I wasn't an idiot, I knew what they were hear for and sometimes when she thinks I'm asleep, I can hear her through the walls. Always a different name and a different voice, night after night. My chest ached, I clutched my chest as I fell down to my knees and struggled to breath.

I stood up, walking to my window and opened it. I could hear my mother and the man from down the hall, I felt like I wanted to throw up.

I jumped out the window, landing on my feet and looked up at the already dark sky. It was night already, time had went by so quick and it was dark before I got home. I looked back into my window, shaking my head and running away. I just wanted to go anywhere, away from my mother and everyone else. I didn't know where I was going, the tears blurred my vision and stung my eyes. My legs carried me as I cried, although I had no clue where I was running or why I was crying. The only thing I knew was I wanted to see the night sky again the way I use to in the house I grew up in, standing in the clearing and staring at the sky. I wanted to escape from this hell I was in, it was a reminder of how insignificant I am and how bad I need help but don't want it. I collapsed to the concrete sidewalk, the ground wasn't kind once I fell to it and showed me little mercy. Sitting up, my right hand palm sore and bleeding. I winced, looking down at my scraped knees and groaned, "Shit". My clothes got dirtier, I tried to dust myself off with my left hand but stopped and sighed. I shook my head, pushing myself to stand up and clenched my teeth, "No, not now..I can't do this now". Fighting my tears back, I continued to walk as I looked up to the sky.

I'd look for the best place to see the stars, it might be a foolish endeavor but it was the only place I could run to and I've never been good at running.

I was lost, the town at night started to look frightening with all the mutters and noises in the dark. I could see the shadows of the homeless and hopeless. It was sad how many people slept in the park, I remember a time when my mother and I slept outside. It was terrifying so I never slept, she never held me and watched over me. My mother slept with men around the park camping grounds, every night she would be in a different man's tent and I wasn't invited. But it never mattered to her where I was left, I'd sit on the swing and stare up at the sky. Pretending I didn't see the hungry eyes watching me, everyone was a predator and the vulnerable are the prey. I use to pray that the light of the stars and the moon protect me but it doesn't. I'm not upset though because it still offers me it's friendship and comfort. "What you doing out here boy?". I looked over my shoulder to see a man, slumped over slightly with a sickening smile and sharp honeyed eyes. I kept my pace walked, there was a distance between us and I was fine with keeping it. "You heard me, boy?" He growled, "What you out here doing?". "Leave me alone" I hissed, glaring back at him. I could see the anger in his eyes but I wasn't afraid, after 10 years of breathing I was tired and declared my life didn't matter. My mother didn't want me, I didn't fit in at school and nobody cared about me. I could hear the shoes behind me pick up speed, I sped up myself before turning into a full run. I didn't hear him anymore but I wasn't running because I was scared, I ran because I could see the tree lining at the edge of the park and followed the dimly lit trail. It lead to the edge of a pond, a fountain in the middle sprouting out water and the trees circled around it. I looked up at the sky, the stars greeted me and the moon shined in its full state.

The sobs punched through me, ripping through my muscles, bones and guts. I pressed my forehead against the sandy ground and began to let my heart out.

I wanted to yank it out of my chest, tugging on it in and out like a yo-yo. I was hollow, my life crumbled at my fingertips and I had no one reaching into my hollowness, rubbing my back. There was no comfort in my reality.