The Deepest Demons (18+)

Eight months earlier

(Listen to the song once you've read the chapter)

Andy waited patiently outside the sports centre, laughing and joking with the other parents as their children finished up inside. His face glowing with pride as he talked amongst friends. He looked as sharp as always with his dark brown hair perfectly moulded into shape and his jawline clean of stubble. Most the other fathers had a scruffy element towards them, a rather rushed demeanour but not Andy. Andy was never scruffy, on occasion he would dress casual, crisp smart jeans fitted to perfection and cleanly pressed polo shirt tightly clinging to his muscular arms, the top buttons fastened emphasising his meaty neck. Not today though, today he was dressed to the nines. Top to tail in a navy blue suit and boy could he pull off a suit. He stood tall with power, confidence exuded from his rugged body language. He was happy and it showed, his life was perfect down to the last detail. He had landed a cushy job straight from college and steadily worked his way up to a senior role, marrying the love of his life and the prettiest girl in the town before fathering two of the greatest kids on earth. Thats what brought him to the sports centre every Tuesday evening, picking up his boy Tommy from his karate lessons. His little circle was complete and nothing could alter that, his family was the envy of all their friends. Success seemed to follow them granting high achievements at every turn and he was overwhelmingly proud of that.

As the children started rushing from their lesson a blur of white filled the doorway with a rainbow of yellow, orange and greens reflecting each rank as the children progressed in discipline. A blue belt followed the older children as Tommy rushed to greet his loving father.

"Guess what daddy?"

Without time for Andy to reply Tommy's over excitement got the better of him as he blurted out his news.

"Next week I get a purple belt!"

His joyous face beamed as he informed his farther of his advancing rank. He was so proud of himself for getting to another level before many of the children reached his own, not half as pleased as Andy was watching his child glowing with pride and filled with excitement from achieving his own goals.

"Well done Tommy, you've worked so hard for it. I bet you can't wait to tell mummy and Thea."

"I'm telling Max first, and daaad. I'm nearly seven now, can you stop calling me Tommy infront of my friends. Tommy's a baby's name I want to be a Tom now."

Andy smiled realising his children were growing up so fast and respected his son for making his own life choices. It didn't matter as he would alway be his little Tommy no matter how big and smelly he got. He ruffled his blonde hair in acknowledgement as the pair started walking away from the lesson.

"I took Rory down in three moves today dad."

A smile stretched wide across Tommy's face as he enlightened his father of his accomplishments of the evenings training. So eager to express his well doing he was completely oblivious to the busy road his tiny feet were about touch. Andy lowered his sunglasses resting on his hair to protect his eyes from the mid April falling sun. As Tommy stepped down off the curb a noisy truck rumbled as it's heavy load shook agaisnt it's chassis. Before he could make a second step nearing the wagon Andy stretched out an arm pulling his son back to the path. Filled with fear his entire body shook as he retrieved his son to safety. An offensive sound rung between their ears as the truck driver sounded his overbearing airhorn striking fear into Tommy. He had been completely naive to cross without looking for oncoming traffic but Andy felt he should have been keeping a closer eye on his young boy.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop and look both ways before you cross a road Tommy!"

His angry tone came across as a punishing force but fear for losing his child in such an horrific way scared the hell out of him and for that one short moment his role as a father seemed in vein. He did not want to scold his son but he wanted to drill the dangers of a busy road into his head. Now kneeling down face to face with his fearful son he smiled in jest at the tearful child.