Expectations

Another Day

~Third Person POV (changes between characters)~

...

Grotesque creatures slithered down my cheeks, burning into my skin. Creeping towards my mouth like miniature spiders on a web of skin.

They mocked me, taunted me, and encouraged destruction; drew me close to rage. But they pulled me back to pain and sorrow again tight like a bungee cord.

A pool of regret lay swirling in my sweaty palms, soaked up by a paper landscape. And I replayed my life in front of my burning eyes; little demonic Vines.

A fly on a wall, is what I want to be. Eat, Shit, Puke, Sleep, Survive, Repeat.

I guess I'm stuck like a stick in the mud, frozen. It hurts. I break some more...crack, crack, crack.

Just another day...

Can I last one more?

Written by Dex Keijl

Ike put down the essay onto his desk, sigh barely covered by the ticking of the looming Grandfather clock behind him. Dex was hunched over, bleeping sounds coming from his gameboy device.

'That boy never learns' Ike thought to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Ike cleared his throat, flicking two fingers in a 'come hither' gesture over his shoulder. Gettly scuttled out from the shadows, pouring a Scotch - on the rocks - for Ike and handed a pint of Lion Red beer to Dex. The usual.

Dex whispered a rough "Thanks Gettly"; swallowing his drink in a few gulps. Ike, however, ignored the awkward-to-look-at manservant, and sipped at his drink with his pinky raised. After a long silence, Ike sighed.

"Son...what is this?" Ike leant back into his chair, placed his glass on the desk and folded his arms across his chest. He gestured towards the essay on his desk with a nod.

"My English homework." Dex's eyes flicked up from behind his bangs; refocusing on his game seconds later. Gettly scuttled around Dex, claiming the empty glass in his narrow fingers from Dex's outstretched hand.

Ike scoffed "What are you mad at now, Son? I mean, why else would you use the words 'Rage' and 'Destruction'?"

"Nothing. I don't know, I just wrote it" the boy responded simply with a shrug.

Ike glowered at his son, vehemence lacing his tone. He ignored the irritating sounds of that stupid gaming device and glared hard at Dex. "Son. Why is there not an essay on the structure of a corporate business on my desk?"

"Fuck should I know?! Mr. Daville said: 'Write of your experiences, your memories'. He didn't say anything about the rise and fall of the U.S dollar to the Japanese Yen. Dad." Dex scrunched up his features, finishing another level. Ike hissed through his teeth.

Being the Principal of Archer Academy, Ike was not allowed to play favourites. However, if his only son (Dex) was to take over the family business, he had to be a shark...not a sloth. And it was this kind of...artful hogwash that would turn him away from the corporate ladder.

Ike was under pressure from the other parents of the PTA to set an example, both as a CEO of Aztech and as disciplinary Principal of such a prestigious school.

Dex was born in Germany. Raised in a secluded village that was very technologically advanced, but under-funded. His mother, a beautiful woman, was an artist and a scientist. Ike remembered her smile, and always compared it to his new wife Elisabeth's smile. Elisabeth never even smiled at him anymore.