Soul Searching

III

Listen to: Roses by The Chainsmokers ft Rozes

Picture: Main character's soul inking( Him)

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Thanks for taking the time to read

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I think that I've always wanted to be part of something, like a pack. My soul inking is a large wolf's elegant but deadly face, resting on my left arm.

It's rainbow loops and whirls dance on my skin. My brother calls it colourful, my classmates tell me it's the rainbow because I'm gay at seventeen. Or that my dad isn't there for us. I don't see why they should cry and laugh at me. One day, I, Benjamin, will be that roaring wolf, dancing among everyone, splendid, proud, and one with them. No bruises, we're different, united still.

Just wait.

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I put on my beanie, ready to go home in the evening. It's a nice weather, slightly cold but still warm.

Scuffing my feet through the pebbles near my house, I open the worn wooden door to our apartment. It's filled with potential draughts and small hole that mice like to reside. I smile as my sister, Gina waves at me from the kitchen, preparing dinner.

Dad is no where to be found, Mum is currently on the couch, dull, lifeless like eyes watching the television. It's light rays reach her, but they never really touch her. Detached, alone.

A slam of the door and my mother tears her eyes away like a frightened deer. Dad's home. We all glare at him, hate in our expressions. He slurs as he blearily squints at us, boiling mad. "What's the fuss?" he growls. I turn away, disgust filling me. He imbibes himself with a lime green bottle, bought from the corner shop that he most likely has come from.

He pushes past me to stand to my mother and I tense, she quivers in her seat. "Lucy. Lend me money." He intones, dark presence spreading through the room. "We need the money for school." she whispers brokenly, scared but firm. Slap. His arm rests on her cheek almost lovingly, red print mark showing, murderous gaze. I step forward, "Don't do that." He turns from my crying mom as Gina goes to lead her to Gina's bedroom, away.

I grimace as he cuffs me on the ear, about to spit words of anger, when the lights go out, plunging us into darkness. Dad howls in annoyance, cursing the gods as I stagger away, out the corridor. My wolf lights up, like a lamp, and I breath in a gasp of air. I see another lamp, down the dark hallway and I stumble towards it.

I circle the person who's clearly sizing me up. "Well, " a deep voice says," Aren't we lighting each other's lives up?"