Man in the Wall (Who is he?)

Chapter 49 - Answer me

"Your d-dad?"

My eyes the size of golf balls, hesitate to blink as I stare straight ahead. Straining them for far too long on a single spot, I can feel a dry and burning sensation take over. With the shock clearly evident on my face, I'm sure he understands my dumbstruck replies.

"Sadly. My dad runs this place and appointed me to watch the girls they bring in. All day and night... That came out a lot worse than I intended it to," he says the last bit more to himself.

"Besides, it's not like I have much of a choice in the matter. I tried getting away from this a few times. Hell, I even attempted to get the cops down here, but that's one tedious tale and don't bother pressing for details."

Oh no, I wouldn't dare. At least not for now. I'm still trying to take everything else in. What kind of father would dare to put his own flesh and blood through such trauma? Although I do wonder if his mother knows of his misfortune. That is if she's even present in his life. She couldn't possibly be dead, could she?

"Wha-what 'bout y-your mom?" I question needing answers to drown out my curiosity.

I've heard the absence or death of a man's wife can drive him to pure insanity. You simply wouldn't be able to tell how insane till it's too late. Let alone the terror they end up putting their kids through.

He clears his throat uncomfortably before continuing and I have a feeling nothing good will come from it. "Princess, I do not mind you getting to know me, but there are certain things I prefer not to discuss. So I think it's best we change the topic. You must be hungry," he states trying to sound subtle but the anger seeps through.

Ignoring his Princess remark, I can feel that his anger is directed not to me, but another being. Which only brings the worse thoughts to mind. Thoughts I prefer not to dwell over. If I have to learn that his mother is or was a virtuous and modest woman uninvolved in all of this and that something tragic has happened or is currently happening to her, I'd further lose my damn mind. The waterworks would begin and I don't know when it would end.

"But why-"

"Just drop it already!" he thunders, sending a frightening chill down my spine. I catch myself being scared stiff. Time itself seems to have come to a halt, waiting for the violent air to grow peaceful again.

Although, even in my frightened state I notice that there's something in that shout, a shattering pain behind it. Which he attempts to shield with anger, an understandable pursuit.

I should know from experience.

You feel as if an invisible force is striking you in the gut, over and over again, weakening you with each blow. You end up with this monstrous hole in your stomach, vulnerable to the world. Yet you're forced to maintain a dauntless facade and fill this hole with odd end baggage, simply as a means of distraction.

This is what pain does to you.

I'm pretty sure he knows the feeling too. That thundering roar was more than enough to convince me. A roar which caught me off guard, causing my silence to scream 'are you insane' His next words, however, only prolongs my stupefied state. 

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I never want to scare you," he utters ever so faintly that the slightest movement in this room would have made it impossible to hear.

Like a car without a radio, I'm left inarticulate.

My mind is swirling, looking for answers but offers no escape or calm.

As I'm about to further question him, the realization hits a nagging nerve and a silent gasp escapes the back of my throat. A coma truly takes a ridiculously dreadful toll on one's memory, that much I know, but this is highly aggravating. It seems it is indeed best to change topic after all.