Homebound

Chapter 2

          Asher Crocker is a walking tragedy. He doesn't know where he comes from. All he knows is that his mother died in childbirth, and his father gave him up. Asher never asked questions to learn more about his lineage because he never cared. He never cared to know about the person who gave him up and abandoned him. To care is to leave you exposed for pain. Asher has an overflowing abundance of that.

         Asher could never stay in a foster home for too long. He's too much trouble and like always, he's shunned away. He's gotten quite used to it by now. In his defense, trouble always finds him. It's not his fault that he was kicking the ball around too hard and it so happened to break the window. It's not his fault that the vase fell from the counter because he clumsily bumped into it. It's not his fault that the chocolate cake, that was meant to be for everyone (except for him), went missing. He was craving something sweet. It's not his fault Charlie had a bloody nose; he was making fun of him.

         Asher is alone in this cruel world. He learns that if he wants to survive he needs to build up defenses. He can never let his guard down because the wolves (which in his eyes are humans) would prey upon him. They'd savage upon him, rip his flesh open, lick his blood up, and tear him to pieces. He is a lone wolf amongst packs of them.

        His caseworker was at her wit's end.

        "In all my years of working with the foster care system, you are the only one that I had to move every month at least! I don't know where to place you, Asher. No one wants you in their home!" Asher rolls his eyes and frowns. He heard the same speech over and over again. "I have no other choice but to place you in Foster Care for Troubled Young Men ."

        "I'm not troubled, Mrs. Katz. I'm just a close friend with trouble." He reasoned with her. It's a shame, he thought. He was quite comfortable at Miss Shaw's place. She was scared of him, therefore allowing him to do whatever he pleased.

        "Well, you certainly don't know how to choose companions," she snapped, "When are you going to grow up, Asher. You're thirteen ye-"

         "Actually, I'm fourteen." He smiled falsely sweet. Mrs. Katz wanted to excuse herself, but Asher didn't want to hear it. "It's ok. Everyone forgets my birthday. Miss Shaw told me to pack my stuff, so I have all of it with me." He patted his noticeably light bag. "I had a feeling I was going to leave."

       Asher was replaced again.

       "You'll love it here!" Mrs. Katz pulled up to the entrance of the prison building.

        "I do already. I can really call this place home."

        "I don't like that tone, mister. Bite your tongue at this place." She looked at him with a penetrating glance that made him uncomfortable. "This isn't like other homes you've been at. This place is filled with others tougher and stronger than you. I'm not trying to insult your masculinity here, but please. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I care about you Asher. I know that sounds like a fat lie. Promise me you'll behave?"

       "I can't promise what I can't keep."

       "Then at least try. For your sake. If you can't do that then at least try for mine."

       "I'll try."

       No matter how hard he tried, trouble would find him. He was sitting under the big oak tree minding his business. He liked the protection it gave him. He liked the blissful solitude with the peaceful rustling of the leaves. His dozing was interrupted when he heard yelling. Peeved that he was disturbed, he went to the source of the noise. A group of boys was surrounding an ongoing fight. It was a large muscled brute versus a small, obviously weaker boy. The giant was bashing the boy's face in. Asher began to feel queasy. The monster was going in for the kill. In his mind's eye, he saw a mutant wolf devouring an innocent, helpless bunny.

        In a blind rage, Asher pushed himself in between the fight, He punched, slapped, and kicked all the flesh of the bully.

       "What is going on?!" The caretaker of the foster care screeched. The beast groaned and moaned dramatically, feigning fake pain. The caretaker looked Asher in the eye. "You're coming with me, you troublesome brat!" Asher didn't say anything, but got up and left with her.

      After that, any sort of trouble is his fault. He is constantly under attack by the other boys. They obviously knew the caretaker would never protect him. He is the trouble, the problem, and root to all evil. Asher flips over on his bed and stares at the clock. 12:00 am.

       "Happy Birthday." He whispers to himself. He lifts himself out of the bed and throws his backpack over his shoulder. He looks around his dingy room that the caretaker moved him to. He promised himself he would leave this place on his sixteenth birthday. That is a promise he is going to keep.

        He is tired of his life. He wants to run free like a pack of wolves on their hunt. He wants to feel love. He wants a family. He wants to laugh. He wants to be normal. He wants to be happy. He doesn't want to be degraded. He doesn't want to be trouble. He doesn't want to feel lost and confused. He doesn't want to feel the heavy stone in his chest. He doesn't want to feel like crying all the time.

       Once past the gate, he runs until his lungs scream and legs burn. He feels alive again. He feels liberated. He is a wolf running under the full moon. Nothing can stop him now.

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         Happy Father's day to all the dads out there. Make sure you tell your dad how much you love them. Give them a hug or a homemade card because we all know we can't afford gifts. Haha.  It's the thought that counts. So, the dude on the top is how I think Asher would look like. Obviously if you don't agree with it, you can imagine him a different way.  Also, congratulations to everyone for surviving school. I'm assuming all of you are off for summer vacation. Stay awesome.  

                                                                                                                Liz