Like Bullet Holes

~1~

Keegan Flanagan

Bio-weapons guy

27

Irish

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD??)

Likes: Drawing, reading, building things, learning languages, general history (especially American)

Dislikes: annoying people, backstabbers, knives, doctors

Fluent languages: English,  ISL (Irish Sign Language), general fingerspelling

Not fluent but knows enough to get around: French, German, Irish Gaelic (not that it's used often..I don't think)

Learning: Russian, Norwegian, Scottish Gaelic

Trigger warning for: child abuse? Neglect? Along those lines. Only for 5 years of age though..
_________

5 years of age

I look up at the door. The handle wiggled before it opens. Mom's home.

I pack up my doll and race cars before running to my room. Mom's going to have a word with dad.

I quickly shut the door, trying to drown out the noise.

Mom likes to shout really loud.

Loud enough to knock the lamps and books to the ground.

Dad doesn't talk. Doesn't fight back.

He never has.

My attempts to block the words are in vein, I can hear every word.

"I work all day and I come home. And what do i get? Dinner isn't even started!"

The open palm connects with skin.

Then a soft voice. He actually speaks.

"I-I'm sorry..work had me stay later than usual"

Mistake

Another slap.

"You didn't tell me?! God, you're the worst husband!"

I don't want to listen. I crawl into bed and try to call asleep.

~15 years of age~

"So, what does it do again?"

I giggle, dad always seemed to have an eye for my creations.

"It helps one see in the dark without night vision. Though, I have no idea how I'm going to administer it"

He smiles and gives me a high five, telling me that what I'm doing is amazing.

Door opens.

Moms home.

She..

She notices dad and I talking. She notices my work, me trying to quickly hide it.

She destroys it.

All of my work and plans.

I've never been angrier.

I slap her.

In kicked out in the following minutes.