Genesis

2~ Austin

   He was falling asleep on the couch, peppermint tea still clutched in his pale hands. I smiled faintly as he swayed, then opened his eyes, well the eye I could see. The other was cover with his thick waves of black hair.
   "You tired? I can show you to your room." I whispered, not wanting to wake him if he was sleeping.
   "Nope, I'm fine." His eyes darted around sleepily. "This is really good, by the way. Where did you learn to make it?" He struggled to hold up the mug.
   "Off of the back of the box." I replied, rolling my eyes as he giggled.
   He had been through a lot. An anxiety attack, triggered by god-knows what, moving to a brand new city, and worst of all, Brandy, the doorman.
   "Dude, you're not sleeping on my couch. Come on." I laughed as his head dropped.
   This time he just nodded and set his mug on my glass coffee table. I retrieved the small bag he had brought with him, and showed him to his room.
   He flopped himself down onto the bed, inching underneath the blanket. Before I could blink, he was snoring.
   I tiptoed over and pushed his hair away, taking off his glasses. He whimpered beneath my fingers. I couldn't see very well, but his skin looked dark around his eye. Curiously,  I pulled my phone from my back pocket, adjusting the brightness before turning the screen to his face.
   I stiffened, my hand tensing around my phone. I shoved it back into my pocket and stalked off, accidently slamming the door behind me.
   Once in the kitchen, I reached for the bottle of cheap whisky I had opened earlier. With it in hand, I sat stiffly on the couch and flipped on the television.
   I wouldn't sleep tonight. Not knowing someone had hit him.

***

   When he came out of his room the next morning, he had already changed. I didn't say anything as I looked him over. Glasses on, hair in place.
   "Morning. Sleep good?" He quizzed, scavenging the fridge for breakfast.
   I didn't reply. I kept hearing his whimpered, seeing the bruise. I felt his eyes on my back, awaiting a response.
   "Who did it?" I whispered, my hands clenched in fists.
   "W-What?" He swallowed nervously.
   I could practically hear his heart beat. He seemed so nice, enthusiastic, from the few hours we talked. Why would anyone want to hurt him?
   "Who hit you?" I stated again, my voice just above my previous whisper. Don't yell. Stay calm.
   "How did you-"
   "Who. Did. It." I snapped, not turning. I mentally cursed at myself when he yelped and slid backwards, hitting the fridge.
   "Nobody!" He rushed, his voice dripping with worry. "It was my fault! I was out for a run with my friend and I looked at him to say something. He told me to watch out, but it was too late. A tree branch hit me in the face."
   I turned fast, focusing on him. He was fidgeting with his sleeve, tugging it down and toying with its frayed edges. Before I could stop myself, I was up, moving towards him faster than I wanted to. He looked frantic, cringing when my hands slammed against the fridge on with side of his head.
   "Who did it?" I whispered again, forcing myself to calm down.
   He was staring past me, eyes blank. His cheeks were pink with fear. It seemed to intoxicate the air around him.
   "Dad, please." He whimpered, his body completly ridged. "I'll try harder... I'm sorry."
   He closed his eyes and turned his face away from me, clenching his fists inside his sleeves. He seemed so small, helpless... innocent.
   I backed up fast, staring at my hands. Pain shot up my back as I hit the counter.
   "Oh my God, Simon, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"
   He looked up at me, his blue eyes glittering, like he was trying not to cry. He didn't see me. I didn't know what it was, but it wasn't me.
   "I'm sorry I'm a freak." He whispered again, sinking against the fridge.
   Suddenly it was yesterday, a small boy curled up on my floor, shaking madly. His anxiety had suffocated my senses then, now it was his fear. He was scared... because of me.
   "Simon..." I reached for him, but pulled away as he cried out.
   "Get away from me!" He yelled, shacking his head. "Please..."