Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 20: Bane

The following chapter contains abuse and domestic violence. Reader discretion is advised.

"You scrawny cunt!"

His father's fists rained down on him with the fury of a heavy hailstorm, his arms seizing him, slamming the boy into the metal furniture. The man easily toppled the teen, pinning him against the floor. Like lightning, the boy was seized in a choke hold, his fingers clawing his father's hands imprisoning his breath.

"Don't you ever fucking talk back to me, you worthless piece of shit! Your mother and I never wanted you and we never loved you! She's dead because of you! You're a fucking waste of oxygen! It should've been you! I wish you were dead!"

Roger coughed, his face turning coral as he scrambled to gain the upper hand; but he was only met by fiercer resistance, his father's grip tightening on his neck. Desperate, his teary eyes frantically searched for any advantage. Seizing an opprotunity, the boy kneed his father in the crotch, the blow temporarily knocking him back. "You're gonna fucking pay you failed stillborn!"

The boy scrambled from underneath him and to his feet, but it was too late. A tight grip grabbed his arm, fingernails digging into his skin as his dad yanked him back from the door. The metal blow of a belt buckle smacked him in the cheek. Disoriented, Roger stumbled to the ground, curling up and shielding his face with his arms.

Wielding his loosened belt like a mace, his father continued the brutal assault. The harsh and weathered metal edges scraped and cut his battered arms, yet Roger kept his guard up. As the blows rained down on him, he cried out, yelping and whimpering like a dog, hoping someone would hear his screams, desperate for the torment to end. Yet hope was all he had. No one cared. No one knew. The bleak torment would not end until the wee hours of morning.

* * *

"I'm sorry, Octavia. I didn't know where else to go."

"Jesus Christ, Roger!" She helped him to her couch. "Just stop apologizing and tell me what the fuck happened this time. Roger, you need to get out of there! Now! This is the worst I've seen you yet!"

He looked at his bandages from his trip to the infirmary. "I'll live."

"Not at this rate. You're staying here until the captain can get you a new room. Pack your things tomorrow when your dad is on shift. Got it?"

"Got it. . ." Roger winced as she hugged him. "Thanks."

Octavia brushed aside her curly dark hair. "No problem. I'm always here for you, Ronnie, no matter what."

* * *

"Dad, that's not the issue. He needs his own quarters, regardless if you send his father to the brig or not."

"Well why the hell didn't he get help earlier? He could've gone to the counselor or the captian or me. I'm the commander. I could've done something. If you knew about this why didn't you do anything?"

"I did! I talked to the counselor. She didn't do shit. It's a busy ship. And most of the time I didn't know what was going on since he kept to himself. Roger's father doesn't even love him and they have fights nearly every week, provoked or not. Most of the time, Roger started it so it wasn't like I could talk to you since—"

"Octavia. . . it doesn't matter who started the fight. But this—this is crossing the line. Beating the shit out of your own son. . . . That's thirty months in the brig minimum. I'm going to have a talk with the captain after our morning briefing."

"Thanks, dad."

"Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Don't sleep with him."

Octavia cringed. "Dad! Ew no! Roger and I are friends. We're bit dating and we never will."

The commander laughed. "You never know, Octavia. People can change their mind."

She looked away from his gaze, hiding her flushed face. Octavia had changed her mind long ago, but kept quiet. She and Roger were close, their friendship deep, personal, and old. Yet ever since his father started fighting with him, her thoughts fixated on him more than ever, worrying and caring for him, wanting to make sure no harm came to him. She found herself upset, often sick to her stomach when she saw him hurt. She felt his pain with his defeats and fluttered with his victories. At one point, she realized her attachments. Her father was right. Everyone was right. She had feelings for him.

* * *

Roger stared out the port hole, the stars reflecting off his eyes. Several days had passed since the beating. He had moved into his own quarters, the smell of freedom permeating his room. Roger gazed at darkness beyond, indifferent and alone. A hand rested on his shoulder, but he did not notice, his mind perplexed in a deep stream of thought.

"Hey."

He turned. "Oh, hey, Octavia. What's up?"

"How are you doing?"

"A lot better. Thanks. And you?"

"I was just thinking about you and wondering how you're feeling." Octavia paused briefly. "I um. . . I was wondering about you and Rose. How's that going?"

"Same as always. I catch a few glances every now and then, but we haven't really talked. I've been so busy with the move this week, I've just haven't had the time. Why'd you ask?"

"Does she know about. . . ?"

He sighed, his gaze returning to the depths of space. "No, Octavia, I don't know her that much. I won't tell her anything until I can trust her like you. Telling her too soon would leave a bad impression. I'm afraid if I open up about this it'll make me look. . . weak. She could use that against me if things go to shit. Anyone can."

"You think opening up would make you weak? You're the strongest person I know for pulling through. It takes guts and grit to make it past the hard times, even if you get used to things. You're brave for sticking up for yourself and putting up a fight. I'm proud of you. . . and I'm sure she'd be too."

Roger's eyes did not leave the window, his bruised face still like a statue. "At least it's over."

"Hey. . . Roger?"

"Yeah?"

"So listen um. . . if things don't work out between you and Rose, do you think we could ever—"

Roger sighed. "Forget it, Octavia. I'm not—I'm sorry, but I just don't see you in that way. You've been my friend since day one. You're more of a sister than anything. I'm sorry, but I don't feel like I can get with you even if I had the chance. I feel like we're just. . . too close."

"Yeah. You're right."

Roger noticed a tincture of sadness in her voice. "Hey, Octavia, don't feel down. You're a good person and I'm sure you'll find someone. There's probably plenty of guys who'd want to date you, but I'm just not one of them right now. Look, I'll help you find a guy, and if things go bad with Rose, and you don't find someone, then. . . I'll give you a chance, okay?"

Octavia smiled. "Thanks, Roger."

"Yeah. No problem."