Special - Ryden

Chapter Five

TW//
Abuse

I ran as fast as I possibly could, probably faster than I ever had, and hid in my room. I finally had a friend, and of course my dad was screaming that I don't deserve anyone. It's amazing the things that upset him. Most parents would be proud, telling their child they deserve this and they're so happy for them. Not my dad. 

I went to open my window in an attempt to escape again, but he heard me that time. His footsteps pounded down the short hallway, and I quickly closed the window. 

"Don't make me break your door down!" His voice boomed through the whole house, and I was scared the neighbors would hear. At this point he had gotten me into the mindset that if anyone found out, he would kill me no matter what it takes. I forgot about the fact he would have almost no way of knowing before the police showed up at our door, in which case it would be hard for him to do, and if he did his conviction would be longer. I still don't think about this much, especially in the moment. 

Even if the neighbors did hear, our street and the ones nearby are run down and old, and the only people who live here seem like they're either criminals or drug addicts. I couldn't trust any of them to even tell, and I don't know if that made it better or worse.

My dad's fists pounded against my door as he continued to threaten to break it down if I didn't unlock it and open it for him. It was already unlocked, he was just to drunk to realize this.

My breathing made it seem like my was is going to burst, and I found it hard to walk over to the door and open it, a lot harder than it should have been. I did it though, and he got in and continued to scream at me.

"You're a freak! You don't deserve friends! Just wait until they find out who you really are!" He got louder with each word. "You'll kill them! You know it, that's your plans, same as for me! Fucking freak!" My sight began getting fuzzy, and all of the sound seemed fogged. "You'll tell them about me too! I swear to god I'll kill you if you do!"

The palm of his hand hits my face, but I'm panicking too much to feel it.

My breathing is only got faster, and my dad's screaming became less and less audible to me.
The next day at school, I told the kid who I was friends with I didn't want to hang out anymore. It hurt, but I felt like I had to.

And that was the last time I had a friend for a few years. The last time... until now.

I'm dazed and staring out the window as I snap back to reality and realize we're pulling into a parking spot.

"You had said dinner... there's food here, but it's not really a restaurant. I hope this is okay."

I look up. It's almost sunset, and the sky is beautiful. We're by a lake and Brendon can tell I'm confused.

"So... my parents think me going out with my first ever girlfriend for the first time is so romantic I should spend money on it and make you brag or something. I decided to rent a canoe. It's cliche but it sounds fun. I hope you don't mind..."

My mood rises a lot. Canoeing was something my mom and I did sometimes and loved when she was alive. I smile and grab Brendon's hand we start walking towards the rental pick-up area.

They lead us over to the canoes laying face up on the dirt. They're all a bright read color, which is the same as the one my mom and I always went in.

The employee helps us get it into the water and helps us to get in. 

After they give a very brief explanation of what we need to do and they send us on our way, Brendon speaks up. "Last time I did this was a few months ago, so sorry if I'm sort of bad at this."