To The Moon And Back

Chapter 17

Shon's POV

I wake up with a start from a stinging sensation on my face, and a killer headache.

"Get up." A voice growls, and I don't dare to disobey it.

I sit up quickly, instantly regretting it, groaning from the throbbing of my head.

"What the hell happened last night?" He asks, a stern scowl plastered on his face.

"Nothing, Father. I had too many drinks." I stand up and brush past him, yanking on a t-shirt and some shorts. I turn around to face him before I feel a forceful hand on my throat and my back slammed into the wall.

"Don't lie to me boy! What did you do last night?" He spits out, tightening his grip? My eyes wide, I struggle to breathe as I grab onto his hand, trying to pull it away.

"I..don't...know." I gasp out, feeling my airways tighten.

"I'll tell you what happened. You did not like what I told you to do last night, so you decided to get shit faced and blame the alcohol for your failure. You realize that you cannot go through with the plan because you like her, don't you?" He hisses out with clenched teeth.

"Don't you?!" He now shouts, slamming me again into the wall that feels like bricks against my skull.

Shit. Does he know? What do I do? What do I say?

A million thoughts all racing through my head, I manage to grin at him.

"Of course not, Dad. I'm not weak like he was. You raised me to be strong."

He stares at me for a moment, eyes blazing, and then lets go of my neck, grabbing my shoulder firmly.

"Damn right, boy. I raised you to be strong," he looks me in the eyes firmly. "So act like it." He lets go of my shoulder and strides out of my room. "Get ready, we're going somewhere."

I listen for his footsteps down the hall and let out a deep sigh of relief when he is out of ear sight. "Asshole," I mumble, and finish getting ready, trying to collect my thoughts on what happened last night.

***

The previous day

The music booms as people–some I don't even know–are crowded throughout the house, dancing, laughing, and not giving a shit about life.

I finish carrying another stack of red solo cups and scan the room, trying to find Evelyn. I see someone else instead, who nods at me. With my jaw clenched, I follow him outside into the woods.

"Is she here yet?" He smirks, awaiting an answer.

"No."

"Make sure you text me when she gets here." He turns around and starts to walk away.

My jaw still clenched, I watch him walk away before spitting out, "why do you care?"

He abruptly stops. "What?" He says after a moment of silence. My fist clenches as tight as my jaw now.

"Why do you care that she's here?"

He turns around and walks towards me. "Because son. Tonight is the night."

My jaw starts to shake, along with my fists as my eyebrows scrunch up in dread. "What?" I stutter, backing up as he continues to walk closer to me.