A Dance of Roses and Thorns

I've always known my father worked with shady stuff. But, he always promised to keep me out of it for as long as he could, hoping that his boss would allow it. He would leave for months at a time, saying he had to deal with 'business'. I would just relax at home, thinking nothing of it. Enjoying the freedom of having none of the strict rules my father had put in place. When he came back from his last trip, however, he was unnecessarily paranoid. Setting an earlier curfew, telling me to be careful going out at night and worrying profusely about me and my whereabouts. Little did he know, I was more worried about unfinished assignments and homework. When I asked my father what was wrong, he replied with the vague and simple answer of "the world is closing on us." Although I didn't know what he meant at that point, a whirlwind of pain, sadness and power was speeding my way.