𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕

My bare feet slap against the carpeted flooring. The crumbs from last night's dinner sticking to my soles to the point it pinches with every step. Ignoring the pain, I continue to push forward. I have to get away.

I really messed up this time.

"Where the hell is he?" my step-dad, Tim, slurs through his teeth.

The sound of shattering glass echoes through the small house, most likely a beer bottle being thrown against the wall.

"Leave him be. We'll figure it out," my mother tries to reason with him. "Just come to bed."

"No, fuck that! That little punk is going to learn."

My heart attempts to burst through my chest, the pressure too much for my small eleven-year-old body. I can feel it in my eyes—seeing little black dots accompanying with each beat.

I need to hide.

I brace myself against the wall. My hands sliding against the bumpy surface of the wall. It's hard to see with the lights off, but if I turn them on... He'll find me.

I'm scared.

The loud booming of work boots reverberate through the house. Inching closer and closer to me. I attempt to swallow the growing lump in my throat, feeling like I swallowed the glass on the floor. I desperately feel around for a door. Any door.

"Oh, just let him go. We can handle him in the morning," I hear my mother say.

An ear piercing slap and grunt are quick to follow before the sound of something solid hits the floor. My feet betray me, keeping me planted in the wide open hallway.

"If you would have watched him better, this wouldn't have happened. If you paid more attention, then maybe he wouldn't be a piece of shit like you, Angie. Now look at this place! It's fucking destroyed because he didn't lock the fucking door!" he yells before the sound of shattering glass happens again.

I gasp loudly at the sudden noise and immediately cover my mouth with both my hands. His evil laugh echoes through the hall before his footsteps resume, and a cold sensation floods through me.

It takes everything in me to pick my feet up off the floor and bolt down the dark hallway. It feels like it stretches on forever before my hand finally catches on a doorknob.

"You can run all you want, Cain, but I'm going to find you," he says with conviction. "And when I do, you're going to pay." It sounds too close for comfort, as if he was right in my ear.

I turn the doorknob as easily as I can, trying not to make the door squeak. When the door opens, I fall inside. My body hits the floor with a loud thud before I scramble to close the door and lock it.

My eyes scan around the room, trying to adjust them in the dark to find somewhere, anywhere, to hide. The light from the lamppost outside reflects in the small bedroom, illuminating the door to my closet.

Suddenly, the doorknob jiggles before a loud bang from a fist landing on the door startles me.

"Open the fucking door!" Tim seethes on the other side.

He tries the doorknob again before throwing his body against the door. Dust clouds around the frame, as if giving me a warning to hide before it gives in.

His maniacal laugh echoes on the other side before clicking his tongue. "You're so fucking dead," he says before bodychecking it once more.

My heart slams against my chest, pounding in my ears. I fly toward the closet and slide the door with ease. Praying it won't make a noise to give away my hiding spot. When I'm inside, I sink into the corner and bury my head in between my knees and pray. Pray to anyone listening.

I'm a good boy. I don't mean to be bad. I'll do better next time, I promise. I don't want to die.

"Cain." An angelic voice comes in a whisper in my ear. Almost like an angel is trying to lure me.

"It's okay, Cain," they say again. Their voice is so soothing it's almost hard for me not to feel calm.

The sound of breaking wood pierces my ears, forcing my hands over them for added protection. I peer up, seeing the light filter into the dark closet from the house next door. I hold my breath, trying to listen for Tim to hear nothing. No footsteps yet.

If I'm fast enough, I could make it...

"Cain," the angel whispers again. "You're safe."

I stand slowly and look between the crack in the door to gauge if there's anyone in the room with me.

It's empty.

If I'm fast enough, I could make it.

I crack the door open with caution and peek my head out further. Only seeing the dust flutter around the room. I quickly look to the window and see Cassie's house. The lights are on in her bedroom.

If I'm fast enough...

I take a deep breath and wipe the single tear I didn't realize was sliding down my cheek.

"Cain. It's okay," the angel says. "I'm with you."

Opening the door further, I take a step as quiet as possible before walking to the window and unlock it. My damp fingers grasp onto it and push up with urgency. A sense of relief comes over me when I feel the cold air hit my face.

"And where the fuck do you think you're going?" Tim's voice says from directly behind me.

I let out a gut wrenching scream and try to haul my small body out of the window, but it's too late. His hands are already digging into my arms, dragging me away from the one thing that could save me.

"Cain!" the angel yells desperately.

My feet kick the ground while he drags me further and further away.

"I'm sorry!" I plead. "I'll do better! I don't want to die!"

Suddenly, he's not dragging me anymore. He instead towers over me.

"Please," I say quietly. Tears staining my cheeks while the smell of alcohol consumes my nostrils.

"Yeah. Well, you should have thought of that," he says before cocking his arm back.

I scream as loud as I can to the point my lungs are on fire. The lump in my throat grows larger before my voice cuts out.

"Cain!—"

My eyes fly open and I'm transported from my home to Cassie's living room floor. My body is cold and damp with sweat. Confusion swirls in my mind while I'm in the fetal position with my arms covering my face.

"Cain! It's okay! You're safe," Cassie says desperately. Tears are brimming in her eyes as she looks at me. A look on her face that screams she doesn't know what to do.

The end table lamp highlights her face. Wet streaks travel from her eyes and down her cheeks, while her chest quickly rises and falls.

Because of me.

She lays one hand on my shoulder; the warmness radiating from it grounds me almost instantly. I take a deep breath and pinch the bridge of my nose. She sniffles quietly before leaning forward and slowly lays her head on my shoulder.

Her hand slowly rubs soothingly up and down my arm, leaving goosebumps to prickle underneath her touch. Taking a deep breath, I lay my cheek against her hair and inhale her scent for just another thing to ground me.

When is this going to stop?