Pain

"Surprise surprise"

Aiden's skin got pale. He was unable to even move. He tried to blink but his eyes betrayed. He was in utter shock how could his father be at home early? Why was the car not outside?

"D-Da-Dad". He spoke after a while but couldn't utter any other world as his father was moving towards him. With every step he takes forward, Aiden took a step backward. He knew this was not a happy conversation time. His father was not angry. He was smiling.

Smiling? Why is he smiling?

Aiden thought because that has never ended well. Well, it's not that Aiden has always seen his father smiling, it was his wish but he also knew that his father only smiles at least in front of him when he got something that can be an excuse for his abusive behavior.

"Hi there my good for nothing son". Aiden's father took another step closer to him and just like before he took another step back. Vincent gave him the leverage to save himself as much as he can, but it didn't last long as Aiden took another step back and he felt a cold concrete at his back. He has nowhere to go now. He is left with no hope. Only miracle can save him but he is pretty sure that he is not that lucky. He didn't even try any more. What's the use to run when he will get caught, after all where can he go, his only leverage was Jimmy and he was also gone so he let his bag pack slip his shoulder and drop to the ground. A loud chuckle filled the air and in the next moment he was getting few air to breath. His father grips his neck harshly and dragged him closer. Aiden hissed in pain and his eyes met his father's.

"So, you got the courage to maintain the eye contact now?" His father said grinding his teeth and tightened the grip and Aiden's eyes were filled with unshed tears. He was gasping getting very few air to breath and was getting in and out of the consciousness. He hoped this should go on for some more time and the end, no more suffering, no more tears it will be the freedom for him so he stops struggling and let his father apply all the force he has. But he was not that lucky, he never was. Vincent pushed him harshly and his head hit the wall behind him and he fall to the ground.

"How could you be my son? It's such a disappointment that I wasted my sperms for you. You are just a waste of space." Vincent said by griping a fist full of his brown hairs and lifting his head high to see the face of brunette. Aiden saw the disgust and hate clear in his father's eyes but he was not getting that why is it happening again? He was home at time, he did dishes before going to school. Cleaned the house and....

The Beer? Oh God did I forgot to bring the new pack? He knows I didn't go to the store yesterday. I'm a dead meat. First, I missed his beer and second, I didn't attend my shift, means one day salary cut mean more beating mean....

"Why Aiden? Am I not a good Father? Why will you shame my name? How could you do that after everything I have done for you?" Vincent pulled his hairs harshly and pull the boy to get on his feet again. Well Aide was more like hanging in his father's grip. He didn't even have to understand what was his father saying and a slap landed on his face. He was pretty sure that if his father was not holding him, he would've hit the wall by face.

With a stinging pain on his left cheek and desperate try to hold his tears back he spoke "I'm s-sorry D-Dad. I'll be more c-careful next t-ti...." he didn't even finish the sentence and another slap echoed the small living room and this time Aiden did hit the wall.

"Next time? So, you don't regret it? You are not guilty of your behavior and you are going to continue shaming my name in front of everyone" Aiden didn't got enough time to think what was happening before a bulky punch landed on his jaw and Aiden was sure if slap didn't, this will definitely leave the mark.

He was not processing it what is his father saying he just apologized for his mistake, how is not bringing beer can shame his father's name. Still, he didn't argue because he knew he will get an extra pair of punches so he looked up at his father's face with questioning eyes. His father gripped his jaw harshly leaving the boy hissing in pain and a small whimper left Aiden's mouth.

"What? Don't act innocent because you are not. You really thought you will continue this behind my back and I won't know about it? Now you don't know what I'm saying? May be his father read his eyes because Aiden really was clueless what was happening so he finally dared to speak.

"D-Dad I'll be regular I p-promise I won't take any more l-leaves and w-will do whatever you say j-just p-please st-stop" Aiden felt tired and he hoped his father will understand. Will he?

"Leaves? Regular? What are... oh so you didn't even go to store yesterday? You really need the lesson to get in line boy" with that his father kicked him in the stomach that left Aiden fold on the ground holding his stomach. But this didn't stop he got one after another and another and another may be until his father got tired and he heard his labored breathing.

He didn't know about that. Wow so what is he talking about? Did I do something else? When? Did I? I don't remember...

He felt another cramp in his body and he remembered something may be this could be the reason today.

"J-Ji-Jimmy?" he said and looked at his father who may be wanted the boy to remember himself.

"There! Now you know huh..." he moved toward his son again but Aiden crawled a little backward to step away from his father he knew this is not over. It was just getting started.

"D-Dad l-l-listen just p-please listen. It's not w-what you thi...."

"Oh boy! Don't tire yourself by telling the lies. I have seen enough to think and know so save it". He didn't even give him the chance to explain. "You are just 17 and God you are getting out of my hands what will you do when you will get independent. Boy you really need to learn the basics first." He launched another kick to boy's shoulder and brought his face closer to the boy.

"D-Dad p-please just stop. I p-promise I didn't do anything. I didn't break my promise. H-he was just going to the festival so h-he came to say good-goodbye. I'm sorry I'm sorry D-Dad I promise I'm telling the truth" he said pleading holding Vincent's feet to stop him and to his luck his father did understood or maybe not but he stopped.

Vincent took a long breath and turned to walk upstairs but before climbing stairs he glanced at his son last time and said "Get changed and attend your shift. I'm sure you don't need to get any new bruises"

Aiden was thankful. Yes he was thankful to the universe that it didn't get much. "Thank you" he said practically to no one and drag himself against the wall to get the support to stand up. It took few attempts but he stood up and with slow steps moved toward his room to get ready for his Job.

It hurts. Every inch of his body hurt with even a slightest movement but he doesn't have the time to rest. He needs to earn. He needs to learn his responsibilities. (After all he has a father to feed) He didn't get to shower, he just washed the evidences of today's episode, he was already late so he just took his blazer off and put the zipper on and moved out of the door and started walking to the familiar road to the store busy thinking and letting his steps to take him to his destination. He looks up at the sky and said:

"Life is not the bed of roses, it's the circle of pain and suffering. No doubt LIFE = PAIN same number of letters and almost same meaning"

~~~~~~~~<<<<<<<<<<~~~~~~~~

"Did you find him? Anything?"

"N-No sir. I'm sorry. It's like he got vanished from the plain site"

"You have two days. Find him? Or else get ready to see your family die"

"S-sir...."