A Semblance

"Beep Beep!" I waved my hand around feeling for the source of the noise as it echoed with a sharp ring through my head. I eventually managed to stop the noise and staggered off the comfort of my so-called bed (in reality, it was just a few pillows and a moth-eaten blanket in the corner of the warmest room).

Routinely I heard the blood-curdling screech of my mother. I cautiously made my way down the worn corridor, avoiding the gaping holes in the floorboards, the calendar on the wall caught my attention and the date 12th December in particular. I gave the seemingly solid iron door a soft knock only to be responded to with the horrid screech of some kind of banshee. With trepidation, I peeked around the edge of the entrance and saw the pale listless body of my mother curled up in sheets amidst her den. The room had a bizarre sense of relief and silence. It was filled with drained glass bottles and permeated with the unmistakable stench of liquor and puke. I scooped up the torn apart photo on the floor and stared at the crossed off figure of a man standing tall, proud and showing off his bright medallions before tucking away the photo into my shirt pocket. "I'm off mother". My voice seemed lifeless even to myself, it was rather surprising. Before she could muster more than a grunt I quickly snatched my bag off the hook and slumped my way outside.

The sunlight pierced my eyes as they slowly adjusted to the daylight. The pain was bearable unlike the bruises and wounds of my heart. It didn't take long for me to reach the rowdy station where I greeted the manager and started loading heavy wooden crates into the cars. Nick (my co-worker) yelled out to me from the other side of the station, immediately gaining glares from people at the side. "Good Morning!" His smile was showered with rays of light, easily making my mood turn a whole 180 for the time being. "Good Morning." I managed a frail smile back at him. After a good couple of trains had passed by, the manager came over to give me my monthly payment and see me off. I buried the little envelope into the deepest parts of my bag and headed back home.

I listened to the clatter of my footsteps as I reached the front door. As soon as the rattle of the door was heard my mother pounced at me, tackling me to the floor before tearing and rummaging through my bag. There was the unmistakable taste of metal before she got what she wanted and crawled over me to her den as if I was only a carpet. The solid door slammed shut causing a couple of tiles to tumble down from the roof. Warm tears slid down my face as I felt my heart sob, quietly sinking, slowly drowning. I got up to wash myself in the bathroom. Straight afterwards, I put on a smile and headed off to my next job at the convenience store.

This job calms me down all the time. I can almost feel at ease while working here. The environment was nice, calming and peaceful. I passed by my old school while walking, it was like I could hear the chalk tapping on a chalkboard, the smell of the old dusty scent of the classroom and the silence. I arrived at the store. The manager had been cleaning up the store front. "Good Afternoon, early again I see. " His voice was calming to hear, it gave me a feel of tranquillity and it had the hint of proudness and happiness. "Good Afternoon Sir, would you like some help?" He told me to re-do the shelves in the store and passed me a plan of the layout. The blast of a flowery fragrance hit me as the doors opened. There was the silent chatter of the customers and the quiet sound of the radio in the background. I made my way to the back room to get myself changed into uniform before getting back out to sort the shelves.

I was about done when the manager came over and patted me on the back, his expression towards me? I thought it had a melancholic taste. "Nice work as always, let's go take a break shall we?" There on the table was a cup of tea and a sandwich, I sat down by the table. "I can have this?" He looked rather confused when I had said that. "Well, of course you can!" I could hardly hold back the tears of happiness, I was so happy I couldn't feel my face. The cup of tea had warmed and lifted up my cold heart from the silence and freezing waters. "Are you doing alright? You look rather tired." I stared at the floor. "Yeah, just a little tired." He continued watching carefully, with a lot of suspicion behind his stare. I continued to work normally appreciating his thoughts of awareness and concern. I had finally finished the work set when the manager called out to me. "Here take this." He gave me a little set of leftover sandwiches. "Thank you so much." He smiled and waved goodbye. "I'll see you next time."

It was pitch black by the time I left the convenience store. I could once again hear the soft clatter of my footsteps. I stared back at the store before finally making my way back to the house. I was a few strides away from the gate when I heard a loud scream. I ran as fast as I could and yanked open the door, "Mother?!" I headed straight for the iron door and there it was, my mother, holding up a large vase above her head. Instinctively I held my arms out to guard myself. However, she wasn't looking towards me but at the other side of the room at a man with a tall posture and with two bright medallions pinned to his chest. "Why are you here!!" I could hardly even make out mother's words. An unfamiliar gruff voice replied with "I came here for my son".