𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 | HuskerDust

Nine

"Stupid, pathetic piece of shit! Yer da fuckin' reason ya motha' is dead!" His father yelled at him, throwing an empty bottle of booze at the fourteen-year-old boy. The boy ducked, causing the bottle to break on the wall behind him. 

"N-no I'm n-not!" The boy stuttered out in fear, blocking his face as another item was thrown in his general direction. He was shaking like a leaf in the cold winter. His legs gave out and he fell to the floor, curling up in a ball.

"She woulda been alive it if weren't for ya ignorant ass!" His father continued to insult him. His breathing got heavier as the older man raised a hand and brought it down upon his face. 

The cycle went on for a while until his twin sister came running into the room and saved him from further abuse. She apologized repetitively while holding him close to her as he cried. 

"It's ok, Anthony. I'm here and I'll always be here for you, I promise.."

:۞:••:۞:••:۞:••:۞:••:۞:

Angel woke in a slight panic. The faint ticking of the clock is what brought him to reality and reminded him that he was as safe as he could possibly be. Tears began to trail down his cheeks without his mental consent and he curled his tight under the blanket. 

"It's not your fault, Anthony," he mumbled to himself, trying his best to convince himself of the truth. "Ya were jus' a kid; ya didn't know betta'..." But try as he might, he couldn't stop the guilt from making his chest tighten and cause him to have a silent sob fest.

He wasn't aware of time passing. The sun shone through the curtains in the early morning, and the sound of the early birds chirping was faint. His eyes burned from crying and he felt emotionally exhausted but refused to let himself go back to sleep. How could he? All it'll do is make him suffer. 

"Late night?" A voice spoke up. Angel flinched and looked over, sighing quietly when he saw Alastor by the stairs.

"What does it matta' ta ya..?" He grumbled, feeling a wave of exhaustion and pain wash over him again.

"Oh, it doesn't matter much to me. I quite enjoy seeing your pain," Alastor said as he laughed and walked into the living room to open the curtains up just a bit. Angel winced at the bright sunlight and hid his face in the pillow he was laying on. "Husk told me you fell asleep listening to the radio last night. Too bad you weren't awake to hear my full broadcast."

"Not like I missed much. Then again, ain't like I listen ta da radio much anymo'.." Angel mumbled in response. He willed the tears away that desperately wanted to fall. Now wasn't the time to cry. His capture was in the room after all.

"Mayhaps you'll find enjoyment in listening to my broadcast tonight. I have a lil something special planned." Alastor grinned eerily. Angel's stomach twisted in fear.