“Let her go,” I roar when I see him press her against the wall, his hands wrapping around her throat.
And then I’m behind him.
I grab his arm, yanking it free.
He whirls around, his fist catching me in the ribs.
A crack fills the air.
The hit is so unexpected. So painful.
I collapse onto the floor, gasping for air.
“Daltyn,” my mom whimpers.
I blink, the edges of my vision darkening as I blink up at her.
My dad steps over me, looming above like a harbinger of death. His face is contorted with such vile rage, I no longer recognize him.
“You think you’re a tough guy, huh? Just cause you’re bigger now.”
And then, he lifts his boot, pressing it against my ribs.
I scream, the pain a white-hot poker of agony coursing through me. And I don’t stop until I can’t scream anymore.
Suddenly, my mom’s voice breaks through the silence. “You hurt my son.”
There’s a flash of silver inher hand.
Despite the pain, hope fills me.
But it’s fleeting.
My dad spins around, grabs her wrist, and twists it.
For a moment, everything fades as I watch her face turn ashen.
Her wide eyes meet mine before she whispers, “Sorry.”
I glance down at the red blooming through her white shirt.
Panic fills me as I meet her eyes again.
“I love you,” she mouths.
“No,” I gasp, hot tears sliding down my face. “No.”
When she slides to the floor, too far for me to reach, it feels surreal. Like the worst nightmare I’ve ever had.
One I can never wake from.
Blank eyes stare into mine.
“No, mom,” I whisper. “You can’t...”
I don’t finish the words.
I physically can’t.
