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“I miss you, Dad,” I whisper. My throat feels like the size of a tennis ball as I swallow, and my eyes start prickling at the corners. I pull him away from me and wave his arm up and down gently. I tried to stitch it back on him, but no one ever taught me how to stitch. I’m so scared that one day it’ll fall off.

Something clatters downstairs, and I sprint towards my wardrobe, climbing in and locking myself inside.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be safe here, Forest.”

Squeezing my green teddy bear, I curl myself into a ball. He’s the only thing I have that brings me comfort when they argue.

Kirsty shouts. A thud sounds. Then silence.

The sound of footsteps carries up the stairs, and I push myself further into the corner. I start shaking, already knowing what’s coming.

The bedroom door opens, and Steve’s drunk voice fills the room. “Where are you, you little shit?”

I put my palm over my mouth, a sick feeling starting in my stomach.

“Where the fuck are you?”

Tears start falling from my eyes.

This is it; he’s going to hurt me now.

The wardrobe doors open, and the light from my bedside lamp shines on me.

“There you are.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I prepare myself for the beating I’m about to receive. Only, it doesn’t come.

Forest is yanked out of my grip. I snap my eyes open and watch as Steve starts cutting through him with scissors.

My stomach sinks. “No! Please!” I wail, tears now soaking my Minecraft shirt. “Not Forest! Please, stop!” My face starts hurting from the tears, and it feels like someone is stabbing my heart with a knife.

“Shut the fuck up, you little shit. You’re lucky it’s not you.”

Steve throws Forest onto the floor and leaves my room. I scramble out of the wardrobe and land on my knees in front of Forest. Only fluff and green thread remain.

It feels like a black cloud is wrapping around my head and my heart.

The only thing I had left of my dad.

The only thing that helped me feel safe.

Gone.

“Earth to Xander?” Jac snaps his fingers in front of my face.

“What?” I bark back at him.

“Woah, okay. Something’s happened. What is it?”

“What is it to you?”

The sound of the school bell interrupts us, and all the kids in the lunch hall start walking back to their classes. But I stay here. I don’t want to see anyone.

Jac is annoying me right now, but he’s the only person I want with me.

“Okay. Then we’ll both sit here,” he says and sits on the stool next to mine, leaning his elbows on the lunch table.

He’s had his hair cut again.