Fantasies That Make Us

Alessandra - 10 years old.

‎"Good night mom." I kissed my mom goodnight as I made my way to my bedroom. She also had work tomorrow, she had to rest. Mom is a nurse at a local hospital in town.

‎As for Dad, I never knew who he was. Mum always said he died before I was born. I never believed that though. Something about the story has never added up. Well, it's all good.

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‎I clutched Momo, my doll, tightly like I always did before I went to bed. It was the only way I was able to sleep. Since I had no siblings, I had no companions. Not even a friend, not that I minded though. Momo was my closest thing to a friend and I loved her so much.

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‎Lorenzo - 13 years old

‎"Sorry Dad. I didn't mean to drop it on the carpet. It was an accident, Dad. I swear it was, but I promise it'll never happ..."

Smack! Dad slapped me across the face for the fourth time.

"Shut up, worthless boy. You are just as useless as your mother was. The apple, they say, never falls far from the tree."

Dad has always cherished the Tai Ping carpet in his study. I'd accidentally dropped a candle on it last night. But it was a mistake, right? If I apologize to him, he'll forgive me.

"I'm sorry, Dad. Forgive me." I said holding his leg. He went quiet for a while. The room was so silent, one could hear a pin drop.

After what seemed like forever, he spoke. "It's alright, son. It's enough now. You ain't useless boy, sorry about that." He said with a seemingly genuine smile, one I hadn't seen in ages. Him letting me off the hook should make me feel better. Except it doesn't. Dad always punished me for every mistake, big or small. The fact that he's letting me go so easily feels so unreal. Well, it's for the best right?

"Thanks, Dad. I promise never to repeat this mistake again, I swear." I said, looking at his face. He looked feral. His lips were set in a thin, hard line. His black eyes were almost pitch black and the vein in his temple was bulging like it was about to pop. Well, he'll probably cool off once I leave.

I turned on my heels and left. The stars must be on my side today, I guess. I reached my room on the second floor and locked the door. About three hours later, at around 9pm, I went back out. On reaching the kitchen, I asked Zia, the head housekeeper, if she'd seen my Dad.

" He stepped out, not too long ago. Probably to blow off some steam. That carpet cost him about 14k. He's pissed. Let's pray he doesn't get wasted. It never ends well."

I knew exactly what she meant. If Dad got drunk, all hell will break loose by the time he gets back. Not like things are any better when he's sober. I went to my room and prayed, actually prayed, he didn't.

* * *

The door hinges creaked. I woke up when I felt a weight on my bed. I was only able to make out a jawline in the dimly lit room. I flicked on the lights and my heart stopped. Standing in front of me was my dad. He looked like the Grim Reaper and, of course, he smelled like he crawled out of a sewer.

"Well, well boy. What did you think? You weren't expecting me to let you off so easily after you ruined my carpet, now, were you?"

"Dad, p-p-pl-please. I'm sorry, okay? You said it was okay, you forgave me." I was really close to pissing my pants at this point.

‎Next thing I heard was the flicking of a lighter. "Dad, what are you doing? Dad?" I was trembling more than ever. What was he going to do with the lighter in his hand? As if it weren't already obvious.

"Come here, boy." I screamed as he advanced towards me with the lighter in hand.