Lonely Castle

Nineteen years prior

Rick's voice was barely above a whisper as Dru quietly snuck into the dimly lit room.

"You know, you can use the front door instead of sneaking in like a thief," he murmured, tucking the blanket gently around a sleeping Melly.

Dru grinned, his voice low to avoid waking Melly. "What, like you did?" he replied, kicking off his trainers and crawling onto the other side of the bed. Glancing at Rick, he could tell his friend had been crying, even if he wasn't clinging to Melly as if she were the last thing anchoring him to the world.

Dru's tone softened. "Your dad's looking for you; he called my phone, sounding pretty pissed that you were missing from your bed," Dru whispered, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling.

Rick tensed, releasing a jagged breath. "We got into another fight," Rick admitted, his words barely audible.

Pulling Melly closer as though she could shield him from the memory of his father barging into his room after he'd woken up screaming from yet another nightmare of his mother's lifeless, blood-soaked body.

Her empty eyes still haunted him, seeming to peer straight into his soul.

Earlier that night

"Why can't you just get over it?" his father had spat, voice shaking with rage as he clenched his fists.

"What, like you did? Don't think I haven't seen that woman hanging around again!" Rick spat; the accusation hung in the air as Rick's icy glare locked with his father's shocked eyes.

Ray's voice rose, venom lacing every word. "You're not the only one who lost her!" he seethed, grabbing Rick's T-shirt. He dragged the twelve-year-old from his bed, with more force than necessary.

The headboard crashed against the wall as Ray slammed him against it, his eyes blazing with hatred as he glared at Rick.

"You're weak, just like your mother!" he spat, the words landing harder than any blow. Hissing, Ray stormed away, slamming the door behind him.

The echo of the door slamming shut broke something in Rick. Collapsing to the floor, he muffled his ragged sobs with trembling hands. With each sharp breath, he gasped painfully.

Driven by desperation, he stumbled across the room, his heart pounding as he fumbled with the lock, as though the door could shield him from his father's harsh words. Rick's hands shook with adrenaline as he pulled an old, tattered backpack from the depths of his wardrobe.

Creeping across the room, Rick clumsily climbed through his window, the cold air prickling his skin as he hurried toward the only place left that felt safe: the Tong residence.

Fumbling with numb fingers, he forced out a shaky voice message to Melly.

Melly's phone vibrated softly beside her pillow. Seeing Rick's name flash on the screen, she didn't hesitate; she sprang out of bed and threw open the window.

Clutching her phone, heart pounding with worry, Melly crawled back into bed. Her fingers hovered over the keys for a moment before she sent her mum a hurried message: Rick's had another fight with his dad; he'll be staying over tonight.

Not long after Rick climbed through her window, clothes dishevelled, cheeks stained with tears.

"Thanks, Mel", murmured Rick as he kicked off his shoes and climbed into her super king bed. "You should tell Oma Park about what's going on, Rick." Whispered Melly as she snuggled into his chest.

"I can't, she'll take me away," he said, staring into the darkness. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing, Rick. We'll always be yours, your family, no matter how far away you are," she replied, worry lacing her tone; even she could see it wouldn't be long before Ray did something to push him over the edge, and then she'd lose him anyway.

Nodding, Rick kissed her forehead.