Don't cry for me in sadness; don't weep for me in sorrow, For I will be beside you, as sure as comes tomorrow. My body has gone but my spirit lives on, as does my love for you. Just as in life. I'll watch over you, I always will be true. My blood lives on in my children, how I've watched them grow up with pride. I'll live on within them, always by their side. I know my jokes weren't always funny and jobs weren't always done. Just try and always remember the good times, the days when we had fun. Reach out if you need me, for I will always be near. Just talk to me, as if I am there, I promise I will hear. For I'll live on, with in your mind, we'll never be apart, As long as you keep my memory, deep within your heart. So lift up your hearts, don't be sad, my spirit hasn't gone. While your still there, so am I, I really will live on.

-Unknown

Mason, age 10

I was crying again for what seemed to be the hundredth time. I was sitting on the chair next to my mom’s bed. My sister was on the other side. My dad was outside the room talking to the doctor.

No matter how many times people told me she would be fine, I’m not an idiot. I know she won’t get better.

“C’mon, Mace, let’s go get something to eat.” Peyton suggested.

“Okay…” I mumbled.

As we walked Peyton tried to start up a conversation a few times, but I stayed silent, not in the mood to talk.

I ended up sitting in the hospital food court picking at a fruit salad and vanilla pudding. Peyton and I sat there for a bit before she decided it was time we went home. We both said a quick goodbye to our mother before heading for the door.

Just before I walked out the door, my mother, just above a whisper, said “Mason, I love you so much.”

“I-I love you, too, mom.” I said. Those were the last words I said to her. Peyton and I went home and went to sleep.

I dreamt something. I never could quite remember, but it felt important. I was awoken around 6:23 am the next morning by my sister. She was crying. Peyton never cries.

“Mason, mom s-she..s-she’s…. Peyton broke down in sobs. She couldn’t tell me directly, but I knew what she was saying. I started crying, too.

~~Two day later, at the funeral.

It was raining, hard. Even the weather seemed to know our mood. Today was our mother’s funeral. She was so full of life and now all there was left of her was her body.

As the casket was carried, My sister and I sat there, still crying.

~~two years later | WARNING| TW Language, Abuse!!|

“You good for nothing little fuck!” My dad yelled.

Peyton was away at college, leaving me here alone. She had no idea how our ‘father’ really was. If you could even call him that anymore.

I had just dropped a glass, shattering it. “S-Sorry..” I stuttered out.

“You think ‘sorry’ is gonna fix the glass!? He grabbed my wrist and thought for a moment. Then, he reached for my pointer finger and I knew what he was going to do.

Clean it up!” he yelled after ripping all of the fingernails on my left hand.

“Y-Yes. Yes, sir.” I finally got out.

I cleaned up the glass and went to my room. I packed my duffel bag and texted Ethan.

- Hey, Ethan, can I crash at your place?

-yeah, sure!

-Thanks!

-Hey, Mason?

-Yeah?

-I know there’s something wrong. Why won’t you tell me.

-alright...I’ll tell you tonight. I can’t handle this anymore

-Okay, you know you can tell me anything.

-Yeah, thanks, Ethan.

-No problem.

~~

I slipped my phone away and climbed out my window onto the roof. I’d done this a hundred times before, but this was going to be the last time.

I arrived at Ethan’s house and walked around back. I climbed the big tree next to his window and climbed in.

“Yo. He said from his spot on the ground as he played video games. “Hi”. I replied. He paused his game and I sat on the bed.

“So. he said “Are you gonna tell me what’s up?”

‘Straight to the point.’ I thought. “ W-Well umm.. So, my dad, he like, abuses me..? I said it almost like a question. I pulled up my sleeve to show the bruises and how the fingernails on my left hand had been torn off.

He wasn’t saying anything. I thought he was disgusted. I couldn’t bear myself to look at him. Unconsciously, I had started crying. Upon realizing that, Ethan pulled me into a tight hug

I finally looked up and Ethan looked horrified. Without a second thought, called for his mother. I panicked. She opened his door, looking annoyed that she had been woken up so late.

When she saw the way Ethan was holding me, her eyes were suddenly wide awake. “What’s going on..?” She asked.

Ethan wordlessly held out my arm. Her eyes widened at the sight of it. “Mason.. She said carefully, “Who did this to you?”

“M-My d-d-dad. My dad did.” I choked out, still sobbing.

~~~

Within the next week my sister had returned home for a bit and my father was nowhere to be seen. He was reported wanted and missing. Sadly, Peyton had to go back to college. I was going to stay with Ethan until she graduated.

I didn’t even really care. I was just so relieved to finally be out of that hellhole I called a home.