Shader

Part One Chapter One: Turning 13

As I cleaned yet another one of Uncle John's messes I wondered what was in the basement. Maybe he hides all of his alcohol down there and he's just worried I'll take it. I didn't really want to think of all the possibilities at the moment.

"Ouch, what the-?"

In the middle of my day dreaming of what may or may not be in Uncle John's basement, I had forgotten that I was cleaning up broken glass and cut myself down the palm of my hand.

"Uncle John, Sir!" I called

No answer.

"Uncle John, Sir?"

Still no answer.

Should I? No I'm not allowed in the basement...but what if he's hurt. I thought to myself.

"Uncle John?"

"For God sake kid what do you want?" He answered.

Really? I thought to myself.

"I was just wondering where the first aid kit is, Sir." I said.

"Why do you need a first aid kit?" He asked.

"Why do you think?" I said.

"Excuse me?" he yelled.

"Fine, why do you think, Sir!" I yelled back.

I heard him running up the stairs, but I held my ground. I refused to be pushed around anymore.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" He said.

"You want to know who I think I'm talking to? Alright, I'll tell you who I think I'm talking to! I'm talking to a self centered drunk who doesn't give two hoots about anybody unless they can get you a discount at your favorite liquor store! I'm talking to someone who dopes around all day doing nothing and couldn't give a crap about anything going on around them. I'm "talking to" someone who's so mad at the world that the only way he can cope is to drink away his problems instead of dealing with them like a man. You think you're the smartest and the best person there is? Well, you're wrong! Not once since I've been here have you showed any concern for me. And knowing you, you'll say that I'm being conceited, but the truth is you're my guardian now and you have to start caring!"

I guess I decided to take a chance.

Uncle John just stood there looking at me for a minute. I don't really think he knew what to say, and quite frankly neither did I.

"First aid kit is in the mirror cabinet in the guest bedroom. When you find it, bring it back down here and I'll bandage it. I'll take you to the hospital when you've got some gauges rapped around it." Uncle John said.

"I don't need to go to the hospital." I answered.

"Kid, look at your cut." he said.

I looked down at my cut and realized that it was worse than I thought it was. In fact, it was way worse than I thought it was. I looked down at the floor and there was a good sized pool of blood on the floor. My vision started to go black and I saw stars in my eyes. I started to fall. The last thing I remember is Uncle John catching me before I fell and hit my head on the floor.

When I woke up I was in a hospital with an IV in my arm. I looked around the room and saw Uncle John sleeping in the corner. There was a table next to my hospital bed with multiple drugs and pudding cups that I figured where for me. I grabbed a vanilla pudding cup and began to chow down. Do you know how hungry almost bleeding out makes you? After I finished, Uncle John woke up rather angry.

"Oh God that's the most uncomfortable couch I've ever slept on." he groaned while he cracked his neck.

"Good morning sunshine." I said.