the wishing well

Callum

I wake up on the ground. 

I yawn and look around.

That rhymes. Why do I find that so entertaining?

I have been living in a cave for four years and everything is the same as it was when I came here all that time ago. My bag of my few possessions is in the corner. My dirty, old blanket on the rock I use for my bed. The small stream that flows right outside of the entrance.

I have been living in this cave ever since my father kicked my out when I was nine. I can remember it as though it was yesterday. Before I can stop it, the memory surfaces and I'm lost in a flashback.

I'm really bad at transitions, so please don't judge.

 -four years ago, May 24th-

"Callum! Wake up! Now!"

I yawn and stretch out on my bed, trying to remember my dream. It had been a good one. But before I can, my father storms into the room. Quite literally.

It's raining outside, I can see past my father outside the door. I feel a rush of excitement. Pollux loves the rain! We can play outside today!

My father seethes at me. "Where is your brother?"

I frown, confused. "Pollux?"

"Who else, you useless slug!" my father hisses.

It should sting, but I'm used to his verbal abuse. 

"I would expect that he's asleep" I say.

"Well he isn't! Now where is he?"

"I don't know. Why don't you look for him?"

I try to take back the words, but my father heard them. 

"I mean, uh-"

I'm cut off by my father slapping me across the face.

"You lie." he says, then storms out of the room.

I feel the tears run down my face, but I am just numb.

"Happy birthday Callum." I whisper to myself