49 Outtake: Howard Hunt 2 (2/2)

Kids are impressionable and they don't know what is right or wrong. They grow up to be adults with a skewed view of life, their childhoods shaping what they think to be normal. That day was normal for Howard. He grew up in his small life, watching this happen often. His father was his father. His mother was his mother. And he was their son. Their family was dear and everything would be alright if they didn't disappear from his life.

The strike came as soon as his father was done with his rant. His head swivelled at the force, he stumbled, his tiny body unable to take the strike of his brute father. He didn't cry, but his mother did. She flew towards them, the spoon from tasting the food still in her hand, hoping to protect her child.

”Stop it!” She screamed and leapt towards them. She positioned herself between them, ready to take the blows.

”That is my child,” his father sneered and said. ”I can beat him if I want.” He shoved her away, his angered coming with renewed force. He kicked the little boy, making sure to hit the ribs. Jolted, the boy lay on the floor, hoping the pain would go away.

He knew if he was quiet the pain would stop.

Yet his mother didn't understand that she only aggravated him further. Her body came between them again. And the sounds of his kicks echoed in the room, his angry slurs and punched followed. She took them gladly, hoping she would protect her child for a little longer.

She stood in front of the mirror, her face looking less like her own with every passing day. She had grown old over the few years she had stayed with the man, but she couldn't find it in herself to run away.

”Don't be like your father,” her voice rang out as she patted her son to sleep. Howard dazedly listened to the words but couldn't make out the meaning. ”Don't be like your father,” she repeated. He fell asleep.

That night he dreamt that he protected his mother, that he fought away the monster who had tried to kill them.

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