(James)
"Happy birthday to my sweet boy, you're already ten today. I am so proud of the young man you've become. Your first decade, you're growing too fast," my mother celebrated. Her smiles lit up the room as my friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles all clapped and wished me the best.
I wouldn't be lying if I said I wasn't happy for the gifts, which were totally the best part of the birthday.
After cutting the cake and being teased that I had to kiss somebody, I kissed my mother's cheek. Everybody smiled at that.
After the food, it was present time. The first card I opened had some cash which fell out when I opened it, yet I pretended I didn't see it and still read the card. My family and friends all laughed at this.
My dad was late. I had even opened all the cards by the time he came knocking at the door. This gave me a smile – he was finally back. I'd been waiting for too long.
The house door opened, and my father's face could be seen, but he didn't open the door all the way, which confused me.
"Well, isn't it Mister Grown Up? Let me guess, you're old enough to pay the bills," he said.
"What's that?"
"Never mind, you don't need to know." He laughed.
"Happy birthday, Jayjay. I'm sorry for the late intrusion, but..." He opened the door fully to reveal what was behind his back – a little cage.
"Oh my god, really dad? You finally got a pet after I've been begging for one. This is why you're my favorite parent."
"Hey, watch it," my mother said behind me.
After we got the cage in the center of the living room, I wanted to open it. As it opened, what greeted me was a snowball of fur – a cute white ragdoll cat, confused by the large crowd. It seemed to be timid, but I wanted to pet it, It flinched, maybe in its eyes, I was a giant monster grasping for its head, It would totally be scared, so I petted its head softly, trying to make it comfortable.
"Dad, does it have a name?" I asked.
"No, but that's what makes today special. You can name it."
I was happy. I carried the cat in my arms as it tried to struggle its way free.
I then walked over to my father and hugged him. I didn't know why, but my body felt like all of this was a miracle, a dream. This right here, right now, was my heaven – everything I could have asked for.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" I asked.
"A boy it is."
"Maybe Jeff because it sounds funny," I suggested.
My father seemed to be surprised by the choice but smiled anyway. I didn't know why, though, with that smile, it didn't seem right, like my father's face was never supposed to be this cheerful, this happy.
"A good name, funny even, later, we can go and fetch some toys or a little house for him, so be prepared. And maybe, you wanna play with him and your friends upstairs? Once you come down, we've got a huge surprise for you."
I smiled and nodded at my parents, giving them a smirk.
"Last one there is a little fart!"
I dashed while a chubby Tommy followed after, then Samuel, Johnny, and the rest seemed to follow suit. I ran up the stairs, dashing towards my room, enjoying being in first place.
I reached the handle to my room and opened it. A creaking sound enveloped the house. It sounded louder than usual.
I opened the door; it looked dark, really dark. As I was going to take my first steps, I felt a void underneath my feet and backed off. I was sweating this time, no longer smiling as it faded.
I was frightened. I looked down into my bedroom, but there was nothing, only darkness. It was empty, literally. I poked my head through the room to see a dark space. The cat seemed as frightened as I was in my arms.
"Guys, something happened. What's going on?" I asked, expecting my friends to be known behind me. Yet no answer, nothing.
I looked behind me to see nobody.
"This isn't funny, guys. Where are you?" No one responded.
"MOM, DAD," I shouted and screamed, but no response.
I was freaking out, my legs shaking, the only thing that hadn't left me was the cat in my arms, just as scared as me.
I wanted to look down the stairs, but I was too scared of what might show up, or more specifically, what might not show up.
I looked down at the only thing that hadn't left me, looking into the cat's eyes. I then looked around – this wasn't my house. The clean white painted walls and ceiling were all gone, now what stood in their place were shabby brick walls and a wooden ceiling, which was dust and mould stained.
My room was still dark. I fell to my butt and crawled back, not wanting to be sucked within the darkness, my body was trembling.
My body was to the back of the brick wall. This wasn't my house; this wasn't my life. But the thought of it really being my life was the most terrifying thing I could think of.
"No, no, I want mommy. I want my father. Where are they? Mom, Dad, where are you? I NEED YOU," I shouted again.
But this time, I heard the faint sounds of people talking downstairs – it was mother's voice and fathers.
I stood to my feet, going back down the stairs.
"Mom, dad, you're here. Don't you ever leave me," I said before I could get their attention.
"Every day I work my ass to the bone, and for what? You too complain that I'm not spending money right. Do I look like I have that kind of money to spend, you selfish bitch," my father said, but I didn't want to believe that my father said it. No, it can't be.