"Dad!"Caius said as he saw his dad at the door. When he went closer he realized his dad wasn't alone. They were... arguing?
Caius wanted to interfere, so he started running to the house only to stop in his tracks as he saw the man punch his dad. What shocked him even more was his dad just accepted It and didn't even fight back.
'Hell no, not on my watch!' as he was about to run to them he was stopped by a woman who harshly grabbed his arm.
"It's not your place to interfere."
"It is If It's about my dad!"
"No, be nice and shut up." the woman coldly replied. With the time being late and It being dark outside he couldn't see the woman well.
After the woman's words, he just stood there, watching his dad get bullied.
"Fuck out of our land!" he heard the man scream at his dad.
After a while, the man descended the house's old stairs. With his every step, the stairs creaked. Seeing the man leaving the woman let go of Caius's arm.
"Go and sleep, It's quite late," the woman said with a tone he could have described as motherly If she didn't let his dad get bullied and not let him help.
Caius stood frozen for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched the man disappear into the darkness and the woman followed suit. The air was thick with tension and unspoken questions.
Gathering his courage, Caius rushed to his father, who was still standing by the door, nursing a bruised cheek. "Dad, what the hell was that? Who were those people?" he demanded, his voice a mix of concern and frustration.
His father, Trevor, sighed heavily and wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Caius. Just some old business. Go inside and get some rest," he said, his tone weary but firm.
Caius wasn't having any of it. "Old business? Dad, I just saw you get punched, and you didn't even fight back! What's going on? You can't just brush this off like it's nothing."
Trevor placed a hand on Caius's shoulder, his grip gentle but insistent. "Son, please. I appreciate your concern, but this is something I need to handle on my own. There are things you don't understand, and I don't want you getting involved."
"But Dad," Caius protested, his eyes pleading for answers. "You can't keep shutting me out. I want to help."
Trevor shook his head, a mix of sadness and resolve in his eyes. "I know, Caius. But this is my burden to bear. You've got enough on your plate with the new school and adjusting to this town. Trust me, okay? I'll be fine."
Reluctantly, Caius nodded, though the unease in his chest didn't dissipate. "Alright, but if you need anything, promise you'll tell me. I don't want to be kept in the dark."
Trevor managed a faint smile. "I promise. Now go upstairs and get some sleep. We'll talk more in the morning."
Caius turned to head inside, but not before casting one last worried glance at his father. He climbed the creaky stairs to his room, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. Lying in bed, he couldn't shake the image of his father getting punched and the mysterious woman who had prevented him from intervening.
Sleep came fitfully, plagued by questions and concerns. Caius knew his father was keeping secrets, and it gnawed at him. He resolved to find out the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. Even though he said he wouldn't interfere with whatever was going on, he knew he simply couldn't ignore It.
'Would skipping school from the first day be bad?' His dad would definitely get angry. 'Then I will find the man after school. I have to tell Kial I won't be able to come.'
Caius opened his phone and texted Kial.
C: Hey Ki
C: Sorry, but I won't be able to come after school.
C: Something really important came up
C: Later maybe?
K: It's okay Kai. We practice every day after school so you can come whenever you are free. See you at school and goodnight.
'I feel bad about canceling but finding that man is extremely important'