Chapter 66
When he got home, Koi saw the lights on in the motorhome and involuntarily sucked in a sharp breath. Someone was inside. There was only one person that could be. His father was waiting for him.
Gulp. He swallowed dryly and noisily. Koi barely restrained himself from turning around and running away. It was something he would have to face eventually. It would be fine, as long as his father wasn’t drunk. After his mother left, his father drank nearly every day and rarely spoke to Koi even when he was sober. He would always stare into empty space with a vacant look before going out, and most of the time, he came home drunk.
For a while after his mother left, his father hit him every time he saw him. Koi constantly avoided him and often spent his nights outside, getting drenched in the cold dew, waiting until his father passed out drunk. After a few years, his father seemed to grow used to his presence and started ignoring him altogether. Even when drunk, he acted like Koi didn’t exist as long as he didn’t show himself—and for Koi, that was better. Nobody likes getting hit.
When was the last time he got hit?
Koi suddenly tried to recall. It had been a while. By now, his father’s violent habits should’ve resurfaced. If he was drunk, it was bound to happen.
What should I do?
He couldn’t bring himself to go in or run away and was frozen with anxiety when suddenly the door burst open. Startled, Koi instinctively held his breath—and then he and his father locked eyes.
“...Koi!”
His father’s face went pale as he called his name first. Koi stood frozen in place, unable to move, and his father came running out.
“Ah!”
A rough hand grabbed his arm, and Koi let out a scream. His father yanked him in and held him tightly with both hands, shouting violently.
“You stupid brat! Do you have any idea where you’ve been, staying out all night like that?!”