On the Other Side

Chapter 7


William hadn’t been this excited since…well, he couldn’t remember when. He had a date with the prettiest girl in school, Buffy Summers. She had golden hair and a sunshine smile and was so sweet and was simply…perfect. Finished critiquing himself in the bathroom mirror, he sighed. Due to his “research,” he’d been able to get a decent hair cut, and his throat no longer felt like he’d swallowed acid. He was beginning to feel a bit more like himself.

Now to make it past the firing squad.

William was unsure what his father would say. Xander went to visit his friends in the evening often, although William was more likely to stick close to home. Of course, Xander wasn’t going out on “dates.” Since he wasn’t quite old enough to drive William planned to walk but, since he and Buffy had planned on an earlier show, he would return soon after supper was served. Smoothing his jacket, he entered the kitchen, where his father was peeling an orange and Xander was balanced precariously on his knees on one of the barstools.

“Wow! Where you goin’?” Trust Xander to trip him into the subject.

William took a deep breath, wiping sweaty palms on his pants legs. Eyes fixed on the floor, he spoke. “I’ve, uh…I mean…I’m going to the cinema, I should be back before supper’s finished.”

Twirling his lower body on the stool, Xander’s face lit up. “Whatcha gonna see?”

William reached up and scratched the back of his neck nervously. “I, uh, don’t know. I was going to let her…pick.” He rubbed his forehead vigorously. He’d not meant to mention Buffy.

“You’ve got a date!?!” Xander stopped his twirling for a moment, before resuming at half-speed.

William chewed on his lip furiously before replying softly, “…yeah.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father’s movements come to a halt. He cringed inwardly but, when no reprimand was forthcoming, he took a half-step towards the doorway, his feet tangling amongst themselves. He lurched across the kitchen, trying to regain his balance, and finally righted himself in the doorway. He felt his face flame.

“So…yeah. I’ll…be…back.” With that, he ran to his room to grab his wallet – he’d neglected to grab it earlier. Counting to make sure he had enough dosh for the evening, he didn’t notice the figure blocking his path. He ran right into his father, who gripped his shoulders and pinned him against the wall.

“Let’s get one thing straight: you’re mine, understand?”

Before William could respond, hot, sticky lips were mashed against his own. He cried out in surprise, and his father’s tongue plunged into his mouth, the sour taste of alcohol assaulting his tongue. He struggled in the older man’s grasp, but was no match for his father’s strength. William finally went limp in the man’s arms, mouth hanging open to the assault. Then the tongue was withdrawn and the lips pulled away.

William timidly raised his gaze to meet his father’s possessive stare.

“Remember that.”

The older man’s grip was released and William sagged against the walforefore scrambling away.

He felt his father’s eyes on him all the way to the front door.

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Review? Please??
*pout*