Foot Fungus
New member
He sat, shivering in the dark, cold room. Muffled screams could be heard behind the old door. His tears flowed down his cheeks and he clutched his stuffed bear close to him, trying to drown out their yelling. He stared towards the door with fright and deep hatred. Suddenly there was a loud bang! and everything went quiet. He stopped shaking. His heart raced as he listened closely. Footsteps sounded on the dirty hardwood floor of the hallway, and they stopped in front of his door. The rusty knob twisted, and the door creaked open. His father came in the room and switched on the light. He was tall and underweight. His pale face was sunken in from years of drugs. "Hey, kiddo," he said nervously, with a vain attempt at a smile. "We're gonna go for a drive, ok, Toby?" Toby nodded and brushed some of his shaggy brown hair out of his face as he stood up, still clenching the stuffed bear. "Let's go out the back door, alright, bud?" His father covered his eyes as they walked out the door and let go when he shut it. They walked through the tall grass towards the leaning, weather carport housing the worn out Suzuki Samurai. The engine sputtered to life, and the smell of gas filled the air as white smoke drifted up into the night. The stars were particularly bright, and the night was calm. The tattered plastic windows rustled as they went down the street. "Toby, I can't keep you. You don't wanna be around me, anyway. Believe it or not, I want what's best for you. My life is ruined. There's no hope for me, except you. I want you to go out and do whatever you think is right. Here." He paused and reached into his pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. He handed them to Toby, who took them wordlessly, still in shock. His father stifled a tear. "Look, bud, you probably won't ever see me again, and if you don't want to, I don't blame you." His voice faltered as he broke down. "I want you to get an education, and get a good job. Don't turn out like me, Toby. Please, just do that for me, ok? Please." The tears rolled down his face. Toby nodded as the car slowed to a halt. "You better go, the police are probably looking for me." Toby unbuckled and got out of the car. As he was shutting the door, his father called out to him. "Wait!" Toby stopped and turned around. "Toby... I love you, buddy." "Love you too, Dad." He replied. "I might see you again, someday, bud. It'll probably be from a prison visitor's booth, but..." He broke off, the tears overpowering him. "Bye... Toby..." He choked, hanging on to the steering wheel. Toby shut the door and stood, waving as the Suzuki faded into the distance.