"You think you've made a difference in this life, boy? You haven't and you never will. I wish we'd never even had you." He looked past his arms and his father was still there, his face still menacing, towering over him. He was unbelievably tall. There was no way Joel could defend against him now. He was too big. "You think you're big enough to stop me now, you little shit? I'll always be stronger than you." "Never fucking listen to me, a day in your life. Like your bitch of a mother." His mouth grew larger, his voice roaring in Joel's ears, impossible to ignore. "You'll listen to me now though, won't you?" "Mommy!" Joel screamed, covering his head and cowering down in the corner. His mother appeared, her face an unreadable mask. She looked down at him and said nothing. Surely she would be on his side? He'd spent his life trying to protect her. She was his mother. She'll say something to stop him. "Get the fuck out!" his father screamed. "We've both been waiting for this day. Get the fuck out!" The door behind Joel flew open, wind and rain blowing against his back. And it was cold. Unbearably cold. "Mom?" His mother looked up at him with eyes that matched the chill he felt from the darkness behind him.
