literature

Mihael's Childhood 2

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Literature Text

"Not now, Mihael. I'm busy,"

The eight year old watched as his father walked off and to his room. He didn't even try and glance at what Mihael was trying to show him. The small boy frowned and looked down at his report card. It was the first time he had ever gotten all A's. He had run home excited to show his dad, hoping for some kind words, maybe a pat on the head.

Mihael didn't even get glance.

The child slumped and walked off to his room. He was so lonely and he wanted to make his dad happy. He wanted his dad to at least look at him. What did he have to do to gain that?

"Wow! Straight A's?" Devlin gawked when Mihael showed him his report card later that day. "You sure are smart… heck- you might be smarter than me someday,"

"Yeah right," Mihael laughed and took his report card back. "You get lots a good grades too… why doesn't daddy ever notice?"

Devlin, who had been lying on his bed reading a book, sat up. He frowned down at his little brother.

"Dad's busy, that's all," He shrugged. "He cares- I just don't think he knows how to show it,"

Mihael nodded though it didn't really help him feel better. Devlin smiled for him and ruffled his hair.

"Come on, I'll get you some ice cream," He stood up and took out a five dollar bill from his allowance stash. Mihael smiled and hopped up and down.

"Ice cream? Really?"

"You got straight A's! You deserve something special," Devlin took Mihael's hand and they walked out and up to the nearest ice cream shop.

A couple weeks had passed, and Mihael's father was working even more. He picked up overtime shifts, which puzzled Mihael since they didn't really need very much money. Devlin said that their dad had fun at work, but Mihael began to wonder if he just liked staying away from his kids.

Night and day Mihael was taken care of by Devlin who was more of a parent to him than their father.  Devlin was only 14, but he seemed far older. He was intelligent and responsible. He always managed to keep up with school and make sure the house looked nice, and his baby brother was fed. Mihael didn't realize how much he depended on Devlin until later years. Without his older brother, Mihael's life would have been a lot more complicated and lonely.

Mihael still craved attention from his father. As much as Devlin praised him, it still wasn't enough.  He did so many good things- he got excellent grades and marks from his teacher. His artwork was put into special art shows at school. He even won some awards, but his father never reacted.

By the time Mihael reached the age of 9 he started to act out at school. He would disrupt class and interrupt the teacher. He became a class clown and the attention he received he loved. There wasn't a day that passed that he wouldn't get yelled at by his teacher.

"Mihael, you need to behave," His father told him one night at dinner. "Your teacher has been calling me a lot lately,"

Mihael was more excited than scared to hear that. Maybe his father would give him a good scolding? Maybe even look him in the eye?

It didn't happen and Mihael found himself angrily kicking at his wall later on that night. He dented the wall before sitting down on the floor and sighing. He needed to do something bigger apparently.  He needed to do something that would anger his father enough to pay more attention to him; only Mihael didn't have any idea on what he could do.

Mihael walked to school the next day. He hated the bus and it was warm enough living in California. He stepped on something when he was crossing the parking lot. The boy moved his foot and then crouched down to pick up the object he had stepped on.

It was a plastic, green lighter.

Mihael had seen one before since one kid he used to play with had a parent who smoked. He held the lighter out in front of him and tested it. He flicked it three times before it sparked to life. Mihael smiled and held it out in front of him. He had never held something so dangerous, it filled him with excitement, and he couldn't help but tremble a little.

He lowered the lighter and allowed the fire to die before he looked over at his school. He thought for a moment before his brain gave him an idea. Maybe God gave him this lighter for a reason? Mihael's smile grew and he shoved the lighter in his pocket.

Mihael had only wanted to cause a little chaos. He hadn't intended for the fire to catch and grow so fast. He wanted to get in trouble for setting the classroom plant on fire- not the entire school! How was he supposed to know there were flammable contents nearby?

Mihael rubbed at his eyes and watched a trail of smoke drift from the building in front of him. Nobody was hurt, but kids were crying. Parents had already started showing up after the fire trucks came.  His teacher, Mrs. Brooks, had a tight death grip on his arm. She was furious, and tears were building behind her thick glasses. When Mihael saw his father arrive he was happy and ecstatic, up until he saw the man's face. His father was both disappointed and furious. Mihael had noticed the dark scowl he gave him before changing his expression entirely. His father remained calm with ease during the short meeting with Mrs. Brooks, the principal, and the police. He had even smiled at them before turning to take his child home. Mihael whimpered a little as his father pulled him along to his car, nails biting into his wrist.

"Get in." His father let him go in front of the passenger's side.

Mihael was tempted to run instead, but knew that would just get him into even more trouble. He slowly got into the car, his entire body remaining tense. He wouldn't look up. His eyes stayed glued to the floor and his sneakers the whole way home.

His father never said a word.

Mihael had thought that maybe, just maybe his dad wasn't going to do anything. It wouldn't have been out of the ordinary after all, and Mihael slowly started to relax. He was relieved as he walked inside after his father, so relieved he let his guard down entirely.

The front door closed and Mihael was knocked to the ground. His elbows and knees stung and he hurried to sit himself back up. He spit out some carpet fuzz and pushed stray hair out of his eyes.

His father stood over him. He was no longer the parent who ignored their kids, but a monster with glowing red eyes.  Mihael opened his mouth but couldn't remember how to form words.

"You are an idiot!" His father began, so angry his arms shook as he yelled. "You have any idea how much trouble you're in?! How lucky you are the cops didn't take you away?!"

Mihael whimpered. "I- I'm sorry… I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean to start a fire? What else would a lighter do? Your TEACHER saw YOU light it purposely! What are you insane?!"

Mihael shook his head furiously, hot tears in his eyes.

"What were you thinking!?"

Mihael looked down and sputtered, trying to form a valid excuse for his behavior. His dad reached down and forced him back to his feet. Mihael let out a cry as his father yanked back on his hair at the back of his head. It forced him to meet his father's eyes, something he hadn't wanted to do.

"I wanted your attention," Mihael managed to blurt out.

His father's scowl remained the same.

"By setting a fire and getting expelled from school..." The man's voice held no emotion. "God, You are smart, aren't you?"

Mihael wanted to yell back at him that he was, and that it was true. That he would have never touched that lighter if his dad would talk to him sometimes. All he wanted was to feel loved, to feel important. Was that so much to ask for?

The child couldn't force himself to speak anymore.

A dark sounding laugh came from his father's throat. He turned and dragged Mihael to his room, still holding him by his hair.

"Pick those up," His father pointed at Mihael's desk. Several of his best pictures he had drawn or painted were there.

"Wh-Why?" The boy's voice cracked.

"Don't ask, just listen!" He shoved him over to the desk.

Mihael sniffled and shook as he tried to hold back his tears. He picked up the pictures and then followed his father outside. His dad made him put the pictures into the fire pit.

"You like to play with fire so much? Then... we'll play with fire," His father struck a match and then dropped it into the pile of Mihael's art. Mihael didn't cry out, but watched silently. He couldn't stop his tears from falling. His dad eventually went back inside but Mihael didn't pay any attention to that. All that mattered was the fire, the fire that was eating away his hard work and unique talent.

Mihael stayed with the fire until long after it had died. He played with the ash at the bottom of the pit, what was left of his best work. He didn't cry anymore, his tears had dried up, and he had become numb to all that had happened.

One thing he knew for sure. He would never try and win his father's attention ever again.

When warmth suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, he blinked, and noticed it was a blanket. Devlin crouched down beside him and smiled. Mihael didn't have to say a word and his older brother knew what was wrong and what he needed. Devlin hugged him tight and Mihael found that fresh tears had filled his eyes.

"I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Mihael's cries were muffled by Devlin's shirt.

"Shhh…" Devlin hugged him more and put a hand on the back of Mihael's head. "It's okay," He whispered.

Mihael sat with Devlin for a while. Slowly Mihael started to feel better, warm and comfortable in his big brothers arms.

"What was mom like?" Mihael suddenly spoke up and it startled Devlin.

"Mom?"

"Yeah," Mihael looked up and met Devlin's gaze. "I'm starting to forget her,"

Devlin smoothed his hand over Mihael's hair. "She was wonderful… the best mom we could have hoped for," He smiled.

Mihael nodded. "Please, tell me more," He wiped at his eyes and willed his tears away.

"Okay," Devlin laughed. "I'll tell you more,"

The stories went on for almost an hour before Mihael nodded off. Devlin took him inside and got him into bed. He knew how harsh their father had been, and even though Mihael had been wrong, he didn't deserve such a cruel punishment.

"Things will get better," Devlin whispered into the darkness as he stood at Mihael's door. "I'm not sure what exactly will happen, but believe me, things will get better,"

He turned and left. Mihael shifted a little in his bed. He had woken just enough to hear those words before falling back asleep again.
I finished this like a week ago 8D;; BUT since I'm bad at uploading things I'm a little late.

Anyway this is the second part about my character Mihael's sad childhood. Enjoy if you read : ) It's mostly written for me sooo if you don't like it it's okay~

Mihael and story (c) Marlin-Rae
© 2010 - 2024 Marlin-Rae
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deidaraart5's avatar
I almost got tears in my eyes from that ;u;