billy strauss . d2 . wip

B I L L Y   S T R A U S S

It was fascinating, the way people react when you do something considered taboo.

Mum used to always tell me that she loved me, that I was a good boy, her favourite little cinnamon bun. She used to pick me up in her arms, holding me out as she takes us on a ride, spinning us in a wide circle, faces spilt into grins so wide that out cheeks would ache. She would then pull me in close, pressing her forehead against mine, "I love you, my little prince," she would whisper, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I would then giggle, wrapping my arms around her neck and pulling her in close. "I love you too, mummy!"

The first time I noticed it was the day she walked in on me, the cat at my feet. Hands covered in blood, soaked in the crisis liquid. It was smudged on my face from where I had wiped it, an annoying fly had been buzzing around my head. I had tried to swat it but missed. Horrified she had rushed to my side, hands cupping my cheeks as she was consumed with worry, questioning me what had happened. She checked my body for injuries and it was then that I saw her features harder as she dropping my arm, taking a deep, steadying breath.

"Bill- Billy, what's going on here? What happened?" Cautiously she wipes her hands on her pants, staring at the blood that was smeared on her fingers. "Billy..." her eyes move from the cat, its stomach ripped opened, a knife covered in blood lay close by. "Did you do this?" Her eyes meet my own, and I smile, looking down at the bloody mess at my feet.

It had been so easy, the cat had tried to run, but I was fast. I think mum had been training me the whole time, all the tag that we had been playing, the hide and seek, it had all come in handy.

I thought that mum would have been proud.

She had been so distracted lately, with the new baby she claimed to be my little sister. All those hugs that had been reserved for me, were now shared between two. I didn't know why, but seeing her smiling, pressing her forehead against my 'sisters' made my heart beat faster, my hands ball into tiny fists.