Every belt lash against Barry's back stung like poison. He winced and curled in on himself, knees under chin, hands clenching hair. He heard his mother in the background, down on the ground like him, screaming and sobbing. It hurt his heart to hear her in such distress but his own agony was overwhelming and horrifyingly evil. He knew the person controlling the belt is supposed to be human, supposed to be his father, but instead when he looks out of the corner of his eye, he sees black, cruel eyes and a long, pale face completed with canines poking over a thin lip. Because to him, that's what his father is: a monster.

He sat up in bed with a gasp, chills racking his spine and goosebumps crawling up his arms. This isn't the first time he's had that dream, nor does he believe it will be the last. It just hadn't revisited in a while and he forgot how to pull himself out of it. Barry doesn't remember the last time he had a good dream. In fact, he doesn't believe any of the dreams he has ever had were happy and full of things that made him glad to remember. It's always been nightmares and beatings.

He glanced at the clock and sighed, flopping back on his pillow. Up at four o'clock again, with a killer headache to boot. His phone buzzed on the nightstand and he snatched it up.

Mystery Girl: Hey, sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. I've just got a full schedule and the teachers don't like it when kids text in class.

Barry: That's all right. I was busy, too. Are you going to answer my question?

Mystery Girl: I was getting there. Hold your horses.
Mystery Girl: It will have to be last minute scheduling bc I've got busy weekdays and weekends are typically when I do nothing. Basically, text me when you have a time and place figured out and I'll clear my schedule. Good? Good. Now I gotta go. I expect a speedy return of my journal, Mister Atkins.

He smirked at the screen as he hit the power button and it turned black. Oh, it would be speedy, alright. As speedy as he could read and reply. Might as well start now. There was no way he was going back to sleep now.