The hallway of the apartment building was dimly lit, a single flickering bulb casting jittery shadows on the stained walls. Garth led the way, his heavy boots scuffing against the chipped linoleum as Jahnny trailed close behind, clutching his jacket tightly around him. The bottle of pills was nestled deep in his pocket, the cool plastic pressing against his thigh. He could still hear the echo of the nurse\u2019s stern voice in his head, rattling off instructions about dosage and side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe quiet,\u201d Garth hissed as he reached the apartment door, fishing for the key in his pocket. The door creaked softly as he pushed it open, and they slipped inside like shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The air inside was thick with the faint smell of reheated beans and damp laundry. The familiar sounds of the neighborhood drifted in through a broken window in the living room\u2014distant sirens, a car revving, someone shouting down the block. Jahnny followed his father into the kitchen, careful to keep his footsteps light, but his stomach dropped when he saw her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie was sitting at the small wooden table, arms crossed, her face set in a stony expression. The single bulb above her cast harsh shadows on her tired features, making her look older than she was. She didn\u2019t say anything at first, just watched them with narrowed eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell?\u201d she finally said, her voice low but sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garth froze for half a beat, then forced a grin. \u201cMarie, sweetheart, didn\u2019t expect you to still be up.\u201d He slipped off his jacket, draping it over the back of a chair like he hadn\u2019t just walked in after dark with their seven-year-old son, whom he took without telling her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere were you?\u201d Marie\u2019s tone was clipped, her eyes shifting to Jahnny, who was doing his best to stay out of the line of fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust out makin\u2019 moves, you know how it is,\u201d Garth replied with a casual shrug. \u201cGotta keep the cash flowin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie\u2019s lips pressed into a thin line. \u201cWhat moves? What\u2019s so important you\u2019ve got Jahnny out at this hour?\u201d Her gaze flicked to the boy, her expression softening briefly before hardening again when she returned her focus to Garth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garth waved a dismissive hand, chuckling lightly. \u201cRelax, it wasn\u2019t nothin\u2019 dangerous. Just showin\u2019 the boy the ropes, teachin\u2019 him some life lessons. It\u2019s good for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jahnny stood silently, his fingers gripping the edge of his pocket where the pill bottle rested. He felt Marie\u2019s gaze land on him again, scrutinizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat kind of life lessons?\u201d she asked coldly. \u201cBecause it smells like a bar in here, Garth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, give me a break,\u201d Garth snapped, his grin faltering. \u201cI\u2019m out here bustin\u2019 my ass for this family while you sit around lookin\u2019 for things to nag about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie shot to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare,\u201d she hissed, her voice trembling with anger. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare pretend like you\u2019re doing this for us. You\u2019re dragging our son into your mess!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMess?\u201d Garth shot back, his tone rising. \u201cYou wanna call puttin\u2019 food on the table a mess?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jahnny\u2019s voice slipped out before he could stop it. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a bar. We went to this clinic place\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room fell into a tense silence. Jahnny immediately regretted speaking. Garth\u2019s head snapped around to glare at him, but it was too late. Marie\u2019s eyes widened as she took a step closer, her gaze darting between the two of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA clinic?\u201d she repeated, her voice shaking. \u201cWhat clinic?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt ain\u2019t what you think,\u201d Garth said quickly, raising his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat clinic?\u201d Marie demanded, her voice louder now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just some trial thing,\u201d Jahnny mumbled, looking down at his shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie\u2019s expression darkened as she turned on Garth. \u201cYou signed him up for clinical trials? Are you out of your damn mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garth rolled his eyes, snatching his jacket off the chair. \u201cIt\u2019s not a big deal. Just a few pills. They pay good money for this kinda thing. Hell, it\u2019s probably vitamins or somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie\u2019s hands trembled as she reached for the jacket. Garth moved to block her, but she was faster, yanking it away and pulling out a crumpled packet of papers stuffed into the inner pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes scanned the first page, her face growing paler with each line. \u201cExperimental drug trials?\u201d she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. \u201cGarth, he\u2019s seven! Seven!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, and he\u2019s a tough kid,\u201d Garth snapped. \u201cIt\u2019s not like they\u2019re cuttin\u2019 him open or anything. You\u2019re blowin\u2019 this way outta proportion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie\u2019s hands clenched around the papers. \u201cYou are unbelievable. You\u2019re gambling with our son\u2019s health, Garth. For what? A quick buck?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo keep this damn family afloat!\u201d Garth roared, slamming his fist on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jahnny flinched, his small frame trembling as he stood rooted to the spot. Marie didn\u2019t back down, stepping closer to Garth, her fury palpable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re doing this to feed your own addictions,\u201d she spat. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare pretend you\u2019re some kind of savior. You\u2019re a selfish bastard, and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garth\u2019s face twisted, his hands balling into fists at his sides. \u201cYeah? Well, if I\u2019m so selfish, maybe you should figure out how to pay the rent next month without me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jahnny wished he could disappear. The tension in the room was suffocating, and he felt like a pawn caught in a battle he didn\u2019t understand. His small hand instinctively reached for the pill bottle again, gripping it tightly as if it might anchor him in the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie\u2019s voice cracked with emotion. \u201cYou don\u2019t get to do this. Not to him. Not to any<\/em> of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s done now,\u201d Garth snapped, grabbing the papers from her hands. \u201cAnd guess what? He\u2019s fine. Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 wrong with him, so maybe you should back the hell off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator. Marie looked at Jahnny, her eyes filled with worry, then back at Garth with disgust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not a father,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cYou\u2019re a goddamn leech.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth glared at her, then turned on his heel. \u201cCome on, Jahnny. We\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny hesitated, looking back at his mother. Her face softened as she reached out a hand to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay, Jahnny,\u201d she pleaded. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to go with him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Garth\u2019s voice cut through the moment like a blade. \u201cGet your coat, kid. Now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny swallowed hard, his small legs carrying him toward the door as he followed his father out into the cold night air that hit him like a slap, biting through his thin coat as he followed his father down the decaying steps of their apartment building. Garth moved fast, his long strides fueled by anger, muttering a string of curses under his breath. Jahnny had to jog to keep up, his small feet slapping against the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat woman,\u201d Garth snarled, his voice low but venomous. \u201cThinks she can talk to me like that? After everything I\u2019ve done for her, for this family? Ungrateful bitch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny kept his head down, the pill bottle in his pocket feeling heavier with every step. He wasn\u2019t sure what he was supposed to say, so he said nothing, his breath puffing in little clouds in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLeech?\u201d Garth spat, his voice rising. \u201cShe called me a damn leech? I\u2019m the one out here bustin\u2019 my ass to keep a roof over their heads!\u201d He stopped abruptly, turning to look at Jahnny with wild eyes. \u201cAin\u2019t I, kid? You saw me tonight, right? Workin\u2019 hard, doin\u2019 what it takes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny nodded quickly, not wanting to set him off. \u201cYeah, Dad,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDamn right,\u201d Garth muttered, his jaw clenched. \u201cUngrateful. The whole lot of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They walked in silence for a while, the city around them eerily quiet. Most of the streetlights in their neighborhood were busted, leaving only the glow of a distant liquor store sign to light their way. The cold crept into Jahnny\u2019s fingers, numbing them even though he shoved his hands deep into his pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019re we gonna do, Dad?\u201d he asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth stopped walking and let out a long, angry breath. He looked up and down the street, as if searching for an answer in the cracked pavement or boarded-up windows. \u201cHell if I know,\u201d he muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. \u201cShe\u2019ll lock me out, I know she will. Can\u2019t go back in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny shuffled his feet, his gaze drifting back toward their building. The dim outline of their apartment window was visible from where they stood, a warm rectangle of light cutting through the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth followed his son\u2019s gaze, his expression hardening. \u201cYou know what? Fuck this,\u201d he said suddenly, his voice tight with rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Jahnny could ask what he meant, Garth stooped down, grabbing a loose rock from the edge of the sidewalk. He weighed it in his hand, his jaw clenching as he stared up at their apartment window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDad,\u201d Jahnny started nervously. \u201cWhat are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rock flew through the air before he could finish. It smashed through the kitchen window with a loud crash<\/em>, the sound shattering the stillness of the night. Jahnny jumped, his heart racing as he stared at the broken glass glittering on the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A moment later, Marie\u2019s voice erupted from the apartment, sharp and furious. \u201cWhat the hell is wrong with you, Garth?! Are you insane?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth just stood there, breathing hard, his fists clenched at his sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet out of here!\u201d Marie\u2019s voice rang out again, louder this time. \u201cYou\u2019re not coming back in, you hear me? You\u2019re not welcome here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A baby\u2019s wail cut through the night, piercing and desperate. Jahnny winced, recognizing Betsy\u2019s cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, great,\u201d Marie shouted, her voice muffled but still furious. \u201cYou woke the baby, you son of a bitch!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth\u2019s face twisted into a sneer. \u201cYeah, well, maybe you shoulda kept your mouth shut!\u201d he yelled back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The window above them slid open, and Marie leaned out, her face red with anger. \u201cYou think you\u2019re a big man, huh? Throwing rocks like a goddamn child? You\u2019re pathetic, Garth. Pathetic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garth took a step closer, his voice rising. \u201cPathetic? I\u2019m the only one keeping this family afloat! You\u2019re the one sittin\u2019 on your ass all day, complaining about everything I do!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny shrank back, trying to make himself invisible as the argument escalated. Marie\u2019s face twisted in rage, and she threw something down\u2014a plastic bowl, which clattered harmlessly on the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare blame me for your mess!\u201d she screamed. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who gambled away everything we had. You\u2019re the one who\u2019s ruined this family!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Betsy\u2019s cries grew louder, a frantic backdrop to the shouting match. Jahnny\u2019s stomach churned as he glanced up at the broken window. He wanted to yell at them to stop, to do something to make it all go away, but he was frozen in place, his small frame trembling in the cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on, kid,\u201d Garth growled suddenly, grabbing Jahnny\u2019s arm. \u201cWe\u2019re done here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jahnny stumbled as Garth dragged him down the street, away from the apartment building and the sound of his mother\u2019s yelling. He looked back once, catching a glimpse of Marie leaning out of the window, her face still contorted with anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The night swallowed them up, the shadows growing darker as they left the warmth of the apartment\u2019s light behind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Out in the Cold The hallway of the apartment building was dimly lit, a single flickering bulb casting jittery shadows on the stained walls. Garth led the way, his heavy boots scuffing against the chipped linoleum as Jahnny trailed close behind, clutching his jacket tightly around him. The bottle of pills was nestled deep in … Continue reading “Garth\u2019s Actions \u2013 Chapter 5”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":664,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/663\/revisions\/664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harthorns-reverie.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}