Until he realized how late it was and that he had to go home.
Dylan stopped in front of the door, his heart pounding so hard it felt painful. His small body trembled, fear creeping up his spine as he stood there, unable to bring himself to knock or turn the handle.
Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he stayed frozen in place.
The door suddenly swung open. His mother stood there, a bat clutched tightly in her hand.
"I told you not to come home late," she said, her voice sharp and shaking with rage. "Do you not understand my words at all?"
"I-I'm sorry," Dylan whispered. His eyes never left the bat. He already knew how this would end.
"You bastard," she screamed. "You met your father, didn't you? I know it. You want to leave me too, just like him!"
She lifted the bat high. Dylan's breath caught in his throat. Panic exploded inside him as he moved on instinct, dodging just in time.
The bat slammed into the wall beside him with a dull crack as he turned and ran.
