"You know I told your father." Rita said as she looked over at her son. "He's not going to be happy when we get home. This was supposed to be a fresh start and you really haven't tried at all to change." He didn't look at his mother as he stared out the car window. He knew he was in for it when they got home. He could almost feel it- everything his dad could think of. But it was worth it for Zaina's honor. Nobody was going to talk about her like that and not expect him to react some how. Maybe it seemed he was joking with her when he said it, but he meant it. She was pretty much his little sister, and any jock, prep, whoever wanted to start talking smack about her was going to get it. They were not empty threats- they were promises. "Honestly Deron, what is wrong with you? You have been nothing but trouble since you started school- even back home. It's like you don't even try to fit in. Do you like being the reject? Behavior like yours is going to get you expelled!"

She was still talking but he zoned out and ignored her as they pulled up to the house and he saw his dad's truck, his stomach tightening for a moment. 'Here's to a week of unrestricted beatings' he thought as he grabbed his bookbag and got out. He followed his mother into the house, attempting to go to his room with out a scene. "Boy!" he heard his dad bark from the living room. He closed his eyes and turned back, looking at him. "Get your ass over here." he commanded. But Deron didn't move; he stood firmly in his place, holding onto the strap of his bookbag as it crossed his shoulder.

"Got in a fight?" Kerry said, clearly unamused as he walked over to him. Deron looked down to the floor. It was a silent confirmation. He knew he was guilty but in his mind justified, no matter how anybody else looked at it. He suddenly felt the stinging of a hard backhand to his face. "What the fuck is the matter with you?" Kerry grabbed a fist full of Deron's hair and yanked his head back, forcing him to look at him. "You think just because you're upset you can act out? Huh?" He forcefully released his hair and shook his head. "Not even a month at your new school and you're already suspended. I swear you are fucking brainless." he turned back to his son, staring at him hard as he just looked down. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Nothing." Deron finally looked up at him, his eyes blazing with hatred. "I have my fucking reasons." he was beyond pissed but he knew how his dad would work- just like every time. He wasn't anywhere near as big as he was, being a cop and former Army Sargent, he knew how to take down- the sneak attacks, the training he had... "What did you just say to me?" His dad narrowed his eyes at him. "I said I have my fucking reasons you fucking bastard!" He saw his mother out of the corner of his eye, her hands flying to cover her mouth as he yelled back. Nobody ever spoke to Kerry that way- ever.

"You fucking punk." Kerry growled, smacking another back hand onto him, hard enough to knock him down. He propped himself on his hands and knees to try and stableize himself only to have a hard kick to the ribs throw off his balance. It was like he had struck a nerve as a flury of kicks hit his stomach, chest and face. He could feel himself getting dizzy from the blows to his head and stomach, knocking the wind out of him when they stopped suddenly and his dad grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall as hard as he could. Though his brain was shaken he couldn't help but wish that this was the time that would actually kill him. But instead his dad got into his face, holding him in place. "Don't you ever talk to me like that again boy. You understand me?" he punched him again, his hands wrapping around Deron's throat, choking the air out.

He couldn't keep eye contact but nodded wearily. "You are too fucking mouthy. Think you can talk down to me. I am going to make this week your worst fucking nightmare." He spat in his face, slamming his head into the wall again. He grabbed his shirt and dragged him down the hall to his room, almost like a dog, throwing him to the floor and slamming the door shut. Just them in his room. Kerry was staring hell through him; his fists clenching at his side. Their eyes connected and Deron knew what was coming as he tried to move to get away. But Kerry lifted his foot and pinned his body down, using his other foot to kick his ribs and stomach some more. After a good, few hard kicks he stopped, looking around his son's room. He made his way across the room and grabbed his stereo, throwing it to the ground and ripping out the cord, lashing it across Deron's body. He brought his arms up to shield his face as the end of the cord caused welts on his flesh, ripping it open and let him bleed all over his carpet. But he didn't scream or cry like he knew his dad was wanting. He wanted to break him and make sure he knew his place- as a beaten, broken child.

Kerry brought the cord up one last time and brought it down across his face as hard as he could, ending his punishment with a kick to the chest as he left his room. His head was spinning as he laid on his back, staring at the ceiling and tasting his own blood. It was for Zaina, he kept telling himself. His body was throbbing with pain and he knew it'd be a while before he could move. But at least he'd have a reason to give Zaina and Jeff for not being at school. He closed his eyes and rested a hand over his eyes. He knew there would be more to come and he knew this wouldn't be the last time he got into fights to ward off jerks from Zaina. And he had to wonder if he even cared about the consequences.