ERIC
The belt buckle sliced through the air before striking.
Crack.
Leather tore across my back hard enough to send me pitching forward onto the cold wooden floorboards.
A scream clawed its way up my throat, but I swallowed it back violently, biting down on my tongue hard enough to taste blood.
"You worthless, wolfless piece of shit!"
"Get up!"
My father's voice thundered through the dim cabin.
I scrambled upright immediately, breathing raggedly while my entire body trembled uncontrollably.
Moonlight spilled weakly through the dirty cabin windows, pale against walls stained with years of smoke and dampness.
The room reeked of whiskey, blood, and wolfsbane. My father's preferred combination whenever he decided punishment was necessary.
He stood across from me, broad shoulders blocking half the light. The belt hung loosely from one hand now, fresh blood smeared across the silver buckle.
Mine.
