The color red stained my hands as I roughly kept wiping my eyes. I didn't understand why I was crying but all I knew is that it hurt...

This was the only time I was able to feel pain and it wasn't a minor ache it was pure torture.

It felt like somebody was trying to force my eyes out with a spoon.

Blood continued to drip down my cheeks and onto the concrete floor without a care while I tried my best to stop it.

But nothing was working...

I needed my dad.

I got up from the cold floor and decided to walk to where he worked. I knew leaving the brat alone with Aamina and Cymphony probably wasn't the best idea, but just the terrified look on the brat's face was enough for me to run out of that house.

My sleeves were now covered in dark red patches from wiping my eyes so I quickened my pace as I felt the horrible pain in my eyes get worse.

This is why I never cried. Instead of real tears I cried actual blood..

It was another part of me that I didn't understand and wanted nobody to find out about.

I approached the building where my dad worked and made my way inside before anybody caught me.

I headed for the back area and saw my dad fixing cement blocks on the ground. He had his white safety helmet on and neon colored vest.

Without wasting any time, I approached him and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

The other workers were occupied in their own work so they didn't notice my bloody tears.

"Royce?" my dad questioned and immediately knew what was wrong with me when he saw my eyes.

He quickly took off his white gloves and guided me back into the building. We went to a men's restroom and my dad made sure to lock the door.

"How bad does it hurt?" he questioned once we were alone in the quiet bathroom.

I rubbed my eyes and avoided looking at my reflection in the mirror. "Really bad." I finally cried out, not being able to handle the pain anymore.

My dad grabbed some paper towel and splashed some water on a couple before he started to clean my eyes.

"It's alright my son. Just try to control your crying or the tears will continue to burn down your cheeks." my dad calmly instructed and embraced me in a hug.

I hugged him back and cried on his shoulder even though it was the worst pain I have ever felt.

"Shhh..it's okay. You know I'm always here for you, Royce. Be strong for me, my boy, just like I know you are." my dad encouraged and held me tighter, not caring if I stained his shirt with my tears...

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried my hardest not to scream in agony. My dad felt my torture and started to rub my back to calm me down.

He knew more than anybody else the type of pain I was feeling. He was the only one who understood what I went through every time I cried.

Not only couldn't I feel pain but when I actually cried it was blood and it felt like acid falling down my eyes.

I remember as a child my mom would hold me in her arms and cleaned my eyes the best she could. Mark always witnessed it so he knew what to do when it happened again.

Just the blurry images of my mom and her soft touch relaxed my tired body and stopped my tears.

I let go of my dad and tried to wipe my face again but he stopped me and did it himself instead. I felt like a child who got hurt as he cleaned my face and tried his best not to show his frown.

Mark was a great man who was nice enough to raise me as his own when my mom died. Even after all the crap I give him, not once has he rejected me as his son.

"Thank you." I told him sincerely as I looked him straight in the eyes.

He smiled and continued to clean my face. "There's no need to thank me, Royce. It's my obligation as your father to help you no matter what." he replied.

"Can I know what caused you to break down like this? It's been almost three years since I've seen you cry." my dad questioned.

I walked towards the small sink and washed my face before answering. "I just couldn't control my emotions." I confessed, remembering the brat's face.

"Did anybody see you?" my dad continued to ask with concern.

"Chris did.." I replied and looked down at my hands.

"Well he's your brother now so it's not a big deal. He was eventually going to know about it." my dad tried to make me feel better.

'My brother'...

I can only imagine how disappointed my dad would be in me if he found out what I was doing with my 'brother'.

"Now that you're feeling better you should go home and rest. I'll explain everything to Chris when I get home." my dad said and guided me back outside.

My eyes still slightly stung but didn't compare to the pain I felt not too long ago.

"I'll see you at later." I told my dad and waved goodbye before I started to make my way back home.

I didn't want to face the brat at the moment but I couldn't leave him alone with Aamina and Cymphony.

So with a heavy sigh, I went through the longest pathway that led me home...

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

"C'mon! just one more beer!"

"Don't leave so soon!"

"You just had three shots, that's nothing man!"

I pushed through the crowded bar and just needed to go home already. Getting drunk wasn't my plan but my addiction got the best of me..

It was already one in the morning and I knew my dad was going to be furious with my actions.

I wouldn't blame him.

As I left the unfamiliar bar, I felt like somebody was watching me. I was a bit drunk but I was still sober enough to know where I was going.

My head felt dizzy and my vision wasn't so clear anymore but that didn't stop me from noticing the tall man staring at me.

His shadow was hidden between the two buildings across the street as his face was focused on me.

Something about his suspicious presence made it very clear he was dangerous and a total creep.

I walked faster and kept feeling the man's dark stare behind me no matter how further away I got.

I refused to turn around and understood quickly what his intentions were..

I walked down the street and instead of heading home I headed for the opposite direction. No way was I going to lead this psycho to my house where all the people I cared about lived.

So I went to the park and loved how dark it was. The street lights were barely working so some were flicking on and off.

I sneaked into the playground that had a big slide and decided it would be the best place to hide in.

I waited a couple of seconds and as expected the stranger following me passed by. I stuck my foot out and tripped him before he could get away.

He landed on the ground with a groan and immediately grabbed his leg in pain.

I approached him and tried to recognize his face. There wasn't much light so it was impossible.

"Why the hell are you following me you creep?!" I yelled and kicked his side causing him to let out another groan.

"I..I...I'm your uncle!" he coughed out in pain.

I froze in my spot and stopped kicking the man. He coughed several times before he stood up.

"I'm your mother's brother." he stated seriously and wiped his bloody mouth. "I recognized you in the bar and had to talk to you so I waited outside."

I rubbed my face in confusion and had no memory of my mom having a sibling.

"You're a filthy liar! Stay away from me or I swear I'll make you regret it!" I bitterly replied back and started to walk away from him.

Does he think I'm stupid enough to believe him?

"Let me prove it to you!" the stranger yelled, causing me to stop in my tracks.

I turned around and waited for his answer.

He looked unsure for a bit then did something that quickly made me frown. The way he grabbed his earlobe to think about something immediately reminded me of my mother.

Now I could see the resemblance between them.

"You can't feel pain and when you do...you cry blood.." he said and coughed once more.

I stayed silent at hearing his true words and couldn't believe he was actually my uncle.

"Come with me, Royce. You're not safe here. Don't end up like your mother." he tried to persuade and quickly approached me.

He grabbed my arm and tried to take me with him. "I warned your mother and she never listened to me, now look at what happened to her. I've been looking all over for you and I'm so happy to see you alive." he rushed out.

Just then my phone started to ring and I knew it was my dad.

"What are you talking about? Where the hell are you trying to take me?" I protested and pulled my arm fom his firm grip.

We stopped walking and he looked at me with a hard stare. " I'll explain everything when we leave this place. Your dad has been hiding things from you." he replied.

I rudely scoffed and pushed him away from me. "I don't care if you're my uncle, I'm not going anywhere with you." I replied.

"Plea-" he tried to argue back but I quickly decided to runaway from him.

I ran home without turning back and entered my house while making sure to lock it. I rushed through the livingroom and met my dad by my bedroom door.

Before he could lecture or yell at me I questioned him about my mom having any siblings.

His answer made my stomach twist in discomfort and made me question just how that man knew so much about me and what would of happened if I actually left with him..

"Royce, your mom was an only child.."