Mosquitoes terrified Tao Jr. to no end. A number of things terrified him actually, courtesy of his dotting father who spent the majority of his childhood warning him of the dangers of anything remotely dangerous. Although he was skeptical of his father’s words thanks to his mother’s constant berating. But mosquitoes were on the top of the list of things he was irrationally afraid of thanks to his dad along with the bathroom a night and peanut butter.
He was at his auntie and uncle’s house on his daily four hour or so visit his mother strongly insisted upon. He didn’t mind though, cause he had his cousin Kris Jr. to play with and he really liked him cause Kris Jr. wasn’t scared of anything, although Kris Jr. was bossy and Tao Jr. doesn’t like it when Kris Jr. makes him be the seeker in hide and seek.
“Kris Jr.” Tao huffed. “I don’t want to be the alien.”
furrowing his freakishly large eyebrows Kris Jr. sent Tao Jr. a glare. “you gotta be the alien.”
“I’m tired of playing alien.” Tao Jr. crossed his arms attempting to look threatening to the older boy. Just because Kris Jr. was seven unlike Tao Jr. didn’t make him the boss in their games. “Why can’t you play alien?”
“cause im taller than you.” The older one sent him a smug smile. Tao Jr. grumbled and kicked at the dirt, he’s gonna ask mama for an extra helping of milk today for dinner, Kris Jr’s regime of evil couldn’t last.
“I don’t wanna play with you anymore.” Tao Jr. mumbled looking at the floor. He was upset, Kris Jr. was always so mean to him and he never did nothing. And his mom wasn’t here to fight his battles cause for some reason she and his baba were gone all afternoon doing god knows what. “im going home.” He won’t cry. Not in front of Kris Jr. Showing the other boy tears would just lead him to more teasing from the older boy.
“W-whos gonna protect you from mosquitoes then?” Kris Jr stood up at his best friend stomping away. “A-and mama says not to go home until your mama comes for you!” He yelled, scared that his friend was mad at him definitely.
“keep your big chin out of my business!” Tao Jr. yelled back and picked up his pace. He was gonna go home and ask his mama for some hot chocolate. He didn’t need stupid kris and his stupid new laser gun or even stupid auntie’s stupid quesadillas. Although he did love those cheesy concoctions. Maybe that was the secret to Kris Jr’s height?
“Imma tell my mama on you!”
“Do it! See if I care!”
wiping the tears with grubby hands Tao Jr. made his way through the screen doors and into the kitchen of his home. He pouted as he noted the fact that his father wasn’t pracing around in his gushi or whatever it’s called apron attempting to cook something edible for him. Usually on hot summer days such as these he’d be greeted with a yummy popsicle and the listening of ear his mama would obviously be mad at Kris Jr for being mean to him.
Although he rarely told her Kris Jr’s bullying, cause he knew that she didn’t care about the kid’s age when she went over next door to give him a mouthful. He was mad at Kris Jr., but that didn’t mean he want Kris Jr crying.
The house was quiet except for the quiet humming of the refrigerator. Brushing off the eerie silence Tao Jr. padded his way to his room taking a small detour past his parents room.
“Nnnnghhhh” he heard a groan followed by the furious squeaking of something. Jumping back a foot he stared at his parent’s door wearing an expression of terror. “S-stop.” A whimper escaped making Tao Jr’s eyes widen. Images of his father being attacked by a strong, scary monster came into mind. He remembers the night his father was talking about creepy crawlers that creep onto you the second you step onto the shower, hence the reason why he walked onto his mama and baba in the shower last week (to his dismay that wasn’t the case years later). His lips started quivering at the thought of something that scary sneaking into his house. The squeaking grew louder along his father’s cries. He could hear the erratic thumping of what seemed to be the headboard hitting the wall.
“Patrice!” His father screamed. Tao Jr was now grabbing onto his backpack as shield and ready to barge into the room. His mama was in trouble! Although he was sure she could fend for herself he wanted to save her! Without her he and baba wouldn’t have anyone to check the closets for any creepy crawlers or kill any ugly bugs while he’s in the restroom. “H-harder~ deeper!”
With his shaking small hands he pulled out Kris’ new laser gun (he stole it from Kris cause he’s mean and he doesn’t deserve such a cool toy). Now he was ready for battle. With a determined cry he busted through his parents room.
Only to find his baba stark naked tied up by the bedposts and then blanking out the rest. According to his mama he was having a nightmare a few minutes he woke up after he fainted. Although his therapist gives him a sad shake of his head ten years later as he starts recounting problematic things he’s experienced while growing up.
And to this day he’s leared the valuable lesson of knocking before entering any room.
