One, two, three..
How many hits till he was done?
How many more bruises till he was satisfied?

Riley ached for the answer. He wished his father didn't drink so much tonight; which was more than usual.
Why? Riley always asked himself. Why does he take his anger and stress out on me? His pale blue eyes, nearly lifeless from all the abuse, and neglect. He stared at the ground as his father stumbled out of the room to most likely go pass out on the couch. The usual routine that happened almost every night.

The poor boy couldn't cry anymore. His eyes stung desperately in need to cry, but he just couldn't bring himself too; at least, not anymore. He stayed on the ground for what seemed like hours till he finally tried to get up.. He groaned and cried out in pain to feel so many broken bones. Though he couldn't go to the hospital. That would only make his dad more angry. Make him guilt trip Riley into feeling sorry for his father.

Riley hated what his father did to him. He wished he could run away if only his legs were able to work. He wished his mother was still around to make his father stop drinking and finally come back to his senses. He wanted his old happy life back. But he knew, that would never happen.

He knew, he would die in the same house he grew up in.

But at this point, it didn't faze him. He felt more relieved than scared that he may die soon. With that thought, he crawled up into his bed with a few sharp breaths and silent cries of pain. He closed his nearly lifeless eyes, that had dark black bags underneath as he quietly smiled to himself.

"If there is a god.. please don't let me die in vain. I want to be worth something, even just a little.. I don't want to die knowing that there isn't more to life than pain." He managed to whisper out as he slowly felt his conscious fading away.
He didn't know if he was going to wake up in the morning. He also didn't know if his words reached anyone. But he was happy to know that he was finally able to feel at peace for once in his 16 years of life.

//

It's been a long time since Riley ever thought about that night. And how he broke away from the chains of life and was reborn into a ghost. He sometimes visits his old house, where his father still lives. But now with a new family. He found out that he has a little half sister now, who has a bright smile and always looks so happy. But, Riley wasn't angry how his father changed, and how he has a new family to call his own. This is because he knew that his death changed his father into becoming a new man. He even turned himself in for the abuse and spent many years in jail for it.

Riley was happy to know that this little girl could live a better life with a better father than he did. And even talked to her sometimes alone. This was one of many parts of his new freedom. He got to see his little family grow up and watch them through their happiness and struggles. And also was able to help others that were in the same situation as he was alive. He helped many people live and survive from the terrible circumstances that they lived through.

Some say that he is still around, making friends and helping those in need.
What a kind hearted tortured soul.