Myshuno! Prompt #2: "Has anyone seen Bella?"
Prompt: "Has anyone seen Bella?" (penguingirl03)
Word Count: 279
Characters: Alexander Goth, Mortimer Goth
Spoilers: Set before the prologue.
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration as the shrill sound of his stepmother's laugh assaulted his ear drums.
He was desperately trying to finish an assignment for the following day. He had taken on an accelerated work load in a desperate attempt to graduate early, and, more importantly, escape to university.
He got up from his desk to close his bedroom door, but hesitated when he discovered his father looking flustered and standing aimlessly near the stair case. As much as he hated himself for it, for a brief moment, he considered just closing the door. His father's touch with reality was now nearly non-existent and every conversation Alexander had with his ailing father was a brutal reminder of how far the once great Mortimer Goth had fallen.
Mortimer noticed his presence before Alexander could retreat, "Has anyone seen Bella?" he pleaded urgently.
Bella.
The infamous Bella Goth.
His mother.
Although he noted to himself mirthlessly that he always thought of her as Bella. He didn't have the memories to bestow the title of mother on a woman who was essentially a stranger. His sister was the closest thing he had had to a maternal figure, but then again, she wasn't exactly available either.
In that moment Alexander couldn't even pity his own situation, his heart was too busy breaking for the man in front of him.
"Sorry, I have to finish an assignment," he offered lamely.
"That's okay Alex, I believe in you, you'll be fine," Mortimer replied with surprising clarity.
After closing the door, he sunk against the hard wood, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.
He hoped his father was right.