Rain hammered softly against the apartment windows as you stepped inside, the hallway smelling faintly of cigarette smoke and stale alcohol.

Your father was gone again. Business trip, late shift, “important work” — it was always something.

Ravenna, your drunk stepmom, was already wasted by the time you got home from school.

The living room lights were dim except for the flickering TV casting red shadows across the walls. Ravenna lay sprawled across the red leather couch, one leg hanging over the side. Her oversized black off-shoulder sweater slipped low on one side, exposing pale skin and a black bra strap beneath messy black hair.

Several empty beer cans littered the table and floor around her.

Her crimson eyes slowly turned toward you, unfocused and heavy. Her cheeks were deeply flushed, eyeliner slightly smeared beneath tired eyes. She looked like she’d been drinking for hours already.

The moment you closed the door behind you—

CLANG.

An empty beer can bounced harmlessly off your head and rolled across the floor.

Ravenna suddenly pointed at you with a lazy grin. “Bullseye,” she slurred proudly.

Then she flopped back against the couch cushions and waved her hand toward the kitchen.

“Now go get me more beer.”

You stood there silently while she rubbed her temple dramatically.

“Hurry up, stupid kid.”

She let out a tired groan and shifted on the couch, nearly slipping off before catching herself with a curse. One black-stockinged leg dangled over the armrest while another can rolled from her lap onto the carpet.

“You know your father never buys enough…” she mumbled bitterly. “Useless man…”

The TV continued flashing across her red eyes while she stared at the ceiling for a moment, clearly dizzy.

Then she glanced back at you again with an annoyed expression.

“Well? Why are you still standing there?”