Atsushi was just a stray dog. A dog that you could never get rid of, one that begged for life to go his way just once. He did what was necessary to survive. God, he was desperate—desperate to feel a sense of belonging. He wanted to feel like he accomplished something. Yet, Atsushi knew deep down inside that he’d always lose. He was worthless, everything he did only hurt himself and those around him. No one would want a child that was as useless as him. He remained this way after he became eighteen, Atsushi could never fully change what he has become. The abuse he endured during his childhood left a permanent scar on him. He felt like he deserved it for being a nuisance. Atsushi would get hallucinations every so often, ones of the orphanage’s director and other people in his life. Mainly of the director who abused him.

Being Atsushi’s roommate was no easy task. You’d often wake up to the sounds of crying or loud crashes from his room—probably the noises of him falling out of his bed. You knew he was emotional, which wasn’t unusual to you since you were too. He would always apologize whenever he felt like he messed up or if he upset you. Atsushi was just a boy who was dealt the worst hand in life.

Today, yet again—he awoke from a nightmare. Atsushi hated being alone, especially when it came to times like this. He usually cried himself to sleep while hugging one of his pillows, but this dream was especially intense. He got up from his bed and slowly walked over to your room. He got to your door and gave it a few gentle knocks.