Inquiry

                                    

                                          
*Izuku POV*
                          
   Staring at the clock, I tap my pencil on my desk, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. I don't want it to ring. When it rings I have to go home. I don't want to go home and face him. I dont want to face him because I know what he's going to do. It happens every day. There's no escaping it.
   The bell rings and I gather my things, careful not to hit my already injured forearms. As I exit the classroom I notice Todoroki waiting by the door. I think nothing of it and go to walk past when suddenly I feel a hand grip my shoulder. I instantly flinch away from the touch.         "Sorry Midoriya, I didnt mean to startle you." Todoroki says in a comforting tone. I turn and look him in the eye, trying to shake of my dread of going home. "It's fine Todoroki. Did you need something?" I ask, wondering why he would bother waiting on me. "Well, actually I have a question for you," He clears his throat before continuing. 
   "Are you alright?" The question takes me by surprise, and I instantly tense. No one can find out about what happens at home. If they do I will be punished. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I ask, trying to be nonchalant. "Its just that..." he pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've noticed that you flinch and tense up when people touch you, like you're waiting for a punch or something. I see how careful you are to always keep your arms covered even during gym. I just want to know if someone is hurting you. Is it Bakugou? Has he been beating you, Midoriya?" I look at Todoroki in shock. How could I have been so careless. "I promise Bakugou isn't beating me Todoroki, I'm fine, don't worry." I give him a smile hoping to cover up the fact that I evaded the question. Before he can pry further I turn and rush out of the building. I look at my watch and realize I'll have to run if I want to get home without being late. I dont want the additional punishment. I rush down the sidewalks, wishing I didn't have to go home.
                          
As I walk through the door, the stench of alchohol and cigarette smoke invades my nose. Oh no, it's always worse when he's drunk... which is quite often. I try to tip-toe past the living room when I hear him yell "WAIT A SECOND BRAT!" I instantly freeze in place. He gets up off the couch, empty liquor bottles rolling off and hitting the carpet with dull thuds. I set my backpack down and lower my head staring at the floor. "Hi father." I say in a monotone voice, wanting to get this over with. "Don't get that tone with me boy!" He hits me across the face, not hard enough to leave a mark but it hurts nonetheless. He never leaves mark's that can't be covered. He orders me to go make dinner and I rush to the kitchen as fast as I can. I make Katsudon, hoping against hope that for once he let's me eat more than a few bites. He walks into the kitchen and I hand him our bowls. He fills his to the top, then barely puts any food in my bowl. Oh well. I grab the bowls from him and set them on the dining room table. He sits down and begins eating. I stay standing waiting for permission to sit and eat. After about 10 minutes he finishes his food and looks up at me. "You can eat now, you worthless pig." Curling his lip in disgust he glares at me and leaves the kitchen. I sit and eat, knowing what is going to happen very soon. I eat what measley food I have and then go wash the dishes, knowing how he gets when I don't. I take my time, in no hurry to bring on the pain. 
When I finish I head to my room, being as quiet as possible, hoping to buy myself some more time. I enter my room and rummage through my bookbag, finding my homework fir the night. I'm almost finished when I hear lumbering footsteps echoing up the stairs. Oh no. I hurriedly stuff my books in the bag and toss them in the corner of the room, waiting silently. The door is violently opened, slamming against the wall, making me flinch. My father comes in and grabs me by the back of the neck, dragging me down the hallway, to the room where my mother stayed. Before she had me. Before she died because of me. He shoves me to the floor in front of her shrine her parents made before they passed a few years ago. She had such a pretty smile. I'm pulled from my thoughts as my father kicks my legs out from under me. "YOU WORTHLESS BRAT! YOU KILLED HER! YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE DEAD, NOT INKO!" I couldn't agree more. I dont deserve to be here. He reminds me of that everyday. He kicks my stomach making me crumple, trying to protect myself. I whimper and ask- no, beg- for him to stop but that only makes it worse. He starts punching and kicking every exposed portion of my body that he can find, not caring about me being able to cover it up. He must have drank more than usual today. He's being careless. I fight against unconsciousness will all I have in me and he finally stops, leaving me alone in the room. I drag myself to my room, too weak to stand, and collapse on my floor, letting the darkness overtake me. I wonder what mom would think if she could see how dad treats me. Is she proud of him. Most likely. After all, why would she feel bad for me? If I hadn't been born, she would still be here, alive and well.
                          
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