DNA

DNA

Author's note: This story is based on a song called DNA and it’s by Lia Marie Johnson. It's my favorite song and I think you guys would love it too once you hear it. I am also very aware that this does not go with the prompt, none of them did. I hope you enjoy the story!

I woke up unaware of what time it was. I looked out the window, and it was dark as midnight. Just then, I heard the front door slam. As I raced down the stairs to see who or what it was, I saw a drunk man carrying a six-pack of Coors Light. It took me a second to realize that man was my dad. I didn’t know why I was surprised. He came home drunk a lot in the past year, but each time he looked and acted worse. I glanced over and saw my mom standing there, staring at my dad. 

As she looked over at me, tears filling her eyes she said, “Honey, it’s past your bedtime.” 

I nodded slowly and ran back upstairs to my room. I walked over to a window and saw blue and red lights flashing outside. They're taking him away. I thought. 

2 weeks later

My mom and I went down to the prison to go talk to my dad. As we walked inside I looked around at all the exits and all the prison guards wondering if things would get bad and I would have to make a run for it. We sat down at a round table in the left corner of the room. There were multiple tables with different people all in orange jumpsuits talking to other people. I looked over and saw a guard bring my dad into the room. My dad sat down across from me and my mom. 

“So, why are you even here?” My dad asked angrily. 

“We came to see you.” My mom replied trying to keep him calm.

“Why?!” He yelled. “Who two hate me! Did you come to rub it in that you guys are living an awesome life and I’m over here stuck in prison!?!?” 

“No, honey. Please stay calm. We want to talk to you so you’re not so lonely.” My mom said trying her best to sound calm.

“Oh, so you think I’m lonely!? You think that I can’t handle being away from my family?!” 

“No, dad. Of course, we don’t think that.” I said, “Can’t we just talk everything out?” I asked.

“No! I don’t want to talk things out with people that hate me!!” He was yelling louder and louder each time he opened his mouth. Everyone in the room had their eyes on us. 

“I don’t hate you,” I said trying not to show my fear.

“Oh really? Then why do you run and hide every single time I come home!?!?” Two prison guards ran over and took his arms. My mom and I got out of there quickly and quietly. 

“I hate to see you like a monster, that’s why I run and hide,” I said, tears filling my eyes. “What’s it like to leave me behind?” I asked softly as the tears ran down my cheeks. 

The guards pulled my dad out of the room and back into his cell. My mom and I drove home. 

“I won’t ever be like him,” I said on the car ride home to break the silence. 

“Honey, I know that you most likely won’t act like him but if you do fight it back.” 

“I’ll fight back the truth,” I said quietly as I stared at the floor. 

“Eyes like his can’t look away.” My mom said as the car pulled into the driveway. I nodded my head. 

I ran all the way up to my room once I got inside. 

But you can’t stop DNA, a little voice inside my head said. No, you can’t stop DNA. It was like something inside of me was trying to convince me that I was going to be like my dad. 

Four years later

It’s been years now and my dad should come out soon. I’ve been nervous ever since I found out that he might have to come live with us again. 

All of a sudden I heard a loud crashing sound. I raced down the stairs. I saw my dad walk into the house. 

“Miss me?” He asked. It was the second time this year he came crashing in. 

“Nice to see you too,” I said as I walked past him. 

That night I had a dream. A good dream. A dream that I wish was my life. I had a happy family. My dad was driving and I was laughing in the backseat while we were all listening to Johnny Cash. Sadly, it ended too soon. It seems like all the good dreams end before you want it to. 

Week after week and my dad is still living with me. But he’s taking better care of me because my mom is in the hospital with lung cancer. Today is the day that we are going to visit her for possibly the last time…

When we got there we talked to the front desk lady and she told us what room my mom is in. 

We headed to room 102 and knocked on the door when we got there.

My mom wasn’t doing good at all. She seemed as though she only had seconds to live. 

“I hate to say hello cause I know that it means goodbye.” She said right before she left the world. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I was crying harder than I ever cried before. 

I hate to ask but what’s it like to leave me behind. I said inside my head. It seems as though everyone I love is disappearing.

“I won’t ever be like you,” I said to my dad on the car ride home. 

“Are you fighting back?” He asked 

“I’m fighting back the truth!” I said almost too loudly, “Eyes like yours can’t look away!” 

“But you can’t stop DNA.” He said, trying to stay calm.

No, you can’t stop DNA. A voice inside me said as I walked inside the house. 

“Are the pieces of you in the pieces of me?” I asked once we entered the kitchen.

“You're just scared I’m who you’ll be.” He said taking the words out of my mouth.

I nodded and said, “When I erupt just like you do they look at me like I look at you.” 

He stared at me for a moment trying to understand. “You won’t be like me.”

“So, fight it back?” 

“Fight back the truth. Eyes like mine can’t look away.” 

“But you can’t stop DNA,” I said softly 

“No, you can’t stop DNA.” He said even softer

Thank you so much for reading I hope you liked it! If you want to hear the song here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YDV2WmyxyI