Bloodstock Island

The sun was rising as the hummer drove fast on the muddy road, passing the rice fields that swayed in the chilly breeze of the morning air. Cher’s auto-tuned song of “Believe” was playing on the radio. “Max, were you listening?” Lance taps his finger on the boy’s head when he couldn’t get any reaction after the long talk that he was giving his son. The boy was still half asleep from looking out the window, viewing the orange brick wall afar, though still in a daze, he turns his head towards his father. “Yeah dad,” Max answers, as his face creased when the car finally made a halt. Students were already crowding the black metal gate as each one was trying to get in before the bell rings. “Can’t I transfer to a different school?” Max blurts out, but grunts the remaining words when his father raised an eyebrow. He just couldn’t understand why he had to go to such a rundown place. The building’s paint was fading and cracking, some windows broken. The whole place was basically falling apart from all the damage. And the worst part was, there were just boys there again, except for some old female teachers. “What’s wrong with St. Michael? It’s one of the best in town.” Lance states, trying to lighten up the mood. Max frowns. “It’s the only one in town, dad.” Blowing out a sigh, he rolls his eyes. Holding to the handle of the car’s door, he stops to look at his dad one more time. “That doesn’t give us a choice now, does it?” Lance just laughs it out. Max frowns even more. “When will we leave this place?” “In a few more years. So, just hold out a bit more.” Sensing unease and worry, Lance’s face straightens a bit. “Until when, dad?” Max grins, teasing since he was confident that his few years were going to be more than just two or three. “When I’m sure that everything’s good.” Lance's left brow rose. Though there was a bit of authority in his dad's voice, he still had that mischievous smile that always lightens his mood. “And when will that be?” Max pouts, hitting his head on the car seat. For years, his father always said the same thing, but they never once left that town. He felt so cage, being stuck in that pace for years. Seeing the same old people, the same old stores. Not once had they ever tried going outside of that orange wall. Visit a mall, carnival, beach, or even just some random province outside the town. “Max, is someone bothering you in school again?” Lance asks, remembering an incident that happened a few years ago. “No dad, It’s just that, I feel so bored. Can’t we at least go someplace on vacation? Like in the city where you grew up or that island…,” he stopped when he saw his dad’s eyes. “No island!” Lance says with a grim tone. Max wasn’t able to finish since his dad cut him off. All he could do was stoop his head in embarrassment. He forgot that his father never wanted to talk about that place. It just so happened that he accidentally saw a picture of his dad once in that place. “Look, son, I’m sorry. I know life’s hard here, but we just can’t leave.” Lance tries to explain in the calmest manner, trying to give out a reassuring smile. The awkward silence felt cold and hazy, making him slap his face for the blunder he made a few years ago. Good thing it was only the photos and not the journal that was seen. He knew his boy was keen on details, a trait he knew was a trait that he got from someone else. The crease on Max’s face grew even wider, remembering how happy and excited his dad’s face was in that photo. “How come? There are like plenty of places where we can go to, with the skills you have dad, I doubt you’d have a hard time finding a job.” Max blurts out, moping as he clenched his hands on his chest. That was a thing everyone in town knew. His father was like the ultimate all-around guy, housework, cooking, carpentry, plumbing and even in both sports and academics, the man excelled. It was like there wasn’t a thing his father can’t do. Add that all to the resume, plus the fact that he was an ex-medic. Only a fool would turn down such an applicant. “We can’t just leave this town, you know. What will happen to everyone at the hospital?” Lance finally laughs it off. “Aren’t there any other doctors around?” Max blurts out, frustrated once more, sensing the reality that his father didn’t really want to leave the place. “Yes, there aren’t.” Lance calmly states, still with a smile. And with that, Max knew that his chances of convincing his father to leave were again in dismay. “I hate this place.” He sighed. A scowl had replaced that cheer on his face. Lance felt remorse. He couldn’t understand why his son would want to leave such a nice and peaceful town. Barriers cove has everything a child could ever want. An arcade store, a choice of fast food, playgrounds, and a movie house. He could not help the pain in his chest when he took another look at his child. The boy was scowling at the window, looking at all the other students who were running towards the school. The resemblance was almost uncanny to that person, if not for his own features that also showed. “Just bear with it, for now, okay, I swear to you, you’ll understand everything once you're older,” he pats the boy’s head. And as always, his fatherly tenderness always softened the kid’s mood, though it was still obvious that the boy was still in a bad temper. Max just nodded in agreement. “I’m going.” Max finally just sighs. Opening the car’s door, he gets off the vehicle with a frown. “Max, what do we say in a situation like this?” Lance calls out before he could even walk out of the car. Turning his head, he tries to give his dad an assuring smile. “When life gives you a lemon, we make lemonade.” Lance pulls Max back into the car with a quick grab and a playful headlock. He began messing the boy’s hair. They both ended up in laughter as the child flails to escape. “Dad, no!” Max giggled as he tried to get from his father’s grasp. “There’s my boy,” Lance says as he sees the bright smile on his son’s face once more. A few more struggles and he was out of his old man’s arm and out of the car. “Max,” Lance calls out again. Max was already halfway but still turned to his dad, knowing the reason for the abrupt call. “Yeah, dad?” He grins. “I love you,” Lance says. “I know, dad.” Max just smiles. From the day that he had memories, it has always been just him and his dad. Defending him, taking care of him, giving him all the love and support he needed. That’s why no matter how cheesy his dad is sometimes, he never ignored nor takes him for granted, cause for Max, his dad was everything. That was why even though he hated the town of Barriers cove, he still puts up with it. Max didn’t want to worry his father anymore, understanding the hardships his dad faced working and raising him alone. He knew he had to do his part to help. Even though if it meant having to get stuck there for a few more years.  Still, there was just a part of him that kept saying he didn’t belong there. Even though he knew he never lacks love and care. There was just something that he felt he had to do, besides the reality that he felt so alienated from the surrounding people. It was the one thing that had always plagued his mind. Causing him to always have thoughts of leaving.