**The Unending Cycle of Pain**

Regulus's eyes fluttered open, and he was met with the familiar sight of his family's dimly lit living room. He lay on the couch, his small body tangled in a mess of worn blankets. His mind was foggy, but the ache between his legs was a constant reminder of the previous night's events. He couldn't recall the faces, but the hands and voices were all too familiar. At four years old, Regulus had learned to associate pain with affection. His family, the people he trusted most in the world, had made sure he understood that love came in many forms. His mother's gentle touch, his father's firm hand, and his siblings' playful teasing were all overshadowed by the cruel and unwanted advances of those he loved. As he sat up, the room began to spin. Regulus rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the impending headache. His eyes wandered to the coffee table, where a half-empty bottle of liquor sat, accompanied by a few crumpled up beer cans. The remnants of the night before's party still lingered, a grim reminder of the strangers who had come and gone, taking pieces of him with them. Regulus's gaze drifted to his reflection in the nearby mirror. His piercing blue eyes and chiseled features stared back, a cruel irony given the trauma he had endured. He was a pretty child, and it was a fact that had been used against him time and time again. People couldn't resist his charms, and he had become a pawn in their twisted desires. A faint smile crept onto his lips as he recalled the attention he received from the adults. They would coo over his angelic face, showering him with gifts and praise. But at night, when the lights went out and the masks came off, the affection turned to cruelty. Regulus's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. His heart sank as he recognized the heavy tread of his uncle, Marcus. The man who had first introduced him to the world of pain and pleasure. Marcus's booming voice echoed through the room, "Good morning, little man! Time to wake up and start the day!" Regulus forced a smile, trying to appear cheerful, but his eyes betrayed him, filling with a mixture of fear and anticipation. As Marcus approached, Regulus's mind began to wander, preparing for the inevitable. He had learned to find solace in the sensations, to detach himself from the pain and focus on the fleeting moments of pleasure. It was a coping mechanism, one that had become all too familiar. The cycle of abuse had become a never-ending nightmare, with Regulus trapped at its center. And as he looked up at Marcus, he knew that today would be no different.