The child's bright blue eyes were filling with tears. The little boy stood in front of a tall man, dressed in a long sleeved top and long jeans, despite the hot temperatures of the day. The night had brought relative coolness, but sweat trickled down his tiny face, mingling with the tears. His father held tightly to his arm, ensuring that the child did not run away. Another boy stood behind Greg's father, quivering. Ethan House held onto his father's leg, wishing he was brave enough to make him stop.

"You're too old to have stuffed toys. Don't be a little crying baby" the man said, brandishing a toy elephant at his five year old son. They stood in the garden of a large house in the twilight of November 5th. They had gone outside an hour or so previously, John telling Blythe that they were going to light the bonfire. The fire was lit, roaring happily near them.

"Daddy, please can I have him back now?" the boy asked tentatively.

"Shut up" the man snapped and tiny Greg House flinched, whipping his head down to look at the floor. "Don't be so pathetic" the man gripped Greg's arm hard and shook him violently.

"Sorry Daddy, I'm sorry! I'll be good, I promise!"

"You're a bad kid, you'll never be able to be good"

"I'm trying" Greg whimpered as his father's grip tightened on his arm.

"You're not trying hard enough" he shouted, letting go of his son and thrusting him towards the fire. He didn't plan to hurt him.

"Daddy!" Greg screamed as his hand touched the fire. He yanked it away and blew on it, pain radiating from it, fighting a desperate desire to scream. It was only small, but it hurt.

"You are such a baby! Grow up and stop being so pathetic" his father showed him the elephant toy, almost giving it back. Greg reached for it, but his father leered and chucked it onto the fire.

"No!" Greg screamed, trying to reach his beloved toy. Ethan gasped.

"That'll teach you to tidy your room properly" his father whispered cruelly to a sobbing Greg. He grabbed us son by the arm and dragged him away from the fire consuming his childhood. "Everything you touch turns to shit, Gregory House. Don't you ever forget it."