Bernard's Tragic past.

to tell a tale is to recount a series of events. 

Bernard was born into a peaceful household. the father a boxer. the mother was owner of a small restaurant. they had an ideal happy life. 

everything was fine until the father suffered an injury in the middle of a fight. he was unable to fight ever again. they try to find a solution. the father and mother were always positive thinking about moving on. the father started to work at the mother's restaurant.

everything was going well. then the restaurant started to lose customers. they couldn't find the reason behind them having to face so many struggles. in the middle of all was a young Bernard feeling desperate as he saw his parents losing themselves.

as things started to go worse. the father was more often out there drinking. he was on bar fights and staying apart from the family. the mother will be leaving the house often to go meet with a handsome stranger. the house was falling apart.

Bernard was pretending that everything was fine. he believed that after some time his family will get to be the way they used to be. Bernard was hopeful. but things will only get worse from there until it would explode out of proportion. it was a matter of time.

the father between his issues was still there for the son. he would take him out to eat at his favorite place. he would take him to the bookstore.

in one of those visits to the bookstore. the father talked about many things. he lets Bernard know that he wants to overcome the tragedy. he wants to forgive his wife. he wants to be better for them. he wants to recover the life they once had.

Bernard felt inspired by his father's words. he believed that things would get better. there was a light of hope for a better future. it was just a matter of time. Bernard was expecting that his mother would be willingly to change. 

then it came. the day that would scar Bernard for life. it was the day of his birthday party. the day after Bernard would be ten years old. everything was normal. everything seems fine. the father is sober. the mother is taking care of her son. nothing abnormal.

then at night as they are eating peacefully. someone knocks on the door. it was a handsome stranger that was done with waiting in the shadows. a handsome stranger that wanted to become an important part of the family. there was a mystery written all over his gestures and the few visible scars on his hands and arms. a stranger wearing a suit. the clothes were proper for the occasion even when his muscular body didn't fit in that suit.

the mother opens the door with a smile. they had lost all sense of shame. they didn't care anymore to hide. the father knew right away who he was. they had known each other since they were kids. to be more specific all three of them are childhood friends. there was a long-conflicted past between them. their story is too long and complicated to explain. all that can be said is that none of them are blameless. 

the stranger is holding a copy of the Count of Monte Cristo. he leaves the copy on the table alongside the other gifts. he tells Bernard that he was told how much he loves that book. he also confesses to be a huge fan of Dumas. he talks about his collection of classics. he then turns to look at the father. there are hints of rage in his face.

the handsome stranger pulls out a pistol. he puts the pistol on the table. he puts a single bullet next to the pistol. the stranger lets him know that there are some people out there. they are all armed to the teeth. the bullet is for the father alone. this was a cold revenge.

to add some proper explanation. they used to be part of a gang. in there they would go after rich people and robbed them. the stranger and the mother were lovers. the father out of resentment and jealousy called the cops on the gang members. some of them were killed as they tried to fight back. others went to prison alongside the stranger. and the father was able to redo his life alongside the love of his life. but she never loved him.

the stranger came out of prison with a new identity. he rebuilt his life. with a new identity and freshly acquired wealth. he finds their old friends. he helps them. then he searched for his old lover and 'best friend.' that is how he learns the name of the traitor. he is the one who destroyed the father's career. he made sure that the restaurant will go under.

it was all part of his plan. and now here he is to finish this long journey. the moment has come to put an end to their old rotten friendship. a bullet was more than enough. the father nods understanding it was his punishment. he accepts his fate.

"There are things I regret in life. I regret what I did to our friends. I regret being a coward. I regret not being a better husband or father. but I will never regret marrying you. I will never regret the life I lived. as I was the happiest with you." said the father smiling.

the father takes the pistol. he grabs the bullet. he puts his hands on his pockets. he takes a cigarette and puts it between his lips. he then walks out of the house. Bernard was able to see his father a last time before the door gets closed. then after a long dreadful silence. there is a single noise. the father most likely shot himself on the head.

the mother and the stranger hug and kiss each other. they are happy. it all seems fine. the obstacles on their way are gone. they now can freely love each other.

Bernard is holding the book. he holds it tightly. the stranger approaches him with a friendly smile as he tries to hug him. Bernard hits him a single time in the head with the book. the hardcover book and the angle were too perfect.

the stranger bleeds from the head. he looks around as he loses his footing. he slides with his own blood and falls. he hits his head a second time with the table on the fall. he breaks his neck and falls dead. the stranger was cold in the ground.

Bernard felt proud of himself. he defeated his father's enemy. he looks at his mother with a small smile. he then looks at his mother's face full of horror.

"What had you done. you killed your father. you monster." yields the woman desperate as she runs towards the corpse of her lover. she hugs the body as she screams.

Bernard feels wrong. he feels confused. then he feels disgust by the idea of killing his own father even if he is just a stranger. he looks at the book with blood stains on his hands. he then looks at his reflection in a mirror. all he sees is a monster.

all noise goes mute. his vision becomes hazy. he feels horror. the embrace of shame and regret feels tight and suffocating. there is one single thing on his mind.

"I am a monster." Bernard whispers.