Memories in the moonlight

It’s been a day and then some, Mitch finished my tool kit and sent me on my way. Chef gave me some emergency rations and a smack to my bald head. Jasmine gave me a nod as I passed by, some of the nameless guys stared at me while I walked the hall.

“Apparently, poop patrol is getting his first lick!”

“You’re kidding, did you hear about the potential haul! The boss should’ve chosen me!”

“Yeah, after you nearly blew up the last cargo we stole. Sub-boss Rich lost a few of the hairs that he was growing!”

“Just don’t tell him it was me!”

Awww, being certain of attention is awesome. Although the guys staring at me make me feel like they’d lynch me for my spot, but hey it is what it is. That said, only one more thing to do in order to prepare for the biggest moment of my life.

SLEEP!

I gotta get some quality shuteye in order to prepare for the day to come. There’s no better night for rest than this. The night sky is clear, the owls are quite, and surprisingly the base is all quite. Yep! No better time to hit the sack, all I need to do is-

*swoosh*

I hear a sound next to me while I try to lay down, I turn on my side and try to ignore it but I hear it again. Louder this time.

*swoosh*

I try to ignore the godforsaken sound, but I can’t. Especially because I know what sound it is, it’s the sound of a sword being swung. I turn over and sit myself up, only to see a familiar figure in the darkness. That's why the swinging sounded familiar, because…

****

I remember a time from my childhood. I was brought out back by him, and forced into a spar. Only to get sent flying nine times, and bruised all over.

“Heh, come on! Get up, no son of mine can be weak!”

“You *Urrp*-You bastard! I hate you so much!”

“Such a temper with this one, but you’ll need that attitude to surpass me.”

“Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up Shut up I SAID SHUT UP!”

“Wow, you sure do hate me, don’t you [ ]. Well, your mother sure seems to love me. You know what I mean?”

Bastard, how dare you bring mom into this. Especially knowing how much she loves you, like she loves you more than-DAMMIT!

“Well, you did me one favor at least, not that you aren’t at the age to suckle anymore. That means more suckle time for me!”

I couldn’t see straight, what kind of lunatic tells that to their own son. I didn’t care anymore about the pain I was in.

“YOU SON OF A BITCH!”

I threw my wooden sword at him, he knocked it out of the way with his hand. Only to notice me in the air about to punch him.

“Good set up, however you should think more about the follow through.”

He nailed me in the neck with his wooden sword, the world spun for a moment. I couldn’t even remember the force of hitting the ground, my head rattled so much. I began to vomit, I felt so dizzy. Then I heard it, it was that bastard laughing. I looked up with a scowl and there it was, he got a splinter in his hand from my distraction. He pulled in out, and a dot of blood leaked out. He showed it to me like it was some kind of trophy.

“I knew you had my blood in you!”

I was too exhausted to even argue, I ended up fainting and hit my puddle of vomit on the way down.

****

I covered my mouth remembering that time, I almost feel like I’m gonna vomit again. Why, why is he here!?!

“Wow, I know it’s been a while but why are you about to vomit upon seeing me again. Am I really that ugly.”

“Why are you here?”

“Now now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“I SAID WHY THE F*** ARE YOU HERE!”

I gotta calm down, I don’t wanna wake the whole base up. The old codger sighed and starts swinging his sword again.

“You’re scared right?”

“What?”

“You’re scared s***less again, so I came all out of my way to be here for you. Isn’t that what a dad should do for his son?”

What did he just call me? Oh god, I think I’m gonna be sick!

“Get out…”

“Not before you pick that up.”

He pointed at the wooden rod in my room, the one I use to beat the dust out my mat.

“Swords reflect the feelings of the user, if you’re fine then prove it to me the way I taught- Oh pardon me the way I’ve beaten into you.”

This guy, after all these years, came back to abuse me! This f***ing guy, Imma kill him! Even if it’s the last thing I ever do. You know what fine, I’ll play your game. I get off my mat, and pick up my rod from the corner of the room.

“That’s the spirit, now get in a stance.”

“You said you wanted to see the feelings in my sword?”

I glare at him, only to see the same smirk on him from when I was eight. I still remember waking up in the middle of the night, noticing mom watching me through the crack in the door. Hearing him say that it’s for the best, if I ever want to prove myself to him. After that I heard them go off to their own little world, as I whimpered holding my bruises. That bastard made her moan at the tone of every sob, so she wouldn’t notice. A month after he was gone and my wounds were finally healed,I found out mom was expecting. The night of my sister’s conception was the night of me suffering in silence, and all for this bastard’s pride. Even though I loved baby Bella, a part of me despised her, despised that she was a trophy from him. A trophy that mom chose him over me, I think that’s when I realized I was in a cage my whole life.

Now standing across from me, is the devil trying to stop me from moving forward. Well not today, you old bastard! I placed all my strength into the rod, my grip causing it to splinter. I put my weight forward, pivot with my left leg, and strike him!

“TAKE THIS YOU PIECE OF S***!”

I couldn’t help but yell, I’ll put my faith in these stone walls that no one heard me. Especially because as I thought, he was an illusion. The rod passed through him, and he started laughing again.

“I told you boy, YOU ARE MY SON!”

I close my eyes tight, and reopen them. Gone, he’s finally gone again. I break into a cold sweat, and start breathing heavily. I’m supposed to be happy, so why do I feel so defeated? I looked at my and noticed the broken rod I’m holding. I toss it on the ground still pissed off, and recoil at the sting in my hand. I notice a small splinter and remove it, only for a small bit of blood to leak out.

“...”

Goddammit, I can’t stop the tears from flowing.

“I’m starting to become him”

I wipe my face and head to my mat. I want to hide myself, but I don’t have a blanket like I used to. Nothing to protect me from the visions of him, and this cold air. No one to make me feel strong when I’m alone. I lay on my mat in a fetal position, shivering in fear and feeling more alone than anyone else in the world.

“*sniff* Mother, mother help me…”

She’s dead, and I doubt she’ll answer your prayers now [ ]. You’re on your own kid, you’re all alone here.