[ON GOING] All Of Me 18+ Only (Book 3 of Lastor series) #Wattys2020

Chapter 16: Malachi

Wrapping the rope around my hands, I pulled hard, dragging the unconscious hog up with its hind legs tied together over the hook. Once it was high enough, I knotted the rope around the steel pole. I went to the sink, picking up the large knife and sharpening it against the wet stone.

I could hear the children outside chatting amongst themselves as they did their morning chores. I glanced at Julian, my eldest, as he washed down the hog's body with a sorrowful look on his face. It reminded me of the time I slaughtered my first hog and had hesitated too much that I shredded its jowl. It must be worse for him though, since he was responsible for the care of the hogs. He's been refusing to eat their meat for years.

"Place the bucket below it," I instructed as I washed the knife under the faucet.

"Pluto," I heard him mutter under his breath.

"What?"

"His name," he replied quietly, dragging the large bucket. "It's Pluto."

I frowned, flipping the knife handle in my grip. "You named the animal." I tilted my head, appraising him and realizing his eyes were glistening with tears. "What are you doing, boy? Are you weeping?"

He shook his head, quickly turning away. I strode over to him, yanking at his shirt. He whimpered, raising his arms over his head and trying to get away.

"What have I told you about shedding tears?" I demanded, masking my frustration with composure.

"I'm not. I'm not," he insisted even as he cried.

"Stop doing this," I ordered firmly, fisting at his shirt and rubbing it over his eyes. "You will be beaten again if others witness it." I pushed him aside and flipped the knife again, pointing the blade at myself as I held out the handle to him. "Drain the blood."

He stared at the knife, his chest trembling at every stuttered breath he took. "I... I don't... know... how."

"I've shown you how plenty enough," I said patiently. "Take the knife, boy."

He pursed his lips, bringing his skinny fingers around the handle and holding it with both hands. Grasping his arm, I led him to the hog, yanking him forward when he dug his heels into the ground.

"Pierce at the center. As deep as the blade goes," I instructed. "Do not hesitate or it will suffer."

He took a cautious step towards it, breathing erratically as he brought the tip of the blade at the center of its jowl. I placed a palm on its back, holding it steady.

"Will... will it hurt him?" he asked.

"Not if you do it quickly."

He wiped an arm over his face, glancing up at me. As I stared back at him, it was more evident to me that he was a failure. No, worse. A dull weapon that couldn't kill was useless.

"I can't," he whispered, taking a step back. "Please."

I clenched my jaw but said nothing, taking the knife from him. I went around to the front, driving the blade into the hog's jowl without thought and moving it around to cut all the arteries before pulling out the knife. The stench of blood filled my nostrils as it gushed out from the incision in a heavy flow, some splattering over my apron and boots.

I turned to look at the boy, finding him facing the wall while pressing his palms over his mouth and nose. "Check the water," I ordered, swiping the blade clean over my apron.

He quickly went to the barrel of water in the other side of the shed, kicking aside the burning wood placed around it. I went to the sink, tossing the knife in before ripping off my gloves and dropping myself on the stool set beside it. I propped my elbows on my knees as I watched the blood drip down and fill the bucket. When there was no more blood coming out, we brought the barrel of water beside the hog and lowered it in.