Glory For Mankind | AOT [book 1]

Ch.3:How Strength is Made

Hands were wrapped around Ruvik's neck, squeezing tightly, cutting off all his access to air. He scratched and clawed at the wrists of the hands around his throat, straining his brown eyes as he glared daggers at the woman doing this to him.

Her face was red and her appearance was an absolute mess. Her breath wreaked of booze and smoke. Utterly disgusting.

The nine year old Ruvik thrashed underneath her hold, squirming to escape as he felt his chest tighten. He wailed and wheezed for air, his eyes almost rolling to the back of his skull, until finally, the pressure around his neck was ripped away from his skin.

"Edna! What the hell has gotten in to you?!"
Matt yelled as he threw the woman off of the boy. He quickly crouched next to Ruvik on the floor, inspecting the damage that she imprinted around his neck. "Ruvik, are you okay? Deep breaths..."

Ever since Ruvik's father bailed on him for his grandfather's company, Matt has been looking after them. He was basically more of a father to him than Alfred ever was. He rubbed Ruvik's back before glaring at Edna, "Have you gone mad?! You could've killed him!"

She glared angrily at the man. "He should just die already!"

"What are you saying?! Do you even hear yourself?!" Matt stood up and grabbed her shoulders. "This is your son we're talking about!"

Ruvik glared at his broken mother. He wiped away away his saliva and remained silent, more than aware about his mother's hatred.

It was his fault after all.

If Ruvik was never born, Alfred would have never left. Everything would've been perfect without him.

He was never her blessing.

He's her curse.

Her misfortune.

Her mistake.

"It's not my fault he left you for another family!" He yelled. "I hate you!"

"You little-!"

"Edna, stop it!" Matt shouted. "Listen to me!"

Ruvik bolted out of the house, racing through the streets as he ignored Matt's voice for him to come back.

He hated his home.

His name.

Everything.

Neighbors simply watched as the little boy ran by on the streets. It was common knowledge about Ruvik's birth and his mother's forbidden relationship with his father. The towns famous gossip. A family built to fall a part.

Ruvik slowed his pace before he came to a stop and leaned against a store wall. Staring at his reflection through the display window in front of him.

His brown hair was still tousled from back home and the pale skin on his throat was still irritated from being choked, bruised fingerprints along his neck beginning to appear. He looked terrible.

"Ruvik?"

The kid froze at the sound of the voice. His eyes widening as he spotted someone behind him through the glass reflection. Ruvik turned around and found his father, he found Alfred. He's back.

The man walked closer, approaching his son. "Ruvik, what are you doing out here?"

The boy didn't bother trying to respond, not because of how it hurt to speak, but because it was the man who ruined his life asking the question.

After receiving no response, Alfred finally managed to take in his son's appearance. Concern washing over his features as he kneeled to the boy's level, worried about what harm had been done. "How did you get hurt? Who did this to you? Why are you out here alone? It's getting late, you should be with your mother. Come, I'll walk you home."