The Mansion Named Mason - SCP Foundation || ONC2022

Chapter 6 : The Old Man From Nowhere

"Dad!"

The man turned to meet his two sons in the eyes, a business looking smile plastered itself on his face before acknowledging the two with a simple nod. The expression on Micheal's face sombered down as he watched his dad turn and leave.

"You should just give up," his quiet brother suddenly spoke.

"On what?" Micheal tilted his head curiously.

"On dad. He doesn't want us. He doesn't care."

Ethan felt dejected, no matter what he or his his brother tried, their father would never give them the time or day. While Micheal was still hopeful, Ethan learned it was easier to just give up, let what happened just happen.

Watching his brother still trying, the younger brother couldn't help but feel sorry for him. The most he accomplished was a greeting nod once every while when he gets back home. Home... it didn't feel like home to the 7-year-old.

"Yes he does!" Micheal was always the optimist. "Come on, I prove it!"

With that, the older brother pulled his younger sibling towards the kitchen. From on top of a counter, Micheal picked up a knife and a glass jar. Worry washed over Ethan as a mischievous grin appeared on his brother's face.

"Give me your hand!" Micheal said while holding a knife, as you do.

"What? No! What are you going to do?" Ethan pulled back, the colour draining from his face.

"Do you trust me?"

Though the younger boy was hesitant, he eventually nodded. Reaching out his right hand, he closed his eyes prepared for whatever was to come. The boy gritted his teeth as he felt a slight pain on the palm of his hand. Opening his eyes, he turned to face his bleeding palm while his brother washed the blood drenched knife. Just before a young Ethan could question his brother's sanity, Micheal cut him off by scattering the glass jar on the counter with a loud smash. Frantic footsteps followed as Ethan held an unreadable expression on his face.

"What did you--"

"Boys! What happened?" his father rushed in, voice laced with something rare, concern.

"Dad! I accidentally broke something and Ethan cut his hand! Please can you help him?"

A heavy sigh left the man's mouth as he grabbed a first aid kit and sat the two down. Gently, the man still in his work clothes began patching Ethan up, asking how he was while reprimanding Micheal's legendary clumsiness. Though he got one lengthy lecture, the smile on Micheal's face couldn't be wider. He was finally paying attention to them, the two brothers thought. Even if Ethan didn't show it, his heart fluttered as his dad spoke softly to him. He really did care, he thought. But the good times never last as the man finished up his fatherly responsibility, he left the two to their own once again. Seeing the sadden expression on his brother's face, Micheal called out to him.

"See? He does care!" the 10-year-old forced out a smile.

"I guess he does."

That day, Ethan learnt a valuable lesson. He learnt that if he ever wanted his father's attention, all he'll have to do is to get into some kind of trouble. It wasn't a good lesson by any means but it was one. So that's where it all began. Suddenly, Ethan became the most clumsy and depressed 7-year-old on the surface of the earth. Always getting scolded or cooed from his mistakes, it didn't matter which as long as his dad would talk to him in someway. It had worked for awhile but then his father stopped caring.

Maybe he needed to do something more drastic? So it did, but with every new wound he got, it was never enough to gain his father's attention. He didn't know exactly when he had gone too far but he remembered bits and pieces. He remembered how his feet dangled in the air as the oxygen in his lungs were sucked out. He remembered a random little kid that somehow unlocked his front of door and stared at him with his golden eyes. He remembered passing out, that was it.