The Ministry Child

Family Time

Family Time

Chapter 5!

November 1977

The fireplace of the Ministry's lounge was burning fearlessly, the flames dancing amongst the firewood the room was cosy. The bright glow from the television set pierced through the darkness of the room, the sounds of gunfire and squealing car wheels filled the air. It was Sunday evening, the day was now winding down. They never worked on Sundays at the Ministry, it was the day of sinful antics. 

Nihil was stuck with his children, the ghouls refused to take care of them on Sundays. He had no other choice but to sit with them until they went to bed. His mismatched eyes lingered on the television set while he took a swig of his whisky, he had no idea what his Sons were watching. But it seemed to be one of their favourite shows, he recognised the characters since they watched it every Sunday evening without fail. Primo was sitting on the other side of the room, his attention was being held by another book he had gotten from the library. Secondo and Terzo were sitting in front of the television set, they were being kept occupied by the television show. Albany was sprawled out across his lap, her head resting against the arm of the armchair she had fallen asleep not long ago. Nihil didn't want to be in the lounge with his children, he longed for peace and quiet. Pinching the bridge of his nose he closed his eyes for a moment, the sounds of the television show were giving him an headache.

" What are you watching?" Nihil asked.

" Starsky and Hutch." Terzo replied.

" Can we not watch something else?" He asked.

" But Dad, we like it!" Terzo replied.

" Speak for yourself..." Primo said.

" Shut up!" Terzo frowned.

" Are you going to make me?" Primo asked.

" Fight, fight!" Secondo smiled.

" Okay, okay!" Nihil said with a groan. " No arguing, just watch your stupid television show! You are giving me an headache..."

" Sorry, Dad." Terzo sighed.

Nihil slammed his glass down on the side table, he hated Sundays. Sitting up straight on his armchair he ran his hands over his face, but he immediately jumped when his youngest child nearly slipped from his lap. He acted fast and pulled his child back onto his knee, the little scare hadn't even woken her up. Her head resting against his arm he brushed some of her hair behind her ear with his thumb, his features soon soften at the sight of his sleeping child. Albany never caused much trouble like her Brothers, she was happy playing with her toys and drawing on the nursery wall. Running his fingers through her hair he noticed something odd, his eyes grew wide. Her hair was two different lengths, there were split ends and diagonal cuts. It looked like someone had been cutting his Daughter's hair. It had been happening a lot lately, but he had his suspicions. His gaze soon wandered over to his Sons, he eyed them up in turn. He knew his ghouls wouldn't anything like this, but his children were his prime suspects.

" Primo, Secondo, Terzo..." He said, his speaking tone was calm. " Does anyone know why Albany's hair is two different lengths?" 

" No." Terzo replied.

" Secondo did it." Primo said.

" Hey!" Secondo frowned.

" Secondo!" Nihil said, his voice raised slightly. " Why have your been cutting your Sister's hair?!"

" She likes it..." Secondo replied before he looked at his Father over his shoulder. " It makes her laugh, she kept asking for more. But do not worry, I let her trim some of my hair to make it equal."

" She's two years old!" He said with an annoyed sigh. " She doesn't know what she likes yet, she's still a child!"

" And that's my fault how?" Secondo asked.

" I don't like your tone, young man!" Nihil said.

" Well, I don't like her anyway!" Secondo said.

" Don't you say that!" Nihil frowned.

" She's a stupid baby!" Secondo said.

" Toddler, the correct term is toddler." Primo said.

" Shut up, Primo!" Secondo said.

" Will you both shut up!" Nihil yelled. " I cannot believe this..."

Nihil's raised voice caused Albany to jumped in her sleep, but she remained deep in slumber. He grumbled to himself before he got to his feet, his couldn't take anymore of Secondo's cruel behaviour towards Albany. Cradling his Daughter in his arms he left the longue, he didn't want to be around his Sons for the rest of the evening. Their bickering was getting on his nerves, not to mention their constant rejectful behaviour towards their Sister. He had no idea why they did it, she was only a child. Wandering through the hallways the Ministry was silent, he rarely saw any of the Clergy members these days. They always remained on the higher levels of the unholy church, he didn't blame them. If it was up to him he would be up there too, but his children always kept him grounded. Stopping outside of the nursery the door was already open, he switched on the room's light before he stepped through the doorway. The bright light of the room caused his child to stir in her sleep, she whimpered and fidgeted in his arms. Soothing her he gently rocked her in his arms, he had learnt a couple of parenting tricks from the past nannies he had slept with over the years. 

" Hush little one, don't wake up yet." He whispered.

Switching the room's light off he carried her towards the crib, she soon began to drift back to sleep. Kissing Albany's forehead he cupped her cheek, her eyes fully closing he stopped in front of the crib. Nihil pulled back the blankets before he placed his child down, covering her up he made sure she was tucked in for the night. He softly kissed forehead again, he use to do this with his Sons too. But they were all growing up fast, they didn't wants hugs and goodnight kisses anymore from their Father. They had never been close, he sometimes regretted the way he had raised them. His thoughts were interrupted by smoke wafting across the nursery, he soon saw his ghoul emerging from the shadows. His gaze returned to his sleeping child, a sigh escaped his lips. He was at his wits end with his children, he couldn't cope with them anymore.

" Old friend, it's not easy being a Father." He sighed while he looked at his favourite ghoul. " My boys are disrespectful, I don't know what to do with them. They constantly... argh! What will I do with them?! Primo is sixteen now, maybe I can send him to Los Angeles early. He wants to do that anyway, but I fear the Clergy will manipulate him. He's too young to be the next Papa, I don't want to give up my position just yet. Secondo's behaviour is getting worse, he can be so rebellious! I caught him messing around in my drink cabinet the other day, I'm going to have to put a lock on it. Then there's Terzo, he's not too bad yet. He's only eleven. What would you do with them? Send them all away? I could do with the peace..."

The ghoul shrugged his shoulders at his Papa, he didn't have the answers he seeked. It wasn't his place to advice his Papa what to do with his children, he was just a ghoul. Clicking his fingers at Nihil he caught his attention, he pointed to himself and then at the chair near the crib. He was telling him that he would stay with Albany while he went to get some rest. Nihil nodded his head, he just wanted to go to bed and forget about today. He thanked his favourite ghoul before he left the nursery, he was hoping tomorrow would be a better day.