RED PARALLEL

Chapter 68: Anti-Social World

(Owen)

"Remember my uncle-doctor, Troy? Well, not my uncle, exactly. But a doctor, you know. My parents went to rehab when I was five, according to Dr.Cass. Yes, that was his name. They're still alive, I wonder, stuck on those disgusting beds, talking a bunch of nonsense, laughing like psychos, with no clue they still have a son.

"I was so little, without support. So Dr.Cass, who was responsible for my parents' 'treatment', gently offered to raise me while he 'saved mom and dad'. Such a good man, right? Yes, he promised me he'd save my parents so I could get back to them, but until then, he'd take care of me as if I were his son. No one objected, neither me. As if I had some power, anyway.

"Little I knew that Dr.Cass was cancelling my parents' treatment so he could have my custody. Ridiculous.

"He was a great dad. Smart dad, who wanted a smart son. And that's what he got. A smart son. Definitely.

"Kind and intelligent. I worshiped him, he was my hero, you know. Whatever thing he said, I was down for it. I was so naive. Just like you, Troy.

"Dr.Cass was a pedophile man, a charming sadist genius doctor. Yes, make the bad face, Troy, I understand. Disgusting, right? Well, I didn't think it was, at that time. I didn't think anything, because I loved my dad. End of discussion. He coaxed me for sexual intercourse since I was, I don't know, seven? Who knows. When I mean sex, I mean everything related to sex. I leave it to your imagination, but it was so nasty that you'll never be able to picture it in the first place since you're so pure and naive.

"But as I said, Dr.Cass raised a smart boy, Troy. At twelve, I discovered that my parents were being drugged instead of being treated. Don't ask me how, unfortunately I don't remember. I might have wiped it from my memory for my own sake.

"I was shocked. My world had collapsed.

"So I naturally decided that he had to pay for that lie. I don't like lies, either, Troy. Who does? I was betrayed badly.

"So I thought 'I think someone should die'. Simple, right? Of course you know what I'm talking about. But the difference between you and me is that I put an end to things. I solve them myself. You, well, you don't.

"Of course I didn't show my anger, my grief, 'cause I was not stupid. I had a plan, and I intended to succeed, not to freak out. Dad taught me that.

"So I hid my feelings. I was a lovely and submissive son, exactly how Dr.Cass wanted me to be. I made him love me so much. So much. I made him fragile. Vulnerable. Well, on second thought, Troy, I think this is life's payback. Now I know how it's like to be tricked. Funny how life works, right? Disgusting. But, anyway. Later, Dr.Cass would designate all his heritage to me. Naturally.

"But rage sometimes can't be held inside for too long, and you know it pretty well. So the school issues began. Not about grades, I was a perfect student, so intelligent, so... I was aware that knowledge would lead me farther 'cause Dr.Cass taught me that, too. Ironically, he said to me once, after punishing me for my B grade: "Brain is a weapon. Those who study have power. For better or worse." Hilarious.

"So as I was saying. I began messing around at school. You see how we were so much alike, Troy? Both screwed by evil fathers, both discounting our rage on the only fucking place we were forced to go. It's a natural process, right? We had never done anything wrong, we were just trying to survive. Don't pretend you don't agree with me.

"I would make people suffer so I could watch them suffer. It was relieving, delicious, nice. Pain, once born, must be spread. That's the only way. Killing pain is impossible, you gotta get rid of it, you gotta extrude it from your body and attack someone before it kills you. Don't pretend you don't agree with me.