Many years ago in Frenesda, a twelve year old boy is resting against a wall. His shirt is ripped and dirty. He’s hungry. His father is in the dilapidated kitchen, desperately scrambling together a meal.
“Here, son,” The man says, handing a sandwich to the young boy.
The boy frowns. “There’s only lettuce on it.”
“I know…but that's all I can make…I’m so sorry, Merin, my dear boy…I wish I could’ve done so much more…”
He takes a bite, satisfying his grumbling stomach.
“Dad, where are you gonna go?” Merin says through teary eyes.
“I have to go far from here…bad people are looking for me. And if I don’t leave, they’ll hurt you too…I wish I could’ve left you with someone different…” He points to the sandwich in his hands. “Hey…lettuce sandwich. Maybe that can be your way of remembering me…anytime you eat a lettuce sandwich…you think of me.”
He looks in sadness. “That sounds good.”
The doorknob starts to shake, and his father panics. He places a kiss on Merin’s forehead. “I have to go! Take care of yourself!”
He bolts out of an open window, just in time for Merin’s mother to enter the house. She’s wearing a suit and looks exhausted.
“Why the hell is the window open?” She yells. “Was your dad here?”
He hesitates. She stomps up to him, her dress shoes making the floorboards creak.
“Was. He. Here?” She raises her hand.
“Y-Yes, but that’s because–”
She interrupts him with a hard smack across the face.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me that sooner you piece of shit!?”
She grunts with fury and pulls her phone out.
“No! Don’t call the–”
She punches him this time, creating a small bruise on his cheek.
“Shut the fuck up! He needs to go to jail!”
He eats through choked sobs. He didn’t know what exactly his father did. Something to do with a gang in the area…
“C-Can you get groceries…p-please?”
“In a few days. You can wait.”
“Why not? You…you have the money–”
“I don’t need to spend it on you,” She spoke with venom in her voice.
He didn’t understand. She’d bring back briefcases full of money sometimes.
She closed the window, peering outside to see if his father was nearby.
“I’ll leave for a little. Keep the house clean.”
She went outside, and Merin sniveled in silence.
She’s gonna smoke again…and she’s mad…she’s gonna put it on me…
He hung his head in his arms in dreadful anticipation.
She walks back in, cigarette still in hand. She kneels by him and talks calmly to him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Merin, I'm your mother…I should never put my hands on you…" She rubs his back and hugs him. "Do you forgive me, son?"
He looks in uncertainty at her. "Yeah…"
YOU ARE READING
Final Crisis
Science FictionIt's the year 2077, and Finn Comoya, a nineteen-year-old ready for adulthood, finds his world thrown into chaos as several world governments release a virus into the technologically advanced world. Everything is still available; electricity, interne...
