Berceuse for The Suffering (Complete)

23.{In The Name Of The Father}

In the stillness of the night, the hospital lay silent, its halls and rooms empty and devoid of the usual bustling activity. The dim flicker of fluorescent lights cast a ghostly pallor across the sterile walls and floors, accentuating the eerie quietude that permeated the building.

Yet, on the third floor, this tranquility was shattered by a sudden commotion. The sound of raised voices echoed through the halls, shattering the stillness and drawing the attention of the few night staff who remained.

As they hurried towards the source of the disturbance, they came upon a man sitting on a bed, his face twisted in anger and pain. Half of his body was burned, a testament to some terrible accident or tragedy. Beside him stood his aunt, her expression one of urgency and concern.

"Get out of bed," she urged him, her voice strained with urgency. "We have to hurry."

But the man refused, his eyes fixed on her with a stubborn determination. He demanded to know why they had to leave and what was going on.

His aunt hesitated, her eyes flickering with worry and fear. "Your father is coming," she finally said. "We have to meet him in the parking lot."

The man's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. He knew there was more to this than his aunt was letting on, but he could not bring himself to argue any further. With a deep sigh, he reluctantly climbed out of bed, his burned body trembling with pain and exhaustion.

Together, the man and his aunt made their way toward the elevator, the urgency of their movements a stark contrast to the silent stillness of the hospital around them. As they descended towards the ground floor, the man couldn't help but wonder what awaited them outside in the dark of the night. He never wanted to venture outside when it was dark. For the past twenty years, Billy Mercedes only stayed under the sun and never allowed himself near anything that involved shadows or darkness.

***

Antonio's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove towards the hospital, his mind racing with memories from twenty years ago. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right decisions all those years ago, decisions that had haunted him ever since.

He covered up a dark and terrible crime. His son had murdered two people, which he believe deserved what they got. But the young child... Antonio shook his head praying the image of little Tony doesn't flash before his eyes again.

Antonio had been responsible for disposing of the bodies, erasing all traces of the crime, and even hiding his own child who had committed the heinous act.

Then there was Lylibeth. Antonio had no excuse. But... But Billy was his son. He couldn't. He wouldn't. He would protect him no matter what.

However, as he drove, Antonio's mind was once more consumed with doubt and regret. Had he done the right thing by covering up the crime and protecting his child? Or had he made a grave mistake?

His heart was heavy as he thought about the family of young Tony. He could have given them closure had he chosen to have the kid's body found. But Antonio feared they'd find something on him that would connect him to Lyli or his son. However, the grief and pain they must have endured all these years haunted Antonio everyday. He couldn't help but feel responsible for their suffering, even though he hadn't directly caused the child's death.

Everything was so messed up.

His old body ached with the weight of his age, guilt, and regret. Each passing mile bringing him closer to the hospital and the uncertainties that lay ahead made his muscles coil. He had always known that he would one day have to confront his past, to face the consequences of his actions, no matter how painful they might be.