Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

XL. Sewn-Open Sight

Scruffy Man: "Useless little sack of shit..."

Two tarnished coppers rolled across the splintered table, coming to a stop in front of the child. Across from him, a wiry man with a bloated belly glared down, his scowl etched deep into his unshaven face. His voice dripped with disdain, and his eyes gleamed with a hunger for more than just sustenance.

Scruffy Man: "How're we supposed to get by with this?!"

The child flinched, his gaze falling to the cracked wooden floor. A trembling hand clutched the small leather pouch that carried the meager earnings he had scrounged that day.

Child: "S-sorry... I'll do better tomorrow, I promise."

With a sharp exhale, the man reached for a near-empty bottle. He tipped it back, shaking it in frustration when only a few stray drops clung to the rim and fell into his mouth.

Scruffy Man: "Bah!"

With sudden force, he hurled the bottle across the room. The glass shattered against a rotting wall, and the sharp crash echoed through the cramped space. The child jumped, clutching the pouch tighter.

Scruffy Man: "Y'know, Barr..."

The man leaned forward, his sour breath reeking of alcohol as it washed over the boy's face. Barr instinctively covered his nose, his face contorting in disgust.

Scruffy Man: "There comes a time in a man's life when he's gotta be ready to do anything -- and I mean *anything* -- to survive."

A heavy, calloused hand landed on Barr's head, the weight of it making his small frame buckle slightly.

Scruffy Man: "Momma was weak, she didn't realize this... That's why she died. Do we wanna be like momma?"

Tears welled in Barr's wide eyes as he shook his head furiously.

Barr (Child): "N-no..."

The man gave a rough pat to Barr's head -- too hard to be comforting, causing the boy's head to jerk forward with each thud.

Scruffy Man: "Course we don't. So we gotta fight, kid. Get our hands dirty if we have to. You understand me?"

Barr hesitated, his lip quivering.

Barr: "But... Momma always said that --"

Scruffy Man: "Momma's not here anymore, is she?!"

His voice rose, making Barr flinch.

Scruffy Man: "She was useless. Look at me, boy."

The child hesitated, staring at the ground.

Scruffy Man: "LOOK AT YOUR FATHER, BARR!"

Startled, Barr obeyed, his tearful eyes meeting his father's cold, bloodshot glare.

Scruffy Man: "Yer momma worked her fingers to the bone, day and night, week after week. You see where that got her? Six feet under. All that hard work got us is this shitty, rotting house."

The man grabbed Barr's thin shoulders, shaking him slightly as he growled through clenched teeth.

Scruffy Man: "It's not about workin' hard -- it's about workin' smart. So learn to work smart."

He released the boy with a huff, slumping back into his chair. His lids drooped as though ready to drift into a drunken nap.

Barr: "H-how come you never work at all...?"