Days Are Numbered

26. Growing Pain...

Avgustin's gaze, already sharp, hardened further at the youngster, yet underneath the stern orbs Noah felt the presence of a lingered subtle bliss, a satisfaction almost betraying his facade. A smirk threatened to crawl up to his lips, a fleeting moment of rebellion that Noah fought to hide. He was acutely aware that trouble loomed on the horizon, yet an unexplainable warmth filled him. This time, the impending punishment felt different – a consequence for a just cause. His indifference to the impending consequences stemmed from the knowledge that, at least this time, he would face repercussions for the right course of action. A shadowy presence nestled in his chest, an ominous companion that hinted at a transformative journey. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of bidding farewell to loneliness, much like he did with grief.

A hard smack landed on Noah's face causing his head to whip in the opposite direction as blood trickled down his nostril, Noah was so unfazed by the hit that he almost let out a dark laugh, He bowed his head assuming the role of a guilt-filled character, Avgustin had picked the arrogance hidden behind the words much to his surprise.

If you must punish me, do it quickly. I have some chores to attend to. Noah only thought those words, never letting them come to life. He wouldn't dare.

"Evan?" Avgustin shifted his gaze to the next rebel. "Noah attacked us on the field, I acted in self-defense." He lied.

"Well?" Avgustin glanced at Ethan.

"He was mad so he attacked us," Ethan said betraying himself and his twin.

"Lying only makes it worse," Avgustin warned, causing Evan to glare at his twin.

Ethan panicked under the authoritative figure of Avgustin, "We told him the truth about his life." Ethan smugly replied, almost earning a high five from Evan.

"Sons of a leprous dog," Noah muttered to their hearing. Earning a harsh glare from Avgustin.

"You all know better than anyone that I do not tolerate fighting in the camp, but you look very much amused by what you have done. We need to let the others see the outcome of your actions," Avgustin declared, his gaze fixed on Noah. Without averting his eyes, he reached for a pair of scissors resting nearby. "Noah, you have been in here way longer than they have. You should have endured longer or reported to me. For breaking the rules, you'll get special treatment since you like to stand out so much with all those comedy scenes." Avgustin approached laying the scissors on his hair chopping off the growth, Evan and Ethan watched wide-eyed at the scene, Noah looked less concerned even careless at what was being done to him.

Avgustin's act hung in the air as he dropped the scissors, opting for a thick, jet-black belt instead. The atmosphere thickened with anticipation. The twins tensed, anxiety etched across their faces. Noah, on the other hand, stood stoic, embracing his fate like a reluctant hero preparing for an inevitable battle. The impending punishment seemed to weave itself into the fabric of his existence, a recurring theme in the turbulent narrative of his life. The dim light cast elongated shadows on the walls, echoing the gravity of the moment as if etching it on the walls.

Brought out to face an open punishment, the shirtless boys stood before their peers. Rafael prepared the ropes, and Avgustin loomed nearby, holding the horrifying implement. The others were forced into the role of spectators, and for Vincent, it was his first time, so he awaited the impending punishment in silent dread.

Ethan was the first to be subjected to the ordeal. Forced to embrace the tall tree, his hands were bound together around the trunk with a sturdy rope. Avgustin commenced without warning, delivering blows with a measured force that sent waves of pain across Ethan's body causing him to cry out. The punishment continued for minutes where groans, yelps, and the involuntary stiffening of his form echoed the brutality of the punishment, causing Evan to avert his gaze, staring at his feet in an attempt to shield himself from the sight of his twin in distress. Each strike left red welts slowly surfacing as a testimony to the severity of the harsh discipline. The beating continued until it ceased abruptly, leaving Ethan's heavy breaths to fill the air, and all present steeled their hearts for the sake of Avgustin.