The Moth and the Flame

TMATF|12

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Heru opened the door to complete silence.

The TV was off and there was no food ready for him, as it usually was. Onyx's chair was knocked over and the couch was reclined. Heru continued his walk down the hall, stopping himself from yelling that he was home, in case Onyx was indeed awake. Smiling at the scene, he took in both Irie and Onyx sleeping.

"Hey," Heru said lowly, planting a kiss on Irie's cheek as she stirred a little.

"Gotchu some good sleep huh?" He laughed, giving her another kiss before going over to Onyx's bassinet.

He was in his usual position, with his plush blue cover over him. Deciding to quickly eat and then come back to get his son, Heru would also indulge in a nice shower, changing into his usual wife beater and shorts before making a nice turkey and cheese sandwich. He wasn't tripping off a cooked meal, given he knew how tired Irie was. With a cold Ginger Ale and some kettle cooked chips, Heru enjoyed the silence before getting up and cleaning his hands.

Once back in the bedroom, he looked to see Irie knocked out. Going for Onyx, Heru smiled as he crept closer to his son before removing the cover and delicately picking him up.

But the second he did, something immediately felt off and weird.

He didn't feel as heavy as he did before and his body felt stiff.

He didn't move at all.

"Yo Onyx," Heru said to the infant as if he could respond.

With the bedroom slightly dark, Heru moved out into the hallway, and his heart dropped the second he witnessed his son's face.

It was a blue tinge and crusted blood was on his nose and near his upper lip.

His body was clearly limp and cold.

Heru's entire being had frozen.

Everything around him began to spin as he looked at the deceased child in confusion before going back into the bedroom. Irie was still sleep, as Heru began shaking her.

For a second, he thought she was dead too.

"Irie...baby get up. Get up," Heru said loudly, as he began to shake the shit out of her now.

"Hm," she said, slowly opening her eyes to see a scared looking Heru looking down at her.

"What the fuck happened to Onyx?" He questioned with fear and worry both heavy in his tone.

"What?" She slowly rose up now, her eyes adjusting to the light he now flicked on.

"Onyx is not breathing. What the fuck happened?!" He was yelling now.

"I...I don't know. He was asleep when I laid him down," Irie said, now wiping her eyes.

"Did....did he turn over or something. His face is fucking bleeding man," Heru exclaimed, now placing the baby back in the bassinet before sprinting back in front for his phone that laid on the table.

Irie looked towards the bassinet in shame and guilt, as her tired body found the strength to grab the pair of shorts that laid beside the bed.

Running back into the room, Heru was on the phone, while going back to the bassinet.

"No, no. I just got here like five minutes ago. My wife was here," Heru explained hurriedly.

"No. I just told you that. He's fucking blue and he is not moving. He's just there."