I BORROW HIS PAIN

7

CHAPTER 7: BEHIND THE MASK

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Commodore Hadson returned home to Aurora Village. Now twelve years old, he eagerly looked forward to celebrating his thirteenth birthday with his family.

He rang the doorbell, excited to show who he was. He wanted to remove his mask for his family. His brother, Hearst, opened the gate. "Welcome back, Commodore!"

Their father, Mr. Kinsley, was busy cleaning the car, while their mother, Lenora, was cooking lunch. "How are you, Hearst? Feels strange seeing you here instead of at ROA."

"But it's different seeing you here, at home," Hearst replied.

Lenora looked up, hesitant. "Why are you here, Commodore? I thought you’d never come back."

"Mom, I want to tell you something because—"

"Just leave, son."

"Mom—"

"I said you can't come inside."

"Okay… I just came to visit. I won’t come back again. Sorry." Commodore quickly turned and left. Hearst followed after him.

"As people say, you’re a cursed child," Hearst explained softly. "Major Leomord made an agreement with the Ivans family that you and Lady Serene would be together someday. But Dr. Gallant Ivans disagreed and warned that he would jeopardize our family."

"It's unfair, Hearst!" Commodore replied, frustrated. He always hoped things would eventually improve, but he felt he would never be accepted. He walked toward the Lake of Hark.

Commodore kicked at a sturdy narra tree in frustration. Don Derwent Spike, who was nearby, saw the boy with the stainless steel mask. "Your anger will be your greatest enemy. Don’t regret it if you hurt yourself being reckless."

"I'm not reckless—I want to get hurt! I want bruises and pain!" Commodore shouted, venting his feelings.

"If you like donuts, I have some here," Don offered.

"I don’t want donuts!" Commodore snapped and began to walk away.

Don Derwent Spike followed him. "A donut is a circle with a hole in the middle. But I have square-shaped donuts with square holes. When you’re different, you’re unique and irreplaceable, lad."

"What do you mean?"

"Your mask makes you stand out. I admire how you excel in fencing, music, and in Reagan Owen Academy," Don said, relaxing as he spoke.

"Are you watching me? Are you a spy?" Commodore asked, suspicious.

"You could say that," Don replied. "We’re connected, so I know you as well as you know me."

"Don Derwent Spike—a respected man."

"Seems you’re not thrilled to see me a second time."

"No, I’m just beginning to understand how fair life is, or isn’t, for me now that I know the truth."

"Irony, huh?" Don said, shooting a deer with precision that Commodore hadn’t noticed.

The calm of the lake and the gentle breeze slowly soothed Commodore’s anger. After some time under the tree, he realized he was just a boy who knew how to feel ire. When he saw Don leaving, Hearst rushed over, having finally found his brother.

Commodore was talking to a tortoise by the water. "I’d like to meet a hare," he joked to the tortoise passing by. "On a hot day like this, I should let go of my rage."