Love Thy Shadow, Satan (LTSS) [#Wattys2018]

HIDDEN CHAPTER #3: Duncan's POV

At 8 years old...

With my hands folded under my chin, and my elbows perched on the edge of the polished antique table, I burned my ever-questioning stare into Mothers back - my head propped towards her direction.

"Mother, what does Father do?" I asked whilst sitting ready to introduce dinner to my favourite organ, my feet barely managing to touch the floor from the rather high oak chair.

For some reason, Mother keeps Fathers job a secret from me - and I have absolutely no idea why. I've asked countless times and always got brushed off.

It's not like I even expected a decent answer this time round either, but I was determined to squeeze one out of her someday.

I know it's always been a touchy subject... Mum always changes the topic whenever I bring it up but... today, definitely...

"He keeps the world a safe place." She sai, not really wanting to expand on the topic as she moved effortlessly across the kitchen, making tonight's supper with veteran-grade expertise.

Medium rare beef steak with grilled asparagus and mash potato... and a good ol' helping of home made gravy. Yummmmm.

"But what does he doooooo?" I asked again, whilst my stomach continued to make music. Calm down, Tum. I patted it slightly for comfort. Foods a-coming.

I know she doesn't really want to answer this one particular question, but her reluctance to share this truth only makes me yearn for the answer more.

"Mom!" I groaned, for the umpteenth time this week. I've been trying non-stop to get a decent answer out of her but she's so stubborn.

"He rounds up and kills the monsters that go creep in the night, so we can all sleep without worries."

"But what does he actually do though?"

"What is his job?"

"His job -"

She hesitated for a second, looking back at me as if reviewing her words in her mind again... as if treading on thin ice. The

"He... He keeps you safe." She strained, trying to make me understand her explanation to its fullest extent.

Of course I didn't understand, but I wasn't gonna question her now, was I? Not when she was making such a desperate face.

I could tell I'd hit her limit for today.

Her answer was not gonna get any better than this, so why try? I let her off for today, quickly changing the slightly tense mood as per usual.

It had become a routine of sorts between us. Me questioning... her vaguely answering.. me either further testing her limits... or changing the mood of the touchy conversation.

"So...," I raised an eyebrow in mock question as I stared at my mum in humour, "...he's my hero?"

My ice blue eyes were surely twinkling with mischief at this point, my face contorted into a wide grin.

Mum just smacked the back of my head in jest, thinking my words too cheeky for the serious topic at hand.

But little did she know what was running through my childish mind, and - in a sense - how serious my words had actually been.