Sunk

1

I woke up.

I could still feel the cut on my cheek from the gravel. The memories of yesterday are still sharp in my mind. I failed to prove myself again. My father was once more let down by his only child. His only son. I just wanted to show him I could be the champion he wanted me to be. 

These silk sheets. They're soft. Like me. I ripped them off the bed and flung them to the floor. The pillows were close to follow. It disgusted me. 

A knock at my door startled me. 

"Master Morial?" Annabelle called in, "I'm here to attend to your wounds."

"I don't need you!" I shouted, "Be gone!"

I probably shocked her. But I didn't want to see anyone. 

The wounds on my body should be left to show I'm weak. It's the fifth time I've let my father down. No matter how hard I train and prepare, he's disappointed with my effort. I flopped face first onto my bed and moaned at my failure. A minute past before the door creaked open.

"I said to leave me alone, Annabelle!" I shouted, only to find it was not the maid but my father. His figure stood commanding in the door way. His hands tucked into his neat, pants' pockets. 

"She wishes to help you," he replied. His voice was strong, but yet, it had a soothing tone. I hated it. It's like he's mocking me. "Not that you deserve it." There's what I was waiting for.

"I'm sorry I failed you again," I said.

"As I said before," he spat, "sorries are pointless. They make you look weaker than you already are." 

"Why have you come to visit me?" I asked, trying to chance the subject quickly.

"You're my only child," he stated. "Am I not allowed to visit you?"

"You never have in the past," was my curt reminder. 

"Perhaps I just want to change that," he suggested. 

"What do you want?" I asked, looking away. "I failed you. Again."

"I was there," he returned. "I know of your failure." Why thank you Father for those kind words, I can always count on you to cheer me up! "This time though, I have decided to let it slide. We'll see how you handle the actual situations. If you die, so be it."

I'm not entirely sure how to take that. 

"Thank you?" I questioned. He nodded and turned on his heel. 

"You'll be sent for tomorrow," he informed, before completely leaving the doorway.