Mistakes - A Short Novel

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November 29, 2013 «Age 25»

I've become a shell of a man. I am hollow inside besides the crave for blow and my severe alcoholism. I remember being jolly and sociable. My grass-green eyes had a sparkle in them, I looked so alive. Now my skin is grey and I've lost all motivation for life. What am I?

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April 14, 1997«Age 9»

"Jacob!" yelled my little brother. I turn around to look at the little six year old. My lips formed into a small smile. "Hey Xavier, how was your day?" He held the happiest smile on his face as he babbled on, answering my question.

Happiness erupted inside of me; I felt contempt.

"Hey!"

I turned to find a few of my friends.

"Aye, I don't think I could go to the park today."

"Of course you can!" My parents came out. Hah, they're the best.

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December 8, 2002 «Age 14»

"Here! Try this!" Carl raised a scented joint to his mouth. He took a puff, coughed, and held one up to me.

I took a step back, hesitating and fidgeting in place. "I . . uh . . don't think I-"

Braxton laughed, blowing a sphere of smoke out of his mouth, "What? Is you a lil' kid or nah?"

Carl's laugh roared through the empty cabin room. The lack of furniture caused his mocking laugh to echo through my ears.

I clenched my fist, tears beginning to well up in my eyes.

Carl and Braxton continued laughing, the joints shaking in their hands, causing the smoke to zig-zag up into the air.

Everyone - everything - was laughing at me. Mocking me.

Suddenly, I couldn't take it any longer. A fire burned in my heart, overtaking the rest of my body. I immediately raised my clenched fist, screaming.

"YOU WANT SOMETHING TO LAUGH AT!?" I lunged at Carl, head first into his chest, knocking the air out of him. I started kicking and punching, out of control.

Braxton's laugh stopped mid-place.

"Jacob! Stop!"

I couldn't stop myself. I just kept attacking and clawing at Carl, as if the fire in my heart reached a forest: uncontrollable.

Carl's nose and lip streamed blood, and fresh bruises splotched his body.

I didn't stop.

I also didn't notice Carl's joint falling from in between his two fingers, rolling onto the mossy green rug, lighting in flames.

I felt arms attempting to pry me off Carl, but I ignored them.

"Jacob! You gon' kill 'im!"

Braxton's cries didn't process in my mind, though I finally stopped after a while. I gasped, just now realizing what I've done to Carl.

"The fuckin' cabin's on fire, man!"

I finally looked up, and looked around. The whole wooden cabin was drowned in flames.

"W-what?! How!?" My lungs began to fill with smoke, and my breath became hoarse.

"Carl! Get up! Please!"