Short Story Collection

Archie Smith, Boy Wonder

Archie was an interesting boy; he never seemed to enjoy the fun things like other children did. He'd honestly rather stay in his room and listen, that's what he called it when he read people's thoughts. Archie stayed in his room, to listen once more. Whilst listening, he heard a tiny voice ask, "Is he the one?" Archie only could hear it because he liked to listen; but the difference was the voice was quiet, as if someone had failed to block it from Archie. Alas, Archie had heard unknown voices before. He thought nothing of it, seeing as they lived in a city apartment. The time was late so Archie went to sleep.

When Archie awoke he was in a dark room, a single red light glowing before him. Tied to a table, Archie was trapped. A familiar voice welcomed him, "Why I'm glad to see you're up." the voice said. The figure approached. Archie tried to listen, but heard nothing. The voice somehow noticed this, "If you're trying to hear my thoughts you're not allowed. You shouldn't exist. You don't belong." Archie was scared. Something pricked his arm and he suddenly felt cold, like he was being injected with ice water. He looked over and saw an IV pumping a blue fluid into his arm. "What are you doing?!" Archie screamed. Suddenly a wave of nausea struck him, he was sick to the stomach and couldn't move. "What are you doing to me?" He groaned weakly. "Oh? I just told you, you DON'T BELONG!" shouted the figure.

Archie felt miserable; he couldn't bring the strength to respond. He saw a dim white light flicker on behind the figure, as his eyes adjusted his vision was blurry. He saw the glint of a silver blur, stained with a rusty red. The figure was in a dark cloak, and as he approached, Archie noticed it had a knife in hand, Archie looked up at it. "Don't waste your last breath saying something you'll regret." warned the figure. Archie didn't know what to do. The blue IV was pulled out of his arm and suddenly Archie could see clearly. A knife in the hand of a dark figure came up to Archies neck, he felt the cool steel of the blade and a duller feel of the dried blood right below his chin. It stung his neck as a small cut was made and warm blood began to drip down. Archie took in a quick breath as this happened. The figure replied "This is just my job Kid." it's voice seemed to be hurt. The figure's arm made a hard twist and Archie found the strength to scream as a sharp pain sliced his neck, he gasped for air that he couldn't get. The cool blade covered in warm blood was lifted in front of the figures face, as it lowered his hood, through tear-stricken eyes, Archie saw the regretful face of a man who left when he was young ... his father.