Genesis

This Is Democracy

     Dorian plunged his fists into Jax's ribcage again and again. Just as I thought there were no more ribs to break, I heard another crackling sound ripple through the air. Jax spurted crimson from his lip, and it spilled down his chin once more.

     My eyes were wide as I wondered how long this beating would go on, trying to fathom how Dorian could be capable of this, but my thoughts begging him to stop only made him more relentless. 

     "STOP!" Jax cried again, at which Dorian stopped punching for a moment, before plowing his crimson knuckles into Jax's jaw.

     "'STOP! ', he says," Dorian chuckled as his fist gave Jax's face another blow, "But will I stop? That depends."

     He pummeled his ribs once again, "YOU KNOW what you have to do to make me stop. All you have to do is apologize. And yet do you apologize?" Dorian smacked his fist into his jaw, "NO! Instead, you tell me STOP and PLEASE and PLEASE STOP, whining like a sick child. Like a coward."

     Jax's trembling lips began to try to sputter, "Please--,"

     CRACK!

     Dorian's fist blew into his teeth.

     "You know, I really am starting to think that you're a coward. And why should any coward be able to offend me ?"

     Another blow.

     "Because I was hurt when you questioned my ability to lead this camp. I really thought we had an understanding--,"

     "I'M SORRY!" Jax sputtered suddenly, "I'm sorry, okay?"

     I winced as I heard Dorian release a hearty chuckle, pushing himself off of Jax and coming to stand on his feet.

     "WOW!" Dorian exclaimed, "Now THAT was SINCERE !"

     Dorian laughed before he reached his arm towards Jax so suddenly that he whimpered in horror.

     "Oh come on, Jax. I'm not going to hit you again. I'm only trying to help you get up. You apologized, so it's all good between us."

     There were a few moments of hesitation before Jax finally took Dorian's hand, and yelped as he pulled him up to his feet. Jax stumbled, about to fall over before Dorian took his arm and slung it over his own back, allowing Jax to lean on him for support.

     "You alright there, buddy?" Dorian asked him.

     Jax nodded weakly, "So... we're okay?"

     "Yeah. Yeah, Jax, we're okay, " Dorian told him, "OH! I just forgot one thing. I don't think killing you would serve any good purpose now, so all that's left it to chop off your nut-sack."

     The quiet became more stifling.

     "How about we make it a vote? This is a democracy, after all," Dorian chuckled, "SO! Whoever wants to see Jax here's nuts get chopped, raise your hand!"

     I turned my gaze to the crowd, sighing in relief as nobody raised their hand.

     "COME ON! GUYS! Nobody ?!" Dorian shouted, turning to face Colt, "Come on, Colt. Not even you?"

     If Colt had anything to say right then, he kept it to himself as I observed the silence growing stronger. Dorian shrugged his shoulders, at which Jax winced audibly.

     "Alright," he said, "Jax, they want to leave you in one piece, nuts and all. You good with that?"

     "Y-Yes," he muttered quickly.

     "HEY!" Dorian shouted in his ear as he let out a cry, "That's YES SIR to YOU!"

     "Y-Yes S-Sir."

     Dorian smiled.

     "Very well. Lucius, take Jax to his tent," Dorian said, shoving Jax's arm off of his back, leaving him to fall to the floor in fatigue.

     Lucius shuffled towards him, hoisting him up and starting to walk away.

     "WAIT!" Dorian commanded as Lucius followed his instruction, "Jax, buddy, you aren't going to try to offend me again, are you?"

     Jax shook his head, "N-No Sir."

     The smile reappeared on Dorian's face, "That's good. You had me worried there for a second."

     Lucius waited a moment before continuing to walk Jax back to his tent.

     "Now, who wants some chow?" Dorian exclaimed, pushing one of the truck's loading door wide open.