Mad Jester

Sixth.. Parents, Goodbye Father

Days after that, Jackson finally let me watch Tv and even took the iron collar off my neck. So the first thing I wanted to watch was the news. I remember wanting to see what big brother's work has done to the village.

He sat by me on the sofa with a lazily bored expression, like any typical seventeen year old since he had his mask off. Watching me flip through the channels till I got to the village's news channel.

"Aiden.. Little brother.. Why don't we watch something funny, like a reality Tv show or something." He asked. Waving his hand like he was shooing a fly away. He seemed calm.

I shook my head and smiled. Finally, when I got to the Village's news channel and watched the news man speak.

"After countless reports of dead or missing children all over the village. Aiden Cottontail's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail-" It was still Cotental " -have gone missing after two months of their son, Aiden's disappearance. Now the police are investigating the Cottontail Case for further hopes the killer hadn't taken them as well ." He broadly stated. I turned off the Tv and looked at Jackson, who smiled slyly and looked at me from the corner of his eye.

"You didn't. " I said disbelieving.

"I did." He insisted. I remember bolting up and running down to the basement, where big brother took his victims sometimes before burying them, and flicked on the light before going down the stairs.

There, sitting on the floor, were my parents. They were tied up with their arms behind their backs and their ankles bound. A piece of cloth kept their mouths shut tight. Their hair and clothes were disheveled. When they looked up and saw me, Mother's blue eyes welled with tears. They started to make a ruckus as they squirmed. I untied the pieces of cloth that covered their mouths.

"Aiden baby you came for us!" Mother cried.

"What took you so long boy! We could've died here!" Father yelled impatiently, making me flinch. I hadn't been yelled at for a while. "Some "hero" you are.. Now untie us and let's get the hell outta here!" Father demanded.

"Yes! Yes! Untie us baby boy. Oh we love you so much!" Mother pleaded. I didn't like this, I didn't like them. I never liked them. They were only like this because they didn't want to die.

I remember backing away as I stared at their confused faces.

"Aiden..?"

"What the hell are you doing boy!? Untie us now!" Father demanded again. Suddenly I bumped into something. Then felt something being tied onto my face with a ribbon.

"I'm afraid you're misunderstood.. Cotentals.. Aiden isn't very fond of you." He hissed darkly, gripping my shoulders firmly. "He's my little brother now~ And for little brother to be happy-" He paused, releasing my shoulders as he pointed his gun at Father's head. "-you have to disappear!" He shouted, pulling the trigger as a bang sound rang out. Father fell sideways. I flinched when the bang ran out. Like the echoes of thunder after the flashing.

Mother started crying hysterically and thrashed about wailing.

"You monster! You devil crafted monster! You killed him! You killed my husband!!"She screamed. Jackson growled at her stupidity, then swung his hand.

"Shut up!", slapping her face. She then sobbed quietly.

I felt the smooth object on my face, and finally realized it was a mask, so I ran to the mirror that was down there and looked at myself. A snowwhite mask with black facial features while crimson tear lines came down from the eyes to the chin. Its black blank smile stretched wide folly. My eyes gazed through the darkened upside down crescent eyeholes bound to me with a red ribbon. The color opposite of Jackson's mask. I remember laughing, laughing at how funny my brother was for giving me a mask opposite to his own. Afterall, opposites attract.

As I was laughing, Mother screamed for help as if someone was coming for her but I knew no one was. So I stumbled over to her and pushed her backwards.

"Just shut up already! No one is coming! So until big brother decides to finally get rid of you. You'll stay here, abandoned, neglected, alone in the dark! Just like how you and father neglected and abandoned me!" Tears poured from my eyes behind my new mask as I finally told her off. She sobbed and looked at me, pleading

"I-i'm sorry. I'm s-so sorry Aiden! Let me go! Please! I promise. I promise to be a better mother! I-I'll do anything! Just please, please, please! Let me go!!" She ranted on, begging.

Big brother got between us and tied the cloth around her mouth again.

"That's enough of that." He stated, turning to me with his mask securely on, "Let's leave her~" He sang. I could practically hear him grinning.

"Okay!" I chirped, grabbing his hand as we walked back up stairs.

Just as we made it to the top of the stairs, the sounds of glass breaking caught our attention as gas suddenly filled the house. I coughed, suddenly feeling dizzy as I fell to my knees. Jackson fell to my side. When the smoke cleared the police busted in and cuffed big brother while he was barely conscious, taking him away. I tried reaching out for him, I really did, but I was so sleepy. So the last thing I remember before the world around me darkened was the image of my brother screaming my name and shouting at the police to release him. I will never forget that feeling of having the sibling I love taken away from me. Being left alone and empty once more.

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