The Monster Hero

Chapter 3 - Slash

"Mister Slash! Dinner's ready! Come out of your room to eat!"

"No! I'd rather starve!" I answer, "Leave me alone!"

I hear the servant sigh in defeat and shuffle back down the hall. I sit up on my bed and stare at the floor.

It has been nine years since Mom died and two years since I stopped coming out of my room, except for the occasional bathroom breaks and the need for food.

I push off from the bed and stumble across the room. Buzz.

"Manu, bring me my dinner. Pronto."

"Right away, sir."

I go back to my bed to lay down.

"Here is your dinner, sir."

Manu pushes the door open with his hip, seeing that his hands are laden down with a silver tray holding plates of bread, mashed potatoes, steak, milk, turnips, and a little butter.

"Manu, why are you up here? I was about to get a little sleep."

"You told me to bring your dinner up to you pronto, sir," Manu answers.

I prop myself up on my elbows and stare at Manu. His wise aged face full of genuine concern. I sigh and lay back down.

Manu sighs.

I hear the clink of metal on wood, then footsteps on the rug. The double doors creak open and then shut. I sit back up and look around my room.

The closed closet door in the corner, the big dresser of drawers with assorted knickknacks in the drawers, the big double doors, the book shelf, the game closet, the dresser with a mirror and a picture of my family from Christmas, and finally, the picture of Mom.

I don't know how I survive with out her. When I told Manu this once, he said that I barely survive as is.

Manu is my only friend now a days.

I sigh again.

I look over at the picture from Christmas. It shows me, my 17 older brothers, Simon, Sam, Daniel, Johnathan, Michael, Jason, Zach, Jack, Tylor, Adam, Brandon, Liam, Cole, Cooper, Jackson, Tom, Leo, Dad......and Elliott.

Elliott. He ruined my life. I was 9 when Elliott was born. Mom died when I was 15. Elliott was 6. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

Buzz.

"Manu? Come up here to play a game with me."