Ruthless

The Lake

After breakfast, he makes his way outside. Breathing in the cold autumn air, he sighs in contentment. Passing through the garden, Ameto steps onto the small pathway leading down towards the lake. The forest around him gives way to a grassy patch of soil. Fallen leaves crunch under his feet. Except for that, there's only the nightly noises of animals and the soft waves of the lake. Gazing down, he can see the fog clinging to the dark surface of the water. It's made visible by the silver moonlight that covers the landscape like a cold veil. Standing on the jetty, he feels distant from his life. Under his feet the water seems like a black hole ready to swallow him at any moment. Out of nowhere there are steps. He freezes. Is it..? He closes his eyes. He's behind me. I know it. After a few very long seconds, he dares to turn around and when he does, he feels like all life has left his body in an instant. Richter's cold red eyes stare at his son. He takes a step forward. And another one. He takes his son's hand and lays a rose into his palm. Ameto's body jolts. heHe clenches the black rose tightly as the smell of blood permeates the air. He feels cold cold. With another disgusting jolt, Richter rips his arm out of his child's stomach and Ameto falls backwards. His arms flail in slow motion in front of his eyes, before water embraces his body like a freezing cold cloak. As he slowly sinks down into the depths of the lake, he can see blood leave a dark red trail in the muddy water. He can't feel his arms anymore, but they probably let go of the rose. Algae wrap around his face and cover his body like a blanket. It's dark. It's very dark down here.