NOVEL NEXT XL. Sewn-Open Sight
Scruffy Man: Useless little sack of shit...
As two coppers roll across the table, a child is scolded by a thin man with a large belly, one that seemed to hunger for more than just food.
Scruffy Man: How're we supposed to get by with this...?!
In frustration, the child's face drops to the ground. He tightens the small leather pouch that carried what little coin he could scrounge up for the day.
Child: S-sorry... I'll do better tomorrow, I promise...
With an exasperated sigh, the man reaches for a bottle. As he takes another swig, only a few drops cling to the rim, falling into his mouth.
Scruffy Man: Bah!
He flings the bottle across the room. It shatters as it hits a rotting wooden wall, causing the child to jump in startled fright.
Scruffy Man: Y'know, Barr...
The man leans closer. The stench of alcohol in his breath caused the child to cover his nose, his face contorting, repulsed by the smell.
Scruffy Man: There comes a time in a man's life where he must be ready to do everything and anything to survive...
He places a heavy hand on his son's head.
Scruffy Man: Momma was weak, she didn't realize this... That's why she died. Do we wanna be like momma?
Tears well up in the child's eyes. He shakes his head.
Barr (Child): N-no...
He carelessly pats the boy on the head, his small head bobbing up and down aggressively with each drop of the man's hand.
Scruffy Man: Of course we don't... So we gotta fight. Get our hands dirty if we hafta. Understand?
Barr: But... Momma said that -
Scruffy Man: Momma's not here anymore, is she?
The man raises his voice.
Scruffy Man: She was useless. Look at me.
Barr hesitated, avoiding his father's gaze.
Scruffy Man: LOOK AT YOUR FATHER, BARR!
Terrified, Barr obeyed, locking eyes with the man who loomed above him.
Scruffy Man: Momma worked day 'n night. Every day. Every week. See where that got her...? Where it got us?
He seized the boy by the shoulders, shaking him slightly.
Scruffy Man: An early fuckin' grave for her, and a shitty, rotting house for us. So it's not about workin' hard...
The man's forehead pressed against Barr's as he imparted his harsh wisdom.
Scruffy Man: ... It's about workin' smart. So work smart.
As the man sank back into his seat, clearly ready for a nap, Barr dared to ask the question that had been burning within him.
Barr: H-how come you never work at all...?
The man's bloodshot eyes snapped open, staring right at Barr.
Scruffy Man: Watch your mouth, kiddo. I do plenty o' work keeping us safe and raising ya. The least you can do is keep us fed. Don'tcha think...?
Barr: B-but we'd have enough coin to eat if you didn't drink so much wine...
In a sudden surge of anger, the man rose from his seat, causing Barr to take a few steps back in fear.
Scruffy Man: Learned to bitch like that from yer mother, did ya...?
He mercilessly swings his arm, striking Barr across the face with such violence that the impact causes the child to stumble, falling to the floor.
Scruffy Man: I didn't take any shit from her... Not about to take it from you!
The man grabs the child by the neck of his shirt. As he lifts him up and holds him high, the sound of cloth tearing served as a backdrop to yet another one of his drunken antics.
Scruffy Man: Start falling in line before I start hitting ya like a real fucking man. You'll be sorry you didn't change your tune then...
He lets go of his son, grabbing the two copper coins that were on the table.
Scruffy Man: Tidy the place up... I'll be back soon.
Barr knew all too well that the money he'd made that day would likely be spent on more alcohol. As his old man shuts the door and leaves, he is left to clean up the mess his father had left.
Screeching Voice: DEEPER... DEEPER...
A deeply unsettling, high pitched voice invades his memory, slicing through his consciousness. It ushers in a black tide, which pours in from the cracks of his home's walls. Just before it touches him, Barr's mind raced back to another episode from his childhood.
Tired Woman: ... I MEAN THAT IT'S HIGH TIME YOU GOT OFF YOUR DRUNKEN ASS AND STARTED SUPPORTING YOUR GODDAMN FAMILY, KINN!
Scruffy Man (Kinn): Shut your mouth, you worthless whore! Who the fuck d'ya think keeps you and your boy from getting stabbed in the middle of the fucking night?!
Tired Woman: HAHAHAH! Oh, that's rich... Is it you...? Really?! Did you already forget what happened two weeks ago? Where'd all our food go, Kinn? Where'd all our money go?!
Kinn's voice grew more defiant as he tried to defend himself.
Kinn: Shut the fuck UP...
Tired Woman: It was stolen! STOLEN! In broad daylight, as you were passed out in the middle of the living room!
Kinn: It wasn't fuckin stolen, we ate the goddamn food and you took the money to buy groceries...
Tired Woman: We ate the food...? We ate several day's worth of food in one night?! And I took ALL our savings to buy groceries...?! Oh my! Guess we must have eaten all the fuckin' groceries I got too, because we have nothing but moldy bread left...! GET A GRIP YOU USELESS SON OF A BITCH!
The argument escalated, and Kinn's temper flared. In a fit of rage, he slapped her across the face. She punched him in retaliation, a direct hit to the face. He stumbled backward.
Kinn: YOU FUCKING SLUT...
Enraged, Kinn attacks his wife. She tries to dodge, but he is faster than she accounted for. He tackles her by the waist, pinning her down to the ground.
Kinn: WHO THE FUCK D'YA THINK YA ARE?!
As he begins pummeling her, a very young Bar waddles toward them, bawling his eyes out.
Barr: Stop...! Stop!
As he shoves himself between them, Kinn's clenched fist came to a halt just before striking his own son.
Kinn: Barr?!
Barr: Please, stop...
Kinn, momentarily taken aback by the sight of his son, gazed down at the young boy, his rage temporarily doused...
Kinn: Dammit Olah, why's the kid not in his room?!
She spits out some blood before answering.
Olah (Tired Woman): He was in his room, sound asleep... All your yelling musta woken him up...
Kinn cursed under his breath.
Kinn: Fuck's sake...
As Kinn holds Barr in his arms and gets off of Olah, the very figure of his mother begins dissolving into a black puddle. He hears the deafening voice again, which had returned with a chilling force.
Screeching Voice: MORE... MORE...!
Memories of his past kept churning, this time during his teenage years when he was on his way home carrying a bag of groceries.
Teenage Boy: There he goes again... Bedbug Barr, scurrying off into the disgusting rat's nest he calls a home!
A group of other boys and girls around his age approach him. Barr hurried his pace, trying to avoid them, but it was no use. One boy grabs him by the arm, leaning close to him.
Teenage Boy: Oh man, the stink...! Is something dead in your house or what?!
Barr tries to break free, but the boy tightens his grip.
Teenage Boy: Don't tell me it was your drunken loser of a dad who finally kicked the bucket...! Maybe now you can start growing a pair and standing up for yourself...
Angrily, Barr drops his groceries and pushes the boy away from him.
Teenage Boy: Well well! Kitty's got claws, huh?! Hold him for me, guys...
Two other boys quickly joined the fray, overpowering Barr and pinning his arms. Barr's attempts at resistance dwindled as their blows landed relentlessly on his ribs.
Teenage Boy: Lost your fire already...? Man, are you useless...
Eager to join in the torment, one of the teenage girls decided to get involved.
Teenage Girl: Can us girls have some fun too?
The boy smiles, as he grabs the girl by the waist.
Teenage Boy: Of course sweetheart... He's all yours.
Thrilled, the girl walks up to Barr. He looked utterly defeated.
Teenage Girl: You're so fucking pathetic... No girl will ever touch you with a ten foot pole...!
She spits on his face. Another girl joins in.
Mean Girl: He's such a pussy... I wonder if he's got any balls at all...
With no hesitation, she delivers a kick straight into Barr's groin. Overwhelmed by pain, Barr crumpled to his knees, his body quivering in agony. As the cruel laughter of those surrounding him echoed in his ears, Barr couldn't help but cry. Black tears fall from his eyes, dripping down to his hands. The voice returns.
Screeching Voice: Closer... Getting closer, now...
His memories fade to black. All he hears is a familiar voice...
Cabdan: Ready for the next family, kid?
He is transported back to the night where he took his first life. He was scared. Terrified.
Jargen: Dammit, Cabdan... Let the kid go home!
Cabdan: Enough. Let's just take care of this already.
Tyssa and Yiel... That's when he met them for the first time. Chest pounding. Heart racing.
Cabdan: Children, do you know where your parents keep their rent money...?
Jargen: Does it look like they have any damn money, Cabdan?!
More children living under the same if not worse conditions than he himself once lived in. Seeing them made him recall his pain... His suffering...
Jargen: Look, I'm done here. I'll take the kids and leave. If you want to find your coin, search the place yourself.
Jargen prepares to take everyone with him, but Cabdan stops him.
Cabdan: Are you forgetting who's in charge here...?
Jargen stops.
Cabdan: You will do as I say. Yes?
Jargen's nails sink into his palms, drawing blood with how hard he clenched his fists. Barr felt like he had to do something. Anything. The sooner Cabdan got what he wanted, the sooner the children would be safe.
Barr: I-I'll go look, it's alright...
Cabdan: Good lad!
He searches the home, finding nothing but rotting food and dead cockroaches inside the drawers. He returns to Cabdan empty-handed.
Barr: Nothing...
Cabdan: Hmm...
Cabdan looks at the little girl.
Jargen: Cabdan...
Cabdan raises his hand, signalling Jargen to remain silent.
Cabdan: Say, little one, why don't you come with Cabdan...? Your mommy and daddy owe me coin, see, but if you come with me I'll forget all that!
Tyssa: B-but mommy and daddy are...
Her eyes begin to tear up as she looks at what is left of her parents. The mother was already a pile of bones, sitting by one of the room's corners. The father had died not so long ago, his bodies being consumed by flies and maggots.
Jargen: I've had enough of this shit, Cabdan.
Jargen grabs Cabdan by his suit.
Jargen: Leave these kids alone...
Cabdan laughs.
Cabdan: Or what, Jargen?! What will you do, hmm? Kill me? In front of these kids? Knock me out? Violence is all you've ever known. You're an animal. You think I don't know the risks? Lay a finger on me. Do it. I have eyes and ears everywhere, they WILL know... And they will seek revenge. I don't need to tell you how that would end up for you... Or your loved ones.
Jargen hesitates, not knowing what to do next.
Cabdan: Let. Go.
Begrudgingly, he obeys.
Cabdan: If you don't have the stomach for this line of work, then you're welcome to leave. In fact, I humbly beg of you: get lost. Me and you... We're done. If you want coin, better start looking someplace else.
Jargen turns to Barr.
Jargen: Whatever he asks of you... Don't do it. It's not worth it. Leave while you're a-
Cabdan: If you'll excuse us...! We have business to attend to.
He leans in close to his ear.
Cabdan: I have shown you far more mercy than you deserve. Open your mouth again... And I may not be so benevolent. Leave. NOW.
Jargen grinds his teeth, fighting his instinct to kill Cabdan then and there. He leaves the house.
Cabdan: Now, back to the matter at hand...
Yiel stood between his sister Tyssa and Cabdan.
Yiel: You're not taking sis!
Cabdan: Oh...? But why not, young man? Do you think she is happy here? Look around you...! I'm taking her to a much better place.
Yiel: Then... Then take me, too!
Cabdan kneels down.
Cabdan: I'd love to, Yiel... But see, there's really only room for your sister. I hope you can understand, yes?
Tyssa grabs her brother's clothes tightly, not wanting to be taken away from him.
Cabdan: Oh... But what's this...? Your brother isn't going anywhere little girl, you can come visit him anytime...!
Barr couldn't bear the idea of the little boy being left to live alone, especially in such a place.
Barr: Mister Cabdan, please... We can't leave him here. He doesn't deserve this.
In mere moments, Cabdan's eyes glint with opportunity. He whispers in Barr's ear, planting a dark idea within him.
Cabdan: I know, Barr... I do not wish to leave him here, either. Just think about how much he will have to endure... No mother... No father... No family... Nothing but the harsh realities of life ahead of him. And we both know, how harsh this life can be...
Barr nods.
Cabdan: But you know, Barr... In a way, he is luckier than either of us. Because this young man... He has nothing to fear. His family is gone. We will take care of his sister. He has nothing to chain him to this existence... Nothing to force him to live on. There is no need for him to be burdened with the unbearable weight of living...
Barr's eyes widen.
Cabdan: Wouldn't it be great if we could free him...? Send him to a better place. A place without pain. A place without suffering. Wouldn't you like to have the opportunity to go to such a place...? Your mother is already there. If your father was, too... Wouldn't you like to join them? To be released from the torment of living?
Tears start welling up in Barr's eyes.
Barr: There is nothing I'd like more... Nothing...
Cabdan hugs him tightly.
Cabdan: We have been given an opportunity to do good. Genuine, genuine good. To free this poor soul from our unfair world... We... We keep suffering. We keep pushing on. So that we can make their lives better. So that we can ease their suffering... We hurt so that they do not. We will bear their chains, so that they can be released. And there is no greater release, no greater gift...
Barr clutches him tightly.
Cabdan: ... Than the gift of death. Do you have what it takes to deliver this gift, Barr...? Can you do it, for him?
He says, as he pulls a sharp knife from under his suit's coat.
Barr: I... I must. I must put an end to his pain... It's what I would want.
Cabdan: It's what anyone in his circumstances would want...
Barr grabs the knife, tightly. He was prepared.
Cabdan: Come now, little Tyssa... You don't need to see this.
Cabdan grabs the girl by the arm, pulling her away from her brother. He then reaches for a damp cloth in one of his suit's pockets, placing it over the girl's mouth. She falls unconscious immediately.
Yiel: NO...! SISTER!!
Barr grabs Yiel, as he tries to take Tyssa away from Cabdan's arms.
Cabdan: I'll be waiting outside, Barr... I trust you. You will do what's right.
Cabdan leaves the home. Only Barr and the child remained.
Yiel: Please... Please...
Barr: I know you're scared... I would be, too. But this is for the best. You will see your mother soon... And your father, too. Don't worry about your sister... We will make sure she has a good life. Mister Cabdan will take care of her... We just can't take care of you. So we have to do the next best thing...
Barr smiles.
Barr: Maybe you'll have an even better life than she will.
Yiel: I don't want to... I don't want to die...
Barr: You do, Yiel. You just don't know it yet. You can leave Tyssa with us. You deserve to be happy, forever. Okay?
As the child struggles to release themselves from his grasp, Barr puts an end to their life. In his arms, the child slowly dissolves into tar.
Screeching Voice: YES...! YES! YOU ARE WORTHY...
Barr looks down at his hands. They, too, were succumbing to the tar. Leaving the memories of the past behind, he finds himself floating in what is seemingly infinite darkness, slowly becoming one with it...