“Of course, son. Don’t look so grim. I’ll play you your favorite melody on the wooden flute.”
I went upstairs and glanced outside. All the windows revealed a royal guard. The place was surrounded. There was no escape. Everyone stood there waiting. There was no way to sneak out undetected. Some of the royal guards stared at me like moldy bread.
When something big is going to happen in your life, good or bad, time is your enemy. Before I knew it, it was midnight, so I laid down on my bed. My mother came into my room and laid down beside me. She always smelled of perfume. She still smiled, but I knew it was a fake one; she did it for my sake.
“Son there is going to be a time in your life where you’re gonna be all grown up, and I can’t be there to give you advice. You need to be a strong man in the future. Your powers will urge you to become the very Abomination people have labeled you. Do not let it corrupt you. Everybody lies but ask yourself the purpose behind each lie with their intention.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you need to know. It’s a tough world out there. It’s not for the weak. The strong prosper, and the weak get walked on. I wish I could tell you the good guy always wins, but that’s just a work of fiction. Part of growing up is when you stop assuming someone will treat you just as fair as you treat them.”
She held onto me very tight, using my clothes to wipe away some tears. “I love you so much. I will always be with you. Even when you have kids of your own someday and I’m just a granny with her time up. Even when I’m long gone. I will always be here. I’m immortal because my thoughts are passed down to you.”
She pointed to my head and then my heart. I listened to what my mother said as if my life depended on it.
“Your brain will always get you out of a tough situation, and your heart will guide you through the morality of a situation. Without a heart, a man becomes a monster that sees a person just as a number. Without a brain, you can become sheep and a number for the monster. Be sure to use both.”
“Don’t talk like that. I can’t live without you.”
“Death is a part of life. That’s what makes life so precious.” She moved back and put her one hand on my cheek. “Come on. I’ll play you a flute before bed.”
She began to play the flute; the tune was always soothing. After a while, I started to shut my eyes. I heard her put the flute down and lie next to me. I gave into the weight of my eyelids.
The sun was starting to rise as I walked down the broken cobblestone street. I had my stick with a pouch heading to the town square. There an officer turned his attention towards me.
“Stop right there!” he shouted.
He grabbed the pouch, and nearby people formed a circle around me. I felt the weight of people watching. The sea of people turned into black silhouette figures. All of them whispering words like, Abomination, freak, and useless. I turned to the officer who grabbed my bag.
“Let go!” I shouted.
The officer shoved me to the ground and opened the bag, the Macrovinae carcasses were drawn out. The mother was holding onto her dead baby. The officer transformed into a crow and started to devour the Macrovinae carcasses. I chased the crow down, but no matter how fast I ran, it kept getting away. The crow disappeared into the distance. I screamed but no words escaped my lips. The sea of whispers grew louder and louder.
My mother held onto me in my bed.
“Had a bad dream?”
I rubbed my eyes, “Yea, what time is it?”
“Its eight. Get dressed because we’ll be going to the meeting in the town square. Make sure you look good. We gotta get that lady-hair cut sometime.”
I touched the top of my head, “Hey, it’s part of the Felis custom.”
We did all the morning prep work of making breakfast and getting ready. At 8:30, a royal guard barged in.
“Come with me and don’t cause any trouble, understand?” he said.
“Yes,” my mother replied.
The guard stared at me for confirmation too, so I nodded.
“These cuffs are mandatory for the accused. Please do not struggle,” said the guard.
He put sturdy black cuffs on both of our hands. I guess the cuffs didn’t need to be made from Abundan resistant material. After all, there would be ten trained guards against one kid.
People of all races gathered at the town square. Some of them were getting snacks, inviting random people to watch.
King Mammon was with his wife and two daughters at the top of the palace. The balcony they were on overlooked the town square. It was rare to see the king; he didn’t make speeches often. The king had a scruffy beard with a massive red cape. He wore golden armor that had silver embroidery and jewels, and a crown that matched. He glowed, giving off a bright appearance. The king looked down at us while we walked.
Officers guarded around the fountain outskirts, while the royal guards made a smaller circle around us. The king and queen’s faces were grim. The kids looked about as confused as me. They were both about my age. I glanced back to my mother, who said nothing. She didn’t seem perplexed. There was a massive metal pillar near the fountain and a wooden platform. Did they set this up overnight?
The leader of the royal guards strolled off. He went through the gates of the palace and soon reappeared on another balcony. The balcony was not as high as the king’s. A town square hearing hasn’t happened since the Great War.
The royal guard leader had a scroll with him and extended it. “Everyone silence!”
The whispers began to fade, and a voice echoed through the crowd like the fall of a hammer.
“I am General Andrew of the royal guard. I will be the speaker for this hearing. The accused case of Aja and her offspring son, Salan, will now commence. We find that Aja’s offspring guilty of several violations of Faslow federal laws.”
There was an adjacent balcony. On it, was Babel, Phil from school, Officer Christian, a Red Skinned Hymer I didn’t know, and Mr. Lox. Why were they there?
Andrew started to speak again, “How does the defendant plead?”
“Of what crime?!” My mother shouted.
“For giving birth to an Abomination. For your son getting into fights with purebreds at school. For your son selling endangered Macrovinae pelts to black market dealers. For his association with the Red Skins gang. For tainting the good nature of Seraculus, daughter of an Atral council member. For underage drinking, and for the disruptions of class time for normal students,” replied Andrew.
The crowd’s opinion had started to sway. A line of several Hymers bearing red skin; Haiba, Kiongozi, Wajibu, Inasaidia, and others, were ushered into the same circle as us. There was a total of about 20 people in the town square.
“I plead not guilty, of course. My son wouldn’t do such things as sell pelts or hangout with a Red Skins gang,” stated my mother.
I could feel the pressure of what my lies had done.
“So, you lie to this hearing and waste King Mammon’s time?” Andrew asked.
“He’s my son! I don’t feel guilty for having him!” My mom shouted louder now, more upset by the minute.
“Then let’s ask the first witness,” said Andrew
I couldn’t let this continue. I had to end this. “Stop! There’s no need. I did it. I used the money to cover an outrageous landlord notice that cost 2000 gold coins, and it had to be paid in three days,” I shouted.
Murmurs started in the crowd. Homeless Felis, Minyades, and Hymers seemed to be angry. The rest watched as if they were at a play.
“Silence!” shouted Andrew. “Witness number one, begin.”
Babel and his parents stood up. Babel started to speak, “I was walking around minding my own business when Salan, shoved me down at school. Seraculus just stood there.”
“That’s not true!” I shouted.
“If you do not be quiet, we will have you gagged for the remainder of this hearing!” shouted Andrew.
My mother glared at me. I put my he
ad down, too ashamed to look her in the eye. She warned me, and she had been right. The Red Skins glared at the Hymer on top of the balcony. I did not recognize him.
Andrew turned to Babel, “Thank you. You may take a seat.”
Andrew then addressed the crowd and said, “Panya Sherk, please stand.”
The Hymer stood up with red skin. He changed his skin color blue. The crowd of Red Skins behind me booed.
“Silence! State your case, Panya.”
“I worked undercover for about a year, learning about the secret organization of the Red Skins near the town square. A year ago, officers here said I could have my record cleaned if I busted their organization. They controlled the black market. It was there that I saw Seraculus and Salan sell two Macrovinae pelts to Inasaidia,” he said.
“Tell me, what is the fine for killing Macrovinae?”
“500 gold coins for an adult and 700 for a child. Selling to the black market is an extra 1000,” said Panya in clearly rehearsed monotone.
“Thank you, Panya. Take a seat. Your record is officially cleared,” said Andrew. “Next we have Mr. Lox. Please stand and state your case.”
Mr. Lox stood up and buttoned up his suit. He had the grin of a devil.
“Salan barely scraped by on the first day. He has been disruptive and gets into fights with other students and me. This is what happens when people have Abominations.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lox. Please be seated,” he paused for a moment before continuing. “Now, Officer Christian. Please stand up and state your case.”
Officer Christian stood up, “I was patrolling the area at night and saw Seraculus in the arms of Salan running away. He should have no reason to run away from a law enforcement officer. I couldn’t recognize the two other people who were with them, but one had a bottle of alcohol.”
“Thank you, Officer Christian. Please be seated.”
‘All of these people are liars. Why can’t anyone see past what’s going on?’
“Phil, please stand up and state your case.”
“I was with my buddies when Salan broke three of my ribs and said he’d do it again for fun if I came close to him.”
Girls from my school began cheering after Phil spoke. They were just attracted to his appearance, what a bunch of idiots. Andrew waited for their noises to subside.
“Thank you, Phil. Please be seated. The royal King Mammon hereby sentences–”
“Do I not get to defend myself? Those were all lies!” I shouted, interrupting Andrew.
“Salan you are an Abomination, and therefore you do not have the same rights as a Human being. You are merely a tool for the military. Your pure mother has no rights either, because of the crime she committed in having you. All of the Red Skins gang members have been proven guilty. The punishment for these actions will now take place.”
‘How was this fair?’
I heard fragments of a whispered conversations – “menace, freak, Abomination.”
‘Stop it! Stop the whispers!’
But there was no use arguing; the crowd believed General Andrew. I looked around to try to find Seraculus. Near the front of the crowd, Seraculus was crying. I saw Mr. Finch at the edge of the circle as well. His face was shrouded in pure hatred.
“The King and his servants find the accused guilty of all their crimes. However, we find that Salan's punishment should be carried onto his mother. Salan will be more useful to the military alive. The penalty to commit such crimes without pay and rights is death by hanging,” announced Andrew.
My heart skipped a beat.
‘This can’t be real! Not my mother! This must be a misunderstanding!’
My mother’s face was covered in tears. A man with a black hood over his head walked onto the wooden platform. He setup a noose. There was a small deck setup that had a trap door.
“Salan shall receive 25 lashes as will the Red Skins. Salan will be put under close surveillance and be trained to fight as an Abundan. The Red Skins gang will be then sentenced to prison for ten years after their whipping. Salan will be the first to receive his punishment.”
I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do. I started to get angry. My black aura began to circle me. Some of the guards stepped back and drew their swords.
My mom held onto me and whispered in my ear. “Do you remember what I told you last night? No matter what happens to me, don’t fight here. If you do, we will both die. I forgive you. Don’t blame yourself; this has nothing to do with you.”
My aura calmed down, but my mind kept racing. What could I do? I frantically searched for an answer.
“Stop! This isn’t right! All of those men are liars!” screamed Seraculus.
As I turned to Seraculus, her father clamped his hand over her mouth. Her mother began to cry, and her father looked away from my gaze. Andrew addressed the family.
“If you cannot control your daughter and keep her from following Salan’s example, she will suffer the same fate!” shouted Andrew.
Another voice from the past arose from the crowd of sheep. Mr. Finch stood up and shouted, “He’s my student! I’m a Caltron, and that boy is one of the best kids I have ever had the privilege of training!”
These statements had more of an impact on the crowd. They didn’t know who to follow. They seemed like a lost puppy.
“Silence! The punishment has already been decided, and you’ll be reprimanded as well if you continue!”
Felis, Hymers, and Minyades I saw in the background were whispering and talking to Mr. Finch. Good, maybe they can stop this. A nervous greenhorn soldier ushered me. He escorted me to the whipping pole. For a second, my cuffs were released so my arms could be wrapped around the pole. I glanced back at my mom, asking for confirmation in retaliating. My mom smiled and shook her head. Again, my hands were placed in cuffs, and Andrew held up a whip. It had spiky edges all along it. He dropped it to the officer from the balcony. The crowd gasped at the barbarous appearance of the whip.
Andrew read the audience, “The whip needs to be spiked to make it painful. After all, he is an Abundan.”
The crowds’ complaints died down. They believed him. An Abundan feels the same pain; they just heal better. The greenhorn soldier moved his hand back and extended the whip. They wanted to be sure to leave a mark on an Abundan.
“Begin!” shouted Andrew.
The first whip made a crack, and searing pain in my back started only moments later. Before I had a chance to recover, another strike landed. It was more painful than activating my aura with Mr. Finch. While I squinted in agony, some people in the crowd were smiling. Did they enjoy my suffering that much?
I refused to grant them the satisfaction. I put on my best poker face and stared right back. Some of them didn’t smile anymore. When the count reached twelve, my back was soaked with blood. On the 18th lash, I began to go white from the loss of blood. On the 19th lash, I felt the officer tugging on the whip; the barbs must have gotten stuck in my back.
“Oops!” joked the soldier.
Most of the crowd thought it was funny. I heard him walk up and take the whip out of my back. He moved back a few steps and kept going. My vision began to fade. I couldn’t pass out, no matter what. He got to 20. I just had to hold out for five more. The whipping rhythm stopped. Something wasn’t right. I looked back up, and General Andrew spoke.
“We shall stop the whipping momentarily to give the death penalty to Aja.”
Some of the audience members cheered when he announced the death penalty.
‘What the hell is wrong with these people?’
My mother walked up to the wooden platform. A man with a black mask stood by the lever. The noose set. I tried to say something at first, but no words escaped my mouth. My mother glared at me the whole time.
For an instant, I lost my mind entirely and found my voice: “STOP! I DID IT! I’M THE ABOMINATION! WHIP ME 50 TIMES! 100 TIMES! PLEASE! DON’T HURT MY MOM!”
“Gag him!” shouted Andrew.
The
rookie put a muzzle on my face so that I couldn’t scream, and the crowd still didn’t care. I could only stare helplessly, shouting gibberish into the muzzle.
Summoning her last ounce of strength, my mother shouted, “Son! Remember that this isn’t your fault! Don’t turn into the monster they want you to be! Your mother loves you very much!”
As she said this, the executioner put a bag over her head and fastened the noose around her neck. We both screamed at each other, trying to communicate any last words, but no noise would come out. I cried not for just my mother, but for others standing by and allowing this to happen. Aura flourished out of me. My eyes let out teardrops that pierced through the smoke. I won’t let this happen. I started to break the metal pole, moving it back and forth. The pole began to give. I pulled the handcuffs with all my strength. My blood soaked back screamed in agony, but I ignored the pain. The greenhorn soldier sarcastically had his hand at his sides, waiting patiently. Gritting my teeth, I kept yanking the cuffs back.
‘Come on, come ON!’
I looked up. The executioner pulled the lever, her body fell, and the crowd cheered. I couldn’t watch the rest, so I lowered my eyes to the ground.
‘I think I understand now. I get it, Mom, I now know what it means to grow up.’
6- Acceptance
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
― Albert Einstein
How dare you forsaken me. I lost all control of my emotions. I screamed, and a tornado of black smoke encircled me. It lashed out and hit guards nearby. The metal pole bent severely and then broke in two. The top of the metal pole crashed into the audience. I slipped my arms over the sharp stub that remained. The holes in the chains caught the sharp stub. One quick tug and the chains snapped.
“Stop him!” screamed a royal guard.
The greenhorn soldier drew his sword, but his hands were shaking when he pointed it at me. I grabbed the sword and crunched the metal with my hands. I side-stepped and punched him so hard that half of his teeth flew out of his mouth. But I made sure not to kill him, no matter how much I wanted to.
Untold Deception Page 8