Hayden walked into the kitchen where Amros and Amya sat at the table.
Hayden
Good morning.
Amya and Amros both replied with a good morning.
Amya
Did you sleep well?
Hayden
I did, thank you. You’ll find we elf are easy to please.
He smiled.
Amros
You can sit with us if you’d like.
Hayden sat at the table.
Hayden
Where is your mother?
Amya
She went out with Amron.
Amros
They go out for a walk every morning.
Hayden
Well that’s nice. Why don’t you go with?
Amros set his cup down.
Amros
We’re too old for it.
Hayden
You’re never too old to do something with your mother.
Amya
Well, she tends to favor Amron, so we just leave it alone.
Hayden
Well now that you put it that way, it makes more sense. Will they be back soon?
Amya
Yeah, they should be back before noon.
Hayden
I’ll be expecting them.
Amron walked with his mother through the woods.
Amron
I want berries.
Amber
Well you’re going to have to find them.
She put her hand on his head.
Amber
I have to go find some plants for the kitchen. Can you pull that off without me?
Amron
Yes, momma.
He grabbed her finger. She smiled and laughed.
Amber
Now go on you. I don’t need you making me happy when I already am.
She kissed him on the forehead. He ran off into the woods.
Amron
Where are you?
He searched bush after bush for berries.
Amron
Maybe I’ve had them all already.
He shook the next bush.
Amron
Nope, that’s not right.
Berries fell to the ground. He smiled as he reached down his hand collided with another.
Amron
What the?
A man’s voice came from the other side. He was laughing.
Amron
Can I help you sir?
The man stood up and hovered over the bush. He was fat and dirty.
Man
Hello, my names Tim.
Amron
That’s lovely. Now may I ask you to leave?
Tim
Hey now, I just got here. Now I tend to think of myself as a not so stupid person, so correct me if I’m wrong but did you just make me laugh by the touch of your hand?
Amron
How could I have done that?
Tim
I don’t know. But it seems like ya did. Do I know you?
Amron
No, I don’t know anyone.
Tim
Wait, aren’t you one of the Anselia kids? You out here alone?
Amron
Yes.
Tim
Well that’s not good is it? Not a smart little lad are ya? Being out here alone.
Amron
As it stands, so are you.
Tim
Really? Bertha, get out here!
An ugly woman appeared from behind the trees.
Bertha
What do you want?
Tim
Look, look, we have a little friend.
Amron
I’m not your friend.
Tim
Sure you is. Come here Bertha. It’s one those Anselia kids.
She walked closer.
Bertha
You mean one of those freak boys?
Tim
Yes, one of those. Looks like the stories are true. He made me laugh. Made me laugh with his touch, I swear he did.
Bertha
Lets go tell the town, baby.
He tried to touch Amron but Amron stepped back.
Amron
Sir, you are invading my personal space.
Tim spat on the ground.
Tim
Personal space? You aint got any personal space.
Tim grabbed Amron’s arm.
Amron
No!
Tim screamed at the top of his lungs and fell to his knees while clutching Amron’s arm.
Tim
Stop it, stop it! Please mom please! Dad, I don’t want this anymore.
Bertha
What the hell are you doing to him?
Bertha ran forward and grabbed Tim’s side.
Tim
I want to die, I want to die now. Please, kill me!
He grabbed Bertha with his other hand.
Tim
Kill me now! Please baby, kill me.
Bertha screamed and ran behind Amron. Amron was paralyzed by fear.
Bertha
Freak!
With the swing of a big rock she struck the back of his head. Amron fell to the floor sideways. She rushed to Tim on the floor.
Bertha
You okay?
He got up slowly.
Tim
Yeah, yeah I’m fine.
Bertha
What was he doing to you?
Tim
I don’t know. I just saw the most terrifying things in my head. Looks like he can choose what he wants his victims to feel.
He turned Amron over with his foot.
Tim
Well, I can do the same.
He pulled out a knife.
Tim
He’ll feel what I felt.
Bertha
Come on Tim, lets just go. The town can deal with this.
Tim
Shut up! He is getting what he deserves. Get out of here, go back to the house. I’ll meet you there in a bit.
She ran off. He cut Amron’s shirt open.
Tim
Well, lets see how you like it.
He ran the cold blade across Amron’s chest and stomach.
Tim
Where to start, where to start?
Right under Amron’s rib the blade found home.
Tim
Death will come fast boy, it will welcome you.
A hand grabbed his hair and pulled him up. A blade appeared next to his neck.
Amber
Tell me, will it welcome you?
She stuck the blade into his neck. The man choked and died. His body fell to the floor and she ran to Amron’s side. She parted his hair on his face.
Amber
Ron, baby wake up!
She heard a scream behind her but didn’t lose interest in her son.
Amber
Come on Ron, wake up.
His eyes opened.
Amron
Momma?
Amber
Yes baby, it’s me.
Amron
Momma, am I going to die?
Amber began to cry.
Amber
No baby, no. You said yourself you’d outrun death.
The tears began to blur her vision. He set his hand on her thigh. She felt a surge of happiness pulse through her body.
Amber
Please baby, run.
Amron began to close his eyes.
Amron
I can’t run, momma.
Amber
Hayden!
The leaves moved gently around the forest as Hayden appeared next to her.
Hayden
What has happened?
Amber
He was attacked by that man.
Hayden saw the body on the floor.
Hayden
I can save him. Lets get him to your home first. It wouldn’t be wise to do this where we can be seen.
Amya and Amros cleared the table as Hayden laid Amron on top. Hayden tended to Amron’s wound and five minutes later Amron was breathing gently on the table. Amber stood over him.
Amber
You’re alright, baby.
Amya wiped her tears behind her mother.
Amya
Mommy, who did this?
Amber
The humans! They almost killed your brother.
Amros
Mother, we can’t blame all humans for the acts of one.
Amber
They’re all dirty creatures.
Amros
That’s not true!
She smacked Amros.
Amber
What do you know? You aren’t a human like I am. Even I know the disgusting race I live through!
She walked over to Hayden.
Amber
Go to the room and help them get their stuff. They must leave now.
Hayden, Amros, and Amya went to the other room. Amron opened his eyes to his mother above him.
Amron
Momma, I did it.
Amber
Yeah baby, you did.
He grabbed her hand.
Amber
Stop it! No more of that. I don’t want you making anyone happy again, especially not any humans. No one deserves your gifts.
She took a breath and whispered in his ear.
Amber
Mommy is going to have to leave you soon.
Amron tried to get up and protest but she held him down.
Amber
Don’t baby. No use. They’re coming for me.
Amron
Momma, no.
Amber
Momma can’t do anything about it, Ron. I told you I wouldn’t be able to outrun death. It had to catch up with me sometime. You just keep running, you hear? Keep running until you're so strong that even death will fear you.
She kissed his forehead.
Amron
I’m sorry, Momma. I’m sorry I didn’t have the power to stop that man.
He began to cry.
Amber
It’s not your fault baby. Sometimes things are out of our power.
Amron
They won’t be after this momma. Run with us. You don’t need to stay behind.
Amber
I can’t do that, sweetie. Momma has a plan and you need to follow it.
Amron
I don’t want to live without you. I won’t ever make another happy again. But without you I’ll never be happy again.
Amber
Yes you will. Remember what I said. Keep me in your memories. I’ll always be there with you, baby. You’re going to go and one day you’ll rule the world. You said it yourself; from here on you will have the power. Show the world all you got. Give them hell. Humans don’t deserve control over the world anymore. Will you do that for me? Will you rule the world one day?
Amron
I will momma, I will.
Amber
Even if it means giving up on your brother and your sister?
Amron
Yes.
Amber
I love you, Ron. My little Amron.
Before he could reply there was a shout outside.
Bertha
Come out, witch. Bring your demon children with you!
There was a roar of approval outside.
Amber
Hayden, you must go now!
Hayden grabbed Amron and the rest followed him to the back door.
Amber
Take care of them, Hayden.
Hayden
I promise.
Amros and Amya said goodbye as she gave them a kiss on the forehead.
Amron
Momma!
Amber
That’s enough baby, go. I’ll always be with you.
She blew him a kiss and they all disappeared. Amber grabbed the candles in the house and began setting the wooden house on fire.
Person
Come out now witch or we will go inside!
Bertha
She is lighting the place on fire!
They all looked up as the roof turned into a giant ball of fire. The door opened and there stood Amber.
Amber
My children are dead!
Bertha
May Jesus have mercy on their souls!
Amber
They fear no Jesus nor seek his mercy!
The crowd began throwing rocks. They moved forward and grabbed her.
Amber
Let go of me, humans! Filthy monsters!
They put a cloth in the shape of a pillow case over her head.
Amber
Cowards! Cowards!
Town policeman.
To the gallows! The judge has already decided she is guilty with the death of your husband Mrs. Bertha Jones.
Amber
Hang me! Cowards!
Bertha
The gallows is God!
Amber
May you burn in hell with your God!
They began to chant witch.
Amber
You will meet God one day but it won't be in death!
They continued to chant.
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Your writing gets better and better with each chapter! Your ability to make your readers empathize with these characters is incredible. I swear I felt tears roll down my cheeks when Amber was saying her farewells because all I could picture was my mother doing the same for any one of us in a similar situation. She wouldn't heistate to sacrifice everything for me or my other two sisters. You really brought that motherly kind of unconditional love to life. It was heartbreaking to read.
ReplyDeleteAnd it gives us all a much different perspective on the character of Ximendos, and shows that there is no such thing as true evil. It's impossible to simplify because it's not by any means, one-dimensional.
The very close relationship between Amber and Amron actually didn't surprise that much. So many years ago Amron actually had a soft heart? Well sort of. The sacrifices Amber did for her children is very realistic. Most mothers will do anything for the sake of their kids. That moment where she was bidding goodbye to her kids, especially Amron was pretty touching. In a short little part of this chapter I already felt pretty emotional. Great, great job!
ReplyDeleteGives me a little hope that Amron will soften up a tiny bit. But i highly doubt it! hahaha.
Woaaah, now that was pretty crazy. hah
ReplyDeleteMan I was so happy when they killed the guy
i knew that was gonna happen.
but goood chapterrr.
aw,Amber is a good mom. that whole part with her last moments with the kids was something i could imagine clearly in my head. i felt the pain of those kids, especially Amron. nothing made me more upset though than those townspeople though, especially Tim. disgusting. anyways, great chapter buddy! oh and yay! i'm totally caught up now :)
ReplyDeleteI spunked my pants when I read and commented on this chapter ....... about a WEEK ago, lol. But yeah I cried....... was aweseome
ReplyDeleteWow this was so shocking. I kept gasping through every line when the man was going to kill Amron. The relationship between him and his mother is amazing too. I can also really see a lot of yourself in this story which is really neat because it gives us reasons as to why you write it and where your coming from. This chapter was amazing and your writing keeps getting better and better.. Keep up the good work and this to another one of my favorites list hha
ReplyDeleteIntense!!
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is really well written Morales.
The way that it started made it seem that it was going to be a happy chapter, you could call it.
When the man came out of nowhere and touched Amron
I knew that it was going to take a turn for the worse.
The audacity that the guy had to try and kill a young child, makes me think of the reality that we actually live in.
And the way that the town reacted towards Amber was not surprising.
Nowadays, our "society" does the same thing, maybe not to the same extent, but to a certain point.
Very well written though man.
So that's how it began. :O
ReplyDeleteAnnd my goddess! This just got intense again and i'm crying.
I hate when shiz like this goes down, groups of ppl rioting and killing an innocent....just because they do not understand or are unaccepting.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of that scene in The Mist when they killed the soldier who had knowledge about the outbreak. Sad............
this chapter was seriously depressing. i don't like how amber was mean to the other two kids. not nice.
ReplyDeletethat tim guy was a creeeper, i am glad he died haha.
soo good i like the references to the witch trails . poor amron, i feel so bad for him. he has chosen a path for the dark side. but this chapter is so amazing. you really are an amazing writer.
ReplyDeleteI cant stand ppl aghh!! I was soo mad it burned inside me ..im so glad Tim died lol
ReplyDeleteAnd sad i cried..Amber did what she had to but that was the hardest thing..
Its like the mom knew Amron would be great one day and that the siblings would seperate ..i didnt want her to die but then Amron wouldnt be how he is now ..and i dont blame him for hating humans if i was him i probably would to..
this one kinda got me scared and sad at the same time. scared for Amron and then sad about Amber having to let her children go with Hayden... :(
ReplyDeleteit must such a terrible feeling being a child and still being able to comprehend the meaning of death and then knowing you mom is moments from death.
ReplyDeleteThey fear no Jesus nor seek his mercy!
im starting to see why these chapters were your favorite
wow, that chapter is a tear jerker...
ReplyDeletei fucken love this story dude, its sooo awesome!
<333
"Tim
Really? Bertha, get out here!
An ugly woman appeared from behind the trees."
AND THIS WAS NOT NICE AT ALL! D:<
talk about an intense chapter
ReplyDeletei think amron's ability to control emotion or not to control, rather to change emotion is beautiful (that is a great power)
but to hurt a child..that was disgusting..it really got my in the gut..ppl are so ignorant of those who are different
i understand they have powers but even in real life..if u don't follow the "norm" you are ostracized and bullied or shunned.
also everyone's goals or destinies are carried out by a dream of another
examples: cameron and amron who i am going to continue to assume is ximendos...
Its crazy how one holds fast to the dream...
The back gorund takes u all the way back
So maybe he isn't a crazed "god"
But only a child trying to plz and honor the memory of his mother at any cost
it made me very sympathize with him a bit
this is so good! "i hope you burn in hell with your god" so good!
ReplyDeletei have an inkling that amron is xemenidos (= haha but i wont expect cus you ill probably have a crazy twist and my mind will be blown once again
and btw i was totally almost crying when i thought amron was gunna die!
The last line was very good...but I want to know what happens to Arkain!
ReplyDeleteWow, so Amron is Ximendos. I see, very very interesting. Now I see where Ximendos is coming from. Amazing chapter!
ReplyDeleteIntense chapter.. I love how Ximendos changed his name from Amron and is intending to do as his mother asked him to. Lots of back story and it's getting intense.
ReplyDelete@Alcha: Wow...and here I thought that it was another brother in their family..I totally did not make that connection lol not it makes more sense that Amron is Ximendos
ReplyDeleteJust a suggestion, Steven, but I think you should add short bios for each of your characters after you are done with the series. I think it will get confusing to the readers when they don't have a general idea of who's talking to whom. I admit that going into this chapter I thought it would transition back to the present, so at the beginning it was a little ambiguous as to the time it took place. Anyway, I loved this chapter, but I just wanted to point out that for me at least it was a little unclear.
After the beginning of this chapter, I thought I was silly to say that Amron must have died, I immediately realized that he was Ximendos! How does one change their name to ...Ximendos from Amron? Haha, have you already written a chapter about that? Anyway, I personally love how this chapter was written as well, and can say that I actually don't like the mother at all. She really did seem to favor Amron, and even told him to abandon his siblings if they don't help him with his goal... >_< Siblings need to stay together!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh how incredibly sad, All this not knowing where they were in the beginning and all that happy moments with with her and Ron, I was thinking in the back my head, "something bad is going to happen." sure enough...:(
ReplyDeleteI really wish she would of gone with her children stupid villagers, and they're make believe god, I'm sure this has really happened before too, except these kids really do have magical powers, as long as you accused someone of being a witch that was enough!
Dam why did the mom die? why!!!!!!???
The relativity that this chapter has towards the "real" world is definitely being shown and shown in the correct manner that allows for the reader to better connect.
ReplyDeleteWhy would someone treat a child like that and think there is nothing wrong being done? There is just no way that would happen in our present day without any consequences.
"You will meet God one day and it will not be in death", I think that sums up the chapter in a statement.