One Man Army

Narod slammed his fist into the wall and a little sound of defeat escaped his lips as he crumpled in pain from contact with a support beam within. Tears fell freely as his anger turned to defeat. The toes of his shoes made a scraping sound as he pulled his legs up and drew inward, clutching at his quickly swelling hand.

“Feel better?” 

His sister stood above him watching his display with pity. “Fuck you.” The defeat turned to agony and he felt as if he might burst from the weight of it. He clutched his broken hand to his chest and leaned against the wall staring forward as he spiraled.

“Let me see your hand…” Pearl knelt beside him carefully. Her shoulders fell as her words fell on deaf ears. “Narod…”

As he felt her touch, he lashed out violently. His arm rose to block her flashing a blotched and blocky fist as his good hand shoved her away, hard. “You deaf? Fuck off.” Narod stood and looked about the room, feeling caged. “Don’t follow me.” He struggled to his feet and stormed out, slamming the door as hard as he could. He gasped for air and composure before deciding to stagger to the wine cellar. He made half way there before his mother found him.

“Darling…” Narod was pulled into his mother’s arms and he clutched at her making her wince. His sobs broke free and we wept as she rubbed his back softly. He tried to gather his wits and pull away from her but Nailo held strong. Defeated, he gave up and resigned himself to her care.

As he calmed, he looked up at her. “I don’t want you to die.” 

Her hands held his face tenderly. “We’ll all pass on-”

He cut her off in anger. “Yeah well, if the healers could do their fucking job. I mean, that’s what they do.” He choked out a sob. “So why…why can’t…”

Nailo’s eyes smiled sadly as she pulled her son close again. She furrowed her brows as she thought to herself and let him weep. “I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.” Narod wiped his eyes and tried to focus on her words.

“I don’t wish to burden your father. Under no circumstances are you to speak of this to anyone, do you understand?” Narod backed away, frowning. “Promise me.” Wordlessly, he nodded and kissed her forehead before departing swiftly into the night.