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A Greater Society - Chapter 99: Final Straw by Ratte
Story
"Alright, Kuri, I'll take over," I said with a sigh, stepping into the room.
Kuri carefully released Sam, still on the floor, and stood up to step away.
"Will you be alright?" he asked as I came closer, kneeling in front of a confused, exhausted Samuel.
"Yes, I'll be just fine," I assured. "Thank you for stepping in and I'm sorry I couldn't be here. I've...had some business to tend to in town for the past few weeks."
I didn't go into detail, lest Sam get spooked. Kuri, being in on the countermovement, knew what I was describing and just nodded.
"Do you need anything?" Kuri asked as he walked back to the door.
"No, I should be good," I answered. "If I do, I'll let ya know. Thanks for asking."
Kuri nodded and took his leave, closing the door behind him as he retreated back to the hall. I grabbed the comforter and worked at untangling Sam from the folds. All the while I worked he was limp and barely there mentally as though in shock. I finally freed him from the blankets and pushed them aside, bringing my hands up to Sam's face and resting my palms against his cheeks. His face felt hot to the touch as though he'd just run a mile or was experiencing some kind of fever.
"Sam?" I quietly asked, gently patting his face to keep his attention. "What happened?"
He couldn't seem to get his mouth to move.
"Sam, please, I need to know what happened," I begged. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. I'm so, so sorry."
"...Harley," he squeaked.
"What happened with Harley?" I asked further.
"...I...I-I hurt her," he whispered. "...I choked my daughter."
His face warped in pain as he recalled what he did.
"I didn't...I didn't mean to..." he started to say, beginning to sob. "I couldn't see, I didn't know where I was. E-Everything around me was black and I was...I was on fire. I th-thought I'd finally died. I swear, Daniel, I didn't mean to hurt her! I'd never mean to hurt anyone!"
The only times I'd ever seen him get physical was out of fear, whether for his children or, more rarely, for his own personal safety. Even in the case of the latter it was hinged upon the former and just the means to an end.
"...A s-sea of eyes in the sky...all watching me," he continued. "...I couldn't...even see my hand in front of my face, as though I...just...as though I had no body anymore. Still I felt pain-- horrible, burning pain as I was surrounded by deep red flames that...that seemed to stretch on forever."
...Red panic attack. Given I'd put him to bed just before I left it was likely he'd gotten it while in a nightmare and couldn't tell when he'd woken up. Looking to the bits of mess in the room he'd probably been caught up in the comforter while already hot and sweating, feeling like he was on fire and trying to get away but running into things he literally couldn't see. At the larger clinics we'd keep fear-corrupted individuals in padded rooms for exactly this reason, not wanting them to get hurt during the attacks.
"Was Harley alright?" I asked.
"...Kuri and Tamani...pulled me off of her," he replied, unable to look at me. "The fear in her eyes...reminded me of all those years ago."
"Did you break any skin?" I asked again.
"...Tamani said there were no cuts," he answered.
At the very least I wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of infection, but there would undoubtedly still be trauma. As much as I wanted to tend to Harley I couldn't be away from Sam for very long, even with someone to sit him in my stead.
This was a very precarious situation.
---
I kept Samuel under the eyes of Kuri on short shifts so I could retrieve his work over the next few days, or so I could retreat to the bathroom when I needed. He was quarantined in the bedroom while I stayed close by, picking up his work so he could finally get a chance to rest and with only my eyes on him for most of it. I was sure he resented my takeover of his work but seemed to finally, finally understand just how serious this all was.
As long as I was around he seemed to get at least a little sleep. The quality might not be great, but it was better than he'd otherwise get without my being here. With this new responsibility I was unable to tend to meals, having to request Kuri and Tamani make the three squares in my place. They were happy to help, though the children's confusion was tangible.
Riv seemed particularly concerned as Harley's demeanor was suddenly quite different. The once happy-go-lucky little girl had one-eighty'd to a very quiet, withdrawn child. When Sam showed more improvement I knew I'd need to take her aside, but I also knew he wasn't likely to improve with the staff still around. They would, at the very least, need to be pushed out of the house even if the rest of the town had to come later. Such a sloppy take, but we were out of options.
...We just needed an opportunity.
After a few days passed I was getting restless, trying to tend to Sam's condition while keeping it private from both the staff and our children. Both parties knew something was amiss and the most I'd tell them is that he was sick and unable to be out of his room for a while so he could rest. In a way it wasn't wrong, I guess, though because Samuel was still wearing his concealers when I got home that night it wasn't likely the kids or even the ramiotrans knew about his true condition. This was both a help and a hinderance in its own way.
After a week I exited the bedroom after Sam fell asleep, taking the two ramiotrans aside. They weren't sure what I wanted, but I had them follow me down the hall, to the floor below, and even outside. They seemed uneasy, my turning my head with my finger to my mouth as I led them to the infirmary and closed the door.
"Sorry, guys, but I don't want to risk those staff overhearing things this late in the game," I said, arms crossed and head low. "Due to Reverend's condition I can't leave the house long enough to attend these meetings, so I'm askin' you both to go in my place. I know it's prob'ly a lot to ask, but I wouldn't if it weren't important."
"Nah, we get it, don't worry," Tamani said, shaking his head as Kuri did the same. "I'm still pretty bewildered by what he did, though. Very unlike him."
"...He's...very unwell right now, and didn't mean to do what he did," I said. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more, at least not right now, but I'm tellin' you both the truth as much as I can. Think of it as a night terror-- he didn't know what was happening."
"Huh," Tamani said, cocking his head. "I'll keep that in mind. Would at least make it make a little more sense."
I grabbed a pen and paper, writing a short note for the others that Kuri and Tamani would be attending for me, signing the note to officiate it. Below that I wrote down Morissey's address and room number, handing it to them along with the pen.
"If anything is said that's particularly important, such as names, dates, or addresses, please write it down and bring it back when you return," I said. "The address I've written there is Morissey's-- I'll need ya to go pick him up and escort him to the carpentry shop, then take him back home when the meeting is over. Sound good?"
"No problem," Kuri said. "We'll head out now since it seems the kids are asleep and you'll probably still be awake when we get back."
"I've been slammin' coffee all damn day so I better be," I sighed. "Thank you both. I'll see ya soon."
After our brief meet I let them out of the infirmary and turned off the light, our going our separate ways. I returned to the house, wandering down to the kitchen to start the oven and heat up more coffee. This was probably the last meeting before anything took place and I definitely wanted to be awake for their return. The thought of yet another cup of this made me feel a little queasy, but I'd deal with it.
Just as I was taking in the pleasant silence I was startled back to the present from a loud slam from the back door. Without a second thought I left the kitchen to investigate, turning left to see a furious Riv with a club in his hands. My heart sank as this could only be about one thing.
"Riv?" I called from the end of the narrow side-hallway. "What's up?"
"I'm gonna break that little shit," he said through grit teeth.
"Tell me what's goin' on," I said as I walked closer.
"Father hurt Harley like he hurt me and I'm gonna make him pay," he growled, stepping forward in an attempt to move past me, but I didn't budge.
"Whoa now, hang on a minute," I said, putting my hands up to stop him from walking further. "I admit that yes, he hurt Harley, but there's more to it than that. A lot more."
"Semantics," he spat. "I'm tired of gettin' left in the dark as though this ain't also our lives, Daniel. I'm tired of the excuses for his shit behavior. There's no point to an apology if he keeps doin' the same shit."
"Riv, I don't like makin' excuses but we're in a situation right now where I don't have a choice," I pleaded. "What we're caught up in is bigger than him -- bigger than me or you -- and what he's doin' is directly caused by that."
He turned his head away, upset and confused.
"I want this to all be over, too, honey, but we just ain't outta the woods yet," I said, slowly shaking my head. "I promise ya we're trying. We're trying so, so hard. It's takin' a lot of time, a lot of organization to figure out, because this is a very real, and very dangerous matter."
"Tell me what is going on, god damn it!" Riv cried. "All I know is what I see and neither you nor he will tell me a damn thing! I ain't a mindreader, Daniel, and I'm sick of us gettin' Cinderella'd while the fat pure kids do nothing but eat and gossip and Father does nothing about it."
"...That isn't under his control, and that's all I can say on that, Riv," I quietly said. "I get you're angry-- you're uninformed and you feel betrayed. I promise ya I'll tell you what's goin' on with this as soon as I can, just like I promised a while back. I didn't forget, it just ain't the time."
He took another step forward, but still I didn't budge.
"Let me through," he growled low.
"I'll say this: Go easy on him, but take out the house staff," I said. "Take out as many as you can. I won't try to stop you."
"...What?"
"You heard me," I ordered. "After that, take the other four and run. I ain't kickin' y'all out, I'm doin' this for your safety. Something is gonna happen and I don't want any of you gettin' hurt."
I dug into my pocket to grab my wallet, grabbing all the money it currently held. Reaching for Riv's open hand I shoved the bills into his palm, closing his fingers around them.
"I can't promise this will get ya too far, but it's all I've got on me," I sighed. "I'm sorry I can't do more right now. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but if I did it could jeopardize a lot."
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. This might be the last time I ever got to do so.
"I'm so sorry, Riv," I softly said, a few tears trailing down my cheeks. "We love you -- all of you -- more than life itself. I know you prob'ly don't believe me, but I've never lied to you."
He seemed to believe me as his open arm slowly ascended to reciprocate my hug. I felt terrible having to keep all of them out of this as yes, it was their life, but getting them involved carried a great risk that I wasn't willing to take.
"Please go easy on him," I reminded, squeezing my big son. "Make him listen. Make him think. Just, please, don't go overboard. You know how he's been ain't like him, you know this ain't the father you know. He's sick, Riv. He's so...so sick, and I'm...I'm doin' all I can to help him get better. He's gotten better before so I know he can do it again. Please don't lose faith in me."
I'm not sure what caused it but I heard a tiny gasp above me, my squeezing a little harder before letting go.
"Go wild on the staff, Riv," I said with a conflicted smile. "Remember that they're at the heart of it all."
I stepped aside and finally let him pass by, his looking back to me.
"I love you, Daniel," he said. "Father, too."
"We love ya, too," I returned. "All of ya. I'll...see ya later."
He nodded, turned forward with his club ready, and took his stride up the stairs. It was only a handful of seconds before the telltale crashes and slams told me he'd begun.
***
I jumped awake hearing a crash down the hallway. Unsure what it might be I stayed put, hoping it might just be the house settling.
Another crash, another slam. It sounded like something impacting something fleshy, and it sounded like it was coming closer. I already knew why.
I slowly removed myself from the bed, weakly rising to my feet. I'd only taken a few steps toward the middle of the room by the time they arrived at my door. There was yelling, but I couldn't make out the words with so many voices. The door finally flung open, the light from the hallway blinding me in my dark cave of a room. A large figure stepped forward, a dark silhouette against an almost heavenly yellow light.
"You," it called as it entered, a voice familiar to me.
"R...Riv, i-is that--"
I saw staff in the hallway and bit my tongue, hoping they hadn't overheard my using his name instead of his alias.
"The fuck is wrong with you," he said in a biting, angry tone. "You ain't the man who raised me."
I took a step back, but he took a step forward. The club in his hand was flung to the side, impacting the wall with a loud thump and reducing me to a cower from the harsh din.
"You changed," he came again. "I though this was over with all those years ago, but I've been wrong before."
Another step forward, but by now I was nearly against my desk with nowhere else to turn. Maybe there was no point. His open hand lurched forward, the back of his hand coming against my snout before whipping back around to tear his claws into my side and destroy my shirt. This was something I deserved, my nose and lip bleeding as I slid my back down the front of the desk until I met the floor.
"Yanno, I knew something was off about you, 'bout this whole thing," Riv said. "This past year just tryin' to win over the trust of defenseless kids so you could do sick shit like this."
He slowly walked toward me, smashing his club against a nearby table and vase. The loud noise made me jump once more and I could hardly face him.
"You never done a single genuine thing in your life, have you? Was always what you could get outta people, 'specially us. Can't even see us as people, but walking labor and favors. What a way to crawl through life, even one so highly respected and revered like yours."
...What?
"I-I never thought of you that way," I quietly said, my eyes filling with tears. "I've always loved you. I've...I've always loved all of you! I'm trying to...t-trying to get better--"
"Cut the shit," he said, raising his club once more.
"Celadon, you don't have to do this," I said from the ground, holding my side trying to shrink away to nothing. "Please let me go, I'll never do it again!"
"You know that ain't my name," he spat. "Dunno what wires got fucked in your head and not sure I care. We both knew it'd come to this-- why're you so surprised?"
He struck another small table and sent it flying across the room.
"After all, this ain't the first time..."
Riv stopped just short me as I lay crumpled on the floor, clenching the club handle in a white-knuckle grip.
"...But I can surely make it the last."
Once more he raised his club and brought it down, striking me in the torso. I yelped in pain as the impact cracked my ribs, other loud slams coming from off to my side as I buried my head with my arms and curled up into the fetal position. The blow had knocked the wind out of me and I could do little more than whine and cough as I tried to breathe. Slam after slam could be heard just to my side, loud as ever-- the sound of the club crashing against the hardwood floor just past my head. There were several impacts through my coughs and wheezes, my intermittent yelps crying out by reflex from the sudden sharp noise assailing my ears.
After a moment the noise ceased, but I could do no more than lie on the floor like a ragdoll, too weak and delirious to stand. I could make out a smaller figure behind Riv, grabbing his arm and stopping his fit.
"...Hey, kid," Riv said quietly, coming back to his senses.
"Please...stop," Harley choked. "Please."
"...Yeah. Okay."
Riv stood back up and wiped his eyes and mouth. Harley clung to his side, trying not to look at me as I lay on the floor with my torn, bloodied clothes and snout.
"I'm sorry...you...had to see that," he murmured, patting her head and stroking her face before bending down to pick her up.
With Harley in his arms Riv walked back toward the doorway. He turned around at the last second to face me, raising his club and gesturing menacingly.
"I see you 'round us again, or doin' the same shit again, I'll end you. Mark my words."
Those were his last words before he and Harley stepped out of my room, disappearing into yellow light.
I knew that look in his eyes. I recognized the white line along his bottom eyelid-- the gathering of tears begging to be released.
He didn't want to do that, did he?
He did it because he felt he had to, because he wanted to protect someone he loved and who depended on him.
...Even if it meant going against me.
...
...And I could tell he went easy on me, striking only once with a blow much lighter than what met the floor. I knew his strength, what he could do if he really wanted. But what he wanted was to be stopped, wasn't it? The timing of it all seemed so deliberate.
I closed my eyes as the house once again fell silent.
Once upon a time, way back when, I had a thought to myself as I stared out of the lobby window:
'Should something like this happen to me it would be for my mistakes, not for what I was.'
...I could live with that.
***
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Tarov
MemberThis chapter nearly made me cry. It might be the best of the entire story so far.
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