"You are a Monster!" his mother screamed at him. He had punched Matilda. Dennis didn't know what took over him. This had never happened before. It never got this out of hand. He backed up against the kitchen wall. His mother held Matilda in her arms, she was growing paler by the second. He had accidently punched her right in the neck.
What have I done? I'm no different than—
"You're a MONSTER! Just like him, you've killed... I must call an ambulance... You call someone, she's DYING!" she screamed from the top of her lungs. He scrambled towards the telephone on top of the shelf.
"Hello, uh, yes. There has been an accident. It's my sister. She's dying. Please send an ambulance, quickly please!" He slammed down the phone, choking on his tears. He couldn't even look back at them both huddled together on the floor.
I will never let this happen again. He swore to himself shivering hands clasped together.
A few days had passed since that incident. Dennis had stopped going to school. His mother had taken the responsibility of taking care of Matilda. He hadn't spoken to them for days now. He felt too ashamed to even walk by Matilda's room. Seeing that ruined face of hers made him feel like the worst of animals. He was. An animal. Why he had done that to her didn't matter. He couldn't even remember the reason anymore.
I did it, I'm no different than Dad was. He thought.
He was about to leave when he felt his mother glaring at him, she sat on the couch in the living room. He glanced at her and then immediately looked away. "I'm going outside," he said opening the door. She didn't say anything in return, not even a grunt. He knew things could never be the same as they were. His ferocity was at fault. No, he was at fault. He would do something about it. "Goodbye, Mom." He said and closed the door behind him.
It was late at night. He had spent the whole day thinking of ways he could redeem his actions. Apologies hadn't worked. Matilda either ignored him or looked at him with the same horrified look as she did when he hit her. His mother didn't even care to answer him. She saw his dad in him now. He couldn't even blame her for that.
He wandered the streets. Cold winds blew down from Mount Aurelia, passing Crater hill and reaching Darrian Vale's empty streets. He felt a chill as he passed the streetlamp near Jarid's general store. He stepped inside the store. There weren't many people inside. He walked over to the last aisle; there was booze of all kinds kept here. He of course ignored it and opened the door with cola inside.
"Not a drinker, well how about that!"
Dennis gave the man a startled look. The old man had popped out of nowhere it seemed. He wore a ragged black trench coat. His face was unfamiliar; he looked old but also young at the same time. It was as if an old man had somehow become younger into a version of himself who had no wrinkles on his skin. His hair was graying and from his voice Dennis could judge that he was indeed very old. There was something odd though. Dennis continued to stare at his cola bottle which he had now taken out of the refrigerator. He closed the door.
"Yes, I don't drink," he replied fidgeting uncomfortably. The old man had'nt moved a single step from where he stood next to the snack's aisle.
"How admirable, most young folk these days aren't like you. They delve in the pleasures of this finite life. It is rather sad to see," The old man said, stepping closer to him.
"Yes—yes, I... agree," Dennis said as he looked around, the store seemed abandoned now. He couldn't see anyone else. The lights started to blink uncontrollably.
"Exactly! You understand. You see, if only more people just understood me. Things would be much simpler," he said with a grin and stopped a few paces away from Dennis.
"Where's everyone gone?" Dennis said with a disturbed expression.
"Oh, they're there. You just can't see them." He took out a book from the of inside his coat pocket.
The man had a strange smirk across his as he admired the book in his hands. He held it out to Dennis.
"I know you are troubled son, how do I put this, the revelation spoke to me today. We are meant to work together. You see, Oh why, the disturbed look. I'm only passing my knowledge on to you, Son. Don't worry." He patted Dennis's shoulder. Dennis shoved it off.
"Don't touch me. Who are you? HELP! Is anyone there?" Dennis backed away from the man and started to sprint away. He rammed the store door open with his shoulder. He kept running without looking back. But as he did so, he heard a car engine start.
It was very late into the night; the fog had appeared it crept all over the town now. Dennis wished he hadn't left his revolver at home. He kept it with him on occasions. Never, had expected that a walk down to Jarid's would turn out like this.
The car kept following him. He could see the light approaching him ever so slowly. He would go home. He wanted to lose this old maniac first. The car sped up suddenly and almost him as it passed ahead and drifted on the road. It blocked his path now. The old man got out of the car and held up his hands.
"Help! Someone. Anyone!" Dennis was out of breath.
"Shut UP!" The Old man gritted his teeth.
"I am not trying to hurt you Boy! Listen to me. Everything is going to be alright if you just hear what I have to say," He grinned again.
"What do you want?"
"It's very simple. I want you to read this book here." He held it out to him.
"Why? Why do you want me to do that?" Dennis said.
"It will help you. I want to help you, Dennis."
He knows my name...
"How do you know my name?" Dennis asked stepping away slowly.
The car was old. Its tires had left their mark on the road. It smelled of brunt plastic. Dennis looked around for a way to escape. The fog kept encroaching on them until he could only see the old man. The sinister smile on his face persisted. Dennis trembled when he started towards him.
"That is Enlightenment. I know things most people don't. I can see your future Dennis. What a miserable sight it is. You have so much potential." He said with a solemn tone.
"My Future? What are you even saying? You know nothing about me!"
"I know everything... you face challenges at home, don't you?" The old man raised his eyebrow smirking again.
That creepy smirk
"Your sister was quite the challenge. You shut her up, oh that you did, but now you feel upset with yourself for doing so" He closed further.
"Stay away I don't know what you are talking about! SOMEON—" The Old man grabbed him by the throat.
"You are a loud one, aren't you? You remind me of that Oxley's kid. I don't want things to get out of hand here kid, so stop shouting for help!" He threw Dennis down to the ground.
Dennis gasped as he hit the wet road. His vision was blurred for a moment. And then all went black.