Page 20 of They Call Him Reaper

He releases a broken cry that pulls a tear out of me. A flash from the lightning etches a tortured face that I’m sure he never shows anyone. Pain and vulnerability. I’ve never experienced the pain his night terror suggests, even at his hands.

Once again, I act although he’s not conscious to ask. His mind is torturing him, and I must pull him out of it. I’d rather him glare at me the rest of the night than to hear the cries of a broken man.

What the hell happened to him?

THIRTEEN

Dante

SIX-YEARS-OLD

I openmy eyes and I’m still in the dark room. I hate the dark. It scares me. I don’t know if there are monsters or bad guys waiting for me. My eyes hurt, but I start to cry again. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Mi papi was teaching me how to tell time. I wanted to make my teacher proud. I haven’t learned it all yet. He said my brain is special, but I don’t know what he means. And if it’s so special, why can’t I get out of here? It stinks down here. I cry more.

“I want to go home!” I yell, but my throat hurts. Everything hurts. “Mami! Papi! Where are you?”

I get so mad that they’re not coming that I bang on the door. It’s really hard, but I try my best. Even though I hit it with all my might, no one comes. I start breathing faster than I’m used to and my head begins to hurt. I just want my mommy. She’d know what to do.

Where is she?

“Help me. Please! I’ll be good. I promise. Mami!”

I can’t yell anymore. It hurts too bad. I run to the spot where I see a little light and curl up next to it. Maybe they’ll find me ifI stay close to the light. I’m super cold and my body shakes. It’s wet down here. My mom will not like my clothes being so dirty.

My tears drop onto my hands. I miss them so much. What did I do? I’ll fix it.

I hold my hand to the light. I have ouchies all over. Mom will need to bring bandages. I hope they are the ones with airplanes. I love airplanes. They took me to see planes for my birthday. Well, it was the week after my birthday, but that’s when we got the appointment. It was a tour and the people with us were impressed with all I remembered about the planes. Mom said I have a super memory, but I don’t feel super. Superman would have been home by now. I'm scared and hungry. I want to snuggle my teddy bear and lie in my bed. I want hugs and kisses from my parents. I want my mommy to sing my special song.

I need to pee, but I’m scared to move. There’s no bathroom anyway. It’s just a cold, dark, wet room. The Ninja Turtles live better than this. I can’t hold it. My pee warms me a little, but I’m sad. I’m a big boy. Big boys don’t pee on themselves.

“Mami! I peed!” I try to scream it, but it comes out lower than I want. I can’t scream anymore. My voice left me. I curl up more, hiding my face on my knees. I’ll try to pray like my papa taught me but after a while, The Jesus doesn’t come to help me.

Please help me. Someone. Anyone.

“Hey, kid! Hey, kid?”

I sit up when I hear someone talking. I must’ve fallen asleep again. When I stand up and look around, I don’t see anyone.

“Up here?”

I look up and find a small window with bars. “Where are my parents? Are you here to save me?”

“Not really. I’m in here too. I’m in the cell next door.”

“Are we in jail? I didn’t do anything.” I start crying.

“No. It’s not jail,” he tells me.

“Then I want my mommy and daddy!”

“You’re here because they don’t want you.”

I shake my head. “It’s not true. My mommy said she loves more than the world and beyond the moon!”

“It’s not true. You wouldn’t be here if she did.”

I cover my ears and shake my head because I don’t believe it. I know they love me. He pushes something through the bars, and it lands at my feet. It’s a sandwich in a bag.

“Eat up, kid. Save your strength. I’ll try to break you out.”

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