Page 2 of Sinner: Before Rain
“I never want you to think that your thoughts or daydreams aren’t normal. They are, for you. This may surprise you, but you are not alone. A few men at that table out there have the same thoughts as you.”
His words alleviate an incredible weight off my shoulders.
My dad understands me. He gets me. He isn’t going to try to change me or send me away.
I am not alone. I am normal.
My feelings are being validated instead of silenced. Something I didn’t anticipate when I decided to go the honest route. I thought for sure I would get in trouble and have my bat taken away.
“It’s getting harder and harder to not act on them, Dad.” Looking down at my hands, I confess nervously.
My dad’s hand touches my shoulder. “I am here for you. I will help you with the urges.”
A strange emotion washes over me quickly and leaves me just as fast as the words leave my lips in a hoarse whisper, “Thank you.”
Chapter
Two
ELIJAH - SEVENTH BIRTHDAY
“Elijah, turn the handle.”
My eyes concentrate on the person lying on the table, his limbs tied to each corner. His eyes water. His lips move, but no spoken words escape,‘Please help me.’
Why does he think I would help him? Turning my head, confused, my brows furrow trying to understand.
“Elijah!”
Adam’s strong, stern voice startles me as his hand grips my shoulder, “What’s wrong?”
Shaking my head, “He asked me to help him. Why?”
A chuckle follows after my question, “Because he is a dumb piece of shit. He doesn’t get you, don’t give a fuck about him. He thinks he can pull on yourheartstrings and play them like a fucking violin. This motherfucker doesn’t know your frontal cortex doesn’t respond to this shit. He’s about to learn just who the fuck you are. Elijah Sinclair.”
As Adam says my name, the man on the table’s eyes widen. “No, no, no.”
My hands grip the table's turn handle – each corner of the table has one – as I continue to observe the man in front of me. His facial expressions continue to change with each of my movements.
From pleading to anger.
As I turn the handle, the rope tied around his wrist goes from sitting loosely to tightened. Then, as I continue, it begins to retract.
His face was angry and now shows pain.
Interesting.
Continuing to turn, the rope pulls, causing a strain on his shoulder joint.
Now he is screaming.
My hands move faster, wanting to see what will happen next. It gets harder to turn as the tension on the rope tightens. Adam’s hands grip over mine, pride wants me to shake him off, but I know if I am going to make this work, I need his strength.
One more hard turn and the sound I have been craving to hear happens, and quickly. The shoulder dislocates, popping directly out of the socket. Adam lets go as I turn the handle by myself again now thatthere is less tension. Then the scream of terror and extreme pain follows. Smiling, I keep going.
Loud tears can faintly be heard next. His arm muscles and ligaments are now completely detached.
Adrenaline and pride fill my chest.
