Julian's Sorrow

Julian’s Sorrow

A story by: Johnson Long

Julian’s fingernails tapped on the window. Tap, tap, tap. One after the other, their collisions echoing in his mind. Why here? Why us? He didn’t have time to worry about that now, because he knew that soon they’d be pulling into the driveway and he would be punished again for what he had done. It was his fault really. He shouldn’t have been so careless. You shouldn’t have gotten yourself caught. There he was. Peter. “Shut up!” Julian snapped back. “You’re the one who got us into this mess,” he said, now more composed. I just had the idea Julian,you actually pushed her. Julian looked down. Peter was right. “Both of you, quiet!” yelled father. Julian immediately shut his mouth knowing what would come if he said another word. After all, father did know best. The jeep skidded to a stop at the gates of the new house. Julian was amazed. The house was much larger than he had expected and even had a name above the door. A name! Only important houses like castles and mansions have names. Even then the car moved too quickly for Julian to quite read it. The only words he could make out were pen and state. It made sense however, because the new home was supposed to be in Pennsylvania. Father let them out of the car and put a hand on Julian’s back. Oddly enough although he was leading both Peter and Julian inside he didn’t so much as glance at Peter. “It’s only fair,” thought Julian. After all it was Peter’s fault, and I’m innocent. “Here you are,” said father as he showed Julian to his room. “It’s rather bare,” said Julian. “Decorate,” replied father. “That’s right!” thought Julian, “Decorating!” Father lit a cigarette and walked off down the stairs to what Julian assumed to be his room. Julian was not allowed to see father’s room. The old prick could’ve at the very least addressed me, said Peter. “In any case,” began Julian, “Do you really think pushing one of my classmates over in the sandbox was a large enough issue for such a horrid trip?” Peter shrugged and laid down on the bed. They had always shared a bed since they were young, but Julian didn’t mind. Julian liked Peter despite the messes he always got him into. Julian didn’t care much for father though. Julian coughed. “Strange,” said Julian, for he hadn’t had a cold in months and had felt fine on the trip up here. Julian stumbled over and onto his bottom. Are you alright? Asked Peter. “I’m fine,” said Julian, although it wasn’t quite true. In fact Julian felt rather awful. “How rightly peculiar,” muttered Julian. He closed his eyes attempting to pass whatever he had seemingly come down with but to no avail. When he opened his eyes back up something was off. Julian’s vision started to blur and shudder until it finally gave out.

“Sick fuck,” muttered one of the prison guards. Julian awoke at the sound of his voice. “Wait……..” muttered Julian as the thoughts flooded back into his mind. Melissa? Yes Melissa, that was her name. Then the rest of the memory came back. The rope he wrapped around her neck. The light draining out of her eyes. Peter laughing as Julian fell to the floor with tears in his eyes. The drugs had worn off. Julian remembered. Julian wanted to forget. “By the way I gotta ask,” said the guard he had once called Father, “Who the hell were you talkin to on the trip here?” Julian couldn’t hear him. All Julian could do was scream. So the guard of the State penitentiary locked the door so he didn’t have to hear Julian’s begging to die.

-The End

Signed:Peter Satanus