1
My life is a mess. I see demons everywhere I look, whispering the tales of my cruel past directly into my brain. They've driven me mad, and they've driven me to prison where I am now. You see, I was always sort of broken. I started life in a broken household and was raised by a man whose mind was broken by the influence of alcohol. No mother, not since I was merely four years old. I do not remember much from before that time, just that my parents argued. On and on, they wouldn't stop arguing, day and night. Every single day the constant shouting:
"I'm telling you, Eva, I really do love you!"
"Then why do you always talk about her so much? You act like you wish I was her, Adam!"
"It's not like that, Eva. Just for heaven's sake, stay with me, look after Kayne with me!"
Then, she left and I, Kayne Mann, was left all alone. Technically, my father, Adam, was with me but by that time he was so indulged in the pleasures of alcohol that he barely acknowledged that I was still there.
The days went on, my dad drank more and more every day then one day, a letter addressed to my father came through the door. He wasn't sober enough to read so I took up the duty of reading it.
Now, my four year old brain wasn't too academically advanced to take in every detail written in the letter but I was intelligent enough to know that the sender, Eva, was my mother.
I don't need you... adopt... Aebell... greatest son in the world... good riddance.
That's what I remember of the letter. My mother was telling us that she adopted a son named Aebell and doesn't need us anymore.
How informative, thank you mother for your kind-spirited letter!
So I was four and I assume Aebell was an infant, thirteen months maximum, and the years went by the same as they always were.
Now I was sixteen and my birthday was in four days. My father went out drinking with a woman (I'm surprised anyone found is unkept beard and permanent stench of beer attractive) and I didn't expect him to be home early. But it was fine! I knew how to take care of myself since the day Eva left us. So, like normal I made myself a cheese toastie and went to bed.
I dreamt that night. I remember it so clearly. My mother came home with a thirteen year old Aebell and we became a normal family. It was bliss, the best I had felt in over twelve years. But it was just a dream and I was soon awoken by the doorbell.
Still in my striped pyjamas, I opened the door to a man in a black suit and combed over hair.
"Mr Albert?" He asked.
"Yes, that is me." I replied.
"Your father has been involved in a car accident while driving under the influence. I regret to inform you that he has been hospitalised. He is not expected to leave the hospital for quite a while and you are to live with your mother."
I never felt any love for my father, not once. But, in this moment I felt a pang of grief in my heart. He did raise me, albeit not well, after all.
Nonetheless, I requested to have some time to process the news and get dressed. The man in the suit accepted.
I closed the door and got some casual day clothes on. If I was to go live with my mother now I needed to pack some clothes and other living essentials. I spent the next hour packing a dusty, cobweb-covered suitcase that I found in the closet. It definitely hadn't been used since my parents split up.
I once again opened the front door and joined the man in the suit to go to my mother's house. I couldn't help but wonder if she'd accept me as a son or if she'd neglect me. After all, she did say in her letter twelve years ago that Aebell was the 'greatest son in the world' which I assume was dismissing me as her son.
Before long, we had crossed town and arrived at a house which looked identical to the one I had grown up in.
The man in the suit escorted me to the front door and rang the doorbell. I could hear voices from inside.
"I'll get it!" Exclaimed a young boy who I could only assume was Aebell.
"No need. I'll get it darling." This feminine voice which came short after was so sweet. I hoped with every ounce of my heart that she would be sweet to me too.
The door slammed open, banging against the interior wall.
"I've been expecting you, Kayne," a woman who could've only been Eva said with a much rougher voice than the one she used on Aebell, "Hey, suit man! You can leave now."
The man hesitated but after being stared down by Eva, promptly departed.
"Hello, mothe-" I tried to speak but was immediately cut off.
"I am not your mother and you are not my son, Kayne. This is my house and you shall follow my rules. Call me by my name, not all of this "mother" crap. Don't do anything without permission granted by me, and me only. Respect Aebell and I swear, if you so much as breathe on that little angel I will inflict upon you pain like you've never felt before. You will walk into the house, remove your shoes and I will escort you to the attic where you will sleep. I have provided a sleeping bag for you and I am glad that you have brought a suitcase because I would not have lent any clothes to you, nor bought you any. Do you understand?"
So she really didn't see me as her son. I nodded, slightly terrified.
With no further words, I was escorted into the attic and on my way, I caught a glimpse of Aebell. He was very petite and very cute. I would've been glad to have him as a brother if only Eva accepted me. He made eye contact and gave a sorry smile which I could assume meant he overheard my conversation with Eva.
A trapdoor was opened and a foldable ladder was dragged out from above. Eva told me to climb it and at the top was the attic.
A small, damp room with a grey sleeping bag laid across the floor. This was I was expected to sleep and spend most of my time. Cobwebs covered most of the space. I was going to complain to Eva but I knew better. What I wasn't fully aware of was that from this point onwards...
...my life would descend into absolute hell.
