The day after the teacher bidding, my schedule is basically free the entire week.
Elias left early in the morning to meet with his family; the butler had gone with him, and the house now feels oppressive.
Marinah was spending time with her extended family, and I didn't want to intrude.
I suddenly realize how much I've come to depend on their presence. My mood darkens as the day passes into night.
Another day passes and I leave the house to find trouble.
Being alone with my thoughts has reverted a part of my mind to its feral, blood hungry nature.
The streets are sparse with people, and I head into the darkness of alleys further into the poorer part of the city where crime is higher.
I know this is wrong, but I don't stop myself as I stumble in front of a few thuggish looking men.
My ploy works and they follow me into a secluded area behind a rundown tavern.
"Didn't your mommy ever tell you not to wander around at night.. hehe."
The man who spoke has a mouth that is missing half its teeth and the ones that remain are unnaturally green.
The other three men behind him chuckle at my foolishness and I see their teeth tinted the same color. One takes out a pouch and scoops some powder onto his finger, he rubs it in his gums as his eyes glaze over slightly.
"You deaf? I asked if-"
The man is cut off by my quick jab at his throat.
The men around me are startled to see that I made the first move.
My rage grows as I stare them down. These men are bullies, and I do not like bullies, they remind me of William and the boys who killed me on Earth.
One lunges at me from my left, but he's slow. Catching his hand, he screams as I snap his wrist.
The audible crack makes the others step back.
A smile comes to my face as I look at the man with the broken wrist. Pulling him to me, my fist slams into his ribs and I know I've broken at least three. The frothy blood leaking from his mouth tells me that his lung has been punctured.
My bloodlust explodes out of me and the men who started running away, drop to their knees. I turn to the man who I punched in the throat, he seems to be begging and crying, but I do not hear him.
My foot slams into the side of his mouth and some teeth fly. His jaw hangs loosely as he cries on the ground.
My smile grows even wider at his desperation; it falters slightly after noticing the dark stain spreading from his crotch.
He should be happy that I'm claiming his life. He's a dead man after I crush his throat with my boot.
I take my time with the other two and stop when clinking metal alerts me to the side.
A patrol of 5 guardsmen run down the alley towards me, my blood frenzied mind snaps out of its insanity as I recognize the uniforms.
These are the Earl's men.
"Halt! You, boy! Step into the light and show your hands!"
I do as commanded and curse myself for being such a disgusting animal. I'm surprised by the guard's sudden shift in demeanor.
"Oh! It's you.. Kelric.. uhh Bladebane right? The one who saved Lady Kathlyn?"
I nod a little dumbly as the men sheath their swords.
The guard who had spoken to me steps forward and inspected the two men I was about to kill. Their body's limbs are twisted unnaturally.
He uses his boot to open one of their mouths and curses.
"Gods damn it! How does this shit keep getting in the city!"
He kicks the man with his armored toe and gashes his face open.
"Thank you Kelric, you've done a great service to the city by cleaning up these pieces of scum. Let my men deal with them and follow me to the Earl, I'm sure he'll want to reward you."
I don't even know what just happened and follow the guard without saying a word.
It's quite late when we arrive and Tobias's drowsy look turns excited when he sees me.
"Kelric! Good lad, what brings you here at such an hour?"
The guard explains what happened as he leaned down to whisper in the Earl's ear.
"Truly an upstanding young man! What do you want as a reward?"
"I don't really need-"
The looks he gives me says that he won't back down.
"Can you just give me some gold then.."
He claps his hands once and a large sack is carried in by a maid. I'm startled for a moment when Arika walks in. She gives me a warm smile and hands me the gold.
I can't believe my own actions as I reach out and pull her into a hug. She strokes the back of my head, and I lose myself for a moment.
Coughing, I push her away in embarrassment after a minute.
"Are you.. doing okay here?"
She reaches out and pinched my cheek with a smile.
"Yes, the Bywaters are wonderful people."
"That's good."
She looks at me so warmly, it makes me hate myself even more for what I did to those men earlier.
"I.. I should get going."
When I try to move past her, she wraps me up in another hug.
"Can you stop by tomorrow? The kids haven't seen their big brother in a while."
"Okay, I'll be here."
She pats my head and pinches my cheek before releasing me. I'm almost running as I leave the room.
I hope she didn't see the tear that had spilled down my cheek.
Tonight, my sleep is not peaceful, Harry haunts me with his dying visage and cold sweat clings to my body as I wake.
The sun has just peeked over the city walls, and I bathe quickly so I can leave this empty house.
Tobias has given the family the day off apparently so that they can spend time with me. He's a good man.
My foul mood and depressing thoughts are swept away by the giggling kids. They hang on me like monkeys and laugh as I swing them around.
We're in the Bywaters family garden and the day is quite beautiful. Arika calls out to her children after some time.
"Kids, leave your big brother alone for a moment. I want to speak with him."
"But mooooom! We haven't seen him in forever!"
Arika smiles at her eldest daughter, "Hush child, you can have him back in a moment."
The kids sulk off to go play a game of tag and I walk over and sit next to her.
She turns to me and sizes me up.
"What's wrong? You're a part of the family now, so don't think of hiding your secrets from me."
I'm caught off guard by her words and she speaks so genuinely that I can't help but want to be honest with her.
"I.. I'm not a good person. Last night I killed two men and almost killed two more before the guards stopped me. I don't know what what's wrong with me, I'm cursed with these sick desires."
She moves her mouth as she thinks about my words.
"I don't think you're a bad person. A bad person doesn't help out the poor and needy family struggling to survive. Kelric, I know you've killed people before. The merchant, those men in the alley that day.. Anya told me what happened. I heard about last night and what type of men you killed, those were bad people. You'll always be a good boy to me."
"But you don't understand! I didn't kill them because I was threatened by them or even because they had harmed someone! I killed them because my heart is wicked! I'm a beast! I don't deserve to live—"
Arika slaps my face then pulls me into a hug.
"You don't ever say anything like that again! Foolish child, stop berating yourself in front of me. I won't hear of it, not one word!"
I'm clutching her and I can feel tears falling as I press into her shoulder. Her gentle touch is soothing, and I feel like a child in her presence. I try to push her away a little, but gods, this woman is strong.
After a long time, her grip slackens, and she lets me back away a little. She pinches my cheeks and smiles as I try to wipe my eyes.
My voice is hoarse as I try to speak.
"I'm sorry.."
Arika makes me feel even more like a child as she parts my hair and places a kiss on my forehead.
"You're a good child Kelric."
A sudden need arises in me, and I can't stop the words from spilling out from between my lips.
"D-did you really mean that I'm a part of the family.."
She laughs and I feel stupid for asking.
"Of course! I always wanted a boy first so that he could be the big brother that protects his siblings! You're the perfect son Kelric."
Her praise makes heat rise in my face as I ask for something very embarrassing.
"C-could I call you m-mom then.. it's okay if I can't.."
She strangles me with another hug and gives my forehead another kiss.
"Gods above Kelric, you're so precious! Call me mom, hurry up! Ohoho this old woman is so happy!"
"Mom.."
"Kyaaa~~ you're too cute! Come on and give me a hug!"
"But we're already hugging.."
The strangest warmth fills my heart after she lets me go and stares at me. Her expression turns fierce as she speaks.
"No take backs, you have to keep calling me mom from now on, understood?"
I can't believe myself as I respond.
"Yes mother.."
She squeals happily again and peppers my forehead with kisses. I'm so embarrassed by the display that I can't even look at her.
"Go on now, your brother and sisters are waiting for you."
I stand as a new emotion stirs within me. I have a family suddenly and I love them. It's different from what I feel for Marinah, but these people are important to me now. They been important to me ever since I took pity on theme.
Alisha, the middle sister, runs up to me excitedly.
"Come on big brother! We want to play hide and seek!"
My smile comes naturally as I get ready to play with the children.
"Sure thing, little sister."
She looks a little surprised by my words then grins happily as she leads me along.