//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Her Bright Smile // by reyin poetic //------------------------------// I remember. Two of them, they walked up to the third, not like them, smiling. Told him he'd go with them. He asked why. ThumpCrack He was told to follow or else. He should have just gone, of course. I watched them lead him to the home and put him in, told someone would see him soon. Gold everywhere. I remember his asking why he was there, but they didn't answer. Then they took him. The first thing he was asked was what he had done wrong. He said nothing. He didn't know yet. Thump Thump Thump The next day was the same. What had he done wrong, this time with bruises on his side. Again, he said he didn't know. Thump Thump Sculp He cried for the first time that night, nursing a bleeding ear. If I could have, I would have told him to just confess, but I don't think he knew what he'd done wrong yet. And so the next week went, just the same, his skin getting redder and dirtier every day. What had he done wrong? Nothing, he would answer. Thump Thump Thump Then one night, they came into his house. They asked why he was so slow and stupid, why he didn't just confess and tell them what he'd done wrong. He asked them why they were doing wrong. Thump Thump Screaming Thump Thump Cries for help No one answers Thump Thump Wheezing breaths Thump Thump Crunch Silence Then, laughter as they walk away, and quiet sobbing. The next day was the same as the others. He was told to sit, but he couldn't. He didn't even get asked what he'd done wrong. Thump Thump Laughter The next day, he sat on his broken bone. It was better than not. He was asked what he did wrong. That day, he answered correctly the first time. He dissobeyed. Thump Thump Thump Thump The next day was different. That day, he was asked why he was wrong. He couldn't think of an answer. Thump Thump Thulk He spent every night trying to think of why he was wrong, but he couldn't find an answer. It seemed impossible. Thump Scrape Squelp Scream Why was he wrong? Thump Why was he wrong? Crirk Why was he wrong? Snap After two weeks, he was a broken, bloody mess. His own coat color was gone, one ear barely still attached, and he walked on two broken legs. Again, he was asked why he was wrong. He looked at himself and realized why it was wrong to disobey. He was wrong because he was worthless. They took him back and made sure he would remember it. Thump Squelp Crack The next day was again new. He was asked his name. He couldn't remember, Crack Crack Thump It had been so long since he heard a name. The sounds he knew most were the metal hooves when they hit him. Thump Thud Crek Was he allowed to ask his name? He couldn't remember. Snap Couldn't hurt more to ask. He did. He was told. He argued, saying that wasn't his name. Smash Smash Clang He was wrong. They told him who he was. They were right. They corrected him. Tenk Rasp Tump He asked his name the next day. He was told again. Thump Swaap Nok He finally believed them. He wasn't right. They were. They told him who he was. They couldn't make him better, but they could make him do less damage. The next day, he was asked what his name was. He coughed up blood so he could speak. “Hutch,” I said. He smiled and told me I would be released tomorrow, after one more night of being reminded how worthless I was. I didn't object. I needed to be reminded. Thump Thump Crack \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ I woke up, again. This time I was by some fields filled with trees. They seemed to be filled with apples. I should just start going to... wherever I'm living next. No way I can go back. I looked east. I'd been to Baltimare before. I think I should be able to stay there for a month or two. Probably won't be able to find a job, though. I sighed and looked back toward the town I had to leave. It was to the north. she found me curl up and it won't hurt as much they only beat you enough to make you remember your lessons let her finish and you can run She's... talking to me? Asking why I ran off again. It's another question, like before. Of course, she's one of them, checking up on me. I don't deserve a party. Why, she asks. Because I'm worthless. She frowned. Was that not the right answer? she's going to take me back don't run running makes it worse She's still talking? … She can't be one of them. She's talking like she knows me. Telling me I'm not worthless. Wasn't her mane straight before? Of course you can't remember. She's asking me not to run. If she isn't one of them, I suppose I can stay. For now, at least.