Her Bright Smile

by reyin poetic

Chapter Three

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.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading, please review!

Comments

[La Barata]

Ooh, getting interesting.

[reyin poetic]

2434459
Mhmmm.

[Mr Skeleton]

very cool and strange have a fav

[reyin poetic]

2436039
Why thank you!

[Useless Machine]

Mother of god it got worse.
I really, really feel sorry for this dude. Needs a hug, stat. Even though personal contact with someone who suffered daily beatings is not at all a good idea due to the associations made.
Also; it's safe to say that I do indeed like this.