NOT THE MONSTER

                                    

                                          
The bond surges to life, and my mind becomes a whirlwind of fragmented images. Amidst the chaos, one vivid picture emerges—a powerful image of a man. Tall, strong, and handsome—an older version of Griffin. I'm drawn into the scene...
"Da!"
Strong arms lift me, propelling me into the air before tenderly pulling me close against their warm chest. A soft kiss is planted on my head.
"You spoil him," Ma's honeyed voice chimes in as Da enfolds me. Passing me over to Ma, she smiles and coaxes, "Now, my little prince, it's time for your nap."
"No nap," I protest, sticking my tongue out playfully.
Laughter fills the room as Da wraps his arms around us both. "Grumpy, just like his Ma when she's tired."
Ma retaliates with a playful smack on Da's shoulder, and he responds with a light tap on her bottom. "But you are the most beautiful, grumpy lass I've ever seen."
Drawing closer, Da steals a kiss from Ma, who giggles in response before guiding me toward my room. The memories flicker and fade, leaving behind a bittersweet ache—a longing for a past that feels both distant and achingly close.
******************************************
In the whirlwind of Griffin's memories, the scenes shift drastically from warmth to darkness, leaving my heart heavy with the stark contrast between his earlier moments with his parents and the horror that follows.
"Da!" I cry out, clinging to his lifeless body, horror-struck by the blood and destruction surrounding us. Ma, tears streaming down her face, pleads with a dark and menacing man who drags her away, just as Da used to hold her. He's evil in every way and has taken Da from us and now is trying to take us away from our family.
My rage takes over, and I kick and bite at him, but his laughter echoes in the room as he restrains me, his grip too strong to break. He talks to me in a language I don't understand, his hold causing something to snap making me fear him even more.
Smiling, his eyes cold grey, teeth white, he draws me closer. I feel sick from his smell. He doesn't carry the familiar scent of trees like Da did, but of old, rotten things, like the rabbit I found with a broken neck. "Мой цветок, I won't hurt this little man. He'll be my special helper."
"No, Viktor, it's me you want. Let him go, you monster," Ma yells, restrained by men so tight she can't move. Viktor hands me over to one of them, tall like Da, but with tattoos and no hair. He walks back to Ma, embracing her.
"You thought I wouldn't find you, мой цветок. I told you I would. Now you'll give me what I want, or I can't promise to control the monster that you've created when around your boy." He tells Ma, turning her to face me, her back against him as he holds her close, whispering, "He should've been mine, Aisling. And now, I'll make him mine, in every way."
******************************************
The weight of grief over the loss of his father lingers as I'm thrown into another memory.
Ma is sleeping. Viktor hurt her and made her cry. Ma made sure he closed the curtain between our beds, but I know what they did.
Now we're alone, the room's freezing, and I miss my friends.
The door opens, and Viktor comes in, grinning, holding a bunch of purple flowers. "Looks like I tired her out, hey boy." He steps deeper into the room, and I spot a little boy behind him, dirty face, hair black as night, and big round eyes.
He puts the flowers in a jug and goes to the bed, kissing Ma, waking her up. "Мой цветок, I brought you someone." Ma looks at the boy in front of Viktor. "Мой цветок, meet Ciara, she's my daughter."