Broken Beyond Repair :The Torres Family Curse

A Torres

Ch. 2

                  Raphael found Victor and his lovely wife, Ataline, dead in their house early the next day. The little boy was ripped from his mother quickly and the private doctor was called; it took three guards to hold Meridian down till he finally calmed. Raphael was still mortified when the doctor officially pronounced the couple dead; the bodies were being taken and preparations began without giving anyone time to even breath. When Raphael was finally able to snap out of the daze, that threatened to fully take over his sanity, he noticed that Meridian was still curled in the corner of his parent's room. The child was shivering and had blood splattered on his face and clothing. He wouldn't let anyone close enough to help clean him up, and no one really wanted to fight him, understanding he was in shock.

                 "Son, lets get you cleaned up." When he didn't move, Raphael walked over to him and slowly picked him up. Meridian slightly flinched from Raphael's warm touch but didn't give his uncle any acknowledgment. Raphael was just relieved his nephew was not fighting him. The older man took Meridian to one of the biggest bathrooms in the house and helped him out of his clothes and put him in a huge warm bath filled with minerals to help him relax.

                 "Th-Thanks." Meridian replied. Raphael didn't acknowledge the boy and continued to bathe him. When he was washed Raph help him into pajamas and laid him in his bed. The sun bled into the room letting them both know that it was around lunchtime; no one would be eating lunch today. The boy took one look at his window then a glance at his uncle before falling into a fitful sleep.

                Raphael couldn't bear leaving the boy by himself, so he sat on his bed smoothing his hair down and caressed his face like his mother did when he was having a bad dream, but he knew that no amount of caressing could help the boy from his dreams now. There was a knock on the door as Raphael stood from the boy's bed. He left a kiss on the little ones forehead and whispered, "I love you" then turned towards the door whispering, "Enter!"

                   A young guard stepped in and got down on one knee with his fist across his heart waiting for permission to speak. This took Raphael aback, he knew he was second in line for Drug Lord and head of the family businesses' but he wasn't even thinking about that yet. "My Lord," replied the guard.

"What do u want!" he whisper yelled

"There is much to do, sir. We didn't know where you had gone and we need your guidance. Today is hard.... but the normal business must go on, sir. Someone more qualified can look after the child, if you prefer I'll look after him today until you pick someone more permanent, sir."

                   Without thinking Raphael back handed the young guard and yelled, "you dare speak to me in that manner! Am I not qualified to look after my own nephew? If you think I am incapable as your new Master, then you have a new thing coming!"

"No, sir. Forgive me, I just thought such a task was beneath you, in a time like this, when you're needed...."

                  Meridian woke up startled from the yelling and walked over to his uncle grabbing his hand before he could strike the guard again. Raphael calmed down with one look at his nephew and rubbed his head took the boy by the hand apologized. He put him back in his bed and left the guard outside his door if he needed anything.

Raphael suited up properly and started his role as the new Drug Lord. He knew what he was supposed to do and everything that he was in charge of. Being the first trained to take over the businesses as a youngster he knew the ropes and rules. He took the job heavily, wishing his brother could of found the courage to keep going without Ataline, if anything, at least for Meridian.

                                                                                        ......

                  The day dragged on and Raphael had no time between meetings as he instated his rule for everyone to know and not dare try to rule themselves. The only reaction Meridian gave anyone all day was when it was time for him to go back to bed for the night, after refusing dinner, he grabbed his beloved night light and through it across the room hitting it against a wall and braking it. When the guard offered to get a new one Meridian turned his back and with a hollow voice replied,  "ninios grandes no tienen miedo de la osuridad" and just went to bed. (big boys aren't afraid of the dark) Thinking it just the right thing to do, Raphael kissed the boy on the forehead and said, "I love you, good night." But he got no reply in return. 

                                                                                         .......

                    The next day, it was as if even the world seem to pause with respect, as two soul mates were devoured by six-inch holes in the ground. God himself wept, letting the heavens pour with no mercy; the winds howled and the flowers hid their brightness; no happiness could be found on such a dreadful day. Men and women cried and tried to comfort each other as the preacher went on. But the one who should feel sorrow, blankly looked at the muddy ground with dried eyes. Meridian didn't participate in this grieving process everyone seemed to need. He turned his back to all that was going on, forgetting why he was even bothering soaking himself in the cold out doors.

                    The holes were filled; stones were placed at their heads. With everyone gone Meridian lifted his head, breathed a quiet "good-bye" and walked away. This is how Meridian was taught to act; he was a big boy. He had shed to many tears already, it was time to show his parents he could do everything they taught him to do; though his dad was not strong enough, Meridian was determined to show that he was. That day in front of his parents and God he promised to be good, strong, and to never give up, for that is what he was, a Torres.