The Mind World And The Outcast Hero

Nathan

Arc 2: Revival

Nathan found himself watching his life like a movie. His memories played one by one like an old cassette to its player. From the time he was a baby being held in his mother's gentle arms, to the times when he met Sindy and Andrew. 

The happiest moments of his life played out peacefully, filling him with a strong sense of nostalgia. Nathan wished for the feeling to last forever. He wanted the sweet moments of bliss to stick to him like glue. Sadly, that all changed as soon as the memories of his father, James Styles, entered his conscience.

He was the man who had abused his family for countless years. This was the hidden part of Nathan's past that he had never shared with anyone apart from Sindy. The belt, the whips, the stones, the hammers, and the knife threats all poured into his mind. They corrupted his peaceful memories like a deadly poison and like a flood, they drowned his thoughts;

"Nathan, you should know better than to disobey your father," said James in a calm voice as he approached Nathan.

Nathan scampered away as fast as he could before his back hugged the wall behind him. He knew that his father's calm demeanor was nothing but an act to hide his devilish personality. 

James closed in on him. The horrifying sound of that one black whip echoed to life like a fresh wound. 

"James, please! He's only six!" Pleaded Nathan's mother, Stacy.

With a swing of his right hand, James landed a painful slap to Stacy's face causing her to fall over.

"Come now, Stacy. I don't remember permitting you to interrupt Nathan's punishment. Please stay quiet or I might be forced to punish you too."

Stacy held her face as she sobbed. There was nothing she could do to help Nathan.

"Leave my mom alone! She's a better human being than you'll ever be!" Shouted Nathan with tears in his eyes.

James then turned himself back around to face Nathan with a devilish smile.

"You're always so rebellious, Nathan. Why is it that you never learn that disobeying me will only lead to more pain? You always ignore what I say then you talk back to me as if we're equals. You need to understand that one day I'll be a God!"

"Because you're nothing but a monster! I'll never listen to someone like you!"

"Well, that's the problem, son. That's the reason you're being punished right now. I told you that a loser like yourself isn't deserving of friends, yet you still talk to that Sindy girl as if you think you're good enough for her. It seems you fail to understand that you're nothing more than a burst condom that was never supposed to happen in the first place."

"Please, James...! Don't hurt him! I'll do anything you want! Just leave Nathan alone!" Begged Stacy desperately. Sadly, she was only met with a kick to the face that immediately silenced her.

"Mom!!" Screamed Nathan.

"Now, now, Nathan. It's time for your punishment. None of this would have happened if you had just listened to me."

Slowly, James then brought the whip back before unleashing no less than fifty lashes. While this was happening, Nathan's little sister, Liz, watched in horror from behind her room door as the event unfolded. After James was finished lashing Nathan, he turned to Stacy.

"Darling, I think I need to let off some more steam. Would you kindly remove your garments and get in bed? I'll be with you shortly..!" 

The scene in Nathan's memory then shifted once more. This time, it was the memory of a touching conversation that he had with his mother.

"Mom, why don't you call the police and report what dad does to us?"

Stacy smiled warmly as she gently stroked Nathan's hair.

"Well, your father has many bad friends, hun. He threatened to have one of them kill us if we ever called the police or tried to run away. I could never live with myself if anything were to happen to you and Liz. To be honest, I'm scared..."

"Mom, you don't need to worry!" Assured Nathan. "I promise that when I grow up, I'm going be a different person from dad. I'll help people and become a hero. I'll also find a wife and treat her with respect! I won't force her to do the things that dad makes you do when he carries you to the bedroom! I'll never hurt a lady! Instead, I'll marry her and treat her with love!"

Tears filled Stacy's eyes before she hugged Nathan tightly. His words encouraged her and made her believe that she could endure anything once it was for her children. Emotions of both sorrow and happiness engulfed her. Her smile was proud but her eyes were full of despair.

James' abuse had plagued the family for a total of seven years. However, just before Nathan's ninth birthday, an incident happened that would change their life forever.

James was badly punishing Liz by beating her with a thick leather belt. He had beaten her so badly that she had started bleeding. Nathan knew that if James was allowed to continue, scars would be left all over his sister's body.

Due to this, Nathan decided that he had enough. The emotional burden that he had been carrying for so long had become far too heavy. Driven insane by his emotions, Nathan picked up a kitchen knife and ran towards James. However, before he could stab his father, Stacy pushed him aside and plunged the knife deep into James' spine instead. She could not allow Nathan to carry the emotional burden of killing his father.

When the police arrived, Stacy had finally told them the truth about James' abuse over the past seven years. Due to this, no charges were laid against her and the case was dismissed as self-defense. The only strange thing that happened was that James' body disappeared from the morgue the following day. However, they didn't care as long as he was finally out of their lives.

Ever since then, their lives began to change. They moved out of James' house and relocated to a new neighborhood. The area was peaceful and was closer to school. It was also closer to Sindy's house which allowed Nathan's and Sindy's friendship to grow even stronger. Their days became peaceful and full of joy. Even the scars on their bodies eventually disappeared. The only scars that remained were the ones on their hearts.