Many children his age would be terrified by the events of that night but Aashish didn't feel anything different because he was used to it.
The first time he killed a man was a year ago. The memories of that day were the real horrifying events for Aashish as the man he had to kill that day was his own uncle, his mother's brother.
In this age, everything was governed by benefits. The man who could give the most benefits to people was considered their leader. In Kathmandu district, there were four major gangs and different minor gangs which were governed by the major gangs. The major gangs were respectively, 'The Golden Lion' leaded by Wendigo, 'The Pigs', leaded by Red Saint, 'The Black Dragon' leaded by Misfit and finally 'Valhalla' leaded by Plague. The common people did not know the true names of those gang leaders but only knew them by their nicknames. The four gangs divided the district into four parts and made it their territory.
Among the four gangs, The Black Dragon was the group with the least members with only 11 members but every member of that gang were elites. The gang with most members was The Pig with 279 members but it didn't have any subsidiary gang under its control. The other two had about 100 members each. Except The Pigs, each gang had many gangs in their territory who worked for them. So, their real numbers couldn't be estimated accurately.
Aashish's mother, Shanti was from a small family which was under the rule of 'The Golden Lion'. Her family was more than happy when she was taken as a concubine by Wendigo as not everyone had the opportunity to get close to one of the major gang leaders. Shanti was not the woman most loved by Wendigo but he still treated her well until he received news that Shanti,s brother Pralhad was working with Red Saint to kill Wendigo and take over the gang. Wendigo was very angry with that news. He ordered his men to bring Shanti's whole family in front him which included his son Aashish .
Wendigo was cruel but he had the power.
"Do you know why you were called?" He asked/
Pralhad trembled at that question but he didn't know he was really busted. So he tried to maintain calm and answer but Wendigo didn't give him chance to speak and continued,"I think I know what happened Pralhad and if you make excuses, I will kill you family one by one until you accept it."
Wendigo had a cruel look in his eyes as he said that. He was lusting or blood. Pralhad knew he had no chance to escape as he had indeed colluded with 'The Pigs'.
"But I did-"
"Aaaahhhhh"
He was about to speak when he heard the scream and looked back only to see his father's headless body and his mother screaming. He didn't know what to do and tears fell from his eyes. He knew he couldn't stall any more and said,
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Please, do whatever you want with me but please let my family go." He begged in his knees, his eyes full of tears.
"Finally! I got to listen what I wanted to hear. What should I do with you now …."
"Aahh why did they kill you ?" Shanti and his mother were still weeping near the dead body. As for Aashish, he was sobbing in the corner. He was unable to think clearly at that moment but he knew something bad was happening.
"So annoying. Kill that noisy woman." Wendigo said as if he was disturbed when thinking.
"No no no…" Pralhad ran towards his mother in order to try saving her .
"Splash-" Blood was spilled and his mother was cut in the neck. She twitched in the floor for some time and was finally relieved from the pain. At this moment, no one even dared to cry.
Pralhad again fell on the floor. He was devastated. He kept his head low and silently wept.
Wendigo looked at him again and said," What do you think I should do with you? Kill you now? NO that's too easy for a traitor. Oh, what do you think about dying by your family's hand ? That's cool right."
Wendigo looked at Aashish and said throwing a knife at him,"What are you waiting for boy? Kill him."
Aashish just responded with a 'huh'.
Wendigo looked agitated as he said," Will you kill him or should I kill your mother?" He was talking to a kid but there was only cruelness in his eyes. He would never take no for an answer. He always got what he wanted.
Aashish still didn't move not knowing what to do. He started sobbing again. Pralhad looked at him and said,"Boy, kill me." Pralhad went before Aashish and knelt down .
"Just cut my neck child. It won't hurt me much."
"But-"
"No buts. Do you want your mother to die. Stop Crying like a little girl and do it." Pralhad shouted.
Aashish shivered by that shout. He was still just a child. He took the knife wit trembling knife. He looked at Pralhad tears falling down his cheeks. He put the knife in Pralhad's neck but stood still then.
"Weak people have no right. If you want to have human rights, be strong and don't be stupid. Stupid people will die young like me. Become strong so no one can order you in any way. Okay?" Pralhad looked at the trembling Aashish lovingly and caught his hand slitting his own throat.
Shanti and Aashish wept silently but everyone else in the room was indifferent to that. That scene was not new to any of them.
"Tch - I put a knife in his knife and he couldn't cut a man who wanted to die. Is he really my son?" Wendigo looked at Shanti and smirked. His blood lust was not satiated yet. He wanted to see more blood.
"He is your son. Please" Shanti said.
"I am your son Father. I killed him myself. I can kill anyone you say. Please don't hurt my mom"Aashish said eyes full of tears but his voice was not shaking anymore.
"Really?Anyone you say huh. Okay. From today onwards I will ask you to kill some men occassionally but if you fail even once, I will kill your mother. Are you really willing to live as my weapon?" Wendigo stated.
"Yes, father. I will never fail you." Aashish said but what was in his heart no one knew except himself.
"Hehe. I like that attitude. From today, You will act as the weapon of your brother, Rajesh. If anyone tries to harm him, kill them. Do whatever he orders you to do. A weapon has no need to even think. You only have one job. To kill." Wendigo said.
"I understand, father. I will do my best." Aashish said only be stared at by htose cold eyes. He instinctively avoided looking at Wendigo.
"Remember. Never to call me father again. You are not my child." Wendigo coldly stated.
Aashish didn't say anything but he was gritting his teeth with his head hung low. He would never forget this day. Not till his death.
He still remembered the blood in the floor from that day and he still remembered his uncle's last words to him.
"Weak. I am still too weak." Aashish murmured as he fell asleep.