Life's a rollercoaster indeed, and mine has been no exception. Imagine being Akeru Wilford, born into a family riddled with drama from day one. My mother, a survivor of a horrifying assault, found herself pregnant with me as a constant reminder of that trauma. Instead of embracing motherhood, she saw me as a burden, even contemplating abortion to rid herself of the reminder.
Thankfully, my dad—well, my stepdad, really—was a beacon of strength and love in my life. He stood by me, gave me his name, and showed me what it meant to be a father. But tragedy struck on my 5th birthday when he was taken from us by the very same man who had assaulted my mother. Talk about a cruel twist of fate.
Despite the darkness that surrounded us, I chose to focus on the light. My dad's memory fuels my determination to persevere, to rise above the chaos, and make something of myself. And while my mother may never fully accept me, I won't let her bitterness define me even she... Even she and my older sisters blamed me for losing our father and our mother's beloved husband.
...
From the moment I stepped into grade school, it was like I was invisible to my mother. No matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried to make her proud, her gaze never landed on me. I poured my heart into mastering martial arts, winning every match with precision and dedication. I immersed myself in calligraphy, hoping my elegant strokes would catch her eye. I even took up piano and violin, filling our home with music in the hopes that it would soothe her troubled soul. But it was all in vain. She never acknowledged my efforts, and never gave me the slightest hint of approval.
Perhaps it was because of my two older sisters, Akane and Anna. They were the epitome of grace and beauty, the kind of women people couldn't help but admire. With their sharp minds and impeccable manners, they effortlessly commanded our mother's attention and affection, leaving me to dwell in their shadow.
I'll never forget that day in middle school when I made the foolish decision to follow in the footsteps of my delinquent classmates. My grades plummeted, and my mother was summoned to the principal's office to face the consequences of my actions. But even then, she remained composed, her gaze as cold as ice as she listened to the principal's words. There was no anger, no disappointment—just a chilling indifference that cut me to the core.
When we returned home, she wasted no time in delivering her ultimatum. "Study, or else you won't make it to high school," she said, her words laced with a hint of menace. It was a cold, stark reminder of where I stood in her eyes. And yet, there was a strange honesty to her words, a brutal truth that lingered in the air long after she had spoken them. As I drifted off to sleep that night, her warning echoed in my mind, a harsh reminder of the uphill battle I faced in earning her approval.
Despite my mother's indifference, I refused to let her apathy weaken my spirits. I pushed myself harder than ever, determined to prove my worth through my academic achievements. When I graduated from middle school with flying colors, securing the top position in my class, I couldn't help but hope that my mother would finally take notice. After all, my accomplishments were nothing short of remarkable—any mother would be bursting with pride.
But as I proudly displayed my awards and accolades before her, her reaction was as cold and indifferent as ever. It was like a slap in the face, a harsh reminder that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be enough for her. Yet, strangely, her lack of acknowledgment only fueled my determination to succeed. If she couldn't see my worth, then I would just have to prove it to myself.
***
Trapped in the whirlwind of family dynamics. It's like being stuck in a never-ending game of "Who's Mom's Favorite?" Spoiler alert: it's not me.
My sisters, Akane and Anna, are the stars of the show, basking in Mom's adoration while I'm left in their shadow. No matter what I do, it never seems to be enough to catch her eye. I've tried everything, from excelling in martial arts to mastering calligraphy and even serenading her with my musical talents. But it's like shouting into the void—no response, no recognition, just silence.
Even when I stumbled in middle school and let my grades slip, Mom's reaction was icy at best. Instead of offering words of encouragement, she simply told me to study harder or risk being kicked out of high school. Thanks for the motivation, Mom.
But you know what? Despite the lack of acknowledgment, I refuse to give up. I may not be the favorite, but I'll be damned if I let that stop me from carving out my path and proving my worth, even if it's just to myself.
***
Ah, the classic tale of the lonely overachiever. That's me, Akeru, the academic whiz kid who sacrificed his social life for the sake of perfect grades. High school should have been a time of camaraderie and adventure, but for me, it was a solitary journey paved with textbooks and late-night study sessions.
While my classmates were out making memories, I was buried in my books, chasing that elusive 100% score like a golden snitch. And boy, did I deliver! With grades that would make even Einstein do a double-take, I was the poster child for academic excellence. But alas, my triumphs fell on deaf ears—my mother's, to be precise.
Despite my neverending efforts, she remained unmoved, as unimpressed as a cat lounging in the sun.
The day of my birthday, the joys of sibling rivalry! I remember my forgotten birthday, just hoping for a humble slice of pizza on my big day. But alas, my hopes were dashed as my sisters swooped in like hungry vultures, guarding the precious pie as if it were the Holy Grail itself.
"Oh, come on!" I grumbled, eyeing the pizza box with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. It was like a scene straight out of a Shakespearean tragedy, with my sisters playing the roles of greedy villains, hoarding the coveted prize for themselves.
But hey, what's a birthday without a little drama, right? Instead of letting myself get swept up in the chaos, I decided to take the high road. Getting mad would only ruin the mood, and besides, there were more important battles to fight—like deciding whether pineapple belongs on pizza.
I took a deep breath and forced a smile, deciding not to let this minor injustice ruin my day. It was just another reminder of the absurdity and drama that seemed to constantly surround me, a small slice of my life that perfectly captured the ongoing battle for attention and validation.
As I thought about what should I do, the emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness in my heart. Even my mom wasn't home, adding to the sense of isolation. Sulking like a child for a moment, I chided myself to "calm down." With a resolve stirring within me, I rose to my feet, determined to seize control of my birthday destiny.
But then I thought of stepping out into the night. I made my way to the convenience store, a beacon of fluorescent light in the darkness. It wasn't the grand celebration I had envisioned, but it would have to do. The crisp night air invigorated me as I walked, urging me to cast aside my disappointment and embrace the simple joys of the moment.
As I settled into my solo birthday celebration, perched on the swing in the park near to ours, I indulged in the snacks I had purchased. The rhythmic motion of the swing was strangely soothing, transporting me to a place of calm amidst the chaos of my thoughts.
But my calm and unbothered moment was shattered when an unexpected sight caught my eye. There, across the park, stood my mother, accompanied by a man in a sleek black suit with black smooth hair. Her usual composed facade was replaced by a genuine smile, one I had rarely seen directed at me. It was the same smile she reserved for my sisters, a smile filled with warmth and affection.
As I lounged on the swing, relishing in my solo birthday bash, I couldn't help but notice the park's sudden transformation into a scene straight out of a soap opera. There was my mom, arm in arm with Mr. Suave in his snazzy suit, looking like they were about to hit the town.
But when Mom's gaze met mine, her smile vanished faster than a piece of cake at a birthday party. Suddenly, I felt about as welcome as a mosquito at a picnic. Talk about a reality check!
Deciding to brush off the awkward encounter, I took a moment to admire the stars above, only to find myself rudely interrupted by my clumsiness. Before I knew it, I was face down in the dirt, wondering if anyone had witnessed my spectacular swan dive.
"Moment of grace, brought to you by yours truly," I muttered to myself, dusting off my dignity along with the dirt. Ah, the joys of being the star of your very own sitcom.
***
Ah, the joys of family gatherings, where awkward encounters and uncomfortable silences reign supreme. There I was, playing the role of the invisible man while my mother paraded her new beau around like a prized possession. Meanwhile, my sisters were busy basking in his attention, like cats who had just been fed a gourmet meal.
Alfred Blackock's voice cut through the air, pulling me back from the brink of escape. With a sigh, I turned to face him, his eager smile plastered across his face like a kid in a candy store.
"Hey! I'm Alfred Blackock," he announced proudly, extending his hand in greeting. "Can you tell me your name too?"
As Alfred Blackock made his grand entrance by asking my fucking name, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. Who did this guy think he was, waltzing into our lives like he owned the place? But instead of letting my frustration show, I asked myself if should I play it straight and give him a run-of-the-mill response. Nah, where's the fun in that? I decided to play it cool, channeling my inner secret agent with a cryptic response.
"Trash," I replied nonchalantly, delivering my line with a flair that would make James Bond proud. Alfred looked momentarily flustered, clearly thrown off by my unexpected retort. But hey, if you're going to play the mysterious loner, you might as well commit to the role, right?
With that, I made my exit, leaving the lovebirds and those two of my sisters to their fairytale romance. As I walked away, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Who needs sunshine and rainbows when you've got sarcasm and sass?
As I sat on the swing, munching on my snacks, I couldn't shake the image of my mother's smile from my mind. It was like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit, a glimpse of a reality I couldn't quite grasp. Was she truly happy with Alfred? And if so, what did that mean for me? Or did Alfred come because his plotting something on my family?
Lost in thought, I stared up at the sky, searching for answers among the stars. But all I found was the vast expanse of the universe, stretching out endlessly before me. It was a sobering reminder of how small and insignificant we truly were in the grand scheme of things.
With a heavy sigh, I finished my snacks and pushed myself off the swing. The night air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. But as I made my way home, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. Whether it would be for better or worse, only time would tell.
But I was a rational person, capable of distinguishing fact from fiction. The idea of my mother and Alfred plotting something for my family was nothing more than a figment of my imagination, a silly notion born out of boredom and loneliness.
With a shake of my head, I pushed aside the intrusive thoughts and focused on the task at hand. I had exams to study for, dreams to pursue, and a future to carve out for myself. Romance could wait—it was the last thing on my mind.
***
Slipping into the house like a ghost, I moved with the stealth of a seasoned spy, careful not to disturb the delicate balance of the household. The last thing I needed was to wake my mother from her slumber and risk facing her wrath.
As I approached the guest room, a pang of guilt tugged at my heartstrings. Despite everything, she was still my mother, and deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that I owed her something, even if it was just a small act of kindness.
With a sigh, I draped the blanket over her sleeping form, tucking her in with all the care and tenderness I could muster. It was a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes of the love I still harbored for her, despite our strained relationship.
As I stood there, watching her sleep, a sense of peace washed over me. At that moment, surrounded by the quiet stillness of the house, I realized that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for us. Maybe one day, we could find a way to bridge the gap that had formed between us and start the bond we haven't yet started.
But for now, all I could do was stand vigil over her sleeping form, silently wishing her sweet dreams and hoping that one day, she would wake up to see me for who I truly was—a son longing for his mother's love and acceptance.
Turning my attention to the other occupants of the room, I saw my sisters lying in different positions, their usual elegance replaced by disarray. One lay sprawled on the floor, while the other was half-naked on the couch, her torn bra revealing her chest. It was a scene straight out of a nightmare, one that filled me with a mixture of horror and fury.
And there, on top of her, sat Alfred, his pants unzipped, a predatory lust in his eyes. The sight sent a surge of rage coursing through my veins, igniting a firestorm of protective instinct within me.
With a swift and silent determination, I snatched the glass bottle of wine they had been drinking, my hands trembling with adrenaline. Every fiber of my being screamed with the urgency of the moment, driving me forward with an unrelenting force.
Stealthily, I advanced towards Alfred, my movements fluid yet deliberate, determined to thwart his lustful intentions before they could escalate any further. As I drew closer, I could see the hunger in his eyes, the unmistakable thirst for power and dominance.
But I refused to let him prey on my family any longer. With a fierce resolve, I raised the bottle high above my head, ready to strike a decisive blow against the monster before me.
As I stood behind him, the glass bottle clenched tightly in my hand I swung the glass bottle holding the tube-like top of the bottle and hit his head.
*Shattered!
The sound should have been enough to wake my mother, but she remained in a deep slumber, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around her. The same went for my sisters, lost in their own troubled dreams.
"Fucker!!" I shouted knowing he drugged them with sleeping pills.
Gritting my teeth and biting my lip until it bled, I watched as Alfred crumpled to the floor, his screams of pain filling the room, as a glass bottle shattered fragment flew in all directions.
"You scumbag I'm gonna kill you." Threatened him with my cold gaze.
"HAHAHA!! YOU CANT YOU FUCKING BASTARD, YOUR JUST A JUNK, JUST LIKE YOU FATHER!! HAHAH!"
Despite the menacing threats and scornful taunts, I remained steadfast, carefully assessing the unfolding situation. Alfred's arrogance and disdain were unmistakable, yet beneath his facade, a hint of trepidation lurked. His quivering hands and trembling demeanor belied his outward show of confidence.
"Go ahead, you insolent child. You're nothing but worthless refuse, just like your namesake. You couldn't even kill someone, could you? HAHAH!" he jeered, his words dripping with malice.
I maintained my composure, steadfastly refusing to be swayed by his insults. "I understand," I replied calmly, my voice unwavering despite the rush of adrenaline surging through me.
*Stab!
With a swift and decisive motion, I plunged the shattered glass bottle wine into his aorta, the jagged edges tearing through flesh and muscle. As crimson blood spilled onto the floor beneath us, I felt a grim sense of determination coursing through me. With each pull, the glass extracted from his aorta ensured his swift demise, the shattered remnants bearing witness to the abrupt end of his life.
"That's for insulting my, Father." My voice was cold enough to be like my mother. I was not supposed to kill him, but.... He insult my father's name. He went too far on the line.
10:35 PM, Monday, March 15, 20XX—a day after my birthday—a high school graduate became a murderer, driven by the primal instinct to protect his family at all costs.
Also, That's the day of my first heavy sin that haunts me.
Extra Chapter Part 1 end: My First Heavy Sin