A/N: This is story is a prequel to my other story, Blood Red. I would advise reading that before reading this, but it's up to you.
Father had guests around tonight. His guests are always here once a week, every Thursday. While Father hosted these events, it was always my job to make sure everybody had some sort of liquor in their glass and that their cigars were always light. Once in a while I would have to bring out food for them, which made keeping up with everything just a bit harder. All in all though, I tend to manage quite well. However, tonight was just not my night.
"More wine," I heard Father call while I was in the kitchen, getting another bottle.
Quickly I walked out, bringing the bottle. "Yes, Sir," I said as I proceeded to fill his glass. As I walked around the table I filled all the glasses, until I came to the end. Somehow I had managed to trip over the edge of the rug in my hurry. Before my mind could even process what was happening, I had spilled red wine over Father's favorite guest.
Eibon stood up in a fit of rage. He was yelling at me but my panicked mind could not comprehend anything as apologizes kept spilling from my mouth. I immediately quietened and my mind cleared as a hand slapped me across the face with full force. Eibon had hit me...
Normally in this situation, any other child would look to their father for comfort, but I knew better. I immediately left the room, doing my hardest not to cry. Eibon had just slapped me and Father will no doubt punish me for my clumsiness, but if I cry, whatever Father had planned would be much worse.
I was not allowed back into the living room until the guests were gone. I sat in the corner in the kitchen while my mom took over my job for me. Once my mom had disappeared again and I heard the door slam shut I knew what was coming. Without much thought I got up and stood in the middle of the kitchen. Father appeared at the door before long.
"Did you know what you have done?" he asked angrily.
"I'm so sorry," I said, my eyes filling with tears.
"You made me look like a fool," he raised his voice.
"I'm sorry," I repeated.
"Like a goddamn fool!"
He hit me. He slapped me across the face exactly as Eibon had. I didn't say anything as he continued his assault on me, eventually leading to me being on the floor and him landing bruising kicks to my side and back. He was speaking more as he kicked, probably blaming me for everything that had ever gone wrong in his life. But I didn't focus on his words.
I had already trained my mind to focus on other things beside the pain and insults that poured from Father's mouth. I was more than certain I had a couple of broken ribs and I think my shoulder had been dislocated. I internally sighed, reminding myself to pop it back in place and bandage myself up when I get the chance.
Either his kicks were getting harder or I was more bruised than I thought, but the pain was starting to become unbearable. How much pain can a four year old handle before it becomes fatal, I wondered.
My thought was cut short as a particularly hard kick to the head caused me to black out. I had silently been hoping for that particular kick to land a lot sooner. There was no pain, no sound. Just pure, calming blackness. That's how I like it.
Pure pitch black...
A/N: Short, sweet(?) and to the point! The beginnings of Pitch Black, the prequel to Blood Red! Please R&R