OK, this is Chapter 3 of A father's desire, like always I can't start without thanking epalladino and believer 29 for their reviews on this work… this chapter was pretty difficult because I had to combine the 'Stream of Consciousness" style (usually Prof. Broom) that you'll find in cursive with the sarcastic, ironic, yet very emotional language of Hellboy in arial point 10.
As they sit on the couch they realized they haven't talked in quite a while, and little did they know this might be the last conversation between them.
God really works in mysterious ways Prof. Broom told himself, he vividly remember that night in Scotland so many years ago when his destiny was revealed to him; not exactly was he expected when he left out of school to become President Roosevelt Paranormal Advisor; it was not to be a respected doctor in the paranormal, defeating the Thule Society or an all around guardian of righteousness, but a mere father to a special son…trying to help him become a man has become my life work…and the ideas took wings of their own…
I couldn't tell my recurring dream to my son about Rasputin because it will only confused him more, at first I told myself that these dreams came to me days after I knew about the cancer and that it was only fear of dying; but now is a certainty that he will come back and probably I'll be gone when that happens… he will try to reclaim my child mysterious heritage for himself; I don't know what part my son will play in all this, just that he is one of the main characters; I consider that his right hand is a key to someplace dark, yet out of love I never let anyone investigate about it, not even him… I don't know if curiosity will be the path of doom; I still remember after 60 years the eyes of Rasputin, a person so evil in nature that death itself offered no warranties to our world.
But time is running out for me, in my last attempt I'm bringing a kid to connect with him… I hope that his good personality and soft ways help shape the stubborn and combative character of Hellboy; I honestly don't think that only comes from his personality but from my example…I was overzealous in his upbringing trying for him to learn as much as he could about everything that shaped the very fabric of our reality…the good and the bad, the darkness that creeps into the night, I showed him that any magic was no match for a pure heart and that actions define the man…but as he grew stronger his abilities and natural disposition towards conflict also develop over our expectations…he was a warrior, not a scholar like Abe and I…I was repulsed by violence, he lived for it.
I know that he fears to lose the ones he loves…that is way he chooses to work alone, he couldn't stand to see Agent Clay, Burgess or Abe get hurt, but most of all he couldn't live if something happened to Liz, sadly that's a flaw that our enemies might exploit.
I was burden by the responsibility of running the Paranormal Bureau of Investigation and Defense for some years and choose to resign administrative duties to be able to see the field work and study with Hellboy the unseen world, I wanted him to be the best paranormal detective possible…so when Abe came aboard we became a family, they quickly develop a practical relationship, Hellboy was the brawn and Abe was the brain, logistics and operation like they called it in the F.B.I.
But we never had a female on the team, nobody could foreseen the immediate impact she would have in our life, a girl with rosy cheeks and sad but beautiful eyes…at first Hellboy was overprotective with the girl, I let it pass since he is essentially fireproof and she couldn't control her powers… that helped them create a special bond; but then when she became a woman she wanted but couldn't relate to him, he was never going to be like the boys in the movie or in school…He was devastated for a while but soon realized that work would help him ease the pain, so he took an assignment away...and she asked me, no…didn't asked me; she almost implore me to let her go outside and a chance to live a normal life, I couldn't say no to that…she was not made for this life…so like any reluctant father, I let her go and wish her well.
I didn't know what to expect from Hellboy when he came back, he was too respectful to say anything, but felt betrayed…like a scorned lover; suddenly started to escape every once in a while to see her, that situation has been giving me problems lately with Manning who needs to come up with a series of lies to deal with this "Urban Legend". I was a young man once, I wish I can tell myself that he'll let go…but I know better.
He was born a demon; we can't change that. But we will help him, in essence, to become a man.
-Father, are you all right? - Asked Hellboy in an anxious tone, "you seemed a little distant".
-"Yes son, I was just remembering little things" – Answer back the Prof. Broom with a nice warm smile.
- Such as? - Hellboy replied back with a curious grin.
-"I thought by now you'll know that all questions are not to be asked"- Prof. Broom counter with a courteous tone, suddenly his temple relaxed and showed a clean smile…those that comes from realizing something important yet simple.
Prof. Broom took a couple of glasses from the table in the couch and poured two fingers of whisky in each one…he gave one to H.B and hold his left arm with his hand…"Don't be nervous son"
Hellboy quickly lifted his eyebrows in astonishment. "Father I'm not even wagging my tale" How can he always tell?
-Do you really think after sixty years I need such an obvious give away? - answer Prof. Broom while chuckling softly.
-"I don't know"- He countered with a smile. It feels good to talk to Father. We haven't been Seeing Eye to eye lately.
-"What happened tonight Hellboy?" - Asked Broom now in a serious manner.
-I had to see Liz Father, I'm sorry- Hellboy respond in a sincere tone.
-Son, first things first…about the creature- Prof. Broom looked with inquisitive eyes. He has so much to learn, for someone so strong he is painfully vulnerable…his biggest flaw might be the most important virtue that any of us has…compassion.
-'Well I blew the mothe….pardon my language, I took care of it Father"- Answer the red gargoyle back… he later took a while to think and added: "There was something bizarre going on tonight"
-What was unusual about this evening? - asked concealing his fears Prof. Broom.
I had the horrible feeling that I was being watched closely, plus the monster wasn't trapped in a statue…it was summon by witchcraft and there no witchdoctors or sorceress around New Jersey, at least not active.
-How did you come out with that conclusion? –Prof. Broom could feel the fire burning his temples and his pulse was raising, he felt that his heart was going to explode; his fears were materializing and he wasn't ready…
-I found the portal in an Alley so I took a couple of pictures- Hellboy answer with detective pride.
-Did it have any Glyphs? - Prof. Broom was perplexed with the new information given by Hellboy.
-"Some Cyrillic symbols…possibly early Slavic father, I'll download them into Abe's computer…see what can he find out"- Said Hellboy with curiosity, he couldn't read his father, he knew how to masquerades his ideas, but he could tell when someone gets scared, and father seems really frightened by the information, should he be worried too?
-"Good job Hellboy"- Prof. Broom responded with sincere satisfaction.
-"Thank you father"- Hellboy added while lowering his head.
Prof. Broom held his left arm close to Hellboy jaw, in many ways the red big ape was the same kid he hugged against a dirty blanket and a tweed suit many years ago; no matter who strong or how powerful he becomes he still needs approval, who is going to help him when he is gone?
You expected this to be the last installment, actually so did I…but the characters are just great and they just keep having this emotional conversation.
Next chapter would be the last (I think!)
Hope you enjoyed it, and please review.