Chapter 2: Memory Lane Nightmare

A few hours later, Mantis opened his eyes, slowly and felt kinda scared about sleeping. As he got up, he looks at the picture of his mother and held it closely to his heart. He wasn't really looking forward to turning 21 because of what happened 9 years ago. He suffered from a tragic adolescenthood memory between his mom and someone she knows that went into a spiraling, painful end.

He sighs and puts his hand on his face to cover his scared look. Looking back on his past, this incident came 2 weeks before his 12th birthday, 9 years ago, known as the most tragic time of his life for him and his mother.

9 years ago...

Young Mantis was looking forward to his 12th birthday, because he likes being a young man. He looked up at the sky, thinking was his life would be like if he stayed forever young and everything.

"Mantis!" his mother called.

He heard his mom call for him and he scurried inside the tall grass to see her. She asked him, "So, how does it feel to be almost 12?"

"It feels pretty good. I feel like I'm still growing up." Young Mantis said.

"Hopefully, it'll be a special 12th birthday you'll remember for the rest of your life."

"I hope you're right."

As they came in, one grasshopper called out his mom's name, furiously. His mom shuddered to think about coming up to see what her boyfriend wants from her. Mantis didn't like the grasshopper around his mom because he knows that something must be wrong when it comes to her and her boyfriend.

Then, the grasshopper, 32 years old, bulging red eyes, orange skin, a little taller and four wings, came down to the grass to see what's taking so long. He came down, sees her with Mantis and asks, "Where have you been?"

"I've been talking to my son. Is there anything wrong?" she asks.

"Why waste your time talking to this kid?"

"Because he's my son. I always have time to talk to him. Is there a problem with that?"

"Darn right there's a problem with that!" he exclaimed.

"Honey, Mantis is standing in front of us." she said, in order to keep him from witnessing a serious takedown. She turned to Mantis and said, "Why don't you go up to your room? Me and my boyfriend have to discuss something."

Understanding her fear for his boyfriend, Mantis nodded and hopped out of grass and went into the tree to get away from the drama between her and her boyfriend. She turned to him and said, "Why must you make this hard on us?"

"Because you belong to me, okay? Leave the brat behind." he said.

She looked at him with much distraught and said, "I can't do that. Who's gonna take care of him?"

"I will."

"I don't think you're responsible to handle my son. He's not much into conversation. He's not used to you."

"He'd BETTER get used to me or else!" he yells, as he pushes her to the ground.

Mantis saw the whole arguement through his own eyes, as a young kid, seeing his own mother being pushed by. He could feel the fear coming out of his skin. As he keeps looking at the fight, her boyfriend threatened to beat the crap out of her if he doesn't want him near Mantis.

"I don't think that's gonna happen." she said.

"Listen to me, if I see you with that little runt, you are in for a smackdown." he said, looking menacingly.

She nodded her head and decided to do what he says. However, after he left, she decides to defy his demands and tries anything she can to protect her only son. Mantis witness the whole fight and looked very scared around the situation.

Later that night, the grasshopper sees his girlfriend with Mantis to put him to sleep. He grew more furious thinking she likes his son better than him. As she left to get some rest, he decides to confront her about caring for Mantis.

"You just can't stop caring for him, can you?" he asked.

She felt very scared around him and decides to get away from him, but pushes her down the branch. He got in her face and yelled, "I told you if you don't leave behind the little brat, I will mess you up so bad!"

"You can't tell me what to do." she said.

"You better watch who you're talking to!" he screamed.

"Okay, that's it! I need some space!"

The yelling woke up Mantis and snuck out to find out what's going on. Then, he sees his mom with her abusive boyfriend, fighting and shoving and arguing. He sucker-punched her in the jaw and grabbed her, threatening to drop her 20 feet in the air to kill her.

Mantis was shaken to death, seeing how this happens in front of his young eyes at 11 years old. When she gave in, he decided to let her go easily and flew away. She stood up, panic-striken like she's facing death sooner or later. When she sees Mantis looking scared, she walked to him and gave him a hug.

"Are you okay, mom?" asked Mantis.

"I think so."

"That guy had no right to treat you like that. You should break up with him."

"I can't do that. Because he'll kill the crap out of me."

"Maybe you should hide."

"Are you sure?"

"I think so."

"Maybe. Go back to bed."

Mantis went back to his room and tried to go to sleep, but everytime he closes his eyes, he sees that mean, abusive grasshopper assaulting his mother for Mantis. He shook in his bed and tried not to go to sleep, but he just wanted to get over it quickly so it would go away.

That's all I can basically give you guys. I'm gonna work on my other chapters pretty soon to find out more about this story. There's gonna be more, so keep waiting. Until then, enjoy this fanfic though!