Flesh

Some hundred and seventy years ago when America was only a massive land of forest and hills lived a small family of five. They had a ramshackled cabin to start their new lives. None could foresee the tragedy to befall their precious little family. It all started with the matriarch of the household falling ill with a common cold. Back in those days however this was a life sentence. So, poor little Chuck at the age of six had to take up his father’s responsibilities.

It was mid summer and that was when their troubles began to make themselves known. On this day Chuck went out to tend to the crops, unfortunately for him they had been burnt to a crisp by the sun the day before. He had neglected to do the things necessary to keep the crops protected from the sun’s scorching rays. Chuck was breathless by the time he reached the cabin from the fields.

“Mother I’ve bad news.” Chuck said awkwardly shuffling from one foot to the other.

“What do you mean dearest?” She asked.

“The crops are dead there’s nothing to salvage.”

“WHAT?!” She roared grabbing him by the shoulders.

He stared at his mother in disbelief, he’d never seen her so angry in his entire life.

“Get me a switch.” She commanded.

“W-what?”

“You heard me boy, go get a switch, and don’t take to long!” She sneered.

Like a dog with its tail between it’s legs Chuck went and got a switch. He drug his feet coming back with the thin wiry stick in hand. Chuck’s mother beat his bare behind raw to the point he was bleeding. Tears were streaming down his young dirty face. They didn’t speak much after that.

The following winter two of Chuck’s three sisters starved to death. The second week of the bitter winter his last remaining sister was brutally raped and murdered. This left only the boy and his mother to tend to the cabin. One evening his mother spoke to him.

“This is all your fault! If you had properly tended to the crops your sisters would be alive!” She screamed.

“M-mother…” He said as his stomach grumbled loudly.

“Shut up you little bastard! I wish I never bore you!”

Something inside Chuck’s little mind snapped, he met his mother’s eyes with cold determined eyes. He gracefully walked over the the fireplace and picked up his pa’s axe.

“You know Mother I’m feeling quite hungry.” He said in an eerily calm voice.

Now it was her turn to be frightened.

“W-what d-d-do you m-mean?” She, not believing the sight before her..

Chuck just laughed at her incredulity then swung the axe at her stomach. She gripped her wound as the blood started to seep through her clothes. Chuck brought the axe down on her head, watching it roll across the room.

“You should have been nicer Mother.” He said laughing hysterically.