Family Reunion

I smiled amicably, bowing lowly to my next guest. It was my cousin Martha, all the way from two towns over. It was so nice to see her again after all this time...

“Ah, Martha. Such a joy to see you,” I grin, pulling her in for a hug.

But she dodged my arms, entering the room and disappearing into the large crowd behind me. It wasn’t a very big room and was rather dingy with its stone walls, yet it still managed to fit all my family and friends. Today was a very special day to me. I think.... Maybe an anniversary, a reunion possibly? Well, any day is a perfect day for a party!

“I hope everyone is having fun!” I called. None of them responded, but that was fine. Today was going to be fun; I wouldn’t let anything ruin it. So, instead of moping over being ignored, I decided to just walk around until I found someone willing to talk. Maybe Aunt Lluvia? She was usually up for a good conversation.

“Aunt Lluvia!” I called, spotting her from across the room. I ran to her, smiling in hopes that it would make her more inclined to answer me.

“How have things been? It has been months since we’ve talked,” I laughed. She didn’t even bother to look at me and I couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed.

“Come on Aunty, there’s no need to ignore me...” I sighed, “Why don’t we share some recipes? I know you have one that you’ve been holding back from me.” I teased. Aunt Lluvia loved to cook; I was sure that turning the conversation toward food would work. But strangely enough, it didn’t, and now I could feel my irritation morphing into anger.

Why was my family ignoring me? They had no right to do that, none at all. I was a part of this celebration- whatever it was- and I deserved some attention just like anyone else.

“Hey, stop ignoring me before I have to hurt you,” I growled. I would use force if necessary, it didn’t bother me. I actually loved the way using force gave me such a powerful feeling. I liked power....

A small chuckle escaped my lips when she still didn’t respond. It seems I would have to... no, get to, use force. I began to laugh, joy overwhelming me at the thought of using force and feeling so powerful. I reached out to grab her shirt, but my hand missed. She must have moved.

“Oh Aunty!” I cackled, “Don’t run, I just want to talk!” I was shaking with the laughter, but I just couldn’t help it. It was too good! The worse she defied me the more force I would have to use and the more powerful I would feel.

I charged, ready to tackle her to the ground, but she seemed to disappear, which left me to smash into the wall. I felt a drop of blood slip down my face, but continued to laugh. Pulling myself off the ground, I charged at Uncle George across the room. He was ignoring me too.

But just like Aunt Lluvia he seemed to dissipate into the air and my face once again met the wall. I charged around the room, but one by one everyone left, leaving me alone again with blood streaming down my face from trying to catch them.

Why was this happening again? I wasn’t at fault, I hadn’t meant to drive them away all those times before. I hadn’t meant to.... kill them.

That was right... how could I possibly forget. Each and every one of them had crossed me, made me angry, pushed me just a little closer to the edge. So obviously it was their own fault they were dead, I did nothing wrong. I only responded like any normal person would!

“Why are you doing this to me!?” I screamed.

“Wh- why-,” it escaped like a low whine. “Why did you leave me again!” I wailed.

“Why!?” I felt a strange moisture, different from my blood, drip down my face. Was it coming from my eyes?

“Come back! I don’t want to be alone. Come back or I’ll kill you again!” I screeched, digging my hands into my hair. I can’t take this. I don’t want to be alone anymore. I don’t want to be ignored anymore! The pain was coming back. It was an unbearable emptiness tingling over my heart, making it feel like it wasn’t even there.

“Whyyyyy??? Why? Whywhywhywhywhy!???” I moaned, tearing at my hair.

“WHY!!??” I slammed my forehead on the ground. I screamed, trying to relieve the pain somehow and fell onto my side, curling into a ball.

“Please! Make it stop!” I sobbed.

“PLEEEAAASSE!”

“Don’t worry,” a soft voice spoke from above me. My head snapped up and I stared at a lady in a blue uniform hovering over me, with another man. I noticed a gun attached to her hip and was so tempted to grab it, and feel that power again, but the man stepped forward and grabbed me by the shoulders. I gave him a brief glare but turned my attention back to the lady who spoke up.

“This’ll help,” she smiled, and I felt a prick in my wrist. And she wasn’t lying. The pain went away, and was replaced by a comforting drowsiness. I smiled slightly in relief, before falling into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.