Chapter 13: Every Last One
"HAKKAR!! YOU'RE ALRIGHT!!" Father screamed at the top of his lungs as he rushed over to me.
"Hey hey hey, watch the injuries, Father." I tried to warn him.
In the end, he squeezed me so hard that all the air in my lungs left my body. I squirmed around trying to get out, but his gorilla grip was too much for my 4-year-old strength.
'Was Father always this emotional? I guess after Mother died, and I was on the brink of death, he had a slight change of heart. His actions only make my decision that much worse.'
"*Sniffle* Hakkar, promise me that you'll never run away again. If you're ever feeling sad again, let me know, and I'll do everything I can to cheer you up." Father said with a kind look on his face.
I had already realized my mistakes, but the way he spoke, and looked at me... reinforced everything I had already confirmed. My family loves me, and I love them, nothing will change that.
"Yes, I promise, Father." I said with a smile and tears in my eyes.
Just as we were having a touching Father and son moment, some loud and obnoxious creatures ran through the 'door'. Ulta and her family followed behind Rei, who was already looking annoying.
"HAKKAR!" Screamed Rei and Ulta.
I yet again tried to warn them about my injuries, but it seems I was talking to deaf ears today. They proceeded to jump on top of me while crying all over.
'I'm glad that I'm cared about by so many people, but... THEY COULD AT LEAST FRESHEN UP BEFORE COMING HERE!!!'
"Please take a bat-." I tried saying before I was smothered.
After that, many people came to visit me. Some of them familiar faces, and some not so familiar faces. It seems my name had spread throughout the tribe while I was out, which ended up being 2 months. I wonder how they fed me during that time?
Apparently, during that time, Father went into the forest to kill the beast that had put me into that sorry state. When he found what I had fought with, however, he couldn't believe his eyes.
Even though the lizard had already been half eaten by the animals in the forest, he could tell that it was killed by human hands. The injury I had, plus the damage that the fight did to the surrounding ground and trees, made everything clear.
"Yeah, I fought that giant lizard thing. It was super tough, but in the end, I was victorious. Why, is that lizard special or something?" I said with a proud look on my face.
"No, but it isn't something a 4-year-old kid can just kill. In fact, it's not even something a grown man can kill, so I guess... I'm just curious, how did you do it?" Chief Tyu said.
"It's all thanks to the barrier you got for me Chief Tyu, if I didn't have it back then, I would have died before the fight even started. In fact, I must thank you for giving me such a precious item. If not for you, I wouldn't have been able to come back to everyone, but I can't express how grateful I am with just words." I spoke straight from the heart.
After I finished talking I got off the bed, and even though I was in pain, I got on both knees and put my head to the ground. Although I've never apologized this way… it felt like I needed to.
"I thank all of you for saving my life, and accepting me back, even though I have only been a burden. I will never make the same mistake again… I will-" I was going to apologize further before Father cut me off.
"Son… no one thinks of you as a burden. We'll love you no matter what you do, as long as you don't go dying before your dear old dad that is, haha. Also, where did you learn to apologize like that?" My Father said with a kind smile.
"Through the grapevine."
"Hahahaha" Everyone laughed in unison.
"No, but seriously." My Father tried to say over the noise.
*****
After that day, I lived with my family. Not a day went by where I didn't check in with them. I've made it my new goal, to spend as much time as I can with them… or at least… I thought.
"I'm sorry, but your Father… died in combat protecting my life from an ambush that the tribe across the river had laid for us. I know it might be hard to accept, but he died knowing his sacrifice will lead to a better future. We won't lose against the tribe across the river, and we'll bring about peace again. You have to believe me." Chief Tyu tried to console Shakkar, Rei, and me.
He was speaking to deaf ears though, it didn't matter what he said… after hearing that our Father was dead, it was over.
Shakkar and Rei broke down in the middle of the hut, while I just stood there trying to wrap my brain around it.
'Again… it happened again. I thought this time would be different, that this time I could actually live with the people I love. I know I'm not the problem… but if people keep dying around me like this, I can't guarantee that's the truth. It seems… I should have never left the forest in the first place… if I don't gain strength, then nothing will change. This time… I won't half-ass things though.'
Just as my eyes started gaining their radiance back, they were replaced by the cold eyes I once had before. The ones where it looked as if I didn't care whether I lived or died. I truly wish I could have changed… but it seems the world has other plans for me.
"*Sob* Brother, what do we do?" Shakkar asked.
I didn't say a single word, I just stood there with my eyes closed. The one to speak up first was actually Chief Tyu.
"The tribe has come to the conclusion that I will take care of you from now on. I will raise you well… I know Zakkar would rise from the dead if I didn't." Chief Tyu spoke in a low voice.
"Thank you, Chief, but I can't go with you. I know you'll treat Shakkar and Rei like your own children… so I entrust them to you. Don't get me wrong though, it won't be like last time. I won't disappear and leave them to suffer… I'll do what I can for them while gaining strength at the same time. I thank you again, Chief" I said while walking towards the 'door'.
"Remember what I told you two, if you don't bathe daily, then you'll end up sick like Mother... and remember that I will always watch over you, even if you can't see me." I said while looking toward Rei and Shakkar as I walked out the hut.
"I'm sorry, Hakkar. I truly am." Chief Tyu said softly.
When I made it to the tree line of the forest to the East… I let it all out.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH." I screamed out.
'I will kill them all. EVERY! LAST! ONE!'
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