Blood Fury

Like an idiot, I nodded. I thought becoming an adult would ease my father’s harsh treatment. I was a fool for believing he’d love me if I was no longer the sniveling child he called me.

But Grandmother Tavi lied.

I screamed and dropped to the floor. Beneath my skin all matter of hell erupted. I heard my bones break. Watched my limbs grow longer. Felt my muscles stretch and contort. I vomited as parts of my anatomy swelled and throbbed.

The procedure took most of the night. At one point, I just wanted to die. Death had to be better than being ripped apart and put back together.

“Mother, you’ve outdone yourself,” Father said like a proud fucking peacock as I writhed on the floor.

“It’s my greatest accomplishment,” said Grandmother.

It was my greatest suffering. If I could have clawed out my eyes, I would have, but I couldn’t make a fist. I couldn’t lift my head.

The pain finally stopped with the morning light. I sat, cold and naked, on the guest house floor. Somebody draped a blanket over my shaking shoulders. I tried to speak but couldn’t get the words out.

“Look in the mirror, son.” Father helped me to my feet.

I shuffled across the floor and stood before the looking glass. The man before me scared the shit out of me. He resembled both my father and my uncle. I stared at the reflection, trying hard to find some piece of me. But the boy was gone.