A voice rang from nowhere:

  -Welcome to the void-

  What’s going on?

  I died?

  —Watch. Learn. When you know what you’ve done wrong, you may move on.

  Where’s my son?

  —Watch. Learn.

  “

  Where’s your mother, boy?

  No child’s eyes should hide such pain.

  Come, there’s a safe space.

  “

  Two people walked—

  one living, one dead.

  The mother led the son to her home.

  It was a ruin.

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  Down the stairs,

  a cage waited in the corner.

  The son sat as the mother brushed his hair.

  “If you take care of yourself,

  you’ll bring me a beautiful daughter-in-law.”

  Silence.

  The mother stopped.

  Suddenly—

  The floor was warm.

  Wet.

  The son’s vision blurred red

  as the mother struggled for breath.

  “When I speak, respond.

  You know I hate having to do this.”

  Only wind answered.

  Black. Blue. Red.

  His face twisted further inward.

  “Oh—of course. You’re hungry.

  I’ll make dinner.”

  A tight hug.

  Tears stained her shirt.

  “It’s okay. I’m here now.

  Hugs are nice, right?”

  Day after day, the sun burned hotter.

  Still, the son never spoke.

  Day after day, the mother grew stronger.

  Still, the son never spoke.

  If you can’t live, then die.

  Finally, the mother severed ties.

  “Stay here.

  I’ll bring food.

  Be good.”

  She’s gone

  One day.

  Two.

  Three.

  Five.

  The son rose.

  Left.

  Silently—

  tears filling the quiet.

  Survival,

  The long road ahead

  “

  What did you do?

  I need to get back to him.

  Why can’t I reach him?

  “

  —

  For what you’ve done

  Suffer eternally,

  the voice replied,

  once more,

  and finally.