The Forfeit- Short Story

[r_snowleopard0512030 66]

I groaned softly to myself. My hands, knees and feet were covered in mud and aching. I tripped on a branch and cursed. But I couldn’t look back. Why, why, why had I left it this late?

 

Of course, I had known they were coming for me. That they were tracking me down, all this time. That sooner or later they would find me. But I just didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to believe that in fact I wasn’t safe. I didn’t want to think about the Forfeit.

 

I ran on, my strength seeping away like blood from a recently butchered pig. The pig hadn't survived. Neither would I.

 

At last I came to a small clearing in the forest, with a myriad of paths leading deeper into the darkness. I smiled to myself; maybe, just maybe, I had a chance of safety after all, however slim it was. My joy, however, was short lived. A crackling in the dark bushes reminded me of the danger I was in. The time I spent here leisurely choosing a path could be used getting further away. From the Forfeit.

I chose a random path and sprinted on through the soft soil. I thought about my position right now. Why was I even here? Why did I accept the challenge? I should have known, from the beginning, that I would fail. My brother had. My father had. And so would I. Then I too would have to face the Forfeit.

While deep in thoughts about how foolish I had been in accepting the challenge, I tripped over a tree root. The racket I caused as the birds flew off and I startled animals was unbearable. They knew where I was now, definitely. Sure enough, I soon heard footsteps pounding through the undergrowth towards me. Without thinking, I ran deeper into the forest, the fastest I had so far.

 

This isn’t your fault, I told myself. This wasn’t your choice. No one in my family had yet run away from the challenge. It was pride that did it. And the thought of the shame afterwards, when everyone saw what a coward you truly were. It’s nothing really, they always said. It’s not like it will hurt, they always say. My father’s pride gave in;my brother’s pride gave in;so did mine. And now look where I was.

 

Desperately running away, trying to fool myself that I could actually succeed. Maybe failure just ran in my veins.

The path I was on had been an unwise choice. I hit a dead end of thick tree trunks that I had no hope of escaping through. It was the end. I would just have to accept it. I could already see their smug faces as the led me towards the fire. As she sharpened the tools, smirking as I passed, proudly showing her betrayal. The last thing I would see  before they irreparably destroyed my reputation is her face. The last thing I would see as I got closer and closer.To the Forfeit.

After an eternity, I finally caught sight of them. The two figures in black. One short, on tall. Heading towards me. Instantly, I knew my game was over. The smallest one slowly walked up to me and cupped my face with his hands. I braced myself for the worst that my brother and father faced before me. The humility. The helplessness. “We got you.”

That evil grin pierced me like nothing had before.

Minutes, hours, maybe even days passed before we came to it. I wouldn’t know. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. She handed me the tools, with a knowing face that displayed everything. It was worse than I thought. They had put a twist on it. I had never thought they would be this ruthless, this mean. Why?

 

I sighed and looked down. They were determined, and I couldn’t change my fate. I just hoped my father and brother wouldn’t be here to watch me. I couldn’t stand that.

The hooded figures finally came up to me again. I prepared myself for the last moments of preparation before the Forfeit finally came. It couldn’t be all that bad…..

“Here’s the barbecue sauce Father, just the way we want it!” my two sons chorused, the glee showing on their faces. “Good luck!”

My wife also chuckled.”Every year one of you guys think you can beat the next generation at a game of It and each year you fail dismally. This year,” her smile broadened,” it was you. I mean come on, why do it when you know you’ll just have your ego shattered? I just hope you can do a better barbecue than your brother did last year, I can still half taste it.”

And with a resigned sigh, I got out the new pair of tongs. Why, why, why did I do this to myself?

 

 

Edited May 30, 2016 by Night-Sisters
Changed to automatic forum color