The Crippled Vendetta

At the awards ceremony for the parasports competition, my ex-girlfriend Seraphina and I stood facing each other in silence.

As I accepted the trophy, her eyes fixed on my hand with its six remaining fingers. Her voice was laced with panic.

Rick, what happened to you?

She couldnt imagine it. The former star student of the top university, now without even a whole body.

Why didnt you call me when you got out early? Why didnt you come home?

Her assistant chimed in, indignant. The day you were released, Ms. Vance waited for you at the prison gates all morning, in her wedding dress! She loves you so deeply, and you just hid away in this backwater town, humiliating her!

Hearing this, I could only laugh.

She wouldnt marry anyone but me?

If it werent for her, I wouldnt have been forced into a marriage with that psycho mob bosss daughter, wouldnt have had my kidney torn out, my fingers and legs severed.

And I certainly wouldnt have been framed for murder and spent five years rotting in prison for a crime I didnt commit.

Seraphina finally tore her eyes away from my disfigured face, her voice rising in anger. No matter how angry you are, you cant just abandon your family.

Come on. Were going home.

She angrily threw my crutch aside and bent down to help me up.

Without the support, my body crashed heavily to the ground. The stump of my amputated leg, already swollen and throbbing from weeks of intense training, exploded in agony from the impact. The pain bleached all the color from my face.

Seraphina stared at the empty, crumpled fabric of my pant leg, her hands frozen in mid-air.

Your leg wheres your leg?

Just then, a man walked in, holding the hand of a five or six-year-old boy. Seeing the face that was once mine, it took me a moment to realize it was Finn.

Seraphina had made me get plastic surgery to look like Finn. To protect him, shed naturally had him altered to look like me.

He glanced at Seraphina. Seraphina, you practically turned this whole city upside down looking for him.

The little boy ran to Seraphina. Mommy, I missed you so much.

Seraphina scooped him up effortlessly. Mommy missed you too, Ian.

My voice was ice. She was so busy looking for me, she still had time to have a kid with you?

Seraphinas expression stiffened. I ignored her, propping myself up on my remaining crutch to stand. She saw me struggling and put the child down to help.

Let me help you.

I swung the crutch, knocking her hand away. Get lost.

Seraphinas face darkened.

I struggled to my feet. Finn came over, holding the boy. Ian, hurry up and say hi to your uncle.

Rick, take off that mask. Let us see you.

Before I could stop him, my grotesque, scarred face was exposed to everyone.

Ah! Mommy, a monster! Im scared! The little boy buried his face in Finns chest, wailing and begging to go home.

My mothers voice was a harsh command. Cover up that hideous face, now!

My father threw a wad of cash at my chest. Take this and get surgery. Dont you dare scare my grandson again.

Refusing to come home, and now youre in this pathetic competition? Are you trying to make us the laughingstock of the town on purpose?

The sharp edge of a new bill sliced across a scar, drawing a thin line of blood. The money scattered at my feet.

My trembling, pale knuckles betrayed the rage I was barely containing.

I bowed to them, a smile plastered on my face. Thank you. Youre all such good people. I wish you a long, long life.

My father heard the sarcasm in my voice. Seeing that I hadnt even called them Mom or Dad, he gritted his teeth and spat, Ungrateful bastard.

My mother told me to get my act together, then left with Finn and the crying child.

I leaned on my crutch and bent to pick up the money. Seraphina, as if she couldnt bear to watch, pressed her hand on mine.

What happened back then I owe you.

Ill marry you. Ill take care of you for the rest of your life.

My hand paused, a storm of hatred brewing in my eyes.

Fine. Just as soon as Im done with a few things.

Seraphina wanted to come with me to my place to pack, but just then, Finn called her.

Seraphina, Ian wont stop crying. He wants you.

I smirked. Go on. I dont have any legs. Its not like I can run very far.

Seraphina left her number, telling me to call anytime. The second she was gone, I blocked her and called a ride-share.

I got in touch with an old cellmate and crashed at his rental. When I heard no news of Seraphina looking for me, I finally started to relax.

I found a spot in a corner of the local market, shining shoes, hemming pants, and fixing zippers. Just as I was about to rent my own place and settle down, Seraphina found me.

Come on, be good. Come home with me.

When I refused, she turned to the market vendors for help. Could you please help me convince him? I really want to marry him, to take care of him for the rest of his life!

Many of them had seen her pull up in a Rolls-Royce. They all started trying to persuade me.

Youve got a girlfriend that beautiful and rich, what are you shining shoes for?

She doesnt mind your face or that youre missing fingers and a leg. What are you throwing a tantrum for?

Stop being difficult! Just go back with her!

I gritted my teeth in fury but tried not to show it. I made an excuse to say goodbye to my friend and, with his help, I slipped away again.

This time, it took me five days of travel to reach a small southern town, two thousand kilometers away. Because of my missing fingers and leg, it took me forever to find a job as a butchers assistant.

But before I could even enjoy a moment of peace, Seraphina found me again.

Rick, you cant run from me.

The butchers voice was dripping with envy. Youve got a rich girlfriend who wants to marry and take care of you. Why are you out here suffering? Go home and enjoy the good life!

I shot a mocking look at Seraphina. The good life?

Days of exhaustion and a deep-seated hatred finally made my control snap. Seraphina, why are you haunting me? Youve already turned me into this this thing, not quite human, not quite a ghost. Cant you just leave me alone?

Seraphinas face hardened, her eyes filled with confusion. Marrying you is what you need most right now. Its also the promise I made to you. Im trying to help you!

I laughed bitterly. Help me? By getting my fingers and legs cut off? By sending me to prison? It was Finn who pissed off that psycho, but you killed our child with your own hands, you plotted to have our faces swapped, and you threw me to her, letting her chop off my fingers and legs and frame me for a crime that sent me to prison for five years. In all that time, did either of you ever have a single nightmare?

Seraphina sighed, her face a mask of pain. Whats done is done. Theres no point in dwelling on it. I already said, I will marry you.

I shot back, a cold sneer on my lips, Youll marry me? What about Finn? What about your son?

A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes. Ian was an accident. As for Finn, Ill compensate him in other ways.

Seeing her certainty, my voice dripped with scorn. And whats your compensation plan? I get you Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and he gets Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays?

Her guilty expression told me Id hit the nail on the head. A wave of nausea washed over me. Seraphina, in your dreams!

Seraphinas patience wore thin. Her voice was sharp. Rick, a marriage certificate is the most dignity I can offer you.

I refused coldly. I dont need that dignity. Give it to him. All I want is for you to stay the hell away from me.

I turned to leave on my crutch. Seraphinas voice was a chilling warning from behind me.

Rick, if you keep fighting me on this, those old prison buddies of yours might find their quiet lives arent so quiet anymore.

I froze.

Gritting my teeth, I turned to face her. Seraphina, you are utterly disgusting.

The journey to the small town took me five days by bus. The flight back to the city took only five hours.

I arrived home just in time for the welcome party my family was throwing for me.

Finn, dressed in a tailored suit, looked like a groom, or rather, the man of the house.

My father snorted. Ungrateful bastard. You finally decided to come back.

My mother sighed. Thank god Ian isnt related to you by blood. This would have affected his future prospects. Then, Go step over the fire pit. Dont bring your bad luck and filth into this house.

Neighbors saw me, masked and on a crutch, and started whispering.

Why did they even bring him back? Isnt he embarrassing enough?

I heard that while he was with Seraphina, he cheated on her with some psycho gangster woman. He got plastic surgery for her and even forced Seraphina to have an abortion.

If you ask me, getting his fingers and legs chopped off, his face slashed, his kidney taken, and going to prison he deserved all of it.

Finn interrupted them. Rick made a terrible mistake, but hes already served five years. Not every dog refuses to change its ways. We believe Rick will never make the same mistakes again.

I looked at this kangaroo court, custom-designed just for me, and felt nothing but a cold, sickening disgust.

Just then, Finn brought over the fire pit. He added fresh charcoal. The stronger the fire, the stronger your future.

The new coals sparked and hissed, the heat palpable even from meters away. He looked at me with a provocative, wicked smile. Cross it, and you can start a new life.

Before I could move, he grabbed me and dragged me toward the flames.

I dont know who did it, but a firm shove to my lower back sent me stumbling, my body pitching forward directly into the fire pit. I reacted instantly, pushing the basin away, but the overturned, glowing coals still scattered onto my clothes, the synthetic fabric catching fire immediately.

Ah!

I screamed for help, but no one dared to come near me.

Finally, as Seraphina started ripping the burning fabric from my skin, Finn doused me with a bucket of cold water.

My mask fell off.

My hair was a mess, my clothes were torn, and the network of scars on my back was exposed for all to see. The grotesque scars on my face made everyone gasp.

My father pointed at my half-naked form and yelled, How long are you going to keep embarrassing us? Get back to your room!

Finn saw Seraphina about to fetch some clothes and shot me a cold smile. He quickly pulled a dirty blanket from under the dog in its kennel and threw it over me. Cover yourself with this for now.

I tried to struggle, but Finn held me down firmly. I stopped fighting and just smiled. A custom-made humiliation party. This is what they wanted, wasnt it? To see me debased. Only when I was sufficiently shamed would they leave me alone.

I looked at Seraphina and asked with a smile, Are you satisfied now?

Seraphina glanced at Finn, her eyes flickering. A dog blanket is better than being stared at by everyone.

A triumphant look crossed Finns eyes as he pretended to help me up. I shook him off. Dont touch me with your filthy hands.

Ignoring my parents curses and the strange looks from the neighbors, I made my way inside on my crutch.

Finns voice followed me. Mom and Dad said any good room would be tainted by your bad luck. Youll be staying in the attic.

I struggled up the stairs. As I closed the door, my eyes burned with tears I refused to shed.

I threw off the dog blanket. The mirror reflected a body covered in a web of scars and blistering, red burns. Wounds from that psycho woman, wounds from prison, every single one carved deep into my flesh.

I hadnt forgotten a single one. I was just waiting for my chance to pay them all back.

That night, Seraphina knocked on my door. I didnt open it.

In the dead of night, I heard noises from the balcony below.

You bastard. You said tonight was our wedding night?

Mmm. Did you like my grooms suit today?

I did. The first time I saw you, I wanted you to do this to me.

The sounds that followed were the unmistakable, intimate moans of a man and a woman

Only then did I understand. The festive red decorations all over the house werent to welcome me home. They were for their wedding.

The next morning, I came down for breakfast without my mask.

Ian burst into tears at the sight of me. Youre a monster! Get out of my house! Grandma, Im scared.

My mother soothed the child, then roughly snatched the bowl and chopsticks from my hands. From now on, you eat in your room. Dont come out here and scare my grandson!

My father roared, Get back to the attic!

The child shrieked at me, calling me a monster. My parents venomously told me to get lost.

No one cared about the fresh burns on my body. No one asked about my five years of wrongful imprisonment. Even the child my cheating ex-girlfriend had with another man was treated like a treasure, while I, their own son, was told to die.

The rage that had been simmering for over five years erupted.

Why?! I roared. What makes him your grandson? Whose blood runs in his veins?!

My voice shook with fury. Why the hell would I get plastic surgery to look like another man and get rid of my own child to be with some psycho? Why would you believe two outsiders over your own son? Did it ever occur to you that I was framed?

My parents were stunned into silence. Even Ian stopped crying, startled by my outburst.

My eyes burned, and I looked at them with utter despair. Did you ever once think that maybe I was drugged, that I was tricked into surgery, that I was set up

Just then, I heard two sets of footsteps hurrying down the stairs.

Finn knelt to comfort the child, deliberately showing me the dense pattern of love bites on his neck and collarbone. Ian, did you upset your uncle again?

Seraphina came to my side, her hand on my shoulder a silent, heavy warning. What were you all talking about? Rick, your eyes are all red.

My father shot me a hateful glare. Five years in prison didnt teach him a thing. Hes still blaming everyone but himself! How did I raise such a spineless coward who cant even own up to his mistakes?

My mother cradled Ian, patting his back. If you ever try to drive a wedge between us and Seraphinas family again, Ill rip your mouth off!

Seraphina and Finn exchanged a look, both visibly relieved.

Finn pretended to scold his son. Ian, hes your uncle. This is his home too.

The child wailed, This is our home, not the monsters home! Go away, monster! Get out of my house!

I watched this picture of a happy family and felt like the biggest joke in the world. Before coming back, Id held onto a sliver of hope that my parents still had some love for me.

Now I knew. There was no place for me in this home anymore.

I skipped breakfast and went back to my room.

Perhaps out of guilt, my mother knocked on my door later, saying we were all going shopping to buy me some new clothes.

Finn helpfully pushed a wheelchair over. This will be easier for you.

I saw the malicious glint in his eye and had a bad feeling. But the mall was crowded, so I let my guard down.

My mother bought me a lot of clothes. But they were all styles that Finn had tried on first. All things he liked. I paid his provocations no mind.

At the elevator, Finn pushed my wheelchair inside. Just as my mother was about to step in, Finn suddenly feigned remembrance. Mom, I think I forgot something. Can you come with me to get it?

He repeatedly jabbed the close door button, hissing with a vicious smile, Go to hell!

By the time I realized it was a trap, it was too late. The elevator buttons went dead, and the car plummeted into the shaft below.

Before I could even recover from the shock, a bag was thrown over my head and a rag was shoved into my mouth.

You piece of trash. We finally got you!

I was dragged into a van. Fists, feet, and curses rained down on me. Just like in prison, I curled into a ball, instinctively protecting my head. I didnt cry or scream. Crying only made them hit harder.

Half an hour later, I was kicked out of the van and dragged into a dilapidated factory. A group of burly men surrounded me, closing in.

Youre not getting out of here alive! Just in time for us to get some practice in!

Their fists hammered into me. I fought back desperately, but I was no match for their brute force. Giving up, I slammed my head against a nearby wall.

Blood trickled into my eyes, blurring my vision. Just before darkness consumed me, a slender arm caught my collapsing body.