Page 5 of Hart's Redemption

Her eyes narrowed as she considered him. “That’s right, Joshua, your coward of a father has abandoned us. He didn’t even have the courage to say goodbye.”

The hurt that swam in Josh’s eyes was more than I could bear, but he didn’t voice any of it, just like he hadn’t cried out when she struck him.

“He gave you something. Give it to me.”

Josh stood frozen as a statue.

Her lip curled, and she pulled something from her pocket. “I grow weary of your insolence.”

His gaze flickered to whatever she had in her hand. There was a small crack, like something breaking, and his eyes glazed over.

“Bring it to me now and do not make me ask again.”

“Yes, Mother.” The robotic response sent chills down my spine. He walked over to the bed where, moments before, he’d hidden the stuffed wolf. Only when he straightened, he was clutching a shirt. His hands shook as he passed it over.

She snatched it from his tiny grasp and stalked over to the enormous fire burning in the hearth, then promptly threw it in. Her gaze scanned the sparsely accommodated room until it once again landed on him. The tears he’d fought earlier now streamed silently down his cheeks. “Is that all?”

When he tried to speak, he choked on a sob.

She advanced towards him, hand already lifted. “Is that all?”

“Y-yes, M-mother.”

She lowered her hand and sneered at him. “Pathetic. It will take years to undo what that soft-hearted imbecile did to you. And don’t stammer. You’re a Harker, act like one.”

He swallowed and straightened his shoulders. “Yes, Mother.”

She sniffed and turned to leave. Almost immediately, the room dissolved into another memory.

I ran out as fast as my feet could carry me. Back in the hall, everything seemed dimmer than before. My hand shook as I tried the next door.

To my relief, Josh was alone, though he didn’t look any older. He sat on the bed, staring at his stuffed wolf, petting it gently. The red mark was still on his face, albeit not as bright. He sniffed and stood. He made his way over to the fireplace, where the flames burned strongly.

Horror washed over me. He was going to burn the wolf. The last thing his father had given him and probably his only friend in the world.

Josh stood on his tiptoes to reach an intricate piece of molding framing the fireplace. He twisted it, and a small compartment opened in the leg. “Everything will be okay, Jasper. Papa will come back and we’ll be able to play again.” He wiped his face with his sleeve, careful to avoid the tender spot on his cheek. “Until then, you can stay here, where you can see and protect me. Right, Jasper? You’ll always protect me.”

He squeezed the animal tightly, then reached up to slide it into the secret compartment. He had to stretch and use the tips of his fingers, but at last he safely seated the wolf where it could indeed keep an eye on the whole room. Josh gave him one last longing look before closing the compartment.

This time the memory didn’t dissolve to be replaced by another. Darkness descended until the only thing left was the heartbreaking sound of Josh’s soft sobs.

Once again in the hall, I leaned against the door. It was too much. The whole thing was too much. I knew his mother had manipulated him since he was young. But the abuse? And drugging him with magic since he was seven? It was unthinkable.

How many of these memories will I have to endure before I make any progress?

Resolve stiffened my shoulders.

As many as it takes.

I took off down the hall, determined to accomplish my goal no matter how much it hurt my heart. Doors sped past as I skipped through Josh’s childhood, only occasionally stopping to check my progress. I tried to avoid the one that looked like his bedroom door. The place may have been different, but the result was the same. More abuse. More bruises. And with each one, his eyes became more and more vacant as whatever she was using on him sank its claws in deep.

It became almost impossible to distinguish between different doors as I journeyed forward. The shadows grew tighter and tighter around me as if reflecting the darkness encompassing Josh’s life. I couldn’t help but wonder if he could even access these memories or if he’d suppressed them beyond finding.

Finally, I stumbled across a door so unlike all the others, I couldn’t help but stop. The dull white paint was a beacon of light compared to the dark, heavy doors that dominated the hall. Swallowing my trepidation, I peered inside.

Teenage Josh stared into a bathroom mirror, determination clear in his eyes. “You can do this. It’s not a big deal. You’ll be fine.” He hung his head, his dark hair longer than he wore it now, then popped it back up. “I can do this.”

Without warning, he turned around and marched right towards me and through the door. When I turned to followthough, the hall was gone, replaced with a room I’d never seen before.