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Freak Part 1.5

This is a continuation of the Freak series. Please visit the following link to read Part 1 of this series.

It was 2 weeks since that encounter. I’m no less pissed with what that fucking clown disturbing my piece of mind. I tried gathering information from the guards and building admin and even my neighbors who I bumped into the elevator. No one has heard of the Freak or even seen it.

I would always ask, “Hey Mrs. ________ Good morning. How are you? I am fine thank you. Say have you seen a person…a little kid….around 5Ft tall. Malnourished and looking like a ghost? Wearing some tacky jacket and a stupid mask?”

I always get strange looks, as though they think I am crazy or stressed out. It was 1:00AM, maybe I was tired. I don’t know. Am I getting enough sleep? I know I have. Maybe I need to get a normal job with normal working hours.

Or am I part of an elaborate joke? Truman Show anyone?

I know I saw…. I saw fucking Quasimodo.

But did I?

Why the fuck is Quasimodo doing in my condominium?

But he did try to destroy my gate. Or was it just the wind?

Why was he wearing a mask? Is it really a mask or is it his face?

Maybe I am crazy…..

To be continued.

– Sedric Chua 11/20/2020

Flash Fiction 2: Boyhood

The loss of a loved one has a devastating effect on an individual. At age 7, Andrew has his first taste of despair and misery. His grandmother was 94 years old when she passed away. The old lady has led a blissful life with 2 beautiful daughters and a son. Before her passing, she had lived with his son and family. Andrew’s Nana died peacefully in her sleep and he wasn’t able to say goodbye.

Andrew was particularly very close to his grandmother. As both his parents are working, Andrew spends countless hours after school just hanging out with Nana. He would do his homework in Nana’s room, watch TV together, and share stories and wisdom about life. Poor Andrew had always thought that Nana would live forever, would be in his graduation, feed him cookies whenever he he is hungry, and take care of him when he is sick. Nana’s lost was a devastating blow to his little heart.

On the day of Nana’s cremation, the undertakers work on extracting the body from the coffin to be placed on the incinerator as part of the routine. Andrew, who has been dead silent since the first day of the funeral, finally released the long suppressed cry as he realized this would be the very last time he will be able to see Nana.

His father, whose eyes were also wet in tears, picked up his young child and hugged him tightly. The father can see the mixture of sadness, confusion, and fear in Andrews face. He knows all too well what is going through Andrew’s mind and just pats his son’s back in a comforting manner. When Andrew started to calm down, he kissed the young one on the cheeks and stroked his hair.

“Son, as you grow old you will realize how wonderful life is.”

-Sedric Chua 12/21/2019

Flash Fiction 1: Hangman

Benedict Ramon Jr. killed a man. He was sentenced to death by hanging. The trial wasn’t even much, evidence all pointed to the 43 year old father of a beautiful daughter who was raped by a person of high power.  Benedict killed the person in cold-blood. He stabbed the victim 20 times in the chest while puncturing every known vital arteries with a razor-sharp chef’s knife.

About 6 months ago, Bas was arrested for the rape and assault of Penelope Ramon. The trial was about 5 weeks long with the acquittal of Bas of all charges related to the “alleged” rape of Penelope Ramon due to lack of circumstantial evidence. The Ramon family was furious, they wanted justice for Penelope but justice is only reserved for the rich in this country. There was nothing you can do when even highest officials of the land can be bought.

With a flawed system, Benedict was compelled to take matters into his own hands. Benedict killed Bas, was arrested, and given the death penalty.

On the day of his execution, he was escorted by the guards to be publicly hanged. His family, along with Penelope, were all present with eyes red and swollen. It was the first time they saw him since his conviction. The family is due to finally migrate to Taiwan in a few days. Bas’ family and associates were also present with their condescending demeanor and some had the air of boredom with more useful things to do than watch someone’s execution.

Benedict took one last look at the curious spectators, he glared at most of the people with disgust and contempt. Before putting on the mask, he smiled at his family and most particularly to Penelope as though trying to console them one last time. He was satisfied, he did all he could. His family can now live a new life in a new better country.

The last thing that came out of his mouth were, “Karma makes the world go round.”

-Sedric Chua 11/15/2019