It was a challenge to control Jacob's endless child energy and direct him to do an acceptable job. I had to handle clean up after, but it was not too much of a hassle I even found time to grab the hoodie and my wallet. 

After the new hassle of raining Jacob in and sitting him down at the table. I also joined the table as Mom and Joseph brought in the food. It looked incredible and I was holding back my urge to drool and was just ready to enjoy the food.

"looks lekka." I said before I realized it.

"Definitely, but let's play first." Joseph joked, reaching his hand across and with the joining our hands together we lowered our heads.

We bowed our heads and recited the classic prayer. "For what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful in Christ sake name, Amen."

"Amen." we all echoed.

I thought as I went for the chicken instinctually barely getting a moment to enjoy before the questioning started.

"So how did you sleep last night Joshua? You were out pretty late." Joseph said bitingly. His eyes weren't on me but I understood his intentions.

"Good thanks. And yourself?" I barely managed not to spit back.

"The same as usual. I was just asking cause your mother told me you fell asleep during the service?" He responded with a prodding tone.

I delayed my response enjoying my food while I could. "I did it ran a bit longer than usual and Pastor Elijah was a bit obtuse. "

Silverware clattered onto the plates. I put mine down still not meeting his eyes. I raised my gaze and met his eyes.

"Go for it!" I proclaimed

"Joseph, Joshua, asablief monnie." My mother tried to stop it but sadly it was already in motion.

"Now listen here!" He exclaimed

"Why?" I retorted.

"Give me one good reason!" I yelled losing what little cool I had regained from this morning.

"I'm your father, respect that fact at least!" he let out his anger rising and his teeth bearing. My mother grabbed at his hand to calm him down but it wasn't working out for him.

"Since when!?" I shouted a response knowing this question always got to him.

"SINCE YOUR FUCK UP!" He shouts

"Joseph!" My mother cried out. But too late his words got their intended results. I stood up my chair hitting the floor behind me. I kept my head down to not give him that satisfaction.

"Joshua wait." He called out as I ran out.

"Get the hell out of my life." Slamming the door I jumped down to the sidewalk, I sprinted away in any direction my feet carried me only slowing down to check both ways before crossing the streets. I continue to walk off with no destination, having long since turned off my phone.

The silence was both a medicine and a poison as I stewed in anger and regret for the second time today. I stopped off at the spar just off the R45. Checked both ways before I crossed over to get to the spar and got a pack of enchie's and Some matches. I headed off to the wide open field over the river where I could be alone for as long as I liked. Continuing on my way I take out the one I will be enjoying and pass off the rest to Bazel. the Bergie who lived by the bridge. his outfit was always the same his old brown takkies that used to be white with his worn jeans and deflated bomber jacket.

"Heeey Joshua, hou gaan dit?" he asked through his missing teeth and a smile as he saw me heading towards him.

"Could be a better man, could be better," I responded disheartily making his face drop in an expression similar to mine. Not wishing to see him so despondent I pulled out my surprise. much to his instant delight.

"Yussie man jy hoef dit nie te doen nie!" his honest reaction caused a true sense of peace to overtake me as I passed it off to him. In the time it took me to blink he already had one in his mouth and was trying to light it. Chuckling I lean forward and offer him the newly bought lighter.

"Dankie man, jy is die beste." He light up is enchie as he offers me one.

"There's no need t...." before I can finish my response I find a lit cigarette already in my mouth. Luckily I saw it was a fresh one before I had a panic attack. I pulled in a bit of smoke and couldn't stop coughing, as I never really liked to smoke but I knew it worked. 

"What het vandag gebeer ou Joshua?" his ability to read a person never ceased to amaze me.

"Family" I responded.

"Age monnie dit so hard vat nie, you ma en pa is baie vief vir jou. Hulle doen dit net dom." his response earned a chuckle so I didn't feel like correcting him. 

"I wish I could believe that man but I feel like this always happens so I don't know what to do now."

"Vat dit dag to dag, ek hoop tot die hemel hou op dat jy nie soos ek een dag sal wees nie." his genuine care for my situation made me start to tear up but it also might have been the enchie smoke. I wipe the tears and try to force out a topic but I can't think of anything luckily he took over the conversation again.

"Daar is a kanse dat hierdie is die laste kans dat ons kan hierdie doen."

"HU! What. Why?" I blubber out nearly dropping my enchie from my mouth.

"Mark en thabo is alreeds weg, daar's imand, as ek onthou sy naam is die roe man, hulle se hy gee einagimand a kaanse om hulle lewe reg te maak, ek dink hy is a t.v. man."

it sounds crazy but for a TV show anything.

"Just be careful you don't know what people like them try and do."

"ek sal. ek sal. Mounie so wees nie man," he chuckled and I relented before I could think of a way to discourage him, We continued till my Enchie burnt out late into the afternoon and I continued on my way to the field. I didn't come here often so it should hot have been the first place anybody looked for me. pulling out my phone I turn it back on and see the stream of missed calls and messages pouring in but I ignore them put on my headphones find my linkin park Playlist and lie down. letting the lyrics flow through me as I begin to spasm and struggle to breathe. After a while, I tire myself out and begin taking low and slow breaths again finally allowing myself the enchie to take the last bit of edge off and just lie down. The silence was echoing with Bazel's words as I absent-mindedly watched the sun finish its day. I left my spot feeling like a new man so I let myself get lost in the music on the way home. Walking my path knowing I was nearly there, turning the corner I froze nearly completely, sure I was hallucinating. The scene in front of my eyes.

It was like I stumbled onto a murder scene. On the far side of the street, there was a Muslim girl with a purple Shayla stained with fresh blood. On my side nearly obscured by the wall a black man whose head was buried partially into the brick wall. The light around both of them shimmers. And the most intimidating sight was a boer seun built like a midfielder wearing a pair of jean shorts, a dark mustard yellow t-shirt, and a mop of curly blonde hair. His body was battered and bloodied, blood leaking from his nose and right eye. His abnormality was the massively oversized sword on his left side with a fresh coat of blood on its edge.

But the strangest by far was the lanky suited figure looking almost malnourished with pale skin and a thin frame. He was lifting the ton of man casually by his neck with one hand. The sight almost made me faint from the absurdity. How hasn't anybody seen this, The fear choked me and weakened my limbs freezing me in my place. Was I hallucinating was the last thought in my head before I did the most impulsive thing I had done in several years. I turned my fear into strength picking a brick off the corner I chucked it at the suited figure hoping to disorientate it, whatever they did I was sure this wasn't right. The brick connected with the figure's head and shattered like glass against concrete. The guy held in the arm of the suited figure was the first to react his mouth moved wordlessly but his intention was clear. 

RUN

But like as if by a bolt of silent lightning I was stuck in the stomach. Then that heavy hand that struck my stomach, and before I could fly away grasped me by the throat. All this happened in an instant. Overwhelmed by all the sensations happening at once all I was able to do was stare blankly at this figure and not faint instantly, oh if only I had. As it lifted its head up towards me all I saw was a distorted smile, a smile that literally distorted its face, reaching up behind an impossible shadow covering its nose and eyes even under the street lamps. his teeth straighter than a perfect line and whiter than bone reflected back my face and locked me in perfect fear. As this hellish figure brought me closer to its impossible face its teeth parted to a back bottomless throat. My struggle is in vain as it brings me closer to its maw. 

It freezes suddenly and I don't have to wonder before I see why. Half an arm's length from my face the oversized sword covered in fresh blood ripped through its chest. I saw behind the nightmare figure's shoulder the heavily injured man was panting heavily. His body shone as if it was covered with johnsons baby oil.

".... to the bowls of the Pit foul being." The heavily injured man forced out through gritted teeth. As the words left his lips his sword began to shine like star-lit silver even through the blood that it was covered in. The suited figure screeched in agony dropping me. Somehow landing on my feet I took off immediately, stumbling over myself without looking back.

Rushing home without a second break or hesitation.