Theinkwell fiction challenge | Father, forgive me

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The time on the clock located at the rear end of Thomas' room read 11pm. It was almost midnight and his father wasn't yet home. This wasn't the first or the fourth time. It had become a habit he didn't like. But what could he do? These days, his father preferred the company of outsiders to his own son. It was rather disheartening. Not only did his father spend late nights outside, he also detested any and everything Thomas did. It was as though his son had become a plague, a burden; one he did his very best to stay far away from. And he took great pleasure in letting Thomas know just how much he loathed him.

Growing up for Thomas hadn't always been easy. Having lost his mother at his birth, the only parent he'd grown to know and love was his father. But he only received this love in return when he was a toddler; probably out of obligation. Thomas never stopped receiving the blame for the death of his mother. Anyone listening to his father speak would most likely think he'd killed his mother with his bare hands. In his father's eyes, the death of his beloved wife was a sin that could never be forgiven.

Everyday life had become a living hell for Thomas ever since he could make steady steps with his feet. Nothing he did could ever please his father; not even coming home with the best grades. And if words could kill a man, he'd be dead a thousand times over. But really, was he even living? Maybe it would be best if he was dead too. Any attempt to get close to the man who had birthed him only led to severe clashes where he would be the only casualty.

A lot of thoughts raced through Thomas' mind that fateful night. He also lost someone that day; his mother. Wasn't he allowed to also grieve? From the way his father treated him, one would think Mr. Allen had lost both wife and child fifteen years ago. And that he(Thomas) was just a leech still hanging on to a crushed soul. With a rather heavy heart, Thomas took out a pen and began to write a note.

Dear Mr Allen,
I'm afraid I am left to attone for a sin I did not commit. I pray in my demise you'll find the answers you seek. With deep regret, I'm sorry if I've cost you a son too.

Thomas paused for a while. He chuckled as he thought to himself, he really was going to make true his father's claims. He was a worthless son and responsible for the death of the only persons his father had come to know as family. "Then its best to get it done with," he said.

I hope this opens your eyes to see that I also lost someone. And I can only wish that in death, you'll see and accept me as your son.

He kept the note neatly on his desk and resolved to do his bidding. There was still a lot on his mind to say to his father but he let it slide. It'll most likely take his dad two days to realize he was gone.

One moment, Thomas stood ready to let go of every pain he'd felt. The next, he could feel life being drawn out of him as he closed his eyes to rest.

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Two days had passed before Mr Allen made his trip back home. Hopefully Thomas won't be there when he gets home, he thought to himself. Anytime he looked at his son, he was only remainded of his beloved wife. And such reminders only made him glum and angry. Sometimes, he wished Thomas had died too. Then there would be no one to remind him of his failure at being a husband and a father.

Taking two steps inside the apartment he shared with his son was enough to know something wasn't right. He hobbled down to Thomas room to lash at him for the untidyness and pungent smell of the apartment. He was broken by the sight he saw. After reading the note Thomas left for him, he ran out of the apartment with tears in his eyes to the only place that came to his mind.

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Everyone who had ever confessed to Father Augustus, he prayed earnestly for. The passion to see men being reconciled back to God was the main reason he had become a Catholic priest. As the next person sat down in the Confessional to make his confession, Augustus felt a sudden heaviness in his heart. He knew this soul had to be saved.

Mr. Allen hoped his confession would free him from the guilt he felt, so he began. "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I killed my own son."