Visions of Villains

We stood in in the backyard of a huge house. It’s ornate finishings and decorated exterior were lost to nature. A gloom had settled for the evening, and the sun neared it’s point of setting.

I knew you’d come.

...

You see, I knew your mother and father, such courageous people, generous too. However, they kept somethings to themselves, unforgivable things. See, you never quite knew them as I did; no... you’re far too young to have known them then.

Stop, Abe. You didn’t even know my parents.

Oh, I did know them. I knew them, and I loved them too at one point.

...

I was their firstborn! We are brothers, Graham... brothers.

[Eyes widen]

Yes, it is true. I was their one and only. I was their pride and joy. I was loved. I was given attention and gifts, and I would have grown up beautifuly. But my mother found out she was pregnant with you, and during her pregnancy, she had a vision. I heard the retelling of her vision through their door. I saw it Thomas. It was not just a dream. It will happen. I saw it. What did you see? Calm down. Tell me please. Calm down. He’s a murderer. He’s going to kill my new baby. He’s going to grow up and kill him. Cut his throat. I saw it. He stood in our yard, knife against his little brother’s chin; he’s going to kill him.

No...

Yes. And she was frantic. My father opened the door and found me standing there. He took me by the arm. It was cold, and the damp grass clung to the hems of my pajamas. And I remember shaking so violently that he had to carry me because I couldn’t walk right. He pulled me to this creek, and pulled a pistol from his waist. Now he was shaking. Pistol pointed at me, he turned his head away and shot. The bullet caught my arm. Disposing of me was easy as he pushed me into the creek and watched me flounder. I suppose he didn’t expect for me to live.

They wouldn’t have...

They did... [took a few steps forward] and it was because of you. [now face to face] So I figured, just for its sake, I would say a final hurrah by fulfilling the vision. [with a flourish, a knife was drawn and held against Graham’s throat]

You’re demented.

[smiling] Just a little, but it was all... [As Abe’s posture and grip go slack, Graham twists the knife away and plunges it into Abe’s chest] a prank... [Abe collapses]

What?

A prank... [between gargles and coughs] I got you... [chuckles]

THIS WAS WHAT?

A prank...[Abe laughs. A stream of blood rolls down his cheek] a prank...