by Jon Athan
“I remember it, Aiden. There's no need to go back and discuss it. There's no need to dwell on it now. I remember it. If you're going to serve up vengeance, I'd like to have my meal now. I'm prepared for the final challenge.”
Aiden wagged his index finger like a scolding parent, then said, “No. We have to discuss it. We have to reminisce. The past never left me, so it shouldn't leave you. You have to learn from your past or you'll continue making the same mistakes. I don't want this to happen to you again. I'm sure you don't, either. Do you understand?”
Shawn despondently stared at his crotch and said, “Yes.”
“Good. Let me paint the picture. It was senior year, two or three months before graduation. I stopped trying to be your friend by then, but you never left me alone. So, you and your friends lured me into the bathroom once again. Not for a glory hole, but to share some smokes before college. I admit, this was stupidity, not gullibility. I walked into the restroom, then I heard that dreadful click behind me. You locked the door and sealed my fate...”
Aiden whimpered and shook his head. He sniffled and swiped at the mucus dribbling down his lip. Saline tears streamed from his bloodshot eyes. The sorrow and misery were evident – Aiden was painting a portrait of dolor. Shawn was awed by Aiden's vulnerability – one of the few masks Aiden had not worn throughout the night. Aiden grunted and groaned, clearing his throat of the woe.
Shawn said, “I'm... I'm sorry. We don't have to do this.”
Aiden shook his head and responded, “It's hard to talk about it, but we have to. So, we're going to do it.” Aiden swallowed loudly, then said, “You... You threw that used condom on the ground and... and you told me to eat it. You remember, right? Your little buddy, he fucked his girlfriend just minutes prior, then you... you told me to eat his condom or you'd beat me. You'd cripple me for life. I could see you were serious, too. You had that look in your eye. So, I... I chewed and I chewed, but I couldn't swallow it. I couldn't eat it. I almost choked, Shawn, I had to vomit all of it out.”
Shawn clenched his jaw as he listened to Aiden's appalling story. Aiden's eyelids flickered and his head twitched as he recounted the tale. He was a nervous wreck. Shawn could hear the dolefulness in every word, he could feel the melancholy as it surrounded the table.
Shawn said, “Aiden, I think you've made your point. Stop it already, you're killing yourself like this. I regret everything I did to you, I repent. I'm willing to... I'm willing to finish the game, I'll complete the final challenge. You don't have to torture yourself anymore.”
Aiden sternly said, “No. It's not over yet, Shawn. Stop interrupting me, okay? So, I... I threw up inside that disgusting toilet, right? The stall in the middle, I remember. That wasn't the end of it, though. You and your scumbag friend made sure I didn't flush that toilet, you made sure that condom was still in there. Weaker than ever before, you lifted me from the floor, then dumped my head into the toilet. You stuck to the classic. You gave me a swirly in a bowl of feces, vomit, and a fucking condom. Then, you... you left like it was nothing. Well, I suppose it was nothing to you.”
Aiden sniveled as he absently stared at the table. Shawn held his hand to his mouth as his teeth chattered and his eyes swelled with tears. His actions only conjured revulsion. He felt regretful and queasy. A wave of mixed emotions swallowed his body and mind.
Shawn said, “That's it. That's all I remember. The story ends there. I want you to know, I'm truly sorry.” Aiden sat in silence. Shawn leaned over the table and said, “I know you don't believe me, but it's true. I'm sorry for everything, Aiden. I... I repent for my actions.”
“That's when I disappeared. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. My mom always wanted to pull me out of that school, but I always refused. I told her I was fine and dandy. You see, I wanted to stay because I had planned on shooting up the school if I ever got my hands on a gun. That never happened, obviously. It's unfortunate, really...”
Shawn knocked on the table and said, “Okay. It's over, Aiden.”
Aiden sighed, then explained, “No. That's not where it ends, either. There's more. After all was said and done, my mother planned on suing the school. She had the cooperation of the faculty and the police. But, before they could charge anyone, before they could point a finger, the case fell apart due to a lack of evidence.” Aiden glanced at Shawn and smiled from ear-to-ear. He said, “I purposely refused to point you and your friends out. As soon as you walked of that bathroom, I had planned to get you back. A monster was born that day.”
Mystified, Shawn furrowed his brow and said, “I don't understand. Why didn't you snitch on us? Why didn't you just let me go to jail? You could have returned later. Nothing would have changed, right?”
“No, everything would have changed. If you got expelled and went to jail, you never would have gone to college. If you didn't go to college, you wouldn't have met Maribel. If Maribel didn't bolster your ego, you wouldn't have had the confidence to build up your own business and live such a comfortable life. You can't destroy a miserable life. It's pointless. I waited for the perfect opportunity, I waited for the perfect circumstances. Everything came together with that reunion note. The timing was second to none.”
Shawn leaned back in his seat, pulling on his moist hair as he gazed into Aiden's diabolical eyes. The shifts in mood were countless. Aiden chuckled as he stood from his seat. He giggled like a conniving child and sauntered towards the stove.
From his seat, Shawn asked, “What are you going to make me eat? Huh? A condom inside a steak or something? Shit? Your vomit? What is it?”
As he clipped the meat on the pan with the tongs, Aiden responded, “Fortunately for you, it won't taste nearly as bad as a used condom. Trust me, I know from experience. It's a little burnt and I wish I had a grill instead of a stove, but I think my cooking is good. Hell, I think it'll be delicious. I've tried a variation of it before, but never at this... this prime state.”
Shawn nervously fiddled with his fingers and shuffled on his seat. He tried piecing together the final puzzle. He gagged and wheezed as only thoughts of condoms and vomit lurked in his mind. His eyes widened as an earlier thought emerged – a demented idea.
Shawn asked, “You... You're not going to serve me your penis, are you?”
Aiden chuckled, then said, “Well, that would be a reflection of the past, I suppose. I can see how you linked the condom to a penis. You're starting to think. It's a little late, but I like that. However, you are incorrect. It's not my penis. Really, I think that would be more rewarding to you. I'm not here to punish myself. I'll say this: you won't suffer while eating. Not at all. You won't have to suffer like me...”
***
Aiden carefully placed a white ceramic plate in front of Shawn. He twirled in place, then placed another plate in front of his throne. He grabbed a serrated steak knife from the counter, then moseyed back to the dining table. His fingers moved deftly as he sliced the tender meat into tiny chunks for Shawn to consume.
Aiden took his seat, then said, “Let's dig in.”
Tightly gripping a spotless fork and knife, Shawn inspected his meal. Aiden cut the puny slab of meat into four puny cubes. The red juices streamed across the white plate like blood coursing down a snowy mountain. Shawn's taste buds sopped from the rich scent while his mind raced from the terrifying possibilities.
Shawn asked, “What is it? What are we eating?”
Aiden chewed a forkful of steak, devouring the meat with each chomp. The delicious juices gushed through his lips, caroming off his chin and plopping on the table. His table manners were horrid and he did not care.
As he swallowed the mouthful, Aiden said, “Dig in, Shawn. This is your last challenge. I thought you'd be more excited to end the night. You're sitting there like a blind man at a movie theater.” As he spotted the reluctance in Shawn's eyes, Aiden rationalized, “We are eating the same meal, cooked on the same stove. You don't see me croaking or dying, right? I mean, I chewed a condom for crying out loud. I know disgusting
. Eat up.”
Shawn nodded and said, “Fine. Okay, I'll eat.”
He stabbed the first slice of meat with his fork, then shoved the steak into his mouth. The succulent steak was tender. The delectable juices squirted from between his teeth. Shawn furrowed his brow as he continued to chew. A crackling sound emerged from his mouth.
With his mouth full, Shawn asked, “What is it?” He swallowed the steak, then said, “It was... It was tender, but... the inside was crunchy. I don't know, I can't explain it. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's a little strange. Is there bone in this?”
Shawn and Aiden gazed at each other. Shawn could hear the crunching sound from Aiden's mouth with each bite. He was clearly eating the same meal, but the peculiar grinding noise did not disconcert him. Aiden motioned towards Shawn's plate – keep eating. Shawn reluctantly shoved another slab into his mouth.
Aiden said, “I don't know if you noticed, but I'm very proud of myself. I try not to be a smug bastard like yourself, but this is delicious. I can see it in your eyes, too. You're loving it. It makes this all so much better. I'm going to cherish the look in your eyes for the remainder of my life.”
Shawn swallowed the third slice, then asked, “Aiden, seriously, what is it? What are we eating?”
Aiden simpered, then inquired, “Well, ask yourself: what does it taste like?”
“I don't know, really. It's crunchy in the inside. Maybe there's some bone in there. To be honest, it just taste like meat. I don't know how to explain it. It is a little mushy, though. A little too tender, I guess.”
Aiden chuckled, then said, “A little like baby food, probably. You're sounding like a food critic, but I take criticism well. I think I might have made a mistake here and there, but you have to understand, there wasn't much time to set all of this up. I couldn't get rid of the 'crunch.' Still, you have to agree, this was a fabulous meal. We probably should have asked Maribel if she wanted a bite...”
Shawn interrupted, “No. I told you, we're keeping her out of this.”
“I know, I know. Take it easy, pal, I was joking. Besides, we wouldn't have anything to offer her. Unless you wanted to split these two little slabs across three people. Unfortunately, it wasn't a lot of meat to begin with...”
Shawn disregarded Aiden's explanation. Aiden's words were muffled and distorted. Shawn's mind was preoccupied with the challenge in hand. His eyes watered as he gazed at the last slab of steak. The puny piece of meat was the tape across the finish line – the last hurdle in the race. He shoved the moist steak into his mouth, grinding the meat between his teeth with each bite. He swallowed the mushy and crunchy flesh, then gazed at Aiden. A beatific smile formed across his face.
As tears of joy trickled from his eyes, Shawn stuttered, “Is–Is... Is it over? Was–was that all? Really?”
With a seraphic smile, Aiden nodded and said, “Yeah, that was it. That was the last challenge. The game is finally over. You did it, Shawn. You won. I hope it taught you a lesson. I certainly learned a lot. Tonight, I learned what I was truly capable of. I learned how far I could go for vengeance. Let me tell you: it's pretty damn far.”
Shawn swiped at the cold sweat on his brow and asked, “What happens now? What are we going to do?”
“Well, I'm going to stick to the terms. I'm going to cancel the upload and all that good stuff, then I'll delete the videos. Then, I'll probably head off and get killed by the police for that murder at the mall. I've probably kept them waiting long enough. It's amazing, isn't it? It won't be long until I'm on the news. 'A police-assisted suicide.' It should be a big event.”
Shawn leaned back in his seat. His smile slowly vanished with each passing second. He contemplated the game of vengeance and the final challenge. The meal was too easy to accept. The grand finale was bewildering.
Shawn said, “Wait a second. I went through hell tonight. I... I got beat up by thugs, I stabbed myself, I ate a damn cup, I embarrassed myself in front of dozens of people, maybe millions by now, the police are probably looking for me, too... And, you're telling me it's over? This is how it ends? This is what you had planned?”
Aiden nodded and said, “This is how it ends. Like I said, this was the final challenge. You should cherish these moments, it's the last time you'll ever see me again. I mean, we've had a rotten history, but I feel like we've reconciled. I feel like we could have been friends if I didn't have to die tonight. Life is cruel, isn't it?”
Shawn waved his hands and shook his head. He sternly said, “Wait, okay? I need to know: what the hell did you feed me?”
“Jeez, Shawn, I figured you would have been happy to end it like this. I thought you'd want to end on good terms. You could at least let me have a happy ending. But, no, you have to keep picking at it,” Aiden responded. He leaned forward with his hands clasped beneath his chin. He explained, “You'll find out in a bit. Like I said, I'm off to certain death. I could go to prison, but I don't think I'll do well there when they find out what I did. I've had enough bullying for one lifetime. As for you, as soon as I walk out of this door with my end of the bargain fulfilled, you can walk up those stairs and read the note I left in your bedroom.”
Flustered, Shawn quickly stood from his seat. The chair screeched on the tile flooring, then wobbled as it collided with the ground. Aiden leaned back in his throne and childishly snickered. Shawn's reaction was as delicious as the late-night snack.
With fury sparking in his refulgent eyes, Shawn said, “You piece of... What did you do to her? Huh? I thought... I thought you didn't talk to Maribel, I thought you...”
Aiden interrupted, “Oh, I didn't. We didn't speak. We didn't share a single word. Don't go too crazy, Shawn. It's just a note. The note will explain everything. In fact, I think I've helped you out. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Try not to worry about it. It's over. It's finally over.”
Chapter Twelve
Bon Appétit
A soft drizzle pummeled the area, plopping on the hazy window. The glass barrier rattled from the flurry of wind. A bolt of dazzling lightning ripped through the sky. The rumbling thunder echoed from afar. The thunderous tempest finally arrived. The soothing music was drowned out by the roaring storm.
Shawn flumped into his seat. He whimpered as he slumped his head down to his chest and pulled on his hair. His mind was battered with dastardly thoughts and wicked conclusions, each ending more despicable than the last. Aiden shook his head and smiled. The gift of vengeance delivered endless pleasure.
Aiden stopped the music on his cellphone, then said, “Listen, Shawn, let's get this over with. Shake my hand and finish the game.”
Aiden extended his arm across the table in a welcoming gesture. Shawn scowled as he grunted and groaned. Like a child having a temper tantrum, he stomped and wildly sobbed. His cheeks were flushed and his ears were crimson.
Aiden demanded, “Shake my hand.”
Shawn stopped his outburst, sniffling as he buried his hysterics. He tightly squeezed Aiden's hand, flexing his tenacity and brute strength. Yet, Aiden was not affected by Shawn's show of force. Shawn's challenge was worthless.
Aiden said, “I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Thank you, my old friend. I truly appreciate it.”
Aiden pulled his chair towards Shawn, then sat beside his former bully. He retrieved his cellphone, then scrolled through his gallery of videos. Shawn watched from over Aiden's shoulder. He frowned upon spotting the dozens of videos Aiden had recorded. Each video represented a different day of Shawn's aberrant life.
Aiden said, “I recorded you for so long, Shawn. I actually started to cherish some of these videos. It breaks my heart to see them go. To be honest, even though we didn't speak until tonight, I started to consider you a friend a long time ago. Maybe it was because you birthed me, but you are a lot like me. I was reborn into a caricature of you. We are perverted and deviant men.”
Shawn responded, “No, we're not like each other. You're a lunatic. I'm not crazy. I may be a
n asshole, but I'm not crazy. Delete it. Delete all of it.”
“From the outside looking in, we're both insane people. You tried to bury your insanity, but it always popped its head out from the dirt. You fuck like a rabbit, you don't give a crap about people or their feelings... You only care about your image. You know what I say to those people looking in? Those people reviewing our character? I say: Go look in the mirror cause you're not perfect, either.”
Aiden scrolled into the settings of his phone. He delved into the memory section, then formatted the cellphone. With a tap of his screen, the videos were erased from history – swept under the rug like a child's mess. Yet, Shawn could not find solace in the situation. He could not find relief in the enigmatic maze. There were too many unanswered questions.
As Aiden stood from his seat, Shawn said, “Wait. Cancel the video upload, cancel the email. I want to see you cancel everything, Aiden.”
Aiden smirked and responded, “Well, now that we're friends, I suppose I can be honest with you. Those videos weren't actually uploaded and there is no email. I don't even know if it's possible to schedule an email like that. I'm not too good with the computer stuff. To be completely honest with you, I couldn't find that young woman you 'raped,' either. A word of advice: Don't make that woman angry. I'm not the only one that knows how to play the game of vengeance.”
Infuriated, Shawn shook his head as he stood from his seat and said, “You've got to be fucking kidding me, Aiden. You tricked me. You lied to me, you piece of shit.”
“Don't beat yourself up, buddy. I did have the videos and I could have gone through with all of that. That was all part of the plan. I just tricked you into believing I had a little more leverage. It was a foolish mistake on your part, but you live and you learn.”
Aiden stuffed his cellphone into his pocket. He dragged his chair back to its rightful position, then grabbed the dishes from the table. Balancing the silverware and plates in his hands, he sauntered towards the kitchen sink. In utter awe, Shawn watched as Aiden diligently washed the dishes. Aiden's audacity was vexing. Shawn clenched his fists. His body bounced with each heavy breath.
