The Rise of Nicholas Cain

Prologue

"Well, I've known Cain a long time. Since he was around the age of ten. He was nothing more than a street rat. He was filthy. Wore old dirty clothes. Even his shoes were too small. He was a little thief. Yes, Cain was a troubled child. I suppose after such a tragedy, what would one expect. I would have to say I'm damn proud of his accomplishments. I'd be proud to call him a son if I could have." Mr. Langston said as he remembered the years gone by.

Chapter One

Nicholas woke to the sound of his step father's voice yelling for him. "Boy, you better answer me. When I find you I'm going to beat the shit out of you, you little bastard!" Dale bellowed.

Nicholas laid as still as he could. He held his breath for fear of Dale hearing him in the trunk of the old beat up Nova that use to belong to his dad. Kudzu had grown up over most of the car. One of the windows had not been rolled up. The car had been left for nature to take over. The back seat of the car was tattered and torn. It wasn't locked in place as it once was. Nicholas was able to pull it forward to get to the trunk without disturbing the plant life. He would stash food and water there in cases where they didn't have any food to eat at home. He also had an old sleeping bag and a flashlight.

"I’m going to beat you within a hair of your death, boy!" Dale bellowed again.

Nicholas knew he was close. He dared not move. He was terrified of the man. Nicholas waited till he was sure Dale had given up his search. He slowly lowered the back of the seat and came out quietly. Peaking out the window, assured that Dale was gone. Nicholas came out of his hiding spot and made his way home.

"Mom, I'm home," Nicholas shouted. As he came through the living room to see his mother lying on the couch. A lit cigarette in hand and a bottle of Jack between her legs as she slept. His baby sister crying in her crib.

"It's okay Abby, I got you." Nicholas said as he took the burning cigarette out of his mother's hand putting it in the ashtray as he walked by. "Hey little sissy, big brother's got you. Are you hungry?" Asked Nicholas.

The eighteen-month-old nodded her head while rubbing her eyes. Nicholas stood up on the old phone book to give himself enough height to pull the child out of the crib. He held her close as he walked over to his mom.

"Mom, you got to wake up. Go get a shower. Someone from the school might be here again. I missed school and you know they always send someone. Mom!" Nicholas shouted.

"I know. I know. Can you watch the baby while I rest." His mom asked as she turns to face him.

"I have Abby, you go shower and you should cover that bruise," Nicholas told his mom.

His mother was sporting a fresh new bruise. No doubt that it was some of Dale's handy work. His mom stood up. Then staggered her way to the bathroom.

Nicholas carried Abby to the kitchen. Placing her in the old high chair. He found her baby cup in the sink with soured milk. Cleaning the cup then replacing the old milk with fresh he gave Abby her cup.

After he had cooked some noodles for his sister and himself. He took Abby out of her chair and changed her diaper. Placing her back in her chair he began to clean up the house.

Nicholas's mother had showered, dressed, and went to lie down in her room. He knew she would be useless at this point. He needed to get more diapers for Abby. He grabbed Abby and headed down to old Haddy's house.

Haddy was the old lady that lived two houses down from them. She loved Abby and didn't mind keeping her for a while. That would give him time to go get diapers.

"Well, look who came to see me today," Haddy said excitedly.

"Hey Miss Haddy, can you keep her while I go get some diapers. My mom gave me some money. I won't be too long."

"Well, sure honey, you go right ahead. Do what you have to do." Said the old woman.

Nicholas ran off to the store close by. He snuck in and grabbed a pack of diapers. He went to look at some magazines that were close to the door. He waited till the cashier was distracted by another customer before he ran out the door.

After grabbing the diapers and getting Abby from Miss. Haddy, Nicholas went home. He entered the house, putting Abby down to play before he gave her a nap. His mom was sleeping off last nights bender. He knew someone from the school would come by soon. He had missed a lot of school this year and his grades had suffered. Nicholas decided to make sure the house was spotless as he continued his cleaning.

Chapter Two

It was eight O'clock in the evening and Shelly, Nicholas's mother had dinner made. Nicholas was setting the table as Dale came busting through the front door. Dale was already drunk and two hours late.

“Where the hell is my dinner, bitch!" Dale bellowed as he sat in his lazy boy recliner.

Shelly walked timidly over to Dale with his dinner plate. Dale looked at the plate. He snatched the plate from her hand, causing the food to slide off into the floor.

"You stupid bitch. Look what you did. Is that the only fucking thing you know how to cook?" Dale spat as he jumped up and backhanded Shelly across the face.

"We don't have any groceries. You won't give me any money." Shelly said as the tears started to flow.

"Money! You want me to give you money? Maybe it's time to put your little ass to work. That's about all you're worth." Dale spat as he grabbed Shelly by the hair.

He pulled her to her feet. Bending her over his recliner, he flipped her skirt over her hips and ripped off her panties.

"No! Stop! Not in front of the children! Please!" Shelly cried.

Dale continued his assault. "If you don't take care of my needs someone has to take your place bitch," Dale said as he turns her head to see the screaming baby in the crib.

"No! Don't you touch my baby!" Shelly screamed.

Dale began punching Shelly in the face. "I'll do what the hell I want! Maybe that little bitch needs to be broke in."

Nicholas had seen and heard everything. He ran from the kitchen to get to Abby. Dale was to fast. He grabbed Nicholas by the back of the head. Dale threw Nicholas to the ground and gave him a swift kick to the head. The last thing he heard was his mother and sister screaming then it all went black.

Nicholas could hear the commotion. His head hurt and his body ached. He could hear people talking.

"We have a young male. Approximately around the age of ten," A man said.

Nicholas felt something touch him. He opened his eyes to see an officer leaning over him. The man was so surprised he nearly jumped out of his skin. "My God the boys alive. Somebody get a gurney!" The officer yelled.