A once upon a time, tale - part 2

The land he sat on, for a long time now; hasn’t been the same as it was. The surrounding trees were dead, the long green grasses were now dark brown and most of the living things were now dead and dried up. He didn’t hear any bird’s twittering now. The land itself was dried and made possible for no living things to live on it. During that while he sat there in grief, mourning. Even when he didn’t do anything sitting there, he experienced a few rare occurrences, which once in a while takes his mind of things and sometimes even amused him. One of them was, during the air raids, the war planes which flew past him hastily above dropped an amount of bombs that ruined the area around him and the area itself. One of the bombs dropped right in front of him, and he saw it dropped. He didn’t know how to react when this happened and just stared at it and was secretly anticipating for it to explode. It just rolled over for a while and after that it laid still, just like him. It didn’t explode. He sighed and murmured to himself, ‘that would have been too easy”, in a failed tone.

There he was, still sitting by his sister’s grave. The sun shone and the stars sparkled, the days went pass by, the weather changed, the war continued and ended when it finally decided to end. Nakata grieved still, he was still sitting at the same spot, but occasionally turning and changing spots when his body ached at some spots or when he was bored of the view fro where he sat. He was there with the gun that he looted in his grasp. For now it was his most cherished treasure and it gave him strength, remarkable strength that strengthened and empowered his mind and confidence, he believed so. He wanted to end it all; he hated his life, even his name and the things that surrounded him. He was failed and without doubt made him a terrible failure (to himself).

Yet, suicide wasn’t an option, he didn’t believe in suicide, it was a despicable thing to do; he remembered his mum saying that when she was alive, he remembered her saying, ‘suicide is for people who has no balls and for people who has not the capability to think forward and enduring things ’. He didn’t agree to it now, but he wanted to believe, comply with, in what she said and as usual be of the same mind as she was. He was sensible enough to not attempt anything stupid. Nakata however was a little curious of the power he had gained. He was curious of what he was able to do with the power in his hand. He wanted to try it out, a boiling rage of anger and curiosity enveloped him. He wanted to avenge the people who once treated them with contempt and wasn’t particularly nice to them, or rather bluntly worded, he wanted to kill the people that treated them like shit. He didn’t really blame them for their doings because it was hard times and everyone had to look upon themselves instead of caring for others. Yet, he still wanted to avenge them. He had to, for the gun that has never left his hand would be of no use. Nakata stood up, staring at the place around him which now has changed and wasn’t the same as it was during their times together. He went into the dark tunnel and for the first time in a long time, tried to sleep in a more comfortable manner, yet it was uncomfortable since his bones were not used to it, since he had been in a sitting position for a long time. He slept while it was dark with no trace of emotions on his face; it was just blanked out without any.

The next morning, he woke up, from a weird dream and he regretted sleeping the night. The dream was too surreal and mind bugging. In his dream there was someone talking to him about his past, presence and his future. The person even advised him not to shoot the people he intended to. He mentioned that it was true, what he felt, he really did have obtained remarkable powers. He also mentioned that the gun didn’t need any ammunition as it was believed to have some sort of magic. This part was mainly bothering his mind when he woke up as he felt that he finally had justice in achieving some sort of power and at the same time was uneasy when the voice said, ‘ you have been given this power particularly for being unlucky and disastrous’. He could go on using the gun over and over again without having to reload said the mysterious person in his dream. Finally he advised Nakata on how one shouldn’t take another’s life and was lecturing him on how not to misuse his powers. Just before he woke up from his dream, the guy in his dreams said that, ‘but if you have to kill them all, you might want to torture them first before killing them, if you’re really angry that is, it would mean much more and more satisfying definitely’, with a grin spreading on his face, as if he was satisfied with what he said, he imagined.

The next morning he was already on his way to try out his new powers and to avenge himself. The land has changed a bit but he still remembered the route to the places he wanted to go, but before he went. He stopped by a nearby house which from outside looked grand and rich. He knocked the door and when it opened, he pointed the gun to the person and said, ‘this’ll only be for a moment’. He didn’t have to say more, the look in his eye was sharp enough to convince the man that he didn’t mind killing. The man looked as expected shocked and fear was obvious from his expression, the man just stood where he was without moving even slightly, he was stiff as a statue. Nakata went up, making the home seemingly his undressed and went to the bathroom and showered. It has been a long while since he last washed up and here he was pampering himself. He filled the tub with water till it was full and just soaked in it for a while, enjoying the warm water around him, running through his body. He came out looking refreshed though his face and expressions were as dark as ever. He went to the cupboard and found clothes that were all too big for him, He now wore a T-shirt, a jacket and a jeans, all of it that didn’t fit him since there wasn’t any that seemed to fitted his size, he didn’t mind though, he was sick of his old rotten clothes that were engraved with bad memories and wearing new, fresh clothes were already good enough compared to the old ones. He folded the jeans up till it looked ok on him. He went down, thanked the man and walked out. The man was still in shock, but didn’t say anything.

He was on his way to the farming place where he used to steal vegetables and fruits. The farmer was farming at the moment and upon realizing that someone was approaching his way, he gave a look of recognition in his face when he saw the person who was emerging towards, and his face shrunken and fear struck, as he waited for Nakata to approach towards him. Once he got closer, Nakata didn’t bother to say anything, his objective was clear it wasn’t even because of vengeance; it was just that he thought he had a reason to do so. Nakata pointed the gun directly at the farmers face, the farmer was trembling from fear, and clearly he had remembered who the boy was, now pointing a gun at him. He tried pleading but, Nakata didn’t hear him, he wasn’t the boy he used to be, his mind didn’t work the same way as it once did. Nakata then started shooting at the farmer, a few shots at first, then upon remembering whether the voice that he had heard in his dream was saying the truth or otherwise, he continued shooting at the farmer who was already dead by now and his body was practically filled with bullet holes. Nakata was surprised, but didn’t stop shooting; he resumed shooting until his fingers hurt from pulling the trigger. He was now convinced that the voice that he had heard was telling the truth and the fact that he was unlucky and disastrous, he ignored.

Nakata made his way to his aunt’s house as soon as he was finished with the farmer, considering his faith, the poor farmer now. He was at the entrance of his aunt’s house. The door was open and he first saw his uncle holding a newspaper in his hands. Nakata ignored him. His uncle however didn’t and shockingly said, ‘Nakata?’ Nakata nodded in respect and went into the kitchen, found his aunt and he seemed to hesitate at first, after all she once took care and sheltered them. He ignored the thought and showing mercy, just shot her once in the head and left the house ignoring his uncle once again. His uncle, when woke up from his shocked state, came running out with a machine gun in his hands and started firing at Nakata. Nakata like an expert just shot once at his uncle and the old man was hit in his hand. After that, seeing his uncle was defeated, Nakata once again bowed in respect and left. He looked rather cool in an odd fashion with his loose clothing, walking so calmly after what he had done.

Once he reached to his self proclaimed home, he felt slightly guilty but the guiltiness was instantly replaced by a feeling of superiority, he was more powerful and was able to do things that others couldn’t, he was gifted. Nakata was cursed though, the gun never left his right hand, and it wouldn’t come off. It was stuck with him forever. He didn’t mind that at the moment, he knew that he had power. He sat at his sister’s grave thinking about the event that took place. There was now something really bothering him, the thought when his uncle called out his name. He hated his name; he didn’t want to be the same person that no one respected before. Nakata made his mind up that he no longer would be called Nakata and was now thinking about changing his name. Not that he knew anyone who would call him by his current name, but it was one of those things that one do to themselves to forget their past and move on.

Nakata for now, suddenly felt weary, it could be because of the shootings he thought to himself. He then brought him self to the old abandoned rail tracks which was now older and looked drenched and even more dreadful. He brought himself to the old, damp thin mattress that he once used it with his sister; he had to pass through the mosquito net that now looked like pieces of dental floss tied together. Once he got in it, he laid his back on the mattress. He was staring at the dirty ceiling, he wanted to think, he felt so alone, he liked it, he didn’t want to care about anyone, he didn’t want anything to do with anybody and just after that, before he even started thinking further, he was already asleep. He was deep in his sleep, but at the same time he was awake in his sleep. It sounds weird, but that was how he felt. Awake in the dark, a pitch black universe. It was entirely wrapped by darkness, he could only see himself, and he was glowing at least that’s how he felt like.

He knew what was coming next and as he expected he heard a voice far away, saying, ‘hello, it’s me again.’ The voice was nearing and he could here the voice of the person clearer. A man like image was now visible and just like him, the mysterious guy too was glowing and he could clearly see him. He looked like a teenager, he was not tall, and part of his face was covered by a cap he had on. He had a dark complexion, and his face was shallow and dark. But not as dark as his eyes, the ring circles beneath his eyes were so dark, Nakata assumed that he colored it black. ‘So, you don’t like your name eh, I don’t like it too, your name is now Katana and erm, yea, any questions’? Asked, the stranger in a friendly tone, he was smiling amusingly, as if he knew how Nakata now Katana felt and when Nakata now Katana was about to come out of his shocked, irritated state the stranger spoke again, ‘I was thinking of Shiina Ringo at first, but it was actually a woman’s name belonged to a woman. Katana would do fine, right?’ ‘Ha ha’, he laughed softly.

‘What the fuck are you?’ asked Nakata now Katana in an angry/scared tone. He was scared and trying his best not to believe what was happening. He was aware of the fact that he was sleeping and yet in his sleep, he wasn’t sleeping! And to top it off was confronted by a weird / kind of a lunatic of a person. The stranger answered, ‘What the hell is going on?’, ‘I am a friend, yea, and we can be friends, why not. Let me see, first of all, you shouldn’t use swear words. Its ok for me to use it, but you shouldn’t and I have no reasons to give you a reason to ask me why’. Nakata aka Katana now looked more irritated, but to his own surprise, just kept his mouth shut. There was something about the stranger that made him feel meek towards. ‘Good’, he continued, ‘now, ill answer your questions. Just like you I have myself obtained some powers which are quite unexplainable, but to us, we deserve it and we seem to love it. To us it only seems fair for obtaining such powers, because of the unfortunate events we had to go through, of course we deserve it,’ he said loudly. Katana now began to like his new name and was interested in hearing more. He kept shut. The stranger resumed his speech, ‘I am somewhat embarrassed to say this, but I am also one of you.’ He paused. ‘An unlucky, disastrous person,’ He said in a softer tone than before, as if he was ashamed being one of them. ‘It’s one of the many miracles of this despicable world.’ explained the stranger to Katana. Now, a complete change of judgment, he felt comfortable with the stranger in front of him and saw the stranger from what he was able to see was floating in the darkness, just like himself. A feeling of understanding and similarity has come upon Katana towards the stranger. He wasn’t that agitated anymore, but part of him was still. Yet, he knew he had to respect the cap wearing figure, which he didn’t like.

The stranger resumed talking in the darkness, listened by Katana who was looking at him as he was the only visible thing he was able to see in the sheer darkness. ‘What shall you call me then, “master?” that would be too prominent, wait, Katana did as he was told and waited, he looked at the stranger. He was actually deep in thought in telling Katana what to call him. ‘Yes, you call me Mark. It reminds me of some one I know.’ ‘By the way do you like your name now?’ asked Mark. Katana said, ‘Not really but its better than Nakata, you can call me by that name. And I understand that you have powers and all that, but what exactly are your intentions?’ asked Katana. ‘My intentions are to guide you and help you through this journey, in hope that you will no longer be unhappy,’ said Mark. ‘that’s crap, how could someone claiming to be having the same unlucky fate that I did, help me out and get me straighten? Said Katana in disbelief, Mark replied, ‘now, you’ve got a point there, I must say. But you see, I have already done, accomplished what I intended to. This is my way of repaying my gift that was given to me. Now enough of the explanation let me enlighten you with some of my own unfortunate life stories, events and others too, we could compare whose fate were more unlucky and even cry about it, if you want to that is’ said Mark. ‘ oh, and another thing, don’t try to act smart and act as if you have any other options, don’t ask stupid questions, just bear with, after all you’re unlucky and disastrous, aren’t you? Get used to it.’ He added in a warning tone.

They were now sitting in the dark space with only each others glowing figure to look at. Mark began his supposedly enlightening speech. Katana listened and every now and then questioned Mark about his remarks. Mark would most of the times ignore or when he chose to answer to Katana questions, he answered in an irritated angry voice. They were times that they’d cry and snuggle each other. Sad, unlucky stories were told to make Katana feel better of him self. They’d often compare other stories with their own to establish whose story was more pathetic. The stories resumed for a long time, stories after stories were told, most of them really sad, pathetic ones. Katana now, after giving some thought about what he was about to ask and said to Mark that he was now not the most unlucky person, but was evidently one of them, in the most ‘matter of fact’ tone and expression. Mark looked at him and gave a funny stare. He then said, ‘I guess you’re right, if that’s what you think. Now let me tell you some other tales too, perhaps this one would be more sad and eventually make you realize something, this time less questions,’ he pointed a finger at him as if he was giving out an order. Katana nodded, as if he understood.

Mark resumed his petty, pathetic tales, but nothing he told would stop Katana from questioning or bringing up facts of his life to compare them with. Mark was getting annoyed with his new friend’s shallowness. He then said, ‘so, Katana are you saying that I am a lucky person compared to you, after listening to all the tales that I told you, you still think that you’re a more unlucky person?’ his face was now filled with anger as he spoke in a louder tone. Katana then said in reply, ‘well, yea in a way, yes.’ At this moment, the debate of who among them being more unlucky went on for a while now. Then finally Mark said, ‘I think that I’ve come to a conclusion now that I realized it.’ ‘Realized what? Asked Katana in curiosity,’ Mark replied, ‘I’ve just realized that some people or most people think of themselves better or worst off than others in order to continue feeling better of themselves. It gives them purpose. ‘What? What are you trying to say?’ in a confused and once again irritated tone. Mark was about to reply, just then, out of the blue, Katana heard a voice through the darkness they were silhouetted in, ‘hey boy, boy?’ it wasn’t Mark’s voice, he was hearing. The voice became more clear and apparent and vivid too, why not. Mark too heard the voice and said hurriedly as if he didn’t have any time left, ‘I think its time for you to wake up,’ in a tone that didn’t show any sign of emotions.

‘Wake up boy,’ he heard and he could feel someone’s hands on his body shaking him up. He struggled to open his eye lids, it seemed really heavy. He realized that he was awake now and saw a blurry face looking at him. It was a face of a middle aged woman. Her appearance to him was most recognizable and warm. He shook his head and wiped his eyes with his fingers. The blurry figure became apparent and he heard her say to him, ‘are you alright?’ In a worried tone, ‘I heard you talking to yourself.’ her voice was warm and gentle. Nakata said in reply, ‘yeah, I think so, I had a bad dream.’ ‘That’s what, happens when you sleep during the Maghrib period, now go wash up, pray and get ready for dinner.’ She said. ‘Ok, mom,’ the boy answered, and made his way to the washroom.