The 3rd Son

Mr. Clifton and his family lived well. They were alone but they had each other. A small house in a valley was what the Clifton’s called home. Mrs. Clifton dearly loved her 4 sons. To live alone they raised grain and livestock, it wasn’t as glamorous as the great cities but it was peaceful.

The Great Unmakyr war had been going on since before Mr. Clifton was born. But one generous Unmakyr had promised Mr. Clifton that his family could live untouched by the war if they only fulfilled a single request when the Unmakyr asked.

Mr. Clifton agreed, “This is good, she is good.” Mrs. Clifton was worried what the request could be, but quickly reassured by the knowledge that her 4 children would be protected.

The war went on, but the Clifton’s were never worried, “War? What war? Sit down and eat boy!” The 3rd son was always curios about the Unmakyr and the war. “He was very nice to us, wasn’t he mom? Oh how I wish I could meet her.”

A day came when the 3rd son got his wish.

He was out exploring, wandering the woods, finding so many things, when he stumbled upon a strange looking structure. “Wow, this YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS YOU CANNOT READ THIS

The Unmakyr flew down to meet the 3rd son. The 3rd son look in awe as he was approached by the being. “I-I Have so- I mean- why did you-” “Easy now.” The Unmakyr said. “I have much to tell you 3rd son.”

The Unmakyr and the 3rd son spend 13 days talking about anything the 3rd son could think of. When the 2 were done, the Unmakyr said: “I have something to show you. You asked me about the war, well, I can show you it if you’d like.” The 3rd son was amazed. “You can do that for me? I’ve never seen a war!” “Of course I can. I’m an Unmakyr, remember? I can do **anything**.” The 3rd son shivered. “Ok, what do we do?” “Just close your eyes and count to 10!” Said the Unmakyr floating up a bit. “Ok, I will!” said the 3rd son.

He covered his eyes and began to count:

1,

2,

3,

He was rather anxious.

4,

5,

What could await him?

6,

7,

“Wait I could peek and see and Unmakyr’s magic, just a quick peak.”

8,

9,

He squinted through his eyelashes.

The Clifton’s had been extremely worried, for almost 2 weeks, the 3rd son had been missing. “That boy better not have gotten into any trouble.” Said Mr. Clifton uneasily. They had come back to the house to check if the 3rd son had made it home. They found an Unmakyr standing at the door.

“An Unmakyr! Perhaps you could help us find the 3rd son!” Exclaimed Mrs. Clifton. “Ah ah ah, you want to ask me for a favor and you still owe me from the whole “you won’t be affected by war thing.”” “B-but our son-“ “B-but our sonnnn” the Unmakyr said in a mocking voice. “I’ve come for the request I had mentioned years ago, a big hole’s about to open and we Unmakyrs have to skedaddle.”

The 3rd son wished he had never spoken to the Unmakyr. He opened his eyes on 9 and was face to face with a head on a pike. He fell backwards and landed on something slippery and squishy. Looking down, he saw that he was lying in the entrails of a horse. He bolted back up and then realized that he was screaming. Bodies, blood, fire. He was seeing war.

“Now you wait just a moment, I am not fulfilling any kind of request until my son is found unharmed! Yelled Mr. Clifton. “Who said anything about you fulfilling the request?” Said the Unmakyr. His voice sent chills up Mr. Clifton’s spine. “Mrs. Clifton, I will return the 3rd son to you if you fulfill my request.” “What have you done to my baby?” Mrs. Clifton wailed. “Nothing permanent yet, but he’s not doing great.” “I’ll do it! You said you’ll give him back if I do it? So I’ll do it! Just don’t hurt my baby boy!” Sobbed Mrs. Clifton. “Don’t trust him! He did something to our son!” Mr. Clifton shouted. “Mr. Clifton, be **silent**.” Mr. Clifton never said anything again. “Mrs. Clifton I will return your son to you, if you fulfill my request.” “Anything!” “My request, **you must skin you and your husband alive**.”

The Unmakyr left after that, leaving Mrs. Clifton with an ornate caper knife. Mr. Clifton just stared at the floor, head in his hands. She could not bring herself to do it. How could she? Skin herself and her husband alive? But her beloved 3rd son, Oh her precious son.

A week went by and Mrs. Clifton became worse and worse. With only her sons to comfort her, and the reminder that 1 was missing, she was beginning to lose it.

Another week and Mrs. Clifton was dead. Suicide? Starvation? Misery? It doesn’t matter. Mr. Clifton wandered off into the woods and never was seen again, the remaining sons died when the cataclysm opened. And the 3rd son, was very keenly watched.