Genesis of Evil

“There are some things about people’s pasts that are not worth knowing Dr Drake”

“I like to know everything about people Annabella – it makes my job a lot easier if I do.”

It’s impossible to know everything about people.  People tend to keep secrets to protect themselves.”

“You see, I don’t like secrets very much Annabella.  They always end up hurting the person they’re supposed to protect.”

She seemed to chew on Benjamin’s statement for a while and then said plainly: “It doesn’t really matter.  My mother is dead -

….. and the day she died was the happiest day of my life.”

There was not the slightest hesitation in her voice and although careful not to reveal it Benjamin was a little shocked at her statement - not so much its content, but more the manner in which she said it.  She meant it.  Every word. 

He listens attentively while she continues.

“There was no love lost between us.  My mother hated me.  Not a day went by that she didn’t remind me.  She even blamed me for my father leaving us when I was still a baby.  He walked out the day I was born.  I don’t blame him you know.

I hated her as much as she hated me.  But I couldn’t leave.”

“Annabella, was there ever any physical violence?”

“I remember the day my mother hit me for the first time.  I remember it as if it happened yesterday.  I was only 15 years old…...”

She pauses for a moment – revisiting that fateful day that changed her life forever.

“I came back home from school a little later than usual that afternoon.  I went to my boyfriend’s home after school so that he could help me out with my math homework.  I told her that morning I would be home later …..”

Twinbrook: 15 years ago

“Where have you been you wretched child?  You didn’t do any of your chores!  I don’t know how I put up with you!  No wonder your father didn’t stick around”

“You should get down on those two knock-knees of yours and thank the Lord that I still bother to take care of you.  You are probably one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made.” 

What is that you’re wearing anyway? – A little tart – that’s what you are!”

Annabella covers her face as if that would help shield her from her mother’s insults.  It never works.  Her words cut like a knife every time.  There is just no getting used to her tirades.

“I went to Graeme’s so that he could help me with my Maths homework Mother - I told you before I left the house this morning.  …”  Annabella feverishly tries to explain to her mother.

“Shut up!  I don’t want to hear your silly excuses – you lazy good-for-nothing little tramp!”  Her mother’s tirade continues. 

“You hang around with that boy all the time – do you really think that I believe you do homework when you’re with him?  How stupid do you think I am, child?  Isn’t he a little out of your league?  You stay away from that boy – I don’t want you spreading your evil all over town - just like your father you are – evil’s little spawn”.

“I’m not evil Mother!  And I will not stay away from Graeme” Annabella yells back.

“He makes me happy.  We love each other and we plan to get married after graduation.  We’re leaving this place together as soon as we can – I’m leaving you as soon as I can!  You should be happy Mother!  I’ll be out of your life for good!  Isn’t that what you want?”  Annabella is beside herself and knows she will probably regret everything she’s just said to her mother – she will make her regret what she had just said, but she continues anyway …

…. and how can you say that it is my fault that my father left us – he didn’t leave me!  He left you!”

She felt her mother’s hand land firmly across Annabella’s face – burning like fire against her cold skin.

She staggers on impact and feels slightly dizzy, but still manages to find her balance. 

Her mother is livid – “You will never leave this place.”  She hissed.  “I will make sure of that.”

They stood there for several minutes – that felt to Annabella like hours.  Her mother looked at her with disgust.

She felt tears burning in her eyes and her cheek was on fire. 

“How dare you disrespect me?”  Her mother continues.  “I will have to teach you a lesson.  I will have to teach you to show me some respect”.  Do you know what happens to children who don’t respect their mothers?

… They get punished don’t they?” 

Annabella didn’t say a word.  She knew exactly what punishment her mother had planned for her. 

The house had an underground storage room built in the back-yard.  At least that is what her mother used it for.  It was probably used as some kind of bomb shelter during the times of war or something.  The house was pretty old.  The place gave her the creeps.

Her mother grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her towards the storage room.  This was not the first time she was locked away in there.  Her mother would sometimes leave her there for days, with barely any food or water.  No one could hear her screams for help – the room was sound-proof and the entrance was concealed behind bushes.  Not that anyone ever came around anyway.

At the entrance Annabella started to plead with her mother.  “Please Mama, I’m sorry I said those things.  Please don’t lock me inside there!  Please Mama, I will do anything you ask …. Please, please, I don’t want to go down there – it’s dark and smelly … please?” She pleaded with her mother, but her mother wouldn’t budge. 

“You’re such a pathetic excuse for a human being Annabella.  I can’t even look at you sometimes – just get down there – in that hole where you belong – I wish I could leave you there forever so that I won’t have to look at you again ….”

She reaches for Annabella’s arm, but Annabella manages to pull away before she grabs hold of her ….

… her mother loses her balance and tumbles down the stairs.  A loud scream accompanied by loud thumping noises sounds through the air …. and then suddenly it’s quiet.

Shocked Annabella slowly walks downstairs towards her mother’s lifeless body …. “What have I done?” she whispers to herself, tears now running down her cheeks. 

“Oh no.  What have I done?”