Pain

Title: Pain
By: Thomas Schiff

Clopin finished tying one of the ropes to the peg that was hammered into the ground when he heard someone clear their throat next to him. He looked over to see the blond soldier, Frollo’s ex captain of the guard standing next to him.

“Hello Doofus.” Clopin said as he picked up another rope.

“Actually it’s Phoebus.” He corrected.

“And actually… I don’t care.” Clopin said as he turned back to the task at hand.

“I believe you owe me something?” He said, his voice almost monotone.

“Oh yeah?” Clopin asked not looking away from the rope as he knotted it at one end. “And what would that be?”

“An apology.” Clopin paused staring at the rope before looking up at Phoebus.

“Oh yeah? And why is that?” He asked. Phoebus looked taken a back.

“Um… for almost hanging me an Quazimodo!” He said as if stating the obvious. Clopin scoffed.

“Why should I apologize for that? I was protecting my territory which might I add, all this mess…” He said indicating all the ruined tents and caravans. “Wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t shown up to ‘warn’ us.”

“Yeah well despite that… did you have to try to hang us?” Clopin held up the rope that he had been playing with that was now tied like a makeshift noose.

“What was I going to do? Talk to you?” Phoebus was about to say something when Clopin interrupted him. “Look at it from my point of view. You’ve worked your whole life trying to keep your people safe by keeping their hide away a secret. Then all of a sudden your enemies own personal guard and little hunchback boy show up at the front entrance. What would you think they are doing there?”

“Well I’d-”

“You’d think they would be there to reveal you hideaway and destroy what you and your father have both spent your whole lives trying to keep safe. And don’t deny it.” He said untying the small noose. “I do what I must to keep us safe.”

“Yes but surely there is a better way you can handle a situation like that.” Clopin turned on him suddenly.

“Do you honestly think I enjoy hanging people?” He asked Phoebus his voice slightly raised in anger. “Do you honestly think I enjoy taking away children’s fathers?” He looked away before looking at Phoebus again. “I hear all the time on the streets, children crying because their father’s have gone missing, and I know I’m the cause of it. I know what happened to them. I’m giving these children the same fate that Frollo gave me though not for the same reason. Frollo killed my father for who he was. I killed theirs because I’m trying to protect my people. I don’t enjoy any of it. Even the thought of a child out there feeling the same way I did because some cruel man killed him… the thought that I’m that man….” Clopin shook his head before turning back to his work.

Phoebus sighed.

“If I had let any of them go they would have reported back to Frollo where the Court was.” He paused as he tied the last rope. “I couldn’t risk it. At least that’s what I tell myself to keep myself sane anyway.”

“Was your father king before you?” Clopin looked at him and nodded. “How did he deal with it?” Clopin sighed.

“He told me… on occasion. When we were alone. That I was the one keeping him sane. Keeping him from killing himself. He told me there were numerous times he wanted to. Almost did. But he didn’t because of me.” Clopin honestly didn’t know why he was talking about this to Doofus. But it felt good to get it off his chest. Phoebus sat down on an upturned bucket, Clopin sitting on the ground beside him.

“So… how did Frollo get your dad anyway?” Phoebus asked. Clopin looked down at his glove covered hand and didn’t answer. A few moments later Phoebus moved to stand but Clopin stopped him. Not physically, but he began his tale.

“When I was younger. Thirteen I think. I got captured by one of Frollo’s guards. It was my own stupidity I was instigating it. Anyway they grabbed me and my father saw and tackled one of them. The other one let me go and they grabbed my father who was yelling at me to run cause a few more where coming. I ran.”

“As would anyone.” Phoebus said.

“He was scheduled to be hung at noon the next day.” He said sadly. “My mother never forgave me for it.”

“I can’t imagine that she would. Though I’m sure she still loves you, you are her son.” Clopin looked down at his hand again. “I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”

“She died.” He said suddenly looking sadly up at Phoebus. “Two years ago.” He looked away from Phoebus who didn’t know what to say. “She died cursing the day I was born and said that if it wasn’t for me she’d be happy with my father right now instead of laying sick in bed.” He shook his head. “After my father died everyone blamed me. The only reason why I got ruled in was because I was his only legitimate heir.”

“You guys really run like a real society down here huh? Laws, Kings, Heirs.” Clopin nodded.

“That’s the way my father always saw it. We have to abide by their rules up there. If they come down here they have to abide by ours.”

“Sounds fair.” Phoebus said. “Though I have to say I’m glad Esmeralda showed up when she did. A few moments later…” Phoebus paused not knowing how to continue without sounding harsh about it.

“And you two would have been added to the body count.” Clopin finished for him.

“Does it get any easier?” Phoebus asked. “Every time you do it?” Clopin paused and shook his head.

“It gets harder every time I do it.” He said. “It’s not only the fact that I kill them. It’s the looks they give me before I pull the lever. The looks I get from my own people when they think I’m not looking.” Clopin sighed and stood up. “Anyway I better get back to work.” Phoebus nodded.

“If you’d like I could-”

“No… I’d rather be alone right now, thank you.” Clopin picked up the rope again and pulled the knot out of the noose before returning to what he had been doing. Phoebus sat there for a few moments before nodding and leaving.

(*Yeah I know there wasn't any sex not yet but I'll get to that don't worry.*)