Ascending into the Darkness.

I don't know what came over me. Everyone was suddenly unbearable to be around. I locked myself in my study, throwing myself into my work. The only contact I had from the outside of my safe-haven was my eldest son, a boy of 17. He brought me my daily meals. No words were spoken, you could almost feel the tension in the air, he skittishly placed my meal tray on the very edge of the desk, afraid of coming any closer.
One day, he asked me. He said those few words. I refused to let him finish. I was up, anger controlling me. I didn't have an answer for this. How dare he ask me? How dare he undermine me?
I could see the fear on his face, the way he looked at me. It repulsed me, it fueled my anger. I keyed up and back handed him. My wife of twenty-three years heard the commotion, she broke into the study, held me back, calmed me down just enough for the coward to run away.
After that there was no boy delivering my meals, only a tap on the door and the sound of footsteps running away as if something was chasing them, something repulsive. I counted to twenty and then opened the door, I peaked my head out. I saw the tips of his coattails disappear around the corner. Sighing, I picked up my tray. Every day, we fell into a routine. Months went by, I lost contact with the outside world.
Sometime between March and July I heard my door squeak open, tiny whispers of someone's curls moving interrupted the still air. Someone had broke through my fortress.
"Daddy?" I heard the little one's voice whisper. she stood a few feet away, cautious. She had grown since I saw her last. Her golden hair had darkened to a honey brown, her eyes had lost the happy-go-lucky depth they used to have. "Daddy? Can you please come to dinner with me?" Her pink lower lip puckered out, screwing her face into an undeniable pout. "Please?"
All my anger melted, I had forgot why the world was bad. I looked into her crystal eyes. There was no way I could say no. I stood, she backed up. "Shall we?" I extended my hand. She looked shocked, a few seconds passed before she cautiously intertwined our hands.
She skipped down the stairs, pulling me behind her. The boy saw me first. "Daddy's gonna eat with us!" He turned around and walked into the kitchen. I heard muttered whispers and my wife hurried in. She took one look at me and gasped. Well this was getting irritating.
"W-Why don't you run out to the pump and wash up?" she asked the young one. "Take a candle" She looked up at me then skipped off, grabbing a candle holder on the way by. The wife looked at me. "Why now?" She asked.
I shrugged, trying to keep my temper. This was annoying. "I suppose it was time" was my simple answer.
She took a step closer, I clenched my fists. "I missed you" I held my breath as she hugged me. Stupid wench. I kept my emotions inside, wanting to please the small one.
She ran back inside. "Is it time for supper Mommy?" The wife nodded and peered into the kitchen.
"Go sit down Sarah" She patted the little one's head on the way by. "Peter, come join us!" She hollered into the kitchen. The boy slowly crept out, staying as close to the wall as possible. He finally reached the table and sat.
"Daddy, come sit at the head!" The litt- Sarah said, tapping the place at the head of the table. I crossed the room and claimed my place. Th- Peter shuddered and shrank away. The wife- oh gods what was her name? -grabbed the roast and brought it over, placing it in the center of the table. Curls of smoke came off of it and assaulted my nose. Zesty vegetables, surrounding the ham, soaked in the broth.
Grabbing the carving knife, I startled Peter. "Shall I carve?" He shivered, but nodded. She dished out food for everyone after I finished. After a moment of silence, we all began eating.
No one spoke. The room was stuffy and crowded. I couldn't take the heat. Slamming my chair back, I stormed out of the room. "I told you so." I heard Peter mumble.
Spinning around, I made it to his chair in record time. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" I screamed, grabbing him by the collar.
"L-let him go" I heard her stutter, grabbing at my bicep. I dropped the boy and faced her.
"Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. Do." I huffed, grabbing her by the neck. I lifted her off the ground and watched her face darken different shades of purple. Suddenly, she went limp. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she let out a small sigh. I dropped her carcass and faced the boy again.
He had the carving knife in his hand, the little one cowering behind him. I laughed, watching his pathetic attempt at protecting himself.
Knocking the tool out of his hands, I aimed for his throat as well. He squirmed profusely. I snapped his neck to make him stop.
Hearing his gargled screams, the little one ran to him. I swung, her tiny body hit the wall.
After a few breaths I opened my eyes. They wandered over the shambled room, resting on the tiny child. She sat broken, her empty eyes staring in the distance. Her face hollowed, resting in a permanent death mask.
I felt myself crossing the room. My knees gave out and I found myself crouching over the corpse. "I'm so sorry" I sobbed, knowing I could never undo my deeds. I was a monster.