James says nothing.
A moment of silence passes before he speaks again. Finally, he begins. "The hour was gray and my mother fell ill. She was pregnant, with the burden of twins, yet she did not know it at the time. Labor came, more as a shock really, and so she prepared, at best she could, for the giving of life. And so, she had born a son. Named him Eon and the doctor wrapped him in silk. But still, she lay ill and the doctor knew not why. Upon probing her, he finds that there was, in fact, another child to be birthed. But my mother had not the strength and fell to tears. The doctor encouraged her and attempted to console her that all would be fine, if only she would push. She did, but there was nothing. Nothing but complications. You see, the child was wrapped in his own cord and the life threatened to seep from him. This, the doctor did not know. With a little effort and a lot of hard work, the doctor managed to free the child from my mother's womb. But not without leaving permanent scars on my mother, yet the child was born and freed from his constriction. This wasn't without a price. The doctor feared that the child might have suffered minor brain damage. And in fact, he did.
Forever did the child live in his brother's shadow? When the elder learnt how to speak and count, the younger drooled and laughed at everything, like a retard. He could not speak, walk or even feed himself. But he tried. He went to school like his brother, attended classes even though he did not understand the why and what of the lessons being taught. Even though the older children picked on and sometimes beat the young simpleton, the older brother would defend, when he could, the younger against his aggressors. But it still wasn't enough. Sometimes he never got there fast enough or just wasn't there at all. And even though he did not know it, the younger twin dreaded needing his brother to come to his rescue and save him from the beatings."
"It wasn't until the older brother's disappearance did the parents take notice of the younger twin. He began to blossom and grow; he finally started to come into his own. Lessons taught were learnt and he refused to look back. To see the thing that he used to be. Wisdom became a tool and he quickly learnt how to manipulate it, to get what he wanted, at any cost. For Atrophy, to even the score, getting even, revenge against his aggressors. He vowed never again, never will he be used and taunted or abused. But death was hollow; he had the strength to go beyond that. To create a greater torment for the wicked, he took what he needed and destroyed the rest. Creation, what a beautiful power and his brother wasn't around to watch him. To see him grow and become the man he is today. - Me. He went off on some damned fool's quest, seeking yet again, fame and recognition. What a fool he was. His power was his strength and he squandered it. Why did he not learn?" His eyes wander off into the farthest shadows of the corner wall, consternating a perplexed look. "Now he is forever gone and without an heir." He mused coldly at the thoughts and secretly reveled in his brother's demise.
"Why did you tell me that story?" James questions, confused and tired.
Taking a moment to sigh a deep breath, "Nostalgia, I guess." He averts his attention back onto the boy and pushes away from the bed with what seemed great effort. "You remind me a lot of myself in my youth. The undeserving simpleton, with no better sense of knowing when to stay down, when put down." He pauses briefly then continues. "Well," Clapping his hands with a forceful impact. "I guess I'll be off." Pushing out the creases in his pant legs. "You've shown growth." Nodding his head in approval as he walk toward the bedroom door. "You chose your path well son. There's no good in following a fool's dream." Closing the door behind him.
