The Other Twin

The boy hadn't spoken since his twin had gone missing over twenty years ago. The fated day his twin had disappeared was dated as an unlucky day between all of the townsfolk. January 12. The day the other twin would venture out of his house to walk to the town bar and get wasted on alcohol. He, would then, continue to get loud and yell at people until someone got angry enough to stand up to him. After he got his result of provoking someone, he punches them. Right hooks the shit out of them. They fall, hit the floor, not expecting to get knocked down by such a skinny man. Before they can get up or make any reaction, he kicks them a few times before he starts blinking like waking out of a trance. Starts straight bawling in the pub, tears streaming down his face like someone killed his mom in front of him. He sits there crying for twenty minutes, his sobs quieting down as the townfolk continue about their converstations. I'm the only one who looks at him, knowing what's about to happen. He stands up, and walks out of the bar like everything is okay and nothing weird or eerie has happened. Walks back to his house at the outskirts of the town, I usually stop following him after he passes the bridge, too afraid to cross. But today feels different so I face my fear and follow him across the bridge. What I see shocks me with excitement, he walks into his house, heading straight for the fridge as I stare at his movements from outside through the window. He carefully picks up the human head, cuts off the ear and starts preparing it for consumption. Gets his pans and seasonings. Butters the pan. Drops the ear in the pan and then uses salt and pepper, very basic seasonings. Puts the seared ear onto a plate, and uses a knife and fork to carefully slice and dice the ear into his mouth. He chews on the first bite for five minutes, showing no signs of discomfort. The scene in front of me brings a smile to my face. I have the urge to walk in on him like we're old friends and enjoy the ear with him. He makes eye contact with me through the window, tears coming to his eyes. "Stop," he mouths. He starts shaking with fear. I hang my head down in defeat, ashamed of being caught stalking him. My laughs echo around my empty surroodings as I walk into the man's house. "Now what fun would that be, John?"