Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

Today’s story is brought to life by the following prompt…

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS August 24, 2024 

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hap.’” Find a word that starts with “hap” and use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Happy Argument Day

“And I said I said it, so, let’s just move on, okay!”
He shakes his head and purses his lips together tightly. “No, you didn’t, and you know you didn’t, so why keep lying about it? Just say it!”
“HERE WE GO! Trust you to turn something so simple into something so bloody annoying!”
“What, ME? You’re the one lying through your teeth!”
Jerome launches himself to his feet, and Luca mirrors him, until both men are standing before each other, with their chests puffed out proudly and their lips curled.
“Take it back! Take it back right NOW! Or else!”
“Or else what?”
“I’ll bloody hit you, that’s what!”
He tosses his head back and scoffs. “Typical, can’t back up any argument with fact, so you go to fists!”
“What, and you don’t?”
“I prefer intellectual ways of dealing with disagreements. Fists are the last resort for the thinking man!”
“So, what, now you’re saying I don’t think?”
“You’re the one reshaping my words, obviously!”
Jerome thrusts his chest into Luca’s and curls his lip. “I’ll reshape your face in a minute!”
“Yes, you and what army?”
“I don’t need an army to cave your face in!”
“Like to see you try!”
“Yeah, let’s go then!”
“All right!”
“Fine, then, let’s do it!” he says as he tightens his hands into fists and takes a nervous step back, while Luca does the same.
“Really? Are you two doing this again?” Nancy cries with a roll of her eyes and a sigh.
“Stay out of this, Nan, I’ve got to teach your little brother a lesson in intelligence!” Jerome says with a twist of his nose.
“What’s it all about this time?” Nancy asks.
“He said he said it, but I didn’t hear him, so I told him to say it, and he said no!”
Nancy’s brow furrows, and she lets out a sharp breath as she turns to Luca. “Did you say it?”
“Of course I did, why wouldn’t I say it, it’s why we’re here!”
She shakes her head and turns back to Jerome. “He’s got a point.”
“WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THAT? WHY DO YOU ALWAYS SIDE WITH HIM INSTEAD OF ME?”
“I’m not siding with anyone, I’m just saying, he said he said it, and he’d have no reason not to, considering that’s what we’re here for.”
“STOP SMILING, YOU BUFFOON!” Jerome yells at Luca, who stands behind Nancy with a broad grin on his face.
“What, now I can’t smile?”
“YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE DOING! YOU’RE DOING WHAT YOU ALWAYS DO!”
“Seems a lot of people are doing what they always do, just like you are, turning something into nothing!”
“I’M NOT! YOU NEVER SAID IT, AND NOW, NOW YOU’RE TURNING THE WHOLE NIGHT INTO ANOTHER NIGHT ABOUT YOU, INSTEAD OF ABOUT ME!”
“You’re the one going on about Luca,” Nancy interrupts matter-of-factly, causing Luca’s grin to broaden even wider.
“SEE!” Jerome bellows loudly. “YOU’RE DOING IT AGAIN! YOU’RE TAKING HIS SIDE! YOU’RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUY, AND HIM INTO MISTER GOODY TWO SHOES, WHEN HE’S THE ONE WHO WON’T SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
“OH MY GOD!” Luca cries. “WILL YOU SHUT UP IF I SAY IT AGAIN? WILL IT MAKE YOU HAPPY?”
Jerome stares at his brother and shakes his head, “No, no it won’t,” he grunts.
Luca pulls back and stares at his brother with a furrowed brow. “W-Well what will make you hap…” but he doesn’t get to finish his sentence, as Jerome punches him square in the nose.