Embody
Part 3: Food
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tw: mentions of blood, mentions of child neglect, reference to child abandonment
Hamlet enters his house carrying several bags. He announces his presence to Mary and Macbeth as he walks through the door. Mary enters from the bathroom, and crosses her arms as she stares at Hamlet.
āCare to explain now?ā she asks sternly, āwho's the boy?ā
Hamlet sighs as he sets the bags down carefully, āI found him in the graveyard. Brought him straight here when I realized he has nowhere to go.ā
Mary's expression softens, āohā¦I see.ā
Hamlet nods and takes an outfit out of one of the bags as he speaks, āhe needs food.ā
āHe didn't know what being hungry was when I asked. What the hell happened to him?ā Mary looks at the door to the bathroom as she asks, knowing Hamlet has no answer.
Hamlet looks at Mary and holds out the clothes as he speaks, āhe might tell us, but I don't want to make him if he doesn't want to.ā
Mary nods silently and takes the clothes, going back to the boy with a soft sigh. Hamlet walks to the kitchen while shaking his head. He tries to keep his mind occupied to stop himself from worrying. He starts searching for something easy to eat; worried the boy may not be able to handle solid foods if he's so unfamiliar with it. Macbeth enters the kitchen with Mary several minutes later. His hair is still a little wet, but he's much cleaner now. Mary smiles as she guides him to a chair to let him sit. Hamlet smiles softly and brings Macbeth a glass of water and some yogurt. Macbeth stares at both with such unfamiliarity that Mary and Hamlet both share a concerned look. They work on teaching Macbeth how to drink the water, and how to eat the food. Hamlet's starting to think that this boy has actually never eaten.
An hour later Mary and Hamlet are helping Macbeth lay down in the guest room bed. Mary tucks the boy in with a kind smile before kissing his forehead. Macbeth doesn't smile, doesn't speak, but he closes his eyes and falls asleep fairly quickly. Hamlet and Mary exit the room quietly, and head out the back door into the garden. Mary crosses her arms as she looks Hamlet in the eyes, studying his expression for a moment.
āSo what are you gonna do about this?ā Mary asks sternly.
Hamlet pinches the bridge of his nose, āI have no idea. I can't just abandon him. You saw how he stared at water like it was some mysterious thing. He needs a guardian.ā
ā...And you named him āMacbeth'? The Shakespeare obsession may be going a bit far now, āHamletā,ā she teases, trying to lighten the mood.
Hamlet lets out a weak chuckle and rubs the back of his neck, āit was the first name that came to mind.ā
Mary shakes her head and laughs softly before she speaks, āwell I'm sorry to leave, butā¦ā
āI understand. We'll be alright Mary,ā Hamlet smiles at her as he speaks, āthanks for coming over here.ā
Mary nods before stepping into her reflection in the window. Her appearance again becomes bloody and terrifying, but despite that she turns and waves at Hamlet before walking out of view. With Mary gone, Hamlet collapses into a garden chair and rubs his forehead as he thinks.
āThis boy needs a parentā¦ā

















