Darkness pervades every facet of my being. The world like a cruel joke that repeats over and over again on a scratched up record.

Tate, just cut vertically and it will all be over with.

I reach for the blade and bring the sharp edge to my wrist. I want to erase it all. My legs are still shaking and my mind is full of voices, screaming. The voices are screaming at me to help them but I can't. How can I help the voices it they are stuck in my head. "JUST GET OUT! GET OUT!" I scream. I hit my palm against my hair, tears sting down my face. I wipe them a way. I press down harder and little trickles of blood roll down my arm.

This is what you have to do, Tate. You will finally be free.

No matter what she has done to me I can never escape. There is no heaven for me. No little raft to float on for the rest of my life.

Although, I have found Violet. I say her name in the darkness of the basement, staring at my cold breath float across my eyes. She cannot know. Her parents don't understand her. She is too good for them, and their messed up lives. They can't control her! Not like my mother tried to control me. Oh, he killed his family just so he could have her. He killed my brother and I am the one who is dead. She cannot know.

But I love her. I love her eternally. I will follow her forever. She is bound to me by the color of her eyes, by the flush on her cheeks, by all things that make her human.

Just cut vertically and it will all go away-

You have forgotten I am dead. These conversations we have with each other aren't the same anymore now that I'm dead. They mean nothing to me, you hear that?

I'm going slowly crazy without her.

The intervals of time I wait down here, in this cold lifeless room, knowing she is upstairs. Listening to music. My music. I wish I could listen with her. Our faces touched. I might finally feel something other than this deadness. Violet.

I have to meet with Dr. Harmon now. He is a terrible man. Violet doesn't deserve him. She deserves me.

"Tate, have you been taking your antidepressents?" No matter how many I take I am still awake.

"You see Dr. Harmon. You know, I like someone."

"You do? Where did you meet?"

"You know her, I think, and I was really worried that if I took some of that medicine my… cock wouldn't work on her, your daughter." She is standing behind me in the doorway. Did she hear me? She must have. I had met her before. Told her to cut vertically like the voices have always told me.

"Get out! I don't want you here ever again. I will write you a recommendation to be transferred to another doctor." He's so blind. I want to laugh and scream and tell him, I'M DEAD, but I'll have him pity me instead. It's not like I can actually leave

"But, Mr. Harmon…I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. Please, my mother can't afford anyone else."

"Your mother is perfectly capable. Listen, don't ever come here again and do not ever lay a finger on Violet."

"Dr. Harmon!"

"Go!"

"You're not listening to me! Dr. Harmon, please!"

"I will call the police!" Rage coursed through my entire body. Call the police. They should arrest him. He is the reason Violet started to cut. He is the reason her life is just one goddamned horror show. I knock on her door. She is there. The white sleeves of her shirt cover the thin red marks up her arms. She is beautiful in a funny way. She is different, not like other girls.

"You just moved in. I'm Tate. I live next door."