Truth or Lies

By Ray Uchiha

The one who saved me

I woke up from my night's rest with the promise of a new day. Although I knew that promise would not come true. As the sun broke, I felt its warmth caress my skin. I nuzzled my face deeply against my pillows, wishing I didn't have to move from my sanctuary. The sun brought out the dread of my life which I would eventually have to get up and face.

Turning my gaze to the bed across the room, I was still expecting my sister to be snoring softly and stirring under the covers. It had been a month since she had last slept there. After dad died, she thought it was best for her to sleep in mom's room for a while.

The room looked and felt empty without her except for a small poster on my side of the wall that was of my favorite soccer player. I sighed deeply, taking in the dreary sight of the room. I then lightly touched the poster and dragged my feet lazily across the floor towards the bathroom.

As the cold shower hit my face, waking up the last bit of me, I thought of the day i had awaiting for me. This was the moment I would usually stall, wishing I had something special to do. But then it hit me, I chose an ordinary life.
This ordinary life. Everything seemed meaningless after my father was gone. I didn't know how to go on. But my mother and younger sister needed me. I had to be "the man". What kind of man would I have been if I couldn't have been there for them?

I headed into the kitchen to see my mother. Her eyes shining, reflecting the light that came through the curtains. She stood over the small stove making breakfast, while the annoying heater by the doorway rattled away. Her eyes were a light shade of green that matched her brown hair and light skin. Her face always had a smile, though you could always tell she was sad by looking through those light green eyes. I always felt somewhat bad about her having to carry the load on her own... but it was what she wanted.

We argued everyday about me getting a job and helping her out, but she would have none of it, saying things like 'You need to finish school, and make something of yourself. Your father would have wanted better for you.' I'd always walk out after that. My father was hardly ever around. He always preferred being off on his own. There wasn't much of a difference now that he was gone. So why did his absence mean so much more now? Why did she always have to bring him up?

That morning, I had no desire to have the same, pointless argument. Not today. I kissed her goodbye and left for school. The walk from my house to school was approximately forty-five minutes, at the most. The hardest part about leaving my apartment, was leaving my front door and heading out of the apartments onto the dark, seemingly souless pathway that lead out the front gates. The buildings, two stories tall, blocking the sun from shining down onto the cold concrete that I placed my foot upon to begin my walk.

The buldings had recently been painted green to make them seem slightly newer. Although, you were still clearly able to see the beige color, that the buildings once were, through the green paint. It wasn't the best painted buildings in town, but it was better than before, I had to admit. I was making my way closer to the black gates that were rusted with chipped paint and a broken lock that left the gate open at all times. So many thoughts were racing through my conscience until I made my first step onto the lighter road outside of my enclosed household. But there was one thing in particular that ran through my mind at that moment.

My head was filled with the dream I had the night before. I just couldn't get this particular girl out of my thoughts for some odd reason. She brought some sort of hope to my days. Though I knew I could never captivate a girl's heart, especially one such as her. It bothered me having that feeling that I somehow knew her from somewhere. I hadn't remembered seeing her around school, so I managed to push my thoughts of her to the back of my mind as I reached school grounds and into my first class.

As always, Science was boring for me, having learned all of what the teacher taught in my spare time. My mom didn't think that sitting down and watching TV was a productive hobby, so I would spend most of my time reading my science books, memorizing them from cover to cover. The knowledge came in handy when I had failed to pay attention in the class on those certain days.

Normally, it took breif moments to realize the bell when it rang, since I was always lost in my daydreams, but this time, my friend, Julias, decided to smack me over the head, teasing, "Wake up and get all those girls outta your head, Slowpoke!" I just shook my head and smiled. He was always trying to get me to be more like him. But he was always too cocky, even the way he dressed with his pants almost falling off and a white wife-beater, stretched to breaking point by his muscular physique.

Always a show-off.. I would think. Although, he was one of my best friends. In spite of all his bravado, no one would mess with me in anyway. All because everyone of my peers believed that he would hurt them if they even looked at me wrong.

He was truly a nice guy though, even though most people knew him for his skills on the field. He was one of the best wide receivers in the state. I called him the "Lone Soldier" since it always seemed like he was alone, even though he would always joke, 'I'm going to be the most famous dancer ever!', which made everyone laugh because they all knew he didn't dance. I, of course, knew that he never wanted to be famous, he just wanted to take care of his family.

We walked to the next class together only so he could get my notes for History. He always enjoyed sleeping in this class, so I'd take notes for him. I did it really just to distract me from thinking of the time I would have to spend in Mr. Thomas', the History teacher, class. He was the most hateful teacher I had ever met in my life. He had, at one time, made me sit on his desk, displaying my hideous haircut for the whole class to see. As he took pleasure into my humiliation, he made sure to enlighten the class, "Now this is how a stupid kid should look like. Don't you agree class?" The whole room would erupt with laughter but quickly quelled by the thought of Julias and his fists. Of course, lucky me, he was always my last class before I went home and time went by rather slow in there. Other than the feeling that his eyes bored into me as I sat with my head down, taking notes, that day went by without a hitch. I seemed to make it out again that day without killing him.

I walked out into the courtyard, as people rushed by to get to their cars or buses, I would meet Julias and the rest of my friends, George and Pablo, at the front of the school. George and Pablo were about the same height but they seemed rather minute compared to Julias' outstretched arms, while he dangled them over their heads. It was amusing, seeing them make such fools of themselves. As soon as they saw me approaching, their faces broke into wide grins.

Pablo yelled, "Yo Mike, we have something big planned for tonight, man. Are you goin' to come, or is your Mammy keepin' you in for bad behavior?"

I smiled and shook my head yelling back, as I got closer, "Well it's not as bad a being a little whipping boy. Tell me, does your girl still have you on her leash?" He dismissed me by waving his hand and continuing his conversation with George.

I greeted them all as we talked about what we were going to do that night. They had planned to go to the movies, but I didn't really have the money to go with them. They kept pushing me to go until I eventually caved. We all walked together joking around and laughing. Pablo then started singing, but badly. Julias, patting Pablo's back, joked, "Make sure you get a real job, 'cause you will never be a good singer." Pablo shook him off, continuing his singing. It was entertaining watching him dance and shake his ass as we walked to the theater.

To my surprise, I recognized two girls waiting for us there at the entrance. George and I looked at each other, "Thought it would just be us guys", he whispered to me. They were not the friendliest faces, but they were not my problem. Felicia and Andrea were Julias' and Pablo's girls. I didn't really like them, particularly because they spent most of their time gossiping about other people. They were nice to look at though, Felicia with the short hair, wore a white tank top and short frilly skirt that showed off her long, lean legs while Andrea with long, glistening brown hair, wore a lime green shirt over a pair of skinny jeans.

They didn't seem to notice us even thought we came closer and closer. Stealthily, Julias grabbed Felicia from behind and kissed her cheek making her cheeks flush bright red as she took his hand in hers; Pablo snuck up and hugged Andrea and didn't let go for a a short while. George and I just stood there, both of us always feeling like third wheels whenever we were all together. He nudged me as we moved to the counter and whispered, "You would think that you couldn't seperate those four. We might need the Jaws of Life for this." I tried to hold back a laugh. With no success, a small chuckle escaped me. I was hoping they wouldn't hear it, but my bad luck seemed to grasp me tightly that day.

Felicia inquired jeeringly, "Well? What's so funny? Are you laughing about how poor you are again?" I gave her a smirk and shook my head.

Andrea laughed at her snide comment and mockingly said, "Well we can't help it if he's such a loser". Julias and Pablo would always just look away when their teasing started.

Balling my hands into fists, I tried hard not to lash out at them. But Felicia added, provoking me further, "Ooh, look 'Drea, you made him mad… I'm so scared of the Big Bad Mike!". I turned away fast, my anger on the brink of explosion. I knew I couldn't stay any longer, knowing if I did, I could smack them both for the constant insults.

I put my head down and began to walk away with protests from my friends, "Yo man, come back. They were just joking!" I ignored George's pleas. He knew they weren't.

Hot, angry tears began to fall, so I kept my fast pace home, looking forward to the comfort it would have brought me. Feeling someone behind me grab my shoulder, I turned, filled with rage, and my fist seemed to haev led the way. I swung hard and hit the faceless person that pursued me. He didn't go down; he seemed unfazed even though I had punched him with all my might. Julias stared back at me in disbelief, spitting out a bit of blood. I had just hit my best friend! I shuddered at what I had just done.

Mortified, I whispered apologetically, "I… I'm sorry man, I really am". I turned and walked away.

I could hear Felicia crying out, "Oh my God! Look what he did to you! He should be locked up in a cage for this!" Confused, she asked Julias, "Why didn't you kick his ass, Juggy?"

Just as I was about to turn the corner, my best friend replied calmly, "Nah, just let it slide, Babe, didn't want to hurt him."

I tried to shake away what had just happened. My loneliness filled me even more without my friends around. What would happen tomorrow? Would Julias want to get even? Or would he just drop it and forgive me? Knowing him, he would just smack me a little and call it even. Damn it! How could I let those sluts get to me? My anger was always getting the best of me and I needed to control it. But how could I? Why should I? Wasn't it Julias and Pablo's fault for not saying anything, or at least something?

I was barely aware of the direction I was going, since I was moving so swiftly. I began to slow down as I came to the realization that I had somehow managed to make my way into the rich part of town. Distracted, I still kept walking. I saw beautiful, plush houses where the people inside were watching TV, having dinner, or enjoying some sort of family time. It hurt so much to see them so happy. Didn't I deserve to have what they had? Was I born to be miserable and live like crap? This wasn't the life I wanted.
I wanted those rich people's lives! I wanted their happiness! Was that too much to ask?

Was my fate to suffer?

I felt like nothing more than a worthless soul. I thought many things; So why should I continue living? Dying would ease my pain. Yeah, I should put all this to an end. It would help so many people. I will no longer be a burden to them. My mother and my sister would grieve for a while and then they would move on.

On the other hand, the thought of my sister made me think of that dreaded day.. My sister on her knees, my mom next to her holding her as she cried. Then it clicked in my brain, I couldn't do that to them, I couldn't do that to my sister. I couldn't leave her, not me as well. She is the reason I was still here.
Yes, I need to live for her. My life is not mine alone, even if I have to suffer through this, for her, I will do it.

Now that I had my head on straight, I looked around again noticing that I was further away from where I wanted to be. Home was on the other side of town. So I began making my way down one of the streets and began my long walk home. The streets seemed too quiet now that I was paying more attention. Senses now alert, I saw some kind of commotion ahead of me. Though far for my eyes to figure out what was happening, my heart beat a little faster. There seemed to be a few guys bunched together over a woman.

I tried to keep my eyes on the road ahead, but couldn't help but look at the black-suited group in the distance. The girl on the ground seemed to be unconscious. One of the guys hovered over her, the other creeping closer, another still lurking within the shadows. Under the light of the streetlamp, I could see blood pooling all around her. As I drew nearer, I had a horrific feeling of what they had done. Had they killed her? No, it couldn't be. It had to be something else. They're probably just checking to see what happened to her, trying to help her. Just as I was reveling in my denial, the man hovering over her looked up at me. Eyes shining bright red and glaring at me.

His eyes pierced right through me as we stared at one other for a moment. I could feel my blood boiling. My body began to shake as he stood with a sinister smile on his face. I tried to move but my body stood frozen as he began his slow stride towards my drection. My feet wouldn't budge, I couldn't scream either. I could have swore I lost all ability to breathe. Fear paralyzed every inch of me. Then I heard a small voice.

"Run," it said. No, it couldn't be. The girl behind them tried to scream, except all that came out of her was a whispered warning, "Run.. run."

The helpless girl's warning brought me back to my senses. I focused on the man still coming towards me not more than a couple of feet away. My instincts took over and I lunged at the stranger, swinging at him. But he avoided me with ease. Grabbing my hand in motion, he flipped me onto the pavement, on my back. The impact was so strong.

I heard my elbow snap out of place. I screamed out in pain as he pulled me up to face him with fangs bared. I could feel my limp arm dangling on my side. He then kneed me in the gut making me cough out blood. I gasped for breath as he tossed me to the side. I hit the ground with a thud. Curling into a ball, I could hear his footsteps coming closer. When he reached me, he went on kicking me as I coughed out blood.

The other man, farther from me, impatiently spoke, "C'mon, finish him already. I wish to eat, now!" My attacker continued to his barrage of beatings, with the last swift kick, he sent me flying across the street.
Angered, he turned to his buddy "Shut up you fool! He is my feast! I wish to play with him a bit more." It was the last thing I heard them say before I keeled over, succumbing to the intense pain.

"Wake up you perve!", she said. Opening my mind's eye to the vision of the unforgettable girl in my dreams. Beautiful. Her shiny raven hair ran down her shoulders, almost touching the soft curve of her breasts. Even in the daze I was in I could picture her slim, slick body in a swim suit. Who could she be?

"Haven't you had enough dreaming about me, you perve!", she continued. Shaking my head,

"What do you mean?", I asked her.

She tapped my forehead teasingly, "Come on, all you do is dream of me. You could at least get laid or something. But no, all you do is stare at me all night long, so creepy! You should really get a life you know, but for now, all I need is for you to wake up!" She slapped me so hard across the cheek, it brought me back to the middle of the street, where my assailant was with his back to me.

Not being able to see what was going on, I just heard, w2ith the same voice as in my dreams, saying, "David, haven't I told you before? No more hunting in this area."

His maniacal laugh made me tremble in fear, hoping against hope that he had forgotten about me. Defiantly, he answered her, "Monica, you brat! Haven't I told you before that I do not follow your rules? I make my own!"

A low growl emanated from her direction as she emerged from the shadows. Even though my vision was hazy, I looked up to see the stunning woman in my dreams come to life, dressed in a black pullover and black jeans. Even her sneer seemed adorable from a distance. What was she doing here? Surely she knew they would kill her. She looked directly at me, shining me a big smile. Even in the pain I was in, I couldn't avoid grinning sheepishly back at her. How could she appear so chill? I don't know why but somehow, her presence made me feel a bit better, calmer.

In a blink of a second, David pounced on Monica. Fangs exposed and ready to clamp down her neck. But as fast as he was, she was faster, maneuvering effortlessly out of his deadly grip. Following the blurry figures in the night, I couldn't help but notice the gracefulness of their dangerous dance. I was entranced. It came to me slowly, the dreadful realization that this was not only a struggle for which rules were broken, but a struggle between two predators agilely fighting for their prey as well. Me.. But how could this have been? This angelic woman could not be my slayer? It couldn't end like that, I couldn't let that happen. I would not have been just another tool for someone's personal pleasures.

Trying carefully to get up, I grabbed my elbow, pushed it onto the ground for leverage, snapping my dislocated arm back into place. The loud "popping" sound, mixed with my anguished scream of pain. I fell back on all fours. David's two minions stared at me in surprise. The girl, Monica, also seemed curious as she turned her head slightly to me. She goaded David further, "Hmm… You are losing your touch. I mean look, he still stands." She seemed amazed at my perseverance to live.

I wiped my bloodied nose with the back of my hand, trying to get as much blood off so I could breathe better. My view was a little fuzzy as I stared around blankly. Shakily, I propped myself up. Crawling on the ground in which I fell, balled my hands into fists as I tried to push myself up again.

Determined to survive, I said to myself, "I won't let myself be just a meal. It will not end this way." As I said these words, I snuck a glace at the girl who had warned me to run. She no longer moved. Anguish filled me knowing that I had no chance of helping her now. I tried to focus, but there was nothing but light.

"He is not moving, Master," Lucio, David's gray-haired lackey, continued, "You want us to finish him?" A flash of light knocked my senses blind. Then, I breathed the cold night's air as if for the first time. No time to enjoy this though, as I was badly injured once again, because of that tool, Mike.
This was like the time, he was five. Alone and scared of the dark and no one was there to protect him. He heard me then, when I told him I would protect him. Well, he's not alone now. I'll be dealing with his demons again. Why can't he learn how to defend himself? He's such a wimp! One vampire and he manages to get bludgeoned. What a coward! Crouching and taking it like a girl. Well, there's nothing I could do about it now..

David answered Lucio, "Do with him as you wish." Lucio's eyes widened with delight and a huge grin spread across his face at his dark-haired Master's gift.

Lucio rapidly appeared next to me and grabbed my throat. I couldn't help a simper of pleasure as I dug my fingers into his hand, piercing his flesh. He then dropped me. I did not wait for him to react. I hastily kicked him in the face, catching him from behind as he started to fall. I took hold of his jaw and snapped his head off of his body letting them both fall to the ground.

Exhilarated, "Damn! I can't believe these things are so easily dealt with," I roared.

David's face darkened in fear, "What are you?", he asked me with a tremor in his voice.

I cracked my knuckles in acknowledgement, "The name's Wicked, and you don't want to know what I am."

Laughing viciously, I saw the third vampire, who was standing next to a girl in black. He slid into the shadows. I stopped him by putting him under a choke hold. Knuckling the top of his head, I rag on him, "Oh wow, the little boy is frightened of the big bad human. This will look badly to your brothers, a vampire who runs from humans? Kinda sad don't you think?" He didn't budge, but rather clenched his teeth in aggravation.

The girl beside the cowardly vampire giggled in amusement. I looked at her explaining, "Well, you have to understand that we humans are all about self preservation." Her smile stunned me, it made want to chop her adorable little head off. I continued, "You have an annoying laugh you know that".

Her smile faded and clenched her fists, bidding me to answer, "What did you say, Shrimp?"

I laughed at her annoyance, "Who are you calling Shrimp, Shorty?" I persisted, taunting her, "It would take two of you to make a real person, Ha!" She grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it at me. Loosening my choke hold on the third vampire, I let him take the hit. "Wow, very nice aim there", I said sarcastically. "You need a bigger target or what, Shorty?", I added, winking at her, trying to incense her even more. I let go of my shield and looked at her. Her face more serious at the same time confused. This time I noticed her eyes were not as scarlet as the others. Why was she different from them? 'Shorty' was interestingly more skilled than the rest of them too. Plus she didn't seem to be as afraid of me as the others were. My vision began to blur as I stared into her eyes. Never saw her next move until I felt something hit me from behind. My back arched from the intensity of the strike, I passed out mid-flight