Welcome to my story! I'm so happy that you're here to read my work! Before you start please know that I am trying to update this story as much and as soon as possible. If you enjoy or you would like to tell me what's wrong with something please let me know in the comments! Other wise enjoy!

Under The Skin

Austin Kessler

1

"I don't remember much about my time as a kid," Cobie announced to the silhouetted man sitting in front of him. A light behind the man gave out only his black outline. The light that wasn't blocked by the man's body burned into Cobie's eyes.

"You have to realize that you are still a child. How about this, why don't you tell about the events from a couple days ago?" The mysterious man asked. Cobie's mother's still face appeared into mind. It looked like she was asleep, but he knew what he did.

"It . . . It was an accident. I never meant to hurt her, or anyone else." All of a sudden all of their faces flooded in, he couldn't stop it. All the people he hurt, they all invaded his mind.

"We understand that you didn't mean it, Cobie. But, we need to know how this all happened. You're not in trouble, you have to understand that you are not alone."

"What do you mean I'm not alone? I don't care if I'm not in trouble! I killed people! How am I supposed to live with that?" Cobie yelled at the man, tears welling up in his eyes. He pulled against the chains on his wrists, securing him to the metal table.

"We all find a way to cope, Cobie. As for not being alone," he gave a small pause. "You'll find out soon enough."

"I just. . . I just want to sleep. I want to be dead." A sudden wave of depression hit Cobie. All he could hear was the screams from his mother as she fell into his arms. The way she contorted and twisted the foam in her mouth, and the blood coming from her eyes. It all made him sick. He didn't deserve to live. He was a monster. He killed people, and he will never be able to live with that thought.

"Look. Cobie, we know that you're tired, but we cannot allow you to rest until you let us know what happened. It will help you out to remember."

"I already told you that I don't remember anything." Cobie said looking down at his metal bindings. He could almost see the serpent living in his hands.

"It won't do you any good to lie to us. We know that you remember everything. You can remember their faces, every detail right?" Cobie shivered as the tears fell from his eyes.

"I don't want to remember," Cobie said through his sobs. "It hurts so much, I just want to forget." Tears are now streaming from his eyes and falling down onto his hands. He bent his head down onto his hands and prayed for death. A minute or two passed, but to Cobie it felt like hours of him praying for his end.

"Hey there, it's okay to be sad. You hurt people, but it was all an accident. You're safe here." This wasn't the mysterious man. It was softer, gentler, and familiar. Cobie looked up to see the short red head that called out to him in the darkness. She bent down to his eye level.

She's beautiful, Cobie thought. She must be about my age, if not older.

Even though this isn't the first time he's seen this girl, his heart skips a beat when looking into her hazel eyes. Her smile calmed him down and for some reason he forgot all his problems. Even the serpent that swam in him was quite.

She reached out for his hand and he snapped out of his trance. "No! Don't touch me! I don't want to hurt you too!" Cobie pulled against his restraints trying to get away from the hand coming toward him. This can't be happening, he though. He didn't want to hurt another person.

"It's okay, it'll be okay. I promise," she said, snapping Cobie back to looking at her. "It's okay. I can touch you and it won't hurt me. I promise I'll be okay." Cobie closed his eyes not wanting to watch her die. He wished he had the ability to block his ears so that he won't have to listen to it either.

When he felt her hand touch his he braced himself for the shocked scream then the sound of a body hitting the ground. To his surprise, nothing happened.

When Cobie opened his eyes she spoke softly, "You're human, not a monster. And you're scared I get that, but this," she gestured to her hand on his. "This is showing you that you don't have to be afraid, that we are here with you and that you aren't alone. You can tell your story. I'll be here for you the entire time." She then squeezed his hand.

Cobie looked across the table to see that the mysterious man was patently watching the exchange. "Are you ready?" He asked Cobie.

With a glance to his right, Cobie saw the girl's reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'll tell you how it happened."

"Good, know let's begin." The man stated.

"On one condition," Cobie said.

"And that is?"

"Afterwards, you kill me." The girl jumped at the sternness in his voice and the man gave an annoyed sigh.

"Stop being so dramatic, give it time and you'll get over it. We've all killed here. The first time is painful, even scarring. Mine was my wife and kids. We never mean to do it, but it just happens. Learn to live with it and you'll get stronger." The man said with an annoyed tone.

"But-, "Cobie was cut off as sudden pain exploded on his cheek. He looked over to see the girl standing there with tears falling down her face.

"You idiot," She snapped. "Do you think that your mom would want you to die for her? You have the chance to do something great here! Who do you think you are to throw away your life after your mom already gave it for you?"

"You don't understand," Cobie replied.

"Both you and I have killed people close to us. I understand more than you think. You're selfish if you want to die. You just want to escape the pain that you caused and not even try to atone for it. We can give you a better life, were you can learn to be strong and protect those who can't protect themselves. If you die imagine all those who will die because you were too selfish to even live with the burden we all carry."

"What are you talking about? Protect people? Where am I? Who are you guys?" Cobie starting asking questions looking back between the girl and the man.

"This is extremely annoying," the man said. Suddenly the back light was switched off and the LED lights in the ceiling turned on. An older man with gray hair and a worn face leaned forward, put his elbows on the table, and rested his chin on his fists. "My name is Anthony Price. Director of this city's Protector Guild, a secret government organization that protects the city from outside threats using unique talents. Now, because you have developed your talents you will be put into training to become a protector. Every protector has a partner and a team of four that they belong to. We usually wait to assign a partner until you have been acclimated to the other students, but it seems that Taylor has already been chosen as your partner. You can't see it but its there. A bond has been made. That bond cannot be broken now."

"I have so many questions," Cobie said, leaning back into his chair. "Like what do you mean by talent? And what do you protect the city from? And students? What do you mean by all this?"

"A talent is what some people call it. Some call it a power or just simply their gift or ability. We protect the city from those searching to destroy us and other cities looking to take over our land. We run missions to the betterment of our government and city. As for the rest, you'll learn more as you progress." Anthony said with a smile.

Cobie felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Taylor's smile looking down at him. So many smiles after what he just witnessed. "Why should I join you? Why should I help this city?"

"Because," it was Taylor's turn to talk as she started behind him. "You get to fight to protect those who can't themselves. You don't get recognized, but when you see families smiling and loving each other, you know that it's because of you."

"Have you fought before?" Cobie asked looking up at her.

"No, but I've seen the faces of those who do. It's surreal and amazing to see them happy to see other people happy because of their efforts." She gave a cute smile then added something else in. "Oh and another plus is that you get to work with a pretty girl like me."

"I'm glad you're modest." Cobie said with a small laugh and turned to Anthony. Suddenly he was surprised that he just laughed and that he was comfortable with Taylor's hand on his shoulder. With his mind made up, Cobie talked. "I'll tell you what happened, but first I think I'll be okay to be out of these handcuffs." Anthony gave another smile and nodded toward the mirror on the wall. Suddenly the bindings snapped open so Cobie could move his arms. He rubbed his wrists and began to tell his story.