A short story! I'm really just bored so it just seems appropriate to make this! Sorry for taking you away from the read! here ya go!

A rythmatic beat takes hold in my chest as the world around me fades to black. Being here - while it is by force - feels like a wonderful invitation to something more, something others can't grasp and would never be able to. If anyone were to just take a small peak behind the curtains after the concert they would know what lies in my head, what festers in my brain and makes it rot. A sickness of sorts with no cure and the little voice there is slowly killing me.

The red demon sits, he taunts me from his elegant chair while a broken record plays with a tune familiar to my ears that I can't put my finger on. I know the melody as it loops then is drowned out in the static, I've heard it before and not being able to name it is almost like torture. The anxious feeling it gives me makes me want to crawl out of my skin, tear out my soul and just wear it out of my body like a medal.

I have a slight confession; I brought this on myself and I will always be this tortured soul that I am now. Cloaked in shadows, ran by a demon, and black blood seems to want to become me. When others see me in the crowd next to my Meister with a smile gracing my lips they must think it's easy for me to deal with what is inside of my head but they don't know the agony of it.

They only see one side of me that I keep calm and cool to please the crowd but my other side is the one tearing itself apart.

Just one little being haunts me, controls me, dictates my life. I have control but when I'm weak emotionally or physically I am prey. So yeah... I'll deal with the suffering and I'll play the tune he wants me to play in trade for her safety.

So many claim they would give up their life for the person they cherish most but you never see them do such a thing and here I am - a perfect example of a fool trying to save a life and live to see it prosper. I will give up everything now that I have such a reserve. But soon enough my clock will tick down, my soul will bleed out leaving me a husk waiting to be filled.

I'll try to tell her not to worry, not to fret about me, she shouldn't have to deal with my problems.

I walk through the haze of the room watching my feet as they shuffle around in the attempt to make some sort of progress. I let the broken record guide me, take me to places people could never even have a nightmare of. Through the thickness of darkness ahead of me I see a small light flicker on illuminating our source of connection. It's figure is sleek and shines in the dim light making my fingers ache with antisipation to press the perfect keys.

I reach my seat and sit down in front of the massive piano that let's me turn my music into a gift for one and a curse for another. I find myself smiling slightly as I prepare to play, I smile because I know he is watching me... He is always watching me. Watching every piece of life I drain out of myself to sustain hers. If this black blood never bled into my body this wouldn't be possible. Call me sick all you want but I'm glad it happened.

With a deep breath I vent out all of my frustrations. With my eyea closed I find solace. With my heart opened I find warmth in the person I care for. With my soul worn on my sleeve I am just waiting for it to be snatched.

I allow everything within me out on the keys and what is heard mends broken hearts and tears them down all at once with the bone rattling echoes of each note.

The sounds are warm, the message is present, the feelings are vibrant with cruel intentions. The song echoes in the endless cavern stirring those of the underworld awake.

Every piece of my body feels like it's melting and being pieced away. Each note I play is just another note that destroys me... And-

This... I inhale deeply but do not dare to exhale... This is my curse.

"Soul?" A small voice asks in curiosity breaking me free from the prison that I call my mind.

I freeze with my fingers still pressed against the warm keys and slowly open my eyes to see my Meister standing above me in the safety of our home. I give her a small smile even though it is one of plastic.

My body feels like it is about to burst from some unseen pressure and it seems she can sense the haunting ghost latched onto my soul.

Every step taken is another one in the wrong direction. I told myself I wouldn't become like this but yet here I am slowly losing my mind. I'll cherish the memories I've made in hopes that when my soul perishes they will all remember me in their memories. Just like I've said; I will give up anything and everything just to keep her safe even if it's my life. But what will happen when I'm gone?