Ch.1 What I've Become
The cold rain ran across my face in fast, erratic patterns. The wind blew with an animosity for anyone who would stupidly dare to be outside at this time of night. My heavy footfalls were drowned out by the sound of thunder rolling through the dark clouds. The only thing besides the inclement weather that I could hear as I sprinted through the downpour was my heavy breathing and pounding heart. The occasional streetlight illuminated my figure and gleamed off the machete tightly gripped in my hand. I slowed for a split second then used the built up momentum to sling the blade straight ahead of me and into the dark. A scream pierced the night and I slowed further into walking speed. A streetlight ahead shown the boy ahead impaled through the leg and crawling away. I took my time to close the distance, watching the figure stop and try to remove the machete. I no longer had to make an effort to smirk since getting one carved into my cheek. The serrated spine proved too painful for the boy to remove on his own and he finally looked back to me again in pure fear. I stood next to him in the pouring rain for a moment before cocking my head to the side.
I pinned his foot to the ground with my heavy boot and yanked the blade out his leg. The scream the kid let out made my ears ring for a few moments as he clutched his knee to his chest and sobbed. The tears and sweat running down his face mixed with the rain; eventually mingling in with the blood that was washed away into the stormy night. I finally reached down with my free hand and picked the boy up off the ground by his neck to silence him. I took the time to finally look him over as he feebly struggled in my iron grasp. He looked somewhere in his late teens or early twenties. The choking sound he made as I looked into his eyes and slowly sunk my machete into his gut suggested otherwise. I wrenched the blade around inside before letting the saw do it's work and pulling the blade up and out him. I tossed his limp and dying body off to the side to rot in a flooded ditch. Looking into the night sky and through the rain I could see the lightning streak across the sky and feel the thunder roll right after. With a deep breath, I took my leave and made the long walk back into the dark woods. The cold mist filled the space in between trees and eventually parted to a few lights in the distance.
I finally had arrived to my adopted home. I made my way to the gate and quickly scaled the tall stone wall next to it. The rock was old and crumbling in spots but had yet to fall to the test of time. The wrought iron gate's black paint was withering and flaking in numerous spots. Rust permeated the surface like a pox. The glossy metallic finish had dissipated long before I ever came here and what was left only seemed to get worse.
I slung myself to other side of the wall and sank ankle deep in the grassy mud and water. I freed myself and slowly walked to the manor door, as my boots gripped and solidified their position in the earth with a squelch for each footfall. I could feel the cold stares from inside the house make their way on my person. The house used to radiate a feeling of fear and uncertainty when I first started staying here. Now it's a welcome change that I've learned to embrace as a part of me.
There is a small bench underneath an overhang to the side of me and I move towards it. I sit in a small puddle that has built up into the seat but pay it no mind. The rain is still coming down in angry sheets and manages to splash onto me every now and again. The anger that's built up inside me for years upon years slowly fades into the back of my being as I look into the reflection of myself on my blade. The water distorts my reflection and for a moment, I see myself from before I had become this… freak. Looking back up into the rain, I see I now have company. The figure moves closer and I see a girl amble towards me with a slight sway in her step. The girl has a white mask that compliments the black of her hair. The mask has black paint in the form of makeup to emulate a beautiful face. She wipes a spot of water off next to me and sits quietly for what feels like an eternity. She finally turns to me and says, "I know you've told me your story before but I'd like to hear it again if you don't mind. I know it helps make you feel better."
My carved smirk stretches as I lick my wet lips and reach down into my memories once more.