Author's note: If you get emotional easily, don't read… I'm a really sadistic person, so watch out!

I don't own Free! Though I want to… -_-

Haru just wanted to be free. He wanted to not be a burden anymore, so he did.

Haru wanted to find a way out of this. If only he could.

Everyday, there was a crunching feeling in his heart. But when there wasn't that feeling, it was a stabbing pain.

His entire body ached.

He was tired.

Everyone else was tired of him, too.

So he did something about it. Or at least Haru tried to.

Haru was abused, and couldn't find a way out of it. His mother was one of the most influential woman in business terms, and her name only could leave people shaking in fright.

So why was Haru hated so much? He wished he knew. But Haru knew those were just excuses.

He was worthless. Or at least that was what okaa-san said.

Haru could still remember all the words that stung like a fresh wound.

"If only you were worth all that time."

"Haruka, you're such a burden. Don't ever forget that, you hear?!"

"Die. You don't even deserve to go to hell."

Every night, Haru wouldn't sleep. His body wouldn't allow him. A million thoughts would run through his mind, complaining about all the work they've done for him with nothing in return.

But this night was special. At first, it was his daily schedule. Be whipped awake, slapped, clean up. No breakfast, of course. He didn't deserve food. Go to school, come back with a slap kick to the face as a greeting.

But then it went too far.

"Haru~" His mother crooned, a knife in her hand. "I saw your report card today~"

Haru gulped. The knife glimmered threateningly in her hand.

Okaa-san's tone changed drastically. "You worthless son," She growled, a glint in her eyes that made him shudder with fright. "why won't you just die? How are you going to make me proud when you can't pass a single class?!"

She lunged forward, stabbing him in the arm and laughing with delight. "Even Makoto won't like you, and he's the only one you can trust with your deepest, dark secrets~" She crooned, blood dripping slowly down the knife.

Drip.

The constant drip of the blood made Haru woozy with pain. His eyes were empty, the beautiful ocean swirls disappeared, replaced by a murky navy. Makoto couldn't hate him… could he?

Nagisa and Rei don't talk to you… A sinister voice said in his mind, making him even more discouraged.

So why wouldn't Makoto?

Haru ran upstairs, his eyes glassy with tears. Slamming the door and locking it, he huddled into the corner. He slid a shaky hand under his small bed, under the carpet, and pulled out a sharp metal dagger. Taking his shirt off, he traced small patterns onto his flesh, his whole body stinging with pain. But it wasn't enough.

Haru held the knife above his stomach, and hesitated.

But no one would care.

So he stabbed.

And for the last time, Haru smiled.