So, this will be a story of my drabbles and unfinished stories that I just want to get out there, for the hope of finishing them off, or having someone else get inspired by them.
Words should be banished, Tori thinks, looking at her sad group of friends.
Cat, broken down by the bipolar remarks and comments on how she's dumb.
Robbie, who bullied himself with his puppet, Rex, but just wanted to be liked.
Beck, who got a big head when all the girls fawned over him and messed up big time.
Jade, hardened by the facts of life too early, by harsh words and poverty.
Andre, who just lost it one day because no one would listen to his hints.
And Tori herself, hiding under the covers at night, listenin to her parents scream words too harsh to repeat to each other, until finally they left, one physically, and one mentally.
Even Trina had been beaten down. She had just wanted to shine, but everyone criticizing her and demeaning her became too much.
Words were the cause of all this... this.. madness.
Why had they done it? Tori couldn't even remember how, let alone why.
What was the thing that had shoved them over the edge, so hard that they never got the chance to hold on?
Tori blamed the words, Cat blamed her weakness, Robbie blamed the voices, Beck blamed the people, Jade blamed the life, Andre blamed himself, and Trina blamed the stress.
Tori didn't shine anymore, Cat didn't smile, Robbie didn't joke, Beck just didn't. Jade didn't care, Andre let go. And Trina didn't try.
Surprisingly, Trina was the best at hiding it. The guilt, the pain, the terror. The dizziness, the lack of breath, the hurt.
Well, that's what everyone thought. Until one day she left them so completely that they knew they'd never be able to get her back.
And then it was just the 6 of them. The gang, people used to call them. They didn't feel much like a gang anymore.
Surprisingly, Jade cracked second. The tough girl just caved, suddenly not caring enough to think. It was then that the whole group tore apart. If even the tough girl couldn't save herself, who could? This was someone who had spent years perfecting herself and her attitude, just to rip the image to shreds and not even care. Nobody knew why, and everybody was too absorbed in themselves to try and find out.
And then there were 5 injured marionettes, playing a part in a play that wasn't theirs.
Tori still remembers the day, not long afterwards, they took Robbie, kicking and screaming, taking his puppet, his life, from him and putting him away. For good. She wasn't there, but it sure feels like she was. She can still hear Rex sometimes, making smart remarks and leering at any girl who passed by. It pains her to know that she knew a puppet better than it's owner. Well, it would if she felt that much anymore.
And then 4 cracked dolls were left, their insides rotting and nobody noticing.
Fourth, there was Andre, whose 'mild' OCD and wackiness transformed into something completely different. He was just like his grand mother. His music turned screechy and shrill, and he left too. Where? He whispered it into her ear the day before, burning her eardrum, scarring her heart. She'd never tell, but it haunted her.
And then there were 3 empty figurines, no longer burst at the seams.
Beck just lay in his RV one day, never waking up. She heard how his parents called the cops instead of an ambulance, because their son wouldn't do that. They might not have seen the signs, but they were there.
And then two little puppets lay limp on their strings.
Cat burned out next, done with the world. Her lights flickered out, and her voice quieted at last. Tori couldn't even remember her laugh anymore. The redhead's last act? Dying her hair black.
And then there was one, broken little girl.
Tori sunk down into the water, her eyes closed. She blew out her last breath, a bubbled 'sorry' out, her lungs burning. Nobody heard Tori Vega die, and it was easier that way.
And then? There were none.