Chapter Ten

"Don't give me your hand,

I can't trust myself, so how can you trust me?" – Avenged Sevenfold 'Demons'

We were sitting on the couch. We were so terribly, awkwardly silent that I wanted to scream. I was so confused! What exactly had happened? Was I going insane? We sat completely still, holding hands.

I figured that awkward conversation would be better than no conversation. I asked "So. . . how's the corn?" Instantly, I regretted it. "How's the corn?" What idiot would ask that? Me, apparently.

"It's fine, just as was promised," he said. I don't know what he thought of my foolish question. Did he think I really cared?

"Well, I was going to make a corn joke, but they all seemed too corny. Get it? Corny?" I chuckled. Something was wrong with me; I didn't know what it was. I felt like, for some strange reason, I had to make the boy next to me laugh. Let me tell you something : the old Malachai would have laughed no matter how lame my joke was.

He shot me a glare. I started to laugh, not at the joke, but at his serious reaction. Before I knew it, I was erupting with laughter. I laughed so hard that I was crying. Or was I crying because I was laughing and I thought I didn't deserve to?

Anyway, when I finally stopped, Malachai asked "Are you done?" To which my response was more laughter.

It seemed as if he was always angry and would be for all eternity. I had tried so hard to lighten his attitude, and I wondered what could have made him change so drastically.

"We need a set of ground rules," he said. That was a lot like him. Order and structure where he was the king was what he wanted.

"And what would those be?" I asked quietly. I was changing. Why?

"You have to make dinner," he said.

"You have to try to make conversation," I suggested. I didn't know what this conversation would eventually turn into. If I had, I would have stopped right there.

"You have to start listening," he said accusingly.

"I do listen!" I objected.

"Not as well as you think you do. You have selective hearing, Kara. If there's something you don't want to face, you completely ignore it," slowly, his voice began to escalate.

"That is not true!" I yelled.

"Yes it is! You know it, too. You just don't want to hear it!"

"I don't want to hear it? What about you? Can't you see what you're doing here?" I meant the killings. I meant the slaughter. I meant everything. I don't know what he thought I meant though.

I didn't want to face it, but he was right. In the weeks to come, I would understand. But I was still a child and UI was still stubborn.

"I do as He commands!" Malachai screamed.

"He? He? Who 'He'? God? There is no god!" I screeched.

He looked me in the eye and he said "What did you just say?" in a slow, angry tone. I knew he was beyond mad, and I knew that this time, he wouldn't be able to forgive me.

AN: Sorry for such a long wait! Again, I mention religion. I don't mean to offend anyone, so please don't get mad for what Kara says. If you want the truth, I'm Catholic, so I do believe in God. I don't judge anyone, though.

Can you guys believe that it's ten chapters? Double Digits! Whoo!

Can I ask you guys something? I'm wondering about my writing style. I was just wondering if you guys could tell me (based on this story) how old you think I am. I know it's a weird question, but if you guys answer, I promise I'll write faster! If one person answers, I'll write this for 10 minutes a day. If two people, 20 minutes. See where I'm going? I just feel like you guys aren't really answering my questions, but I really need to know this one.

I would like to thank everyone for the reviews! The next chapter will be coming up soon! Review again?