Chapter fourteen:
Sides
Sadie was a real sweet girl, she showed me around the most important places. She kept talking and talking and I just listened. Her skin was soft and silken like a flower, a rose or a cherry blossom. I watched her lips move as she spoke to me. She had a light lilt to her voice, an accent almost…I just couldn't place it. I looked at all the interesting areas she wanted to show me. When we got down to the dining hall, I couldn't help but stop. A voice lingered within the hallway's a voice that sounded too beautiful not to listen too. I closed my eye and listened intently. The woman's voice was high pitched, but low…sweet yet melodic. Slow, but at a steady pace, following a piano. Sadie saw my attention be drifted from her and to the dining hall.
"Ah! That's where the Queen preforms every night after her hunt. Beautiful isn't it?" She asked, and I nodded. It was such a sound I had never heard before. A voice so unique it stopped me flat. Breaking free from Sadie's grasp, I opened the door. The lights were dimmed and on the stage that red haired goddess sat on the piano. Her painted lips moving, my eye caught the bright glimmer of the locket that laid on her skin. She was completely clear of blood, but I could see her pale complexion being painted that beautiful crimson color. Her green eyes were illuminated by the stage light, her face held no expression, her eyes held them all…a story waiting to be told. And her voice pelted the soul she no longer held. There was something about the Queen that didn't settle right within my stomach. What it was I couldn't tell.
Soft hands took my own, and I was being pulled again.
"Come on newbie, I don't want Smiley to get mad at me. You need to be back to bed." She pulled again, my eye looked at her. Her face flashed jealousy.
"Are you jealous Sadie?" I asked, she gave me a look as if issuing a challenge.
"No. I don't want to be re-killed by the good Doctor. He has a thing for women." She pulled me again, forcing me to follow her.
"Besides, if the king see's you out of bed, he'd think you're ready to work. Which personally I don't think you are. You may not feel anything, but your body is still your body. It can only take so much before you collapse. I should know." She pulled me again and I followed sighing.
"I wouldn't mind working, killing things sounds fun. I need something. This hollowness is boring me." My shoulders sagged. She gave me a look.
"Are you telling me, that you don't feel anything at all? Not a single thing?" She asked.
"I can feel you touching me. But I don't feel any type of happiness, pain…but, I do feel this deep hollow anger." I replied. She kept pulling and I followed.
"Besides, who was the Queen before she became the perfect monster?" I asked, Sadie shrugged.
"I'm not too sure. Just a human that caught the king's interest. Apparently she had some fucked up past, he wanted her and he took her." We went back up the spiraling staircase. The castle wasn't huge, but it did have a lot of floors and was very simplistic. I could manage these halls without any issue. The Queen's voice stuck in my head, I could hear the fading voices and I looked over my shoulder.
"You don't remember anything? Not even your human name?" She asked me, and I replied with a light grunt.
"Nope. Not a thing." I replied. The question she asked me next threw me off.
"Does it bother you any?"
"Does what bother me?" I replied.
"Not remembering anything. Does it bother you?" She asked me. I gave a light shrug. She only gave me a half smile before opening the medical bay door.
"It bothers me, sometimes certain things give me this feeling…and next thing I know, I see another dead body at my feet and I'm crying. Why I'm not sure." She ushered me to the bed, and I laid down. I didn't even feel tired. I stared up at the stone ceiling. Thoughts played throughout my head.
How the hell did I get here? Why am I here? Is this punishment for what I did before? My brows knitted together.
What the hell did I do anyway? Sadie was pulling the blanket up to my chest. I gave her a light smile, and her face flushed a light pink again.
"You know, I don't understand how someone as pretty as you ended up committing suicide." I nestled in the bed and she only gave me a quick glance.
"It's a long story that I can't remember. I wish I did, I would tell you." She gave me a sad smile. Smiley walked back from an office in the off corner. I just kept looking at the ceiling.
"Do I have to be put to sleep?" I asked him. Sadie gave him another look.
"You don't feel tired do you?" He asked me, and I shook my head no.
"That's why I have to put you to sleep. You don't feel fatigue, hunger, or thirst." He brought a syringe out, placing it to the side of my neck.
"Tell me, what do you feel newbie?" He asked, I took a deep breath in.
"Hatred for someone."
…
My heels click clacked on the pavement as I walked down the street, headphones pulsating music through my ears. My mind kept moving elsewhere. I couldn't concentrate. The newbie had looked vaguely familiar to me. Where I had seen him, I couldn't quite remember. The last hunt I was on was a quick one, relatively dissatisfying to say the least. Tossing my long hair over my shoulder, my eyes gauging the oncoming crowds. The last place I worked at was a dump, where I was heading to next was a higher end nightclub. A place I could find another suitor. Someone who would put up more of a fight, someone I could wrestle with before putting and end to their miserable existence. The hollow hole within my heart was cold, empty…but the deep seething rage that laid within it kept me going. The emptiness kept me from not wanting to wake up every damn day. The rage made my blood boil, men needed to be punished, women needed to suffer. The human race, deserved to end. They were disgusting pigs who did nothing but harm those less fortunate.
Clenching my fists I felt my knuckles crack. It was the least I could do. Pick the weak ones first, then go for the bigger fish. Tonight however, I wanted a challenge. I wanted something that would give me a rush. I may have looked like an angel I was anything but. I was a she-devil. A monster, a creature seeking out the cool water of death, to put the fire of rage out.
Even just for a moment.
I wanted that soothing coolness that came with adrenalin high. Seeking it out like a moth to a flame. I wanted…no, I needed the relief. Even for a moment.
Zalgo put the fire out by being near him, he made it bearable. Just enough for me to get through the night. Being away from him however, was a different story. I needed that rush, that sudden jump into cold water.
A single flash of blue, I was face to face with a man in a black suit and tie. He was eyeing me with those hungry eyes. He smelt of crap cologne, with an underlying scent of tobacco. He had day old stubble and his gums were a pale pink. He was a bigger dude underneath that suit; the way he spoke and moved reminded me of someone…someone who had pissed me off a long time ago. So long ago that it felt far away, a distant memory of a previous life.
"If you don't move, I'll slit your throat." The purr that came from my lips must've made something come unhinged in him. The feral look within his blue eyes made the rage boil.
"Sweetie you don't look like you could do anything to me. You're so tiny." He was reaching out to me, his hand was fast wrapping around my throat. My arms were at my sides, people were passing by with their heads hung low. Whispering amongst themselves.
Another reason to kill them all…
"I'm not playing with you sweet cheeks. You look like you know how to have fun. So, why don't we have a little fun?" His breathe smelt of old garlic and vinegar, as if he hasn't brushed his teeth for a few months. I lifted my chin, staring into his eyes.
"Do you know what they say about a cornered animal right?" I spoke, his fingers wrapped tighter around my throat.
"They attack without word."
My hands were quick, hitting him right on the inside of his elbow. He lost all feeling to his hand, his fingers unlocked around my throat. My other hand, palm out struck him directly in his throat striking his Addams apple. The man grabbed his throat, coughing. Choking. His eyes looked at me, the same scathing hatred that I felt.
Still, the cool wash of death didn't touch me. I felt the rage boil deeper than before. Humanity disgusted me. Humans were a waste of space. They were the real monsters, not me. Not Sadie, or my new family. We were the lost souls that were fortunate enough to find Zalgo, whom out of the kindness of his heart showed us what the real monsters were, and to send us out to end their miserable existence. We, were created for a reason. That reason was to rid the world of the real monsters.
"What do you value your life?" I asked him, his face turned a darker shade of purple while his lips turned blue. He began to collapse onto his knees. I bent over to him, my eyes staring him down. Within his glossed over glass eyes, I saw my own. They were a bright iridescent green, just empty. Soulless. I was still as beautiful as ever. Only an empty shell.
"Was it the same price that those young girls paid?" I whispered. Realization crossed his face.
"How about those little boys? Do you value your life at the price of their dignity?" I hissed.
People kept walking by us, not noticing a thing.
I hate them.
Kicking his side, he rolled over onto his back gasping for air. Tilting my head I placed my spiked heel to his throat, I placed the lightest of pressure. His hands grasped my ankle, broken nails dug into my skin.
"What about those prostitutes you killed? Hm? Did you think, just because they were what they were, they didn't matter? That they had no one who would miss them?" I pressed harder, he gasped.
"They did. All of them did." I felt his broken Addams apple give.
"You're worse than me."
I stomped as hard as I could, the sound of skin breaking and him coughing made goosebumps rise against my skin. I kept staring straight ahead, it was just another body to add to the count. Another pest extinguished. Another cockroach squashed.
I pulled my heel right from his throat, the blood rushed to the surface and spilled over. As he tried to breathe, I listened to the whistling of his windpipe. I stared down at him, watching the crimson puddle underneath his head.
"How does it feel, to have no one stop to help you? Even as you cried out for it?" I rubbed my heel on his crappy suit. He kept scratching at his throat, to attempt to stop the bleeding. I felt a smile creep to my lips.
"No one will ever help you. No matter how deep in the water you go, no one will toss a life preserver." A shiver of pleasure spilt through my spine. I watched as he began to gradually stop twitching, the life began to leak from his eyes.
"I hope you enjoy hell. My husband will certainly take his time with you. You filth." Brushing my hands on my crimson dress. I pulled my purse close to my person, stepping over his cooling corpse. My heels click clacking against the swarming streets.
They would've seen nothing. The people worked like a hive mind. And I their Queen. They will all die by my hand. Whether it be slow, fast, painful, painless…however I see fit. They would all be punished. I may not remember what had happened to me…but the pain was there. Deep-seated within the rage, it was there. Underlying and underneath all that rage. It was waiting. And I was frightened of it. I didn't want to feel that pain anymore. It would be torture to feel it all over again. Deep inside me however, a sick need wanted to feel it again. To see if it was real, or if it was a figment of my imagination. Something, that I had believed was there, but wasn't…
You're crazy Faylen, there's nothing there. It's your mind playing tricks on you. I placed my hand to my throat, feeling the locket that laid against my skin. It had been there for as long as I could remember.
Zalgo was honest, telling me he had given it to me when I first came here. But why? What's the importance of it? The people walked by, a woman screamed at the corpse.
Yet they would see nothing, and not remember me. I was the normalcy within the world of craziness and the sanest person within the world of insanity. No one would've remembered a redhaired woman wearing a dark crimson dress with green high heels that had a splatter of blood.
No.
No one would remember me.
Because I was never there.
A shadow.
That's all I've become. Unless I had wished to be seen. All the police would know, was that he had a broken windpipe and a deep laceration to his throat.
Why would I care anyway? I have a goal that's been set, and an interview in ten. No more diddle dawdling. Tossing my hair over my shoulder once again, I kept my head raised, chin high and eyes forward. Tonight was going to be a beautiful horror show.
…
"You! Newbie wake the hell up!"
Jerking from the deep sleep, I opened my eye and looked at the large horned man standing above me. I blinked my eye twice before groaning. I felt the remnants of a dream hanging above me, within the fog of a memory that I had. Doctor Smiley was sitting a desk writing, I swung my feet off the bed. I couldn't remember getting dressed, or falling asleep. I just remember the thumping of hate within my temples and the lingering sense of dread that hung deep within my stomach. I rubbed my eye and looked at the man again.
"I think you slept enough, is he okay to start work Smiley?" The man asked, Smiley gave a wave.
"Just make sure he doesn't do anything too strenuous." He replied.
"He doesn't feel pain, fatigue, hunger, thirst or really anything. Just make sure he doesn't over do it. I want to make sure he heals properly." He looked up from his paper.
"Because I'm going out tonight. I need to hunt." He leaned back on the chair and the big man nodded.
"No issue there." He replied.
His neon eyes looked back at me, while I looked at him. My heart was thumping so hard in my chest I could hear it in my head. I felt the deep hatred to him, this man. The king. But why? Why him? What had he done to me, to make me feel this?
Frustration.
I felt frustration creep into the back of my skull. There was something else there, other then the bullet that went through my brain. I placed my feet on the ground and stood to him. He was powerfully built and emitted the sense of dread and intimidation on anyone.
Anyone but me.
I felt my heart pound, and my stomach sink. It was him. The King.
I wanted to take my hands and wrap them around his throat.
I couldn't.
My body wouldn't allow me. I just bowed at my waist and returned to normal.
What the fuck?! I screamed mentally.
"I need you in the throne room. We have a line of souls that needs execution. Think you can do that?" He asked me. I nodded.
"Yes sir." I replied.
No! That's not what I want to say! I felt dead. I couldn't control a single thing that came from my mouth. Not while he was around. He cracked a grin, and I saw his shark like teeth. His face contorted, became elongated his entire skin flashed black. He had multiple eyes and horns that went down his skull. Multipole mouths appeared throughout his entire body. He was gargantuan towering over me, his head almost hitting the ceiling. He was immense.
"Are you afraid of me now?" The voice I once heard before was nothing more than a gurgling noise within his throat. This creature that was in front of me…was the real devil. Not a demi god, not a demon. But the legit devil.
And I still felt nothing but hatred.
"Yes sir." It came out flat. Dead. Empty.
I was furious with myself. The room filled with the scent of death and sulfur. I was in no control around him, only around other things like me. I bowed my head, he returned what he once was.
"Good. Now come."
He left and I followed behind him not without hearing Smiley speak before I closed the door.
"You really don't feel a damn thing, do you?"
…
The music was thumping in my ears making them hurt. It was loud and thundering, people were dancing. Grinding against each other. Making me sick to my stomach. If this is where I was going to be working, I wanted to make it quick. The women were dressed in such little clothing, it left little to the imagination, and the men had such a sickly sweet scent that it made my head hurt. I felt a gag work its way up to my throat. The song ended and went into a more fast paced one.
As if I thought that was even possible, I was proven wrong yet again. This night club was supposed to be the high end, and most well known place in the city…it was known to the younger crowd. Not someone my age. Someone who was old enough to be these kid's mother.
Where the hell did that come from? I thought, shaking my head lightly I went to the back of the room to the bar. A woman stood behind it making another cocktail, her uniform was a skimpy tight silver dress that reflected any and all light. The bar was glass, and you could see her shapely legs and heels.
Her feet must be killing her. I know mine are after a few hours standing in those. I looked away from the bar, eyes were staring at me. Where, I couldn't tell. I could feel it…the hairs were standing on the back of my neck.
I turned to look back at the woman, she looked at me. She had a pretty smile, and her eyes were a soft brown. She had a few pimples on her face, which told me this place hired underaged girls.
Perfect. More reason to murder the entire race.
I gave the girl my best smile, and offered the best voice I could muster.
"Hi. My name's Faylen and I had an interview with the owner." The girl immediately fell under my spell and she nodded.
"Give me one moment ma'am and I'll run and grab him." She looked over to the woman beside her.
"Hey Kim, this lady has an interview. I'm going to grab the boss. Cover me for a minute?" The girl named Kim gave the younger girl a nod.
Kim didn't look much older then I with pretty brown hair, her legs weren't as shapely as the other girl. But her face and bust made up for that. The dress was extra tight on her. That deep sick feeling came back into my stomach. I couldn't stand how they were being objected. I would make their death quick and painless. Something I normally wouldn't do. However, since they've done nothing wrong…I couldn't punish them too bad.
A moment passed by, the young girl came back. A man followed behind her, staring at her rear. The sickness went deeper in my stomach.
Men…disgusting. I gave him my best smile, and instantly I had him. He waved me back. The young girl thanked Kim and gave me a look.
"Good luck Ma'am!" She waved.
I felt a hint of something strike my chest. She looked so young…and…somehow familiar. As if I've seen those eyes before. They were the softest of brown, and her face was heart shaped. For a moment it made me stall…as if I've seen her before. I felt a buzzing in my skull, and this time it wasn't the music screaming in my ears. It was something else. Something…
"Ma'am?" The man said, I turned to look at him and gave him my best smile.
"I'm sorry sir, what's that young girls name? I want to make sure I give her a big tip tonight." I placed my hands in front of me, squeezing the purse so tight I felt the plastic give.
"Oh? Kim?" He asked, I shook my head.
"No, the brown eyed, black haired girl." I pointed to the young girl who had helped me before.
"That's Arora, she's new. Just started last week. Just turned nineteen. Normally I don't hire underage girls, but I know her mom very well and I wanted to give her a good starting job. She does an amazing job." He gave me a smile, and placed his hand at my lower back.
My stomach heaved. I didn't want him touching me. He was disgusting…
"Thank you, I want to make sure she gets good tip is all…" I kept looking at her.
Something was just too familiar about her…something I couldn't put my finger on…
…
I stood next to him in the throne room, waiting. He made me put on a simple tuxedo, black on black on black. I guess because of the blood. He didn't want it to stain anything white. I didn't know.
"Alright, here's your weapon. Normally I give everyone a choice. You. I think it fits. Hold out your hand."
I held out my hand, and he dropped a simple. 9x19 mm Parabellum Glock handgun. It was small enough to fit into the palm of my hand, and light enough to toss up and down. There was a vague sense of familiarity with it. Not much.
"There's hollow point ammo in it. That way when the bullets-"
"When the bullets strike it flattens on impact. I know." I replied, pulling the top back chambering a around. My eyes looked at him, I saw my green eyes reflected in his. They were hollow…a glimmer of something sparked. He looked away from me, grunting.
"So, you know your guns." He turned and sat down on his throne. I was standing next to it. Waiting.
"Bring in the first one executioner." I gave him a nod heading to the door. With a swing of my hand a young girl fell through. She was shaking, she had short hair and blood dripped from her throat.
"Why are you hear child?" The king asked, the girl looked up at him and she screeched. Her hands went to her throat.
"I don't know…" She whispered.
"What do you mean you don't know?" He asked, she kept shaking her head.
"I was attacked from the back-"
"The truth!" I snapped, the girl looked up at me her eyes went blank.
"I killed him. I killed that cheating bastard!" She screamed, the anger flourished within her eyes. Her breathing became ragged as she hollered. The pain was so real within her eyes, I felt pity for her. I had never been there myself, so I wouldn't have understood the real pain she was in. I just shook my head at her.
"I caught him cheating with my best friend. I killed them both. I stabbed them thirty eight times with a kitchen knife. Then I sliced my own throat." She started to giggle.
"It was so exhilarating…watching them squirm with each thrust of the knife. The only thing I didn't like was the screaming. Her screaming made me feel that much worse…still, I enjoyed it when he screamed." Her hands dropped to her lap, her laughter died to a soft sob.
"There was nothing worse then catching them together, in my bed…in my home."
Her tale of woe did nothing to soothe the hole within my chest.
"I must tell you something young girl. There's much worse then what you've been through." I looked over to the big man who nodded.
"Turn away from me." I ordered, the girl looked at me. I placed the gun out, and her eyes filled with fear.
"How are you going to kill something that's already dead?" She asked me, I finally felt a smirk.
"Like this…"
The gun jumped in my hand. Her body fell, leaving ash behind. There was nothing left of the weeping murderess. Just the ringing within my ears of the gunshot. The big man nodded his head.
"I guess you have a way with getting the truth out of the souls." He chuckled lightly.
"Bring the next one in executioner."
I looked to the pile of ash before pushing the door open again.
A man walked through, he didn't look different. He looked normal. No blood, no gunshot wound, or knife wound. I kept looking his face over, only his lips were tinted blue and his eyes were rimmed yellow. There was nothing else I could see that was off. He stood in front of me, then looked to the big man.
"So, this is hell?" He asked, the big man gave a shrug of his shoulders.
"Depends on who you ask. What sent you here?" He asked, the man looked to me then back to him
"Personally I don't quite remember." He scratched the back of his head. The big man looked at me and I nodded. He was telling the truth, I could tell he was. There was no sense of him lying. He crossed his arms, and tapped his foot. He closed his eyes trying to think. He raised his finger.
"Ah, I remember. I killed my family." He looked at the big man, whom tilted his head.
"And do tell why."
The man gave him another look over.
"Depends, are you going to believe me?" He asked, Zalgo gave a light nod.
"Perhaps." He replied.
The man scratched his arm lightly.
"The voices told me to do it. They said that if I did I would be able to become immortal. That I would have unimaginable power and that the pain would stop. I wouldn't have to worry about the addiction or getting another high." He had a lopsided grin that struck me as funny.
"They told me that a man of higher power would grant me anything in the world, that I wanted…if I killed them."
Zalgo seemed interested, I kept the gun ready to fire.
"And how did you kill them?" He asked, the man gave another smile.
"Arsenic." He replied.
"And do you hear the voices now?" Zalgo asked, the man shook his head no.
"No I don't, they've been silent since I came here. And I don't understand why it did that." He replied, Zalgo sighed softly.
"We've had enough of you come through too. Family wipeouts are quite common…you claim you hear voices, when there really wasn't any. Let me guess, you saw a film of red after your wife did something you didn't like?" He asked, the man nodded and my stomach lurched forward. It was a lie. I looked at the big man and shook my head no. Zalgo cleared his throat.
"Tell me again, did you see a film of red after your wife did something you didn't like." He leaned back, waiting. The man shrunk into himself. Typical for a liar. I stepped to the man kicking the back of his knee, he fell forward with a yelp.
"Was there another woman? A woman who told you to leave your wife and family, or she would leave you?" I asked him, the gun placed to the base of his skull. The man cried out.
"Yes! Yes! Please don't shoot me!" He cried.
I looked to Zalgo who nodded.
"Do it."
I pulled the trigger, the man turned to ash. Dissipating into nothing. I thought there would've been a thrill…but there was nothing. Putting these souls out of their misery and putting them where they should've been…filing them…as if they were nothing more than a-
"Newbie." His voice floated over to me, I blinked. Bringing the gun back to my side looking at him.
"You're doing a good job. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"How am I feeling? I feel nothing." I replied.
I hate you, you condescending mother fucker…I'll kill you.
…
"So, miss…?" He looked at me, and I flashed him my smile.
"Velvet." I replied, he gave me a look and I smiled.
"My parents are strange I know." I placed my chin on my hand, looking at the martini that sat in front of me. He was trying to charm his way to me. But that hollowness made me hyperaware of my surroundings.
"Velvet, you're here for the lead singer position?" He asked, and I nodded again.
"Yes sir." I leaned back on the chair, his eyes looked me over. I felt disgusted.
"And why should I hire you?" He questioned. I flashed a smile and looked at him.
"Because I'd give you one hell of a show." I replied, he chuckled.
"Said everyone that came through here…" He leaned forward, he placed his hand on my knee.
"You expect to just get this job by walking in here, thinking you're hot shit…what would I get in return if I give you this job?" He asked. That throb deep within my core made me want to lash out. I took a deep breath in and sighed.
"How about…a little show?" His fingers tapped on my knee, I glanced from his hand up to his face. My smile faded and my eyes grew blank.
"Is that how you gave Arora her job? Did you really know her mother?" I asked, his own smile faltered.
"Of course I knew her mother, and her mother doesn't know what she did to get this job." His hand tightened around my knee.
"Just like no one else will know what will happen between us…if you don't let them know." He leaned forward his lips close to mine.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I whispered, a gentle purr. He laughed.
"Oh honey, I'll give you the best time of your life."
I reached into my purse, pulling out a tube of lipstick. Using my thumb I popped the top off.
"Doubtful…" I brought my hand up at an arc, the blade cut through his throat and the bones of his hand like butter. I flashed him a smile, while giggling.
"What do you say…`Sweetie' do I have the job?" The man gagged, looking at his two missing fingers. Beautiful blood coursed down his throat.
"Now…" I stood, placing my foot to his chest I pushed him down onto the floor.
"I have a stage to take over." Placing the hidden blade back into my purse, I looked at the gagging man.
"I told you it wouldn't have been a good idea." The smile felt more natural this time. I turned to leave, the young girl named Arora stood at the door. Her bright eyes stared at me as her mouth opened, my eyes went dead as my smile fell.
"I know what he had done to you. Go back home to your mother." I walked to her, looking directly into her eyes.
"And if you speak of this to anyone, I'll find you and kill you myself. Don't make me do it. I will."
The girl looked from me to the man on the ground.
"He deserved it, and you deserve better Arora. Don't ever let a man rule your life. If you have to, get your hands a little dirty." Pushing past her, I went down the long stairs. I heard the door close, and her steps followed behind me.
"Who are you?" The young girl asked.
"You shouldn't ask questions. You're testing my patience. I said leave, go home." I walked by the bar. She followed.
"You look like my mothers missing friend." She pressed. I shook my head.
"You have the wrong girl Arora." I snapped.
"She has a picture of you and a young boy in her room! I knew it was you!" She placed her hand on my shoulder, the moment I turned around I had the blade pressed to her stomach.
"I said go home. Now." I stared into her eyes, she stared back.
"Your son died Faylen. He killed himself." She placed her hand around my wrist. I stared at her.
"You don't know me. If you did, you would know I had no son." I snatched my hand back, and went to the stage.
"And if I were you, I'd leave while you still have a chance. This is about to be one bloody horror show." A sudden fog came over my head, I felt a second of dizziness.
"And tell Myu to stop looking for me."
I stopped, that thought came from nowhere…that deep emptiness was there once again. And I felt my shoulders sag, and my mind grew empty. I looked at the girl who looked back at me. Her eyes were wide and she stepped away from me.
"You better get out of here as fast as you can." My voice dropped to that beautiful purr that I had. I smiled. She was running away from me. I went to the stage, the music died down the D.J stopped playing. All eyes were on me, I gave my smile picking up the microphone from its stand. The young girl was pushing her way out of the crowd. I felt that smile start to stretch at the edges of my face. As I spoke the words flowed through my lips in that deep throaty purr.
"Kill each other, and make it a beautiful, bloody horror show."
…
I was walking side by side with Sadie, she was covered head to toe with blood and I ash. She kept looking at me, and I looked at her.
"Do you feel my touch, when I touch you?" She asked me, when I looked at her I gave a shrug.
"I guess so." I replied.
Her fingers ran over my arm, and I could feel it. I could feel her touch…but nothing else. No emotions that led with it. I sighed softly. She was the only thing I could trust in this hellhole. Her golden brown eye looked at me, and I looked down at her.
"Would you feel me kiss you?" She asked. I pushed away from her.
"Look Sadie, I'm grateful that you were there when I woke up, you're a beautiful woman…but there's something else I need to do. I'm not sure what it is…but I have this feeling, that I'm here for another reason." I pulled away from her.
"Please stay." She grabbed my arm. Her eye swelled up with tears.
"Please…" She whimpered. My shoulders sagged and I sighed.
"What would I get if I do?" I asked, she pulled herself into me again. Burying her face into my chest, she took a deep shuddering breath in.
"I know who you are." She whispered, my body tightened.
"What?" I pulled her away by the shoulders. She looked up at me.
"I know who you are." She replied. Her eye looked down at her feet.
"I was supposed to be looking after you, making sure you don't get too close to the Queen. It's just…the rage within your eyes, I don't like it. It doesn't suit you." She fiddled with her fingers for a moment.
"It…it doesn't suit your face." She replied. I felt a moment of pity for her.
"You have no emotions but rage and that deep hatred…I can see it, every time to look at Zalgo. I don't know what his plan was for you two…but it's there-"
"Sadie!" Zalgo called from the back, she turned to look over her shoulder. She gave me another look before sighing.
"Listen, I'll tell you more later. I promise I will…just right now, there's other things that need to be settled." She turned on her heel and ran. I scratched the back of my head confused.
What the fuck is going on? I sighed. At least I could leave the castle walls. To stroll around whenever I wanted, when he was tired of sorting the souls…the pattern, what I've taken note of was when the Queen came back. She was covered, head to toe in blood. And she was, just as I thought, as beautiful with blood covering her pale skin. Her eyes were empty as she looked at me, I bowed at the waist as she passed me and into the kings waiting arms. He hugged her so tight I thought he was going to break her in half. He kissed her, and she kissed him back…
That anger I felt was so real, I thought I was going to drown in it. The water risen to my mouth and the current threatened to take me under. I still somehow held my head above it…Sadie's eye looked at me. Clarity struck me.
The girl…the girl held me above the waves. She was my life preserver. I looked over my shoulder, watching her run back to the castle, barefoot and her blood stained white dress flowed behind her. There was something she wanted to speak to me about…
And you have to admit, she's beautiful just like the Queen. I crossed my arms feeling the gun in my hand. It was still there, he never took it back from me. Still I had no desire to go after him, not yet any way. There was something buzzing at the base of my skull, a vibrating door waiting for me to open it. But for what reason? What was waiting for me behind that door?
I walked along the path, listening to the swishing of trees. The courtyard was quiet this time of night, it was nice. There was no screaming of people, or demons. The ocean was beautiful too, there was a perfect little seat to sit down and watch the water. Magnolia trees sitting on the sand, the logical part of my brain was telling me that it wasn't supposed to be there. But it was anyway. I followed the path down to the beach; I wanted to be alone for a while before Zalgo called me back too. I had a few hours left to myself, and I wanted to use it.
Red hair, the same color as mine flowed in the wind carrying the scent of blood and death. She was sitting there letting the wind carry her hair behind her. She looked as if she was somewhere else, as if this wasn't her rightful place, she looked as if she should be in the movies. She was sitting there, the water crashing against her ankles, she had blood covering her entire being. Still, she looked peaceful.
Always remember, you stay away from the king and queen unless addressed. Sadie's warning stayed in my head, as I turned to leave I heard her purr.
"You can sit with me if you wish."
I stopped, that buzzing at the base of my skull made me shudder. It was her, she was the reason behind the buzzing in my head. I wanted to know who she was, and why she was here.
Maybe she remembers her story. I walked to her, my shoes splashing in the water. When I looked at her, her eyes had no shine to them, they were empty as she stared out at the murky water. The blood that covered her skin made her look ethereal. Her hands laid in her lap, and the long dress laid in the water. She took a deep breath in and slowly let it out.
"What's your name?" She looked directly at me, patting to the empty spot next to her. I sat down, and she looked back out at sea. She smelt like honeysuckle and lavender, my brows knitted together. It was another thing that stood out to me. It…it…
"I don't have one. They just call me newbie." I replied. She gave me a look, a motherly look.
"You don't even have a name? God. What did my husband do to you?" Her voice sounded so sweet…it threw me off.
She was the perfect creature, the wolf in sheep's clothing. She could blend it, be another face in the crowd and no one would bat an eye at her. I blinked before looking back at the water. I raised my shoulders up and shrugged.
"I'm not sure honestly. I don't understand what happened."
The queen turned the conversation around on me; she asked me what I was going to ask her, surprising me. Showing me that she had the upper hand.
"What's your story?" She asked.
I looked at her and again shaking my head slowly.
"I don't have one…" I looked down at my hands.
I wish I could remember what my name was…I wish I could remember how I got here so this damned buzzing in my skull would go the hell away. It's driving me crazy. I took a deep breath in and looked at her again, she was making me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"How long have you known the king?" I asked, she rose her shoulders up in a shrug.
"He tells me that he's kept watch over me for years." She moved her feet, she too was barefoot. I couldn't help but notice, most the women around here loved going barefoot…
Why? Is there something about it that makes them feel comfortable? I leaned back, finally relaxing. I kept the gun on my lap. She took note.
"Is that your weapon of choice?" She asked, I nodded.
"It feels comfortable. I feel like I can trust it more then anyone else." I let out a light breath.
"The king's expecting you back at any moment my queen. You shouldn't disappoint. I've learned the hard way, he hates tardiness." A sinking feeling came over my stomach, I had hopped he wouldn't lay a hand on her. That made my skin prickle.
"He won't lay a hand on me. I feel like he knows better." She had a legit smile on her face, for the first time since I've woken back up.
Within the uncomfortableness…there was a sense of…something. Familiarly? I wasn't quite sure, and I couldn't place my finger on it. Still, I managed to relax my muscles around her. She stayed silent for a moment longer.
"What's your weapon of choice?" I asked her.
"My looks, my voice, and my charisma. I can make anyone do anything I want them too. By a look, and how I speak to them." She sighed softly.
"Sometimes though I like to get my hands dirty and slice their throats. When I do that it feels like a cool bucket of water flowing over my aching skin. I constantly feel like I'm on fire with how much rage and anger I have inside me. And I hate it…I loathe it…" Faylen made a fist, her knuckles turned white.
"Then…there are the dreams I have. I can hear a child screaming…" She closed her green eyes.
"I can hear him scream out for me, screaming for his mother…" Her voice cracked the sudden emotions surprised her. She shook her head.
"Then I wake up, I'm next to the king…and I realize I'm safe. He brings me in close and the nightmare is forgotten…there are times, the nightmare feels so real. Like-"
"Like a fog, or a door that you can see…you just can't open. When you try, your head starts to buzz." I spoke up. She looked directly at me, her eyes flashed uncertainty.
"Yes…" She nodded lightly.
"Something like that…" She shrugged.
"But then, when I exterminate the vermin I feel better. Like I said, a bucket of cool water flowing over a fire. It's a temporary relief but it's something." She sighed.
"Is that why you like coming here?" I asked her. She nodded.
"It's peaceful, my mind is constant chaos. When I'm here…I'm myself. I can think for myself…" She looked at me and offered a motherly smile.
"Sadie has a thing for you. Don't break her heart." She made a light giggle.
"Or I'll kill you. She's special to me." She started to stand.
"You're right. I should get back to my husband before he freaks out. He does that sometimes…" She crossed her arms, leaning lightly on her right side.
"And I'm not sure why." She scoffs.
I looked at her arms and wrists, they were covered in little white lines. Her bandages around her wrists were saturated with blood. I wanted to ask, but she was already gone. Just like that, she disappeared as if she, herself was the wind. I only blinked and poof. I leaned back against the seat and stared out at the rolling waves. There was something comfortable about this place. What it was, I wasn't so sure…but with Faylen around, the buzzing became worse…yet she calmed it as well. As if she too understood the pain…
Pain…it wasn't physical pain, it was emotional. Whenever I try to think about it, it sends me spiraling further down the rabbit hole. Making me question everything I do, why I'm here…how I got here. The moment I open my mouth to ask someone, they look away. Everyone shy's away from me. Is it because I'm new? Is it because of how I look? I touched the eyepatch.
I feel like there's pieces of me that are missing. And some that are still falling away from me, that I can't grasp…like I'm losing my mind every second I'm here…there are times where I can't even breathe. Sleep is non-existent. There are no hunger pains…my body doesn't even crave water…Removing my hand, I look back to the sky above my head.
What am I? Why do I even try to fight against him? Every time I try, he looks at me and I'm back to a machine. The deep hatred flooded my chest, a sudden choking sensation filled my throat.
I can't help but feel like I've lost everything, but I just can't fucking remember what I've lost…I closed my eyes, seeing Faylen there.
Seeing her the way she is…there's something so familiar about her, I just can't put my finger on it. No matter how hard I try…she just doesn't belong here…a sigh fell from my lips. I just wanted the puzzle pieces to be placed back together. There was something inside Faylen that just felt…felt like…
Home…
…
My legs were shaking as I went into the apartment, mom was still at work and my stomach heaved. There was so much blood...
So…So…much blood…and that woman…
I placed my hand to my arm, a random glass bottle struck my upper arm cutting into it. It wasn't bad. But it was enough to be bothersome. Removing my hand I looked at it again. It was a deep scratch. Something that a gauze could cover.
But mom, she'd ask questions…
I took a deep breath walking passed the living room and into the hallway. I went right to mom's bedroom, the sound of my heels were silenced by the carpet. I looked at the hallway.
It was this very spot Uncle Calen stopped, gave me a hug before…before he went on a killing spree before killing himself. I was so young at the time…what happened? What made him do it…?
I went into his room, Myu hadn't changed a thing. It was the same as it always had been. She had been off working again…leaving me alone in the home again. I had grown used to it.
After everything that's happened to her family, I'm not surprised she wouldn't want to be around me. I'm not much either…I remind her of Stu…I look like him. I sighed.
"I'm alone it's no…" I stopped, looking around the room. There was a hint of something sweet lingering in the air, and…something roasted. It smelt like cotton candy and roasted…
"Peanuts?" I stepped into his room, looking around trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. It was hard to pin point, I went to his bed. Myu made it, and made sure it was nice and fresh…as if Uncle Calen would've been coming home every night.
"Which he's not." I dropped down to my knees, following the scent.
Underneath the bed laid a black and white Laughing-Jack-in-The-Box. I lay down on my side and reached, my fingertips touched it but I was just too short. Scoffing I sat back up, I saw his hockey stick. Taking that I used it to bring the box to me. It was old, covered in dust and cracked on the lid. I tossed the stick to the side and looked it over.
"Poor thing. It's all dusty…" I ran my finger over the crack. It was deep.
"Hm…I should have some wood glue in my room." I took the box underneath my arm, and left Uncle Calen's room.
The box had a lingering scent of cotton candy, it was sweet and reminded me of the carnival that Uncle Calen and Myu took me to. I walked down the hall and opened my door. Kicking my heels off, I sat the box down on my bed. I went to my crafting drawer, sighing as I dug through it.
"God damn it, I knew I had some…where is it…?" I grumbled. I reached all the way in the back, my fingers touched the elusive tube. I let out a light victory laugh.
"Gotcha."
I turned around; the box was sitting up the entrance to the lid looking right at me. I blinked a few times tilting my head lightly.
"Allllright…" I sat down on the bed, putting the box on my lap. I opened the tube and squirted out a little bit of the glue. Using my finger I ran it over the crack.
"God, I wonder how long you've been under there…you're so dusty." I felt myself smile. The box was old, dusty with a crack. Overall it had a beautiful look to it.
If I can figure out a way to fix this crack I can sand it down and repaint it. Maybe some pinks, blues and purples? Make it for one of the kids at the center. Obviously Uncle Calen isn't using it anymore…I ran the glue down through the crack again. A sudden movement to the left caught my eye; I lifted my head and looked over. My door was cracked open and the hallway was covered in shadows. Placing the box to the side I wiped my hand on my uniform dress.
Not like I'm going to be wearing it anymore…that woman…she looked just like Uncle Calen's mom…and her name…she had the same name too…didn't she? Faylen? Opening my door I peeked out.
"Mom, are you home early?" I called. No answer.
"Of course not, because no one's home." I huffed.
Closing the door I turned back around, the box was facing me again. Placing my hands on my hips I shook my head.
It's nothing. I'm just tired.
Sighing I went to my bed, touching the handle. It was a little rusted and hard to move, but I wound it up and watched it go. The song sounded off…mellow, it just wasn't right…
"What is this thing?" I whispered. The silence that filled the room was damning. A moment or two went by.
"Isn't the top supposed to pop?" I asked.
I wound it up again, and still the silence dragged on. The apartment was quiet and I was alone. Nothing unusual there…but…the shadows were creeping in, suffocating me. All I wanted was just to take a shower, clean this blood off me and go to bed…to forget everything that's happened. I sighed.
Damn thing's just broken…I put the Jack in the box beside my bed.
"I'll try to figure out how to fix you in the morning. Right now I'm just too damn tired, to even try…" Getting up I got myself fresh new clothes and a warm towel.
The same shadow passed the threshold again; I dropped the clothes and snatched the door open. The silence and shadows moved, there was no one there. Yet hands started to wrap around the back of my neck, telling me someone was.
I locked the door…I know I did…what…what the hell is going on? I took a sharp breath in, closing my door I locked it. I slid down to a sitting position, pulling my knees to my chest. My heart rammed within my ribcage. I couldn't breathe. The shadows within my room moved and danced.
I want my mom…I want my mom…I breathed in and out…closing my eyes.
My mind is breaking that's all…from everything that went on today. That's it…it's nothing else.
Fingers wrapped over my head, gently stroking my hair. I took in a sharp breath, and a sob escaped instead. I whimpered, whoever it was, was in my room. I shuddered.
"What do you want?" It came out as a whimper.
Only silence and the hand that was stroking my hair; lifting my head I opened my mouth to scream. What faced me was a tall monochromatic clown staring me down with white eyes, a pointed nose and sharp teeth. His clothes were stripped, black and white his smile was wide and his eyes bounced from side to side. My mouth dropped open and I opened my mouth to scream.
"No one will hear you scream lollipop." He chuckled, he cackled.
He laughed.
"W-what are you?" I whimpered, the clown tilted his head and busted a gut laughing.
"The good old laughing jack in the box that's what; I'm here to end your suffering." He cackled again. His eyes rolled around in his skull, my own heart slammed in my ribcage.
"Look I've had enough for one night, first a woman who's been missing for years comes around slaughters everyone in the night club and now you?" I reached out and shoved him with as much force as I could.
"Leave me the fuck alone!" I screeched. The clown looked at me, tilting his head.
"How did you find me child?" He asked, my heart skipped.
"You were under Uncle Calen's bed. He's dead." The clown's face changed the moment I said those words. He dropped the murder act and stared at me.
"Calen…is…dead?" The words came out as a whisper. I nodded.
"Yeah you freaky fuck. He's been dead the last ten years." I started crawling back to the door, reaching up for the handle. As I pulled it down, I realized it was locked.
F…Fuck…I swallowed hard. The clown took a few steps back and sat down on the bed. He stared at me for a moment longer.
"Are you Arora?" He asked, and I nodded.
"I haven't seen you, since you were a little girl. You're how old now?" He asked me. I swallowed back my fear.
"I just turned seventeen. I lie to get my way…I say I'm nineteen…that's what people always tell me that I look like." He gave me another look before chuckling lightly.
"You're making no sense with your words. Could you try speaking proper English at least?" He asked me. My body trembled in terror.
"I lie about my age, I'm seventeen but I tell everyone I'm nineteen. Is that why you're here? To scare me?" I took a deep breath in to settle the shakes.
"Did mom hire you to scare me? How'd you know my Uncle Calen?" I asked again. The clown looked at me and offered a sad smile.
"I knew his mom and him. His mom has been gone for a long time. I haven't heard anything from Calen for so long I thought he forgot about me…it turns out, he's just dead." He stopped speaking for a moment to laugh.
"How did he die?" He asked, I slowly let the handle go to look at the clown.
"He…he went on a killing spree, then shot himself in the face." I relaxed against the door, keeping my knees to my chest.
"Were…were you Calen's dad or something?" I asked, when he looked at me I saw the sadness deep within his eyes.
"I was supposed to keep him safe. I promised his mom. When she was taken away from us, he fought me every single day till he turned eighteen. Try and find her, try and find her…and I tell him every day I can't. Someone has her…and he's…he's so much more powerful than me. I'd die if I tried to get her back. And I made that promise to her, I would keep him safe…and I failed." He sighed lowering his head. He looked…defeated.
"So…you're telling me that someone has Uncle Calen's mom…and no one has tried to get her back from him?" I asked, and he nodded.
"It's because…he's not a normal human being."
I barked a laugh.
"After what I've seen today, I'm not in the least bit surprised." He lifted his head up at that one.
"What do you mean Arora?" He asked.
"The woman that's been missing? She came into our nightclub. Like I said before, and forced everyone to kill herself. Faylen. That's her name right?" I asked, his eyes lit up at the sound of her name. He was on his feet and I was on mine reaching for the door.
"Where did you see her? What did she look like? You said she killed everyone in the nightclub? What…that's like a hundred? Hundred fifty people?" He was getting excited.
"S…She had on a maroon dress, her hair was down and it touched her hips, her eyes were the strangest colored green and they were empty. Like...they had no shine to them whatsoever, and she had a smile that lit up the entire room…she had freckles across her face. She had a locket around her neck…" His hands wrapped around my arms and pulled me close to him. He smelt of decay and cotton candy. My stomach lurched forward, making me feel sick to my stomach.
"That's her! Oh my god that's Faylen…but he's changed her…he…"
"Arora I'm home!"
We both turned to look at the door.
"MOM! HELP THERE'S A CLOWN HERE TRYING TO KILL ME!" I shouted as loud as I could. Her footsteps echoed and stopped at my door, she used her own key to unlock it.
"Oh come on, what did I tell you about lying-"
Jack's face stopped as he looked at Myu and I looked at them both. My mom had aged, she had gray hair and wrinkles caressing her skin. She looked at the clown and he looked at her.
"Myu…" His voice dropped, and he let me go. She stepped in and smiled, her arms wrapping around him in a big hug.
"I thought I'd never see you again Jack…I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry about Calen. I looked all over the room but I couldn't find the box." I watched her squeeze him, and he squeezed back. I took a step back and sat on my bed, confused as all fuck of the events of today.
"She's alive Myu, Arora saw her today. And…she told me about Calen…why did he do it…?" He asked her, Myu looked up at him tears within her eyes. I had never seen my mom cry, not sense I graduated.
"He did it to save her…obviously if she saw Faylen and not Calen something went wrong." Myu stepped back from his arms, and I looked between them, confused as hell.
"What are you two talking about?" I asked, mom shot me a look.
"I thought I told you to quit working at that place. I didn't like the owner he was scum." My mom snapped at me. For a moment I sat there dumbfounded.
"Mom…she was going to kill me…but she didn't. She looked at me and told me to tell you, to stop looking for her. There's no need." I dropped my eyes to the ground.
"I'm not going back there, she killed the boss…and everyone else there. Just by telling them to kill each other…there…there was so much blood." My throat tightened up, and I felt myself sob. Mom was by me in a second, her arms wrapped around me.
"Oh god sweetie I'm so sorry!" She held me close to her chest, and I cried. The clown was standing in the middle of the room, swaying back and forth.
"He did all that…to save his mother…" Jack brought his hands up to his head.
"Oh god…oh god…!" He looked at me and mom.
"He has them both! He fucking has them both! He played me!" Jack bellowed. The tears fell from his face, his chest rising and falling as he breathed hard.
"I…I can't believe he did this!" He screamed. Looking at mom he walked forward.
"How long has it been Myu? Since Calen has been gone."
I opened my mouth.
"Ten years…" I whispered. He looked at me and placed his hand on top of my head.
"Thank you Arora…" He looked back at mom.
"I'm sorry, for scaring her." He backed up.
"I have unfinished business to attend to."
…
I laid out in the bath, a glass of wine touching my lips. Zalgo was laid out on the bed nude. He was silent. My groin between my legs ached from our love making. Every time we make love, I'm completely pleased and satisfied. I couldn't have asked for a better lover…
He's hiding things from me. But what is he hiding? Another lover? A spark of jealousy came from my middle.
"Zalgo, my love?" I shouted, I heard the bed move as he was getting up. He walked into the bathroom, leaning against the wall, his smile widened.
"Yes my dear?"
The love within his eyes surprised me.
No…not another woman.
I leaned back into the bubbles, the scalding water rose up and over my breasts. He went to the side of the tub and stepped in. He settled down in front of me, his eyes roaming over my body.
"Have I ever told you, that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on?" He tilted his head slightly and I gave a light smile. Sipping at my wine again, I couldn't help but smile.
"Every day, and I love to hear it." I gave a smile, running my foot up over his leg. My toes touching his abs, he took my foot into his hands and gently massaged my arch.
"Why don't you stay home tomorrow? Spend the day with me. Give our new executioner a break. He needs one. Apparently he doesn't feel anything; Smiley said-"
"Why did you take his name?" I asked him. Zalgo gave me a look of surprise.
"Whom?" He asked.
"The newbie, why did you take his name?" I breathed out. Zalgo shrugged.
"Like I told you my love, the change is different for everyone. What may have been painless for you, and you still remember your name. Obviously was different for him, he lost everything. He's a shell. Nothing more." He gave me that winning smile I loved. It's just…this time it didn't win me over.
"Zalgo my love, you're hiding something from me. I know you are. I can tell." Sitting up I placed the wine glass on the side of the bathtub, waiting for an explanation. He only looked at me.
"I don't know what to tell you my love, I haven't hid anything from you I promise."
I chuckled.
"You lie." I snapped. He once again was stopped.
"Faylen…no I'm not I swear." He continued rubbing my foot
I leaned back sighing.
This is getting nowhere with him…I allowed him to touch me a little more.
"Please my love, stay home tomorrow. Don't go killing…" He dropped my foot back into the tub, he pushed himself up and began climbing on top of me.
"If you stay home…I'll make it worth your wild…" He chuckled, nipping at my ear. I couldn't help but smile and giggle. His hot breath against my neck made goose bumps rise against my skin…just like killing, he gave me that relief from the burning anger I had deep inside of me. His hand caressed my face, and he looked at me, directly into my eyes and kissed me.
My heart pitter pattered, my breathing labored and I felt myself melt against him. There was nothing I wanted more then to stay happily with him. But…I broke the kiss for a moment and he looked down at me.
"Is there something wrong my love?" He asked.
"Is there another?" I asked, he had a smile spreading across his lips.
"Of course not, anyone could ever replace you. Ever…" He kissed my lips again, my arms wrapped around his neck.
"If there was…" I whispered against his lips.
"I'd have to break her neck, and then castrate you." I bit his bottom lip and purred.
"I refuse to share you." I breathed out, pushing him back against the tub. The glass fell over onto the floor as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He was hard against me and I moaned in pleasure. His hands were at my sides, running up to my breasts. His eyes filled with lust, he lifted his hips and he pushed into me. He filled me out and made me tilt my head back in pleasure. It felt so good to have that cool relief rushing over my body. I couldn't have felt it with anyone else.
Could I…?
My eyes closed as I rocked against him. It felt too good not to believe.
I want to believe it.
I breathed harder, the burning within my groin grew as my pleasure heightened. He was hitting spots he had never hit before. My heart rammed within my ribcage, his hands held my breasts. I leaned forward my hands touched his chest as I rode him harder. His own face contorted in pleasure.
That boy…the new executioner…there's something odd about him.
I screamed.
I need to find out.