Troublesome Days

BY: Lucifer136
*In Collaboration With DarkSideOfTheMoon1324*

*WARNING: May hold triggering content such as mention of abuse.*

It's just another day so it seems. Kuro is in my room playing video games and while I did join him for a bit. I eventually got bored, it's been this common issue lately. Getting close to reaching my fifteenth birthday and I'm struggling to find some comfort in doing much. Maybe it's just me being moody again. At least the voices have managed to keep quiet now.

"Hey, you alright?"

My gaze turned to Kuro. Head tilted to the side in confusion.

"This is the sixteenth time you've lost already."

"Oh, sorry about that. I thought…. Nevermind."

"Something's bugging you?"

"Kuro, don't you ever feel trapped?"

"Of course I do. It's never easy being a neet."

"...*Sigh.*"

"I'm here whenever you want to talk."

He turned into his cat form and began to lay on my lap. I laid my controller down and began to pet him.

"It's just that. Uncle Riku has been making it a big deal about my coming fourteenth birthday. There's also the fact that I want to live as normal a life as possible in this chaotic town."

"Do you feel uncomfortable?"

"I'm starting to feel dissatisfied and disillusioned."

"That doesn't sound good, maybe you should spend more time with me. Feel yourself calm down by a cute kitty such as me."

I looked down at Kuro. Holding him as he struggles and meows to be put down.

"You may be cute, but not everything can be solved using cuteness. Want to go for a walk instead? It's kinda warm for a winter day today."

"Sure. But I demand to be cuddled in warmth."

I place Kuro back down on the ground. Getting up and looking at myself in the mirror. I had on black pants, gray socks, a gray long-sleeve shirt underneath a pastel blue sweater with purple horizontal zig-lines in between my mid-waist and stomach. I grabbed a thin black jacket and my black converse. I also made sure I had my house keys and phone. Leaving my wallet at home as I won't need it. Making my way downstairs.

"Mrs. Veded, I'll be back. I'm going for a small walk around the block."

"Be careful!"

"I will, thank you!"

I put on my shoes, tying them up, and heading out. I double-checked I had my essentials and sipping up my jacket, I placed Kuro inside of it as his head stuck out. I took the elevator down from the penthouse and made my way out of the building as I began to walk my journey.

"Hey, Kuro? Ever thought of having a snowball fight when it snows?"

He yawned before he spoke. "But where will we have it?"

"We have room up on the yard. It's a good thing we have a big penthouse at times. Though, it can be odd too now that I think about it."

"With you, everything is odd."

"Is it really?"

"It feels like it at times."

"Fair enough. I feel it's true sometimes too."

We walked around the first few blocks of the neighborhood taking time to take it slow, as our neighborhood is fairly safe from most destruction. The voices have been quiet, but that's also been because of my lack of stress lately. With texting Lennox here and there, it's been a helpful reliever talking to him. I let out a sigh and as I turn the corner I spot, someone familiar.

"Alex, isn't that boy from that one time you met him?"

I tilted my head to the side. Looking at him for a bit.

"They do look familiar, but I can only assume based on looking at them."

"... You're going to go talk to them, aren't you?"

"With butterflies in my stomach, yes."

I crossed the street and made my way towards them. They seemed to be staring at the window of a game shop, looking at the displays of the store. I spoke up to them.

"You know you can go in, right?"

Felix had been looking through the windows at all the games Ara by his side, she had been assigned his babysitter again. His mother had dropped both of them off, but then again since that meeting, she's been dropping them off more and more in the city that he hardly ever saw or spoke to his mother anymore. He wished that he met his father, but his mother had told him the man had died before he was ever born. She never told him how he died, nor could he get any information out of the others either. It was like they were silenced by oath or something from speaking about it. A sad sigh escapes his lips, 'Why am I here anyway? Why was I born if mom is just going to leave me like this? Why am I always stuck with Ara or another member of the gang all the time?'

He looked down seeing Snowcap rubbing his leg sweetly, the cat purring under its breath. Snowcap was his best friend, and he loved him to the ends of the earth. He wanted to buy the cat a sweater to protect it against the blistering cold they were standing in, but he couldn't find a store that carried the items he was looking for yet. He didn't know if he could go in or not. When he went shopping with Ara she would always let him come in with permission, and when he asked why she told him that's what his mother told her to do. His mom did a lot of weird things, but she told him that's how life worked.

That when he heard someone's voice to his right, "You know you can go in, right?"

Jumping slightly he turned his gaze over to that same boy he saw in that meeting months ago. Pulling Snowcaps leash, he pulled him closer. "Um...but I need permission first." That was what he told the other, his nervousness being lit on fire he was so shy and nervous. He didn't get to talk too much of any kids his own age most of his life.

"No. You can go right in, and look at all the cool things. It's fine. The only thing you can't do is take things without paying for them." The other boy told him like it was the most oblivious thing in the world.

Felix looked around but didn't see Ara anywhere. Panic set in but he didn't know what to do, but he did look back at the other boy. "No, you need to ask for permission first. My mom told me so, and she's never wrong."

"Your mom isn't perfect, she's wrong a lot. If you needed to ask permission, there would be a sign on the door stating so." Alex points to the door, "Do you see a sign stating that?"

Felix looked at the door, and to his surprise, he didn't see such a sign. "My mom told me not to talk to other kids so please leave me alone before I get in trouble. You're a stranger, she told me not to talk to strangers. Ara may tell on me." He was getting really nervous, anxiety setting into his body.

"We've met before. Remember at that meeting?"

Felix looked away, biting his lip. "Crossing eyes isn't meeting someone. I don't even know your name."

"Come on. You're not breaking any rules. Have you never hung out with anyone your own age before?"

Felix shook his head, "No. Mom never allowed it. She says that talking to people in this city will poison my mind." He stepped back, "I don't want to get you in trouble."

"Nonsense. Come on, I'll show you some games that I enjoy." Alex held out a hand. "My name is Alex Sumeragi Starphase. What's yours?"

Felix thought it couldn't hurt to go behind Ara's back as long as she wasn't around so he slowly shook Alex's hand, "My name is Felix Addington Von Lothringen. Though just call me Felix. I hate that long name, it was a nightmare during my homeschooling. What should I call you?"

"Just call me Alex. Have you ever played video games?"

Felix follows him into the store but then remembers Snowcap, he backtracked to tie the cat to a pole when he was stopped once more. "Oh you don't need to do that, this store is pet-friendly. The cat can come in." Alex told him.

Felix nodded, if it was pet friendly then it should be ok. "His name is Snowcap."

"Huh?"

"The cat, his name is Snowcap. He's only a few years old, but he's the fluffiest and softest cat you'll ever pet." Felix retorted.

Alex turned to look down at the cat, reaching out and petting the cat who instantly started rubbing against his hand. "He's pretty. He's lucky to have you. I have a black cat named Kuro."

"Thanks. Mom got me him, even though she doesn't like cats. I begged for a dog, but she said that she hates dogs. I'm happy that I got Snowcap. He's my best friend." Felix said, starting to come out of his shell. "Um, what else do you do to have fun? Do you ever get to eat cotton candy? Drink soda?" He was getting more and more excited that he could try new things since Ara wasn't around. "I never tried those, mom said that I don't need them. Do you know of any carnivals around here? Mom always gives me a lot of money to spend."

Alex thinks for a bit, before speaking up. "I can show you around the city, although I wouldn't be flashing that money around, there are a lot of people that would kill you over it."

"I'll buy you some games, whatever you want. If I come back with it, mom will hit me."

"I'll show you around some places, but I left my wallet at home."

"Why did you leave it?"

"I was only going for a walk."

"You're allowed to do that."

"Not all the time, just around my block and to school."

"Oh."

I walked around past him and waved him on.

"Come on, I'll show you some sights around the block. I can't go that far myself since I promised I'll be back home soon."

"Why promise?"

"Because it's what I do. I don't keep promises I can't keep… Ugh, enough about this. Let's just go inside the store."

I went to hold the door open for Felix to enter. He seemed hesitant at first, but soon gave in and walked into the store. This game shop is one of my favorites for multiple reasons. It doesn't just have video games, it has a mass collection of board games and TTRPGs. I walk in and immediately I'm greeted by the store owner, a middle-aged man. He and my dad speak often whenever we visit. Mom gets along with him well and those two often speak about parenting while dad and he speak about sports and business. Adulting doesn't always sound fun to me.

"Hey, Alex! How's it going?"

"It's going well. I'm just out for a walk. You?"

"It's going great. Got a whole new shipment of dice and D&D books. Uh, who's your new friend?"

"This is Felix, an acquaintance. I'm just showing him around the block."

"Ah, I see. Well, want to come in the back and take a look at the dice?"

"Sure, can I bring Felix?"

"A friend of yours is a friend of mine. Come on back you two."

We go behind the counter and go to the back of the store where we see a huge shipment of dice and books. Not just D&D, but VtM, CoM, CoC, and much more. I turned to the shop owner.

"You said only D&D and dice shipments."

"I lied, figured I should let it be a surprise."

I smiled at him and looked back at all the shipments.

"What about video games?"

"Coming in tomorrow. Maybe pay a visit?"

"You bet."

I look at the dice, opening up the box, and see some made of metal and acrylic.

"When do you think the next day you'll get a shipment of wood and resin dice?"

"That should also be coming in next week."

"Even the custom dice I ordered?"

"Oh, those. They actually came in this morning. I called your father upon it and texted your mother about them too."

"I can take them with me, but before I do. Can I look through these and pick some up for tomorrow when I come for my wallet?"

"Of course. I'll go get your custom-made dice set."

I turned to Felix. "Want to take a look with me?"

"Sure. What are these dice for? They all look the same to me."

"Hmm." I give a small groan of discomfort. Something I know I'm bound to do.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Sorry, no it's not what you said. I just love TTRPGs and dice. These dice are mostly for D&D, but some are used for games such as Call Of Cthulhu. I hold up some other dice made of acrylic. These d-tens are made Vampire: The Masquerade. Each varies in price depending on the material they were made from. Metal dice cost the least among the materials, gemstones cost the most, followed by bone, glass, and finally wood. Metal dice are just the most common besides dice made of acrylic. Resin dice also cost a lot, since they're made by local and small businesses. Which is what the custom dice I ordered are made from."

"..." He stared at me, eyes wide open before composing himself. "You know a lot about dice."

"I'm what they call in the TTRPG community a 'dice goblin'. A collector of dice."

"Also, what's 'TTRPG'?"

"Oh, it stands for Tabletop Roleplaying Game. It's a game you can play on the table and pretend to be something you're not. It's fun really"

"It really does sound fun."

"If you want, we can go to the front and I can help you pick out two books to get you started on learning how to play."

"No, I'm good."

"Alright."

I turn back to the cases and choose a black and purple metal set as well as a navy-black galaxy set. I held them in my hands as I left Felix to look at the remaining dice. I went to the shop owner and traded them in for my custom-made dice. They came in a cool tin case painted with the same cute dice goblin logo I made. I smiled as I opened up the lid and looked at the dice inside. The six on the D6 and the twenty on the D20 had the dice goblin logo on them too. The dice had an edgy and spooky feel to them. With a silver number coloring, the smokey effect being that of black and red. They look almost like tentacles, giving it a Lovecraftian feel.

"Do you like them?"

"Like them? I love them. Thank you again for making it happen."

"No problem whatsoever. Now, I'll hold these for you until tomorrow."

"Thank you. I'll go get Felix and get out of your hair. Thank you again for the dice."

I call out Felix from the front, leaning into the doorway.

"Felix, come on let's go. I'll take you to a candy store next."

"Coming."

I tuck my dice in my pocket. Closing the pocket and making sure it was closed before walking out the store. As soon as we were out, a big smile broke out on my face. I turned around and I saw Felix holding a dice box with acrylic dice. My smile dropped and I had to ask him.

"Did you pay for them?"

"No."

We were a few ways away from the store now and most of all, I get the feeling he wasn't going to return them.

Felix looked down at the dice in his hands, he liked how they looked. Normally when he went into a store, his mom would let him get anything he wanted and said it was on the house, whatever that meant. Alex gave him a weird look, but he didn't say anything further. The two walk-in silence until they reach the candy store, which to Felix's surprise was huge. Walking in without hesitation, Felix brings Snowcap with him, letting the catwalk beside him as he marvels at all the candy in the store. A woman that ran the shop comes from the back, a wide smile overtaking her face. "Hey, welcome to Shady's Candy Shack. Is there anything that tickles your fancy boys?"

Felix moved up and down the shelves, touching the cases. "Can I have a sample of all the candies in the store? I want to try them all."

"Um no but you can buy a small bag containing 5 pieces for a dollar. Would you like to do that?"

Felix wrinkled his nose. "I'll just take the biggest bag you got for every single candy." He kept looking at the candy. "Is all you have is American candy here?"

"Yes, unfortunately. What kind of candy were you looking for?"

"Candy from Austria. But if you don't have it I'll take anything you have in here."

The lady smiled, "Well what kind of candy do you like? Have you ever been to Austria before?"

Felix nods, "Yeah. My mom was born in Austria. She grew up there until she was 11 or 12. She takes me to a bunch of different countries during her business meetings or a trip." He kept looking at the candies that shine against the overhead light.

"That's good. What about your dad, is he from Austria too? Is that where you were born?"

"No. I never met my dad. He died before I was born. He wasn't from Austria though, he was born and raised in Japan. She takes me to Japan a lot too. I like the food and candy from that place as well, but I prefer the Austrian stuff." He points at some candy while the lady bags them up, "I was born in America, but I'm half Austrian and half Japanese."

"I'm sorry to hear that about your dad. I hope this candy makes you feel better. Is your mother outside?"

"No. She dropped me in this city and left."

The woman looked horrified, "Then who is watching you? Has she abandoned you?"

Felix looks at her, "No. Why would she do that? She left me with a babysitter. My babysitter is in the store next door window shopping." He had mostly lied to the woman, but what she didn't know would hurt her.

The woman calms down, her hand no longer reaching for the phone to call the authorities. "That's a relief." She set the bags of candy on the counter, and got out a drawstring bag, "This is to put all your goodies in young man. Anything else? You've been picking for a few minutes already."

Felix shook his head, "No that will be all. Thanks, mam." He took the bag, putting in all the candy, before closing it, and turning to walk out the door, but the woman stops him.

"Young man you have to pay first, or your babysitter has to pay before you can leave with that candy. Can one of you go get her?"

Felix looks confused, turning back to her. "This isn't on the house?"

"No, it isn't. What you're doing is stealing, and stealing is wrong. Has your mother ever taught you that?" The woman told him more sternly.

"Stealing? What's that? She always says it's on the house, whatever that means." Felix said, confused.

"Well, this isn't. Maybe it's on the house if your mother owns the store but not here. You have to pay for that."

Felix drops his shoulders, as he pulls out a wad of cash that makes the woman's eye bug out of her skull. "How much is all of it?"

"Um, $45 dollars. Is that all?" She asked nervously as the boy counted out the money before handing her a $50 bill and telling her to keep it because he didn't like to carry too much change. "Thank you for the candy mam." He walked out of the store waiting for Alex to get what he wanted, soon after Alex came out with a small candy bag, putting it in his pocket.

"Did you have fun?"

Felix nods, "Yeah I did. Thank you for bringing me here. Where are we going to go next? This city looks like it has so much to offer! I want to see everything." He turns to Alex, "When did you say you had to get home? Are your parents home?"

"Well, I can't stay out too late. My parents have my phone number, and my mom will always come looking for me if I don't answer. But we can stay out for a bit longer, and then you can find your babysitter. What was her name again? She was at the meeting months ago."

"Oh, you mean Ara. Yeah, she's my babysitter the most out of everyone. I always like it when uncle Mat or big bro Len watches me, they are fun to play games with and eat whatever I want. Of course auntie Valentina I rarely see, but uncle Mat on rare occasions let me visit her, not to tell mama about it. But Mat has been busy with the other kids in the underground lately, and Len recently got a big job from England."

"I've been texting Lennox, he told me about that. Said it would only take about a week to do, but he would try to come to visit when he had the chance. He's supposed to be sending me something over the mail, saying it was about folklore and history. He's also sending some equipment for mom so she can do her job more easily." Alex detailed out for the other boy.

"Oh wow. I know he's been doing some work at the hospitals here, but I didn't know that. Has he upgraded Libra's equipment?"

"Yeah, I think he has, although I'm not so sure. But he's an awesome guy." Alex piped up happily. "What else do you want to do?"

"I don't know, surprise me," Felix told him with a smile.

Alex stood still for a minute before looking over to Felix. Alex looked down to Kuro, who was giving him a strange gaze with his emerald eyes. Eventually, he spoke back up in a neutral tone. "Look, you have to understand something right here and right now. I know you took those dice without paying, and if I'm being honest I don't like you stealing from the stores I like visiting. I don't want to lie to those people or my parents."

"I didn't know. What's the big deal anyway? They'll just get money from someone else to make up for it. Mom told me it was ok."

Alex sighed out, almost rubbing a hand down his face. "She should have taught you right from wrong when you were a tiny thing by now. It's wrong to steal, and to try stealing right in front of a store owner will get us in trouble. You can't just take anything you want without asking or paying for it. Someone should really teach you some manners and self-respect."

Felix turned to him. "Well, what about you? You seem so knowledgeable."

Alex holds up a hand, being dismissive without being rude. "No thanks. I'm good with numbers but I don't understand the concept of money all too well. Which seems odd considering I do well in my finances. You're a good kid, but your habits are bad. Your mother or that girl should be the one teaching you this stuff. What about Lennox or Matteo?"

Felix shook his head, gaining an irritated face. "Mom won't allow them to do it. She always tells Len and Mat to butt out of her business. If Len refuses she'll send them on a mission or move me somewhere else. I'm doing what I know, but when do you pay?"

"I pay when I grab something and intend to leave with it. Just like everyone else. If I or you don't pay, we'll get in trouble. I don't want my father having to deal with Daniel Law again. It's already bad enough as is with what they do for a living in this chaotic city."

"Why do I even need to pay for something if I want it?" Felix asked even more frustrated now.

Alex sighed deeper, letting out an annoyed groan. Lifting his head he stares at the other with a much more stoic gaze. "Because it's wrong, not only that but it's illegal. Not paying for something is stealing, paying for something is good. Other people live in this world, and they've got to make an honest day's work to make ends meet."

"But I don't have to do that thanks to my mom. What she says goes, she told me to do what I wanted." Felix yelled at him, his fists in a ball.

"First off I'm not your mom, and this isn't Wheshchella City. Unless you want to live to see the next day, you have got to follow the rules that have been set. Got it?" Alex retorted, getting angry at the other boy.

"I'm not from this city! So I don't have to follow its rules!"

"It doesn't matter! You don't steal unless you want to become a criminal like the people in this city. You follow whatever rules are set, wherever you are at all times. This isn't your mother's city, this is Hellsalums lot!"

Felix laughs at him, crossing his arms. "Well, my mom can just buy this whole city."

Alex lets out a laugh of his own at the mention of that. Composing himself again he spoke up. "No one can obtain this city through money or wealth, because it's not even a city anymore after the great collapse. It's a dimension all on its own now much like our own existence. No one can put a price on it, or buy it. The deities that thrive here, make a home here, is way beyond what your mom can ever afford." Alex crossed his arms giving the other a stern look, as he just stared at Felix not once budging from his own argument. The cat he had in the pack looked to be scared, as did Snowcap.

"Well fine!" Felix turns on his heel and goes to the first beyondian that he spots, walking up to the other, and pulling out a knife the man had in his belt. With a swift motion, he threw the knife with a laugh, causing the huge thing of a man crossed with a goblin, to scream out in pain when the knife landed in his thigh.

The beast pulled out the knife with a grunt of pain, turning his eyesight to Felix and Alex. "You little shits. I'll kill you both for this." The thing proceeded to march up to them, but before Felix could make a further move he was grabbed by the arm and rushed from the scene at a hurried pace. In the distance, they both heard police sirens, but Felix couldn't see very much as he was pulled through the streets by Alex. He had to pick up Snowcap from the ground from being dragged, into his arms.

I kept running until I no longer could hear the sirens anymore, but just to be sure. I pulled us into an abandoned alley. Letting go of Felix, I turned to face him.

"You idiot! You don't just go and stab someone. Do you have any idea how much trouble we could have been in!?"

"It was just a beast."

"It was still a living being. This is why people like you make it hard to even live with equality here because we're all treated like dirt."

"I don't see why you're so angry. It's just a monster, the store is just a store!"

"You're insufferable! I was trying to be nice and teach you something to help get you by, but you're so ungrateful and close-minded!"

"...Your eyes."

"What about them? That's not the issue. The issue is you are not even trying to be a normal kid for once! It doesn't matter if the city is insane, everyone tries to lead a normal life. Why can't you even try!?"

"Your eyes!"

"What about them!?"

I clenched my fists and teeth as I stared at him. It was then I heard Kuro whisper to me.

"Alex, calm down a bit. Your eyes are glowing faintly red. This…...this isn't normal for you."

Still too angry to listen, I kept my stance. As though wanting to punch some sense into Felix. It was then I felt a surge of energy go through me. The world seemed to have slowed down. I could hear the beating of my heart in my ears. Before I knew it felt like a surge of anger left me and I was calm again. I let out a sigh and dropped to my knees. I feel so tired and exhausted. My ears began to ring just a bit, I wanted to cover them quickly but struggled as my body felt heavy.

Before I could cover my ears, they returned to normal and I could hear the world again. I could hear the sounds of the birds, Kuro, Felix shouting, and cars honking. Actually, the sound of cars honking sounded very loud. When I felt all my senses return to me, the sounds of cars crashing and honking filled my hearing. I stood up and ran out of the alley to see what was happening.

To my horror, the streets were a mess. People were hurt, cars were everywhere. Crashed, flipped, and some burning. Lamp posts were broken and some lay on the ground. Stoplights were barely holding on. Streets cracked and pavement open showing more earth underneath, the sky even looked like it threatened to rain. Making it harder to help people. In a fit of panic, I ran away without looking. I didn't need to see, but Kuro kept his eyes closed as I ran.

'Look what he did. True villain.'

'He did it. He did it.'

'What a monster!'

'All those poor people.'

'All of them are hurt.'

'Congrats to Alex, the monster of Hellsalem's Lot.'

I ran as fast as I could trying my best to run away and find someplace to hide. I didn't even know where I was anymore. So I kept running, promising to stop when I no longer could. I kept running as the rain began to pour down, finding a cemetery. I ran in and hid behind one of the stones. Covering my ears as I felt Kuro purr against me to calm me down, but I just felt scared and overwhelmed at the moment. What did I just do?

Felix watched as Alex's eyes lit up, backing away not knowing what to do. The boy's eyes were glowing red while he backed away. Snowcap scratched him and ran off making him scream for the cat, but it took off down an alleyway. He felt almost weightless as his surroundings started crackling apart and things started to float for a few seconds before what sounded like a boom radiated through the air and everything exploded in shards of glass and metal. Those red eyes looked so much like his mother's, he thought she was right in front of him, so he ran out of the alleyway as fast as he could. He didn't look back, but he was hit by a car that still slightly worked, though the adrenaline was pumping through his veins so fast that he ignored it and ran further down the street.

His heart was beating a million miles a minute, his breathing was becoming ragged, he was sprinting so fast, but he failed to see the person in front of him that knocked the wind out of him upon hitting them. Crashing to the ground he tried to catch his breath, and get back up but a hand wrapping around his shoulder stopped him. When he looked up he stopped short, his eyes wide at the sight of Alex's mother, the same one he saw at that meeting months back.

"Felix? What are you doing here? What happened?" Chain asked him but he just shook his head, trying to get away from her.

"Alex. He….his eyes." He managed to whimper out. His body was shaking from fear, and the pain was starting to set in on his hip.

"Where is my son? He was supposed to be home half an hour ago! Did you see him? Did he do that?" Chain asked him to come closer, panic in her face and words.

Felix nodded, "Yes. But he didn't mean to. I….." He spoke out shakily, "I was being mean, and he was only trying to be nice to me, but I screwed it up and he got mad at me! I didn't mean to do it. It's not his fault, it's mine. Please don't hit him! Hit me instead!" Felix was getting panicked thinking the woman was going to punish him as his mother did. "I don't know where he went. Please whatever trouble comes of this, it's my fault. I'll return what I took."

Chain shook her head as she could see the shock on the boy's face. "I'm not going to hit you, and your mother shouldn't either. Come on I'll drop you off at the hospital, and I'll try looking for Alex. Ok?" She shook the boy that wasn't responding to her, "Felix?" Cursing under her breath she picked up the boy and hauled him to the hospital.

Meanwhile, in the cemetery, Alex was hugging himself, whispering under his breath when someone walked up to him. "You're that boy from the meeting aren't you?"

I jumped up in surprise. Leaning up against the tombstone. Kuro looked at the figure too. She kneeled down to face me, an umbrella covering us both as the rain continued to pour.

"Hey, I'm not going to hurt you."

She reached out a hand and touched my cheek to inspect it. Looking at me over as she tilted her head back and forth.

"Physically you look alright. What was your name again?"

"...A-Alex."

"Right. You're the so-called youngest member of Libra. Is it true?"

"...N-no."

"You sure?"

I nodded. It was a pseudo-title they gave to me at birth. It really holds no value besides family bonds.

"You don't seem to be in the mental state to even talk. I don't think it's wise to leave you here alone, especially since you might know where Felix is."

She placed the umbrella down and held her hands gently on my arms. Assisting me up from the ground. She bent down to pick up the umbrella once more. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders and gently guiding me away. But I felt my body was too heavy.

"Whoa, looks like we might need to make a trip to the hospital. Okay, gently move your feet."

I did as I was told, each time holding my breath as I moved. Eventually, we got out of the cemetery and she began to lead me away from the graveyard.

"By the way, my name is Ara."

She guided me over to a blue car. Opening the door for me to enter in the backseat. She gently guided me in.

"Lay down. It's going to be okay."

I did as told, wrapping my arms around myself as she covered me with a blanket. I grabbed hold of it and held tight to it. Kuro adjusted to purr against me once more as she got into the driver's seat and began to drive away. To what I can only assume was the hospital. I don't think I'm in shock, but something tells me I was.

The ride was silent and calm with her changing the radio stations and landing on the one talking about the freak accident near my home block. I'm sure my parents are very concerned, especially mom. She's always worried about my well-being. I could only clutch the blanket tighter. Closing my eyes to prevent tears as I listened in on the news.

"Today, a chain of chaotic events occurred near the Southeast blocks of Hellsalem's Lot. These events occurred in mere seconds of each other. It is unknown what could have caused this, but the investigation is ongoing. Paramedics have arrived and have been counting the injured and survivors. The death toll is yet unknown."

I felt an ache in the middle of my stomach. I don't want to know how many people I killed if any. I don't think I can live with such news. But I know I'll have to tell mom and dad eventually…

I guess I didn't know it all too well, but I guess I fell asleep with worry in my stomach because when I woke. I was at the hospital. With the blanket still wrapped around me, one arm around my shoulders, and another holding the umbrella. She walked me inside the hospital where I saw my mother coming out and running up to me. Hugging me in an embrace.

"My little pup, where have you've been?"

She held my face in between her hands. Looking me up and down, that's when Ara spoke.

"He doesn't seem to be in a good enough mental state to speak. I tried already and he barely spoke."

Mom, gently grabbed by the shoulders from behind and guided me up the front desk where Dr. Esteves knew before being told and guided us to a hospital room. Outside I could hear the ambulance, more than one actually. I once more felt the ache in my stomach return. I guess I am in shock if I can't even speak up at the given moment. I just really hope I did nothing wrong.

Half an hour later Beatrix showed up at the hospital coming through the doors like a bull in a china shop. Ara was in the waiting room waiting for word on Felix. Dr. Esteves told her it would be a short procedure to fix Felix's hip, but that meant calling the mother which turned out to be a lot of yelling over the phone. Though with her teleporting ability it shouldn't have taken that long to get to the hospital after the phone call, meaning despite the yelling she did something to pass some time before thinking about seeing her son. Ara stands up, approaching Beatrix, "You're here. Felix is getting fixed up right now."

Beatrix glared at her, slapping her across the face. "First you lose my son and now he's in this place! How incompetent are you? Get out of my way, you've lost your right to look after him!"

"I just went to the bathroom, and the next thing I know he's gone. I tried looking for him. Please, boss, I didn't mean to lose him or get him hurt." Ara holds up her hands, backing away from the mother.

"It's still your fault for losing him! What if he had died? Do you have any idea what I would have felt?"

Ara steels herself, "I called you 30 minutes ago, and you just now show up. If he was that important to you, you would have been here waiting on any kind of news for him! You treat him as if he's a showpiece. Why did you even have him if you're going to treat him good only when it's convenient for you? Have you even told him about how his father died?" Ara scoffs, "I bet you haven't. He'll find out that you were the cause of his father's death." She turns around and starts walking to the nurse's station to ask about Felix when Dr. Esteves comes out. Down the hallway Chain and Steven were talking but at the level, Ara and Beatrix were talking practically everyone could hear them.

Esteves pushes up her glasses, looking at Beatrix. "I assume you're the mother. Well, your son had a fractured hip, but we fixed him right up. He's resting right now, but he's been crying himself in there pleading for someone to hit him." She puts a hand on her hips, "Have you been hitting that child?"

Beatrix just puts on a sickenly sweet smile. "Oh, he just likes to pretend about that stuff. He's playing a prank on you. Now give me the papers so I can get him out of here." She made a motion with her hands.

"He needs to be monitored overnight just in case of any complications. I don't think he is joking." Esteves told her even more sternly.

"Tell me who was my son with when he got hurt? He's nearly 14, he's not a baby anymore, he doesn't get the right to cry like one."

"Alex Starphase. An accident happened and he got hurt as a result, it's not anyone's fault. How did anyone give you the right to birth a child?" Esteves told her, a scoff escaping her mouth in pure disgust over the woman.

"How did anyone give you the right to judge the way I parent my child? I try my best but he loves to hurt himself to get some form of attention. Not my fault he's like that." She then turns to Chain and Steven and walks over to them. "And how dare your son fill my son's head with poison! What gave him the right to do that? I'll tell you one thing, my son isn't allowed to be around your son ever again. Your little monster is the one that caused him to get hurt. Got that?"

Steven was the first to speak up before Chain did.

"Don't ever call our son a "monster". Your son got hurt because he was being careless just as you were and if you haven't noticed. Our son is in the hospital as well, so whatever happened affected them both. If any, it's your son I don't want around mine. Alex was born in this city and knows how to get by without getting into trouble. If your son got hurt, it's because he didn't pay attention to the rules of this city."

"And what rule is that?"

"Mind your own damn business."

Chain placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. Looking at Beatrix.

"I think it's best for your son to keep away from ours. Our son didn't poison your son, you're just a horrible parent. But Steven is right on something. There are rules you follow here in this city and if you disobey them, be ready for consequences. If your son was with our son, he was safe. Alex knows everything there is to this city, it's common sense."

Chain pulled her husband away from the woman. Guiding him to their son's room. Steven, however, was the one to have the last word.

"Don't ever come near our son, and if you have the heart to call a child a "monster". Have you ever thought of looking at your son and thinking the same way? After all, it's Hellsalem's Lot. We're all monsters, but our son is an angel among demons."

With that said, Chain and Steven walked off. Holding one another as they entered their son's room where he was being looked after. He seemed in a severe case of shock for what it's known so far. No physical injuries whatsoever.

Beatrix just stood there turning to Ara, angered. "What? You got something to say?"

Ara just looks away, "I think you should see if your son is alright. That's what you came for right?"

Beatrix just rolls her eyes, "Whatever, I'm going to get a coffee." She turns on her heel and walks another way.

Ara turns and goes to check with the nursing station about any information about the overnight stay, never seeing Felix come out of his room. He was holding something in his hands as he limped over to Alex's room. Opening the door, he runs up to the bed surprising the two parents. "Alex. I'm sorry for this." He drops the dice from earlier. "I didn't mean to take them. It's my fault you're here. Please forgive me. I really liked hanging out with you." He then looked up to the parents, crying, "I'm sorry about this, all of this. I hope that we can be friends in the future. I'll do anything to make this right. Just…" He goes to say when his hand shoulder is grabbed and he's yanked back.

"What the hell do you think you're doing you fucking hell spawn?! God crying about this, grow up and start acting your age. A Lothringen doesn't cry, start acting less like a worthless monster. Haven't I taught you better?" Beatrix roared at him. Raising a hand and slapping him across the face.

Felix falls to the floor, crying even louder, "I'm sorry mama! I just..!"

"I don't care what you want, you're only here because you look like my lover! That's all you're good for, you don't act like him. You cry all the time! Why don't you start being like your father?"

Felix sniffed out, "I never knew him. How can I know someone that wasn't there? Why won't you tell me how he died?"

Beatrix threw him to the side, "Because it's not important. You don't deserve to know about it." She goes to raise a hand again when she feels someone grab ahold of her wrist, and she looks back to see her wrist encased in a block of ice. "What the hell do you think you are doing? Can't you see I'm knocking common sense into him?"

I looked at dad, who looked rather angry. Even mom was holding herself back by hugging me. Kuro was on my lap almost ready to pounce.

"With a mother like you, whoever needs enemies."

Dad looked at me and the dice. Leaning over and grabbing them. He looked at me, giving a look that we'll talk about this whole ordeal later. He placed them on the ground and gently kicked them to Felix.

"They belong to you."

His voice seemed softer.

"Just…...please don't come near our son."

It almost seemed as though it pained him. Dr. Estevez walked in and helped Felix to his feet. Guiding him away from my room and to his own. However, he left the dice he took from the shop owner. My dad sighed and looked at Beatrix who was struggling to break free of his ice. Dda eventually let it go and spoke to her.

"Never come near us or our son, but keep in mind you just made it clear that we might never work with you ever again. Especially with the way you treat your son. Expect a call or two down the coming weeks."

Beatrix glared at the couple and soon left to follow her son. Dr. Estevez having taken on her ultimate form and guiding Felix away and ready to perform experiments if it called for it. I was laid back down and covered up with the blanket as I heard dad pick up the dice and put it in his pocket. Before I knew it I fell asleep. Too tired after all that has occurred.

~A MONTH LATER~

Turns out there was no one killed in the aftermath of my anger burst. But there were plenty who were injured. I recall telling my parents what happened afterward once I recovered from my shock. They were quick to contact uncle Riku who reassured them it was alright and how to better control this. Since then, my parents have kept this quiet from the rest of Libra. Another secret is hidden from them. The good news, however, was as I woke up from my sleep following my shock.

I saw the camera gleam and move around in rabid movements before I received a text from Lennox. Turns out he recorded the whole ordeal and is now in charge of raising Felix from what I can understand. Still, I had to explain why I'm not allowed to be near Felix after the whole incident, but he's willing to talk to my parents about it. However, I don't feel comfortable enough to be around him for a bit.

Following the whole ordeal too, I mailed Lennox the dice Felix left behind. I went back to the shop owner to get those dice I was picked the day prior and explained the situation to Felix. He wasn't angry or upset, rather very understanding and gave them to me for free so long as I made a promise to never have friends that steal from ever again. Which I did. Needless to say, I got told that Felix managed to receive them.

As for me, apparently, Uncle Riku explained to me in private that these were powers that might manifest so I had to learn to better control my emotions to not have an outburst as I did. I guess I got too lost in thought thinking what these new powers could mean that I didn't notice Kuro speaking to him.

"Hey, want to play a round with me?"

I looked up from my book. Putting it down and grabbing a controller. Kuro reached out and patted my head with his right hand.

"You need to relax more. How about we play a video game marathon."

"Won't mom get angry at us for it?"

"Okay, we'll play until dinner time."

"Sounds good to me."

"... You think Felix would want to play with us one day?"

"... I don't know to be honest. We didn't exactly part on good terms. I'm not even sure if he hates me."

"I don't hate you and we've been stuck together since you were five."

"That means a lot coming from you. Now, let's have this talk some other day and right now. I'm going to beat you. I have a record to uphold."

"Not if I have something to say about it."

Hopefully, in the future, Felix and I can meet again with no regrets or hate towards one another. Not that I can hold any, but the worry lies for if I ever could. For now, it's proven false. But I do hope we don't hold negative feelings towards one another. I'm sure he's a good person and I'll believe it until I see it. But enough about that. I got a record to beat and a record to uphold.