There had been a victim.
They all heard the following day from to the rumors that spread like wildfire among the students in Peach Creek High. The victim based on the gossip had been a poor freshman. A boy who had gotten the guts to try and expose Eddward and his gang. Apparently, he had been dared to go through with it and like most freshmen he got cocky. Clearly not knowing his place in the school system yet, but surely he now knew.
That poor miserable boy, Kevin shook his head wondering how much pain he must be at this moment lying in his hospital bed. Surely he had sworn to not give any detail on the persecutors that had put him in the hospital, or else the gang wouldn't be roaming freely at school so openly and the kid would not have survived to live another day.
Kevin held Nazz's hand with a tight grip the entire school day, not letting her out of his sight for a moment. At these times the school was dangerously vulnerable, and at these times the gang had crushing power over the entire student body. Anyone who even mentioned their violent bullying was surely to become a target. The distance between Eddward and his goons and the entire student body was no man's land, any small miss step and everything could erupt.
The hallways had been crowded all day and no one would dare venture out into the open. Kevin felt like they were all like cattle being herded from classroom to classroom. As soon as any of the three bullies were seen close by most would lower their heads and walk as close to the edge of the hallways as possible fearing their unwanted attention."See, this is exactly why I don't want you to go and say something stupid" Kevin whispered to his best friend as they walked down a hallway when he knew they were safe from any eavesdropper's.
With an exasperated sigh the girl dropped her shoulders looking around quickly before whispering her reply close to Kevin's freckled ear. "Kevin, I know, but somebody has to do it." she frowned staring at how caved in his face look "... And the day I do I'll make sure not to get caught, I promise" she said a bit more confidently. She wouldn't let Kevin's torment last much longer. He had saved her almost a year ago from the goons and he had kept on saving her since. Kevin was small but he had the bravest and most durable heart she had ever known. She knew he was in constant pain, he wouldn't let her know but she did. The way Kevin had lost immense weight right after freshman year, the way his eyes were all so numbed looking from exhaustion and the way his freckled hands had become so boney and rough. She saw it all and it broke her heart.
Kevin huffed irritated "You can't promise. Nazz you have no idea what these guys can do to you, look at that freshman kid, and look at me!" He lowered his voice when he noticed people walking by gossiping about the tragic event.
Nazz held Kevin's freckled hands gently "Yes I do… I was last years victim remember?" she paused looking around before continuing "It's never going to end like this Kev... I can't let this go on forever, and it will certainly not" she breathed out stopping them and pushing him against the lockers. "Even if we survive until graduation, another Vincent will pop up. Another tyrant who is looking for power and the students will still be in danger. It's our responsibility to put an end to this and let the younger generation have a normal high school experience. One where they don't have to worry about ending up in the freaking hospital Kevin"
Kevin stared at her in wonder, how could she be so brave especially after what she had to go through last year when she had been the victim? Nazz was a petite girl, just an inch shorter than him, yet she had so much fight in her it was admirable. With a breath of surrender, Kevin gave her a reassuring squeeze to her hands "Fine, but we're in this together no matter what alright?" He smiled at her. He was terrified and he knew that she knew. Plotting to go against Eddward Vincent? It was a death sentence but she was right. He knew some kids even admired Vincent, not necessarily for the talents he had but rather for the power he possessed
Nazz facial feature lit up with excitement and joy "Definitely" she whispered back.
...
When arriving to his locker to return a textbook Kevin noticed a piece of paper that slightly peeked out of it. He stopped in his tracks knowing exactly what it was. He felt his chest tighten and his legs tremble. He wasn't physically and emotionally ready to face this again.
Indeed it was yet another invitation, personally written by the king of sharks himself.
Kevin wondered if Eddward often did this to his other targets, leave a note that is. It was hard to seriously consider the note being so threatening when each and every curve of a letter seemed to have been delicately engraved by the hand of a saint. Just where had Eddward learn to write so elegantly?
But the pretty handwriting was all a facade perfectly hiding the devil behind it. Neatly folding the note he placed it in his pocket, and tried to go a long as normal as possible. Tried being the keyword, he tried to hide the fact that his anxiety was crawling up his spine as he realized he had been called right after a victim...
That was never a good sign. He was sure to encounter a particular monstrous beating that day. The gang must be full of frustration after dealing with the kid, and what better way than to use their favorite punching bag right?
"Geez" The ginger boy sighed out looking around his surroundings feeling paranoid and prayed it wouldn't be as bad as he thought. Yet the realization wouldn't stop suffocating him. He felt his hands shake and his stomach become nauseous. He stopped a second to recollect himself by leaning against the lockers. His breathing was quick and his body already aching from the incoming pain.
How much longer was he going to last like this?
Eddward Vincent was already slowly killing him. At this rate Kevin knew for a fact he wasn't going to come out of Peach Creek alive and that frightened him.
...
He had walked out into the field where the note had demanded him to and saw there was no one around. Looking through his surroundings he thought about turning back around and leaving or maybe they were late? Or maybe had forgotten? No, of course not. They never missed when it came to their 'appointments'. He had a chance to escape, and it was now or never. Yet if he did he knew it wouldn't mean any good for him down the road.
In the moment of his fight or flight, he heard the crushing of grass behind him making him turn around. It was Jimmy and Johnny, the J's, he and Nazz called them. They slowly walked towards the ginger expressing a playful threatening smirk. Unfortunately, it was officially too late to run away if he was going to.
Before he knew it, his collar was instantly roughly grabbed by Jimmy "Look who it is. I suppose we'll be having some extra fun today now won't we?" He smiled at the ginger.
Kevin's eyes roamed towards Johnny who was disturbingly anxious from his sheer excitement. He turned once again searching for a familiar black clothed figure, there was none. "W-Where is Eddward?" He hesitantly asked.
Jimmy's grin widened "Who knows, doesn't matter though does it? Now we can have our way of fun and not hold anything back, right Johnny" he called back to his companion who simply smiled and shook his head tightly holding a piece of wood.
Yes it does matter you dumb shithead Kevin thought it curious at the fact that the goons seemed to not know anything about their captains current events. Also, the fact that they were clueless about their arranged appointment. Why hadn't Eddward told them? Had he just lured them all out here? Why?
Jimmy chuckled at Kevin's sudden reaction panicked reaction as he kept on looking for their leader "You masochistic homo. What, do you get off on having our captain watch you get beat up? I'll send him your regards for next time"
"You fucking don't know shit" Kevin mumbled under his breath. Regrettably for him the blonde was able to hear him and grabbed a hold of his long bangs and pulling him up forcing Kevin to look at his ghostly face.
"What was that you twink?" Jimmy snarled pulling tighter and tighter on Kevin's hair until the smaller boy's feet could just barely touch the ground.
"FUCK!" Kevin yelped at the sensation of his skin and hair being pulled past it's limits "I SAID YOU DON'T FUCKING KNOW SHIT" he then spat Jimmy on the face. The pure disgust on the bully's face was enough to give Kevin a small victory smirk. However, it didn't last because it had earned him a kick to his kick forced to fall back onto the ground and painfully ripped his hair in the process.
With teary eyes he looked up, strings of his orange hair hanging from the blonde's tight fist. He had done it now...
...
The freckled boy was left on cold grass in excruciating pain. He could feel a liquid slowly fall out of his mouth and nose. Kevin's feet twitched when he attempted to move. He highly doubted he was going to make it back in time before his dad arrived home. He didn't even know if he could walk for Christ sake.
His chest ached from his hard panting as well as the several painful blows he had received to his side. Kevin tried to breath slower but his heart was pumping rapidly from the adrenaline of the beating. He fluttered his eyes open and closed them again several times, and each time he did that he noticed the sky becoming darker and darker. He was screwed this time for sure.
His dad would find out, the school would find out, and he would be lying in his grave within the next 2 days for sure. He had tried to last long at least.
He could feel the building of tears in his eyes but was too exhausted to actually cry. It all hurt so much he couldn't tell what part of his body had numbed out and what was broken or sprained. His eyesight was blurry and it strained him to open his eyes but he was scared of fully losing consciousness if he kept them closed too long.
The frail boy heard a faint sound seemingly to be the crushing of grass. Deep in his chest he wanted to cry because he feared it was the J's coming back again for more. Yet, after a moment he gently opened his eyes once again. A tall blurry figure stood before him, and all he could focus on was the blue orbs that stared directly down at him. Beautiful really, he could easily get lost in them. It was like getting lost at sea and never to return. That would be nice, a simple life exploring the ocean and all its hidden secrets. Oh what a life that would be. Peaceful and far from this town.
Taking one last breath he sighed out gingerly and closed his eyes again. The feeling of slim strong hands holding his body gave him enough security to let himself fall completely then felt light, like he was floating in air. The air smelled nice, cool on his cheeks and giving off a curious scent. A scent he had smelled before, but couldn't seem to place his finger on it. Instead he decided to lean his body into the welcoming scent, his entire chest felt warm. This unidentifiable warmness made him feel secure and the petite ginger let out a small sigh of relief.
For now he had no worries, for now he had nothing to be anxious about. The boy smiled softly because for now it was all ok… and he let his mind finally slip into sleep.
…
Oh i wonder what's gonna happen next? :3
Please leave a review on your thoughts/ feelings/ predictions, i enjoy reading them very much & look forward to this Friday! :3
Hope you have a lovely Day/Night xoxo