----
He didn't stop running until he was leaning against his closed front door.
Ryou panted, trying to catch his breath, before grabbing the ring roughly and tore it off, nearly breaking the cord. He tossed it against a far wall, where it landed with a jingle of its pendulums. That musical sound was starting to haunt his nightmares.
"I don't know what - who - whatever you are, but I'm sick of it!" He stood as far away from the ring as possible, sinking to the floor and huddling against the wall. "You're... you won't control me," he swore beneath his ragged breath.
The ring didn't reply, of course. But it had landed upright, and that eye was staring at him again, silent, apathetic, oppressive stare...
Ryou hugged his knees and looked away. It didn't help, though - he could still feel that golden gaze piercing his soul. It was patient - Ryou knew that. He knew that it knew that it could outlast and outwit this confused, scared boy. He tried to clutch his hands into threatening fists, but they were shaking too badly, clammy and weak.
But they were his hands again, at least. There wasn't some stranger controlling them, making him hurt people. Though some part of him had to admit that toppling those seniors so easily was strangely satisfying...
"No!" Ryou clutched his temples, grabbing fistfuls of his long white hair, "That's you talking! Get.. get out of my head..."
His demand withered into an anguished, muffled plea. He could feel tears stinging at the corners of his eyes. Didn't he have it bad enough already?
Really... is this so much worse than not existing?
Ryou blinked his eyes, rubbing at them with his sleeve and looking up with confusion. That voice had spoken in his head sounded like the one that had taken over, the one that had so confidently dealt with the bullies... he stared across the room, back at the ring.
I make you alive, boy. Without me, you would have continued on your miserable, incomplete existence for the rest of eternity.
"In... incomplete?" Ryou didn't know how wise it was to question the voice with the dangerous edge to it. But it was just a ring, right? What could it do to him, from across the room?
Heh.
Ryou heard that smirk again.
I am far more than this mere ring, and my powers extend beyond your wildest dreams. It's only your immense fortune that Destiny brought us together, and not some other force - I would have disposed of you long ago otherwise.
"Who... are you?"
I am a thief and a stealer of souls...
Ryou's forehead crinkled. That wasn't much of an answer, though he sort of expected something like that. He imagined any evil, haunted ancient artifact was going to be vague. "So, why don't you be done with it already?" He spoke in a low, embittered tone, staring at the floor.
He sensed a slight confusion coming from the ring, and shook his head. "Steal my soul. Collect it, devour it, whatever you want to do with it. At this point, I really don't care anymore. I mean, look at me. I'm talking to some Egyptian souvenir. My mind's obviously far gone - someone might as well get some use out of my soul."
I don't want your pathetic soul, mortal. There's no victory in stealing something so weak and broken.
Ryou bristled slightly, and tried to hold back the tears that threatened. His parents didn't want him. The people at school didn't want him. And now, not even this evil spirit wanted him.
He felt far more wounded than he should have...
He could feel the ring sneering at him. Stop whimpering. I never said I didn't want you.
Ryou blinked the tears out of his eyes and stared at the ring, not understanding.
Let's just say you are... useful to me, and leave it at that. You have something I need.
Ryou's eyes widened in realization. "You want to possess me?"
The sneer became mocking. I thought you didn't care anymore.
"Just leave me alone!" Ryou tried to back away, but he was already flat against a wall.
Boy, look around you. No one else cares if you exist. No one cares what happens to you. You are as good as dead and forgotten.
Ryou's shoulders slumped. To hear something else confirm his deepest, most painful suspicions felt like someone twisting a knife into his heart. All of the previous emotions he'd been cycling through were suddenly dulled, overwhelmed by bitterness and depression.
Don't you suppose there's a reason Destiny has dealt you such a bitter hand?
Ryou didn't acknowledge the ring. He refused to give it the satisfaction of knowing it made him cry.
You were born to serve me. You exist for the sole purpose of being my vessel, my way out of this damnable ring. You were born as a body, my body, not a person.
Ryou tightened his shaking shoulders.
Afterall... people are cared about, aren't they?
Slowly, he stood up.
You're nothing but an animated pile of flesh.
"Maybe," he muttered quietly as he walked towards the stairs. He passed the ring as he did, and he paused, looking down at it.
"But I'm not the one stuck in a piece of jewelry, am I?"
He 'heard' someone growling after him as he ascended the stairs.