Mariam sat up in bed at the upright ringing of her cell. Groaning, she reached over and gripped the phone, pulling it to her ear.
"Morning." Hilary said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Hey. A little early to be calling, huh Hil?" Mariam said, clearly annoyed at being woken from her slumber.
"Sorry. I was bored I guess. Didn't sleep well last night."
"Oh, I see... Why not?"
"No reason... So how are the boys?"Hilary said.
"Fine. But speak of the boys... Do you think you could, maybe, take them for a night or two? I think Joseph's starting to get wise." Mariam said, pausing a second to wack Kai off her ass one last time. The rabbit didn't look too happy.
On the other line, Hilary felt herself go pale.
"Take the b--.. Boys?" She stuttered, struggling to regain control of her voice.
"Yeah." The bluenette said, switching hands to hold the phone in.
"I can't! I already told you that Mariam! My dad won't let me keep animals in the house!" Hilary said, her voice rising slightly.
"Geeze Hil, I can't do this all by myself! If you just explain how important it is, I'm sure your dad will let you keep 2 of the boys at least!" Mariam said, the animals behind her now awake and listening.
"Ok! Ok, I'll try and sneak them in. But I can only take 2. Who do you want me to take?" Hilary said, pondering.
"I don't really care. You pick." Mariam told Hilary.
"Ok..I'll take Tyson and Ray?" Hilary said questioningly. Hilary gulped. What was she getting herself into now..?
Tyson, Ray, Max and Kai looked at eachother skeptically. Ray and Max didn't like the idea of being split up. Kai was okay with it, and as for Tyson? Well, he'd probably prefer it over Hilary's anyway. Anyhow, the boys would be okay... Wouldn't they?
Hilary hung up the phone and fell back onto her bed. Oh, boy... She had to do her best to keep away from her Dad while they were here. She didn't want the guys to know about what happened to her at home, when they're not around, when she's not safe... Hilary sighed. Mariam said to come and get the animals at noon, so she had a few hours to spare. Hilary decided to have a shower, write another journal entry and write a bit more of the song in that length of time. She also had to go feed Kenny's cats.
As the brunette walked over to her dresser, she pulled out her usual pink shirt and white skirt. Sashaying over to the bathroom, she layed the clothes on the counter. Shower? Nah, a bath would be more like it. As Hilary turned the taps and let the hot water flow into the tub, the gushing water seemed to flood Hilary's mind with thoughts. Thoughts of how to finish the song, thoughts of what happened to Ray, and the other things Mariam told Hilary the boys had been involved with. Bending over, Hilary pulled out a white fluffy towel and put it on the toilet seat cover. Stripping down, the female was about to step into the water before it struck her to grab the pen and paper, to add more to her song. Picking up the towel she'd just placed down, she wrapped her now naked form in it and tiptoed out to get her materials. When she returned, Hilary returned the fluffy white guard to it's place on the toilet seat and lowered herself into the steaming vaut of hot water. Sighing content, Hilary sunk down into the water, keeping the paper from getting wet by holding it high. Again, her mind wandered to those evil succubuses after Tyson and her friends. There! There was her next line! She picked up the pen and began to write:
I want to figure it all;
I want to figure it all out.
I want to save you from,
Save you from all that's vain;
Save you from the things that cause us pain.
Relaxing at the thought of having her next verse written, Hilary sighed and placed the noteook away from the wetness of the water and sunk even deeper into the hot liquid.
Mariam sighed. She got out of bed, whipping the covers back. As Tyson made his way out of the avalanche of blankets, he let out a squeak of annoyance. She walked over to her dresser, pulling out a pair of underwear, a bra, a white shirt, and a pair of dark denim jeans with tears in the knees. Then her mind snapped: Why didn't Ozuma wake her for training this morning? She cocked a violet brow.
Max sighed contentively. He had to admit, being a dog wasn't so bad. Sure, he missed the human sex, but everything else was a little easier. When you had someone to tend on you all the time. With a yawn, he hopped off the bed and walked over to Mariam's side
"Max, did you hear Ozuma or Joseph, Dunga trying to wake me up this morning?" Mariam said, ignoring the fact that she knew Max was staring at her in her pjs. The dog looked up at her and blinked. Nah, Max didn't here anything. Mariam nodded, turning back to her reflection in the vanity mirror. Ray, Tyson and Kai also made their way to beside the Saintshield. She looked down at them before kneeling to their height. "Food, right? Or do you have to go to the washroom?" She said, eyeing them carefully. Tyson walked, or, ran, over to his lit-big, dish, and sat down impatiently. Ray just sat there. Nothing in particular did he want. Kai held an intense gaze at the bluenette. Still pissed about being pushed around this morning, Mariam thought. She smirked at it. Max didn't seem to want anything either, so he just followed Mariam's every step.
Anyhow, Mariam had to finish getting ready. Taking her clothes in one hand, she walked to her closet. Max and Ray followed her in. It was relatively the first time they'd been in her closet. Lying against the back wall was an electric guitar. It was standard black,but had an outline of blue glitter.
She plays? Geeze, she could've told us. Ray said, rubbing up against the stand.
I know. I'm starting to think that she keeps a little too many secrets. I wonder what else she has to hide? Max said, weaving in between her legs as Mariam pulled a black hoodie out of the left side of the closet. Along with it, papers and music also fell to the floor. With a muttered curse she bent down to pick them up. Among the items dropped was a Hawthorne Heights CD, a Taking Back Sunday CD, two or three sheets of music, and a... Razor blade? Quickly stuffing the items back into the closet, Mariam ushered the boys out, herself following. Kai looked up curiously at the emerging trio. And, Max and Ray, still a little shaken about what they'd seen in that closet, ambled over to Kai and Tyson.
You are not gonna believe what Mariam has in that closet. Ray said.
Mariam let out a sigh as she gazed through her window at her 3 teammates practising.
'Why didn't they wake me? Ugh!' She thought, rushing to her bathroom, grabbing her clothes along the way. A minute later, she walked out, telling the boys she had to go train with her team. Once again, Max wasn't about to let her go on alone. With another CD case slip, the boys plodded after.
"OZUMA!" Mariam yelled, jogging up to her captain. "Why didn't you wake me?!" She said exasperatedly.
"Because I didn't want to."
"What? The hell kinda answer is that?!" Mariam said, anger rising in her voice.
"Look, you haven't put half as much time and effort into our training and mission as you should! If you want to play miss loner girl, go ahead! We're certainly not tolerating it anymore. But beware: Make sure your 'new routine' works for you, because another loss to Max and you're headed home!" Ozuma beckoned, turning his back on her. Mariam just shook her head and dropped, 100 push-ups. Max, Kai, Ray and Tyson exchanged worried looks once again.
I don't get it! If her team's been treating her this way,why didn't she say something?! She could've stayed with us! Max practically screamed. Tyson just nodded. They boys sat in wonder at the harsh training routines for the Saintshields for about an hour and a half, until Mariam withdrew her blade. The boys took that as a signal to booter back into the house before Mariam beat them to it.
Once Mariam was back in her room, door locked, she pulled off her hoodie. Strangely, as soon as she pulled off her hoodie, she made a quick grab for her sex bracelets. And, just like before, Kai could've sworn he saw a tear roll down her pale cheek. But no, he must've imagined it because her cheek was dry. She gave the animals a glance before retreating into the closet. For only a second. When she came back out, both fists were clenched and her hoodie was back in it's original position from earlier. And before Max had a chance to bark, Mariam was inside the bathroom with her door locked.
Hilary quietly crept down the stairs. Her father must've actually went to work today. The brunette grinned before strutting out the door. It was half to twelve, and it took Hil thirty minutes to get to the SaintShields' house, so she figured she'd make it just on time. It was a warm day, and Hilary was looking forward to maybe lying out with Mariam and the boys for a while. Maybe she could even invite Mariam over the house. Hil had cleaned up after her bath, and her father wouldn't be back to make her life a living hell until around midnight, so she was good to go. Skipping merrily down the road, Hilary whistled a calm and refreshing tune.
Mariam let another silent tear drop to the floor as she struggled to conceal the bleeding. Mariam could feel the pain building up inside of her, and oh, it felt good. Or did it?... It was times like these when she didn't know how to feel. In pain or in sanctuary? The bluenette slid the top of her make-up box to retrieve her blood cloth. Mariam thought it better to use one rag instead of countless others to hide her secret. The boys might get suspicious. The rest of her team, too- Or would they? Oh, there she went again... Pondering over things that would never matter. There had to be at least seven scars there now. As she groaned, the bloody razor dropped to the floor with a tick. Which caught the attention of a long-eared nemesis outside.
Kai hopped over to the bathroom door. He tried to sneak a peek under the door ledge, but to no avail. It was too close to Mariam's floor. So, Kai, with an ounce of worry, started to scratch at the bottom of the door.
Mariam awoke from her pained daze in a start.
"Oh, fuck..." She mumbled to herself as she quickly looked around the room. Bending slightly, the vixen grasped the bloody razor blade from the floor and made a quick swipe to collect the blood in the already soaked rag. Kai knew something was wrong, and it didn't take him long to wave over the others. All 4 critters began scratching and gnawing at the door. "Just a minute!" Mariam yelled, patting the rag on her red wrist one last time. Grabbing her set of 50 bracelets, Mariam stuffed 25 on each arm. Her emerald eyes on the verge of tears, she stuffed the cloth and razor into her make-up container, glanced in the bathroom mirror, then pulled open the door. The 4 boys looked up with a start.
"What? What do you want?" She said, looking down at them apathetically. Max saw the pain in her eyes, but sadly, all 4 failed to notice the red laceration on her right wrist being covered by her bracelets.
Kai peered into the bathroom from behind Mariam's ankle. Nothing looked wrong... Oh well, must've dreamed it. Kai looked down in dismay before shaking his head lightly and walking back to Mariam's bed. Max, however, stared long and hard at the being before him.
Man, how bad could this get? He thought, finally turning back towards Kai. At that moment, Hilary gently pushed open the door of Mariam's bedroom.
"Hey, Mary." Hilary said as she gently closed the door behind her. Mariam tore her gaze away from the animals sharply and looked toward Hilary.
"Hey." Mariam gulped. Her voice sounded weird. "Sorry Hil, getting a bad throat. Ya here for the boys?" Mariam said, picking up a box next to her closet. Hilary nodded. Walking over to Tyson and Ray, Hilary knelt down and the boys scurried into her arms. Mariam handed Hilary the box. Needless to say, Ray was a little hesitant to go just then.
A box? You have got to be kidding me... The neko jin said as Hilary plopped him down inside the light brown cardboard box. Mariam smiled slightly. Ray looked up at the SaintShield once more, as if waiting for an appropriate goodbye. Mariam seemed to catch on, and simply said 'bye, guys, be good.'
It was then that Hilary noticed a small bead of blood drip to the floor. Luckily, the boys didn't catch that.
"Uh, can you guys wait for a second? Be right back." Hilary said, setting the box on the bed before taking Mariam by the shoulders and walking out the door. Do I have to say it? Kai is one nosey bastard. There goes another CD case. As the BladeBreakers watched the two girls through the seam in the door.
"Mind telling me what's that?" Hilary said as she grabbed Mariam's right wrist, watching the blunette flinch in pain. "Oh my God, oh my God, Mariam you can't do this! You're hurting yourself! You cut! Mariam! Are you listening to me!?" Hilary said, now shaking Mariam violently by the shoulders. Meanwhile, the boys couldn't believe what they'd just seen. And heard.
No... She can't be... Max said, walking back two steps.
I can't believe this.. Ray said, looking down in disbelief. You guys, we've got to help!
Agreed. Kai said immediately. Max was still in pretty much pieces. No one knew that day how bad Max wanted to just run, run into that hallway and scream at her. Scream at Mariam 'till he lost his voice. But he couldn't. He just couldn't...
"How could you do this to yourself?!" Hilary said, her voice quieting now, pain and sadness evident in her choked out words.
"...Hilary I couldn't stop-... I'm scared!" Mariam said, breaking down into a fit of tears in Hilary's arms. Hilary held her friend close. Together, Hilary cried for her friend. Mariam started to mutter things about stopping. But as Hilary's tears slowly started to dry, she couldn't help but think: Did Mariam really mean it?
Mariam waved goodbye to Hilary before retreating to her bedroom. Met by two pairs of angered, saddened eyes. That she couldn't bare to look in to. Mariam gulped again, and walked over to her bed. She layed down, burying her flushed face into her pillow. Without saying, it didn't take Max long to run all he was worth over to her side. He began to lick and nuzzle her affectionately in every way he could think of. Kai, come to think of it, was there also. The lone rabbit couldn't bare to see Mariam like this. She was always so strong; So hopeful; All gone now, as if it had been drained away with the blood she'd lost that day...
Mariam sobbed as she lifted her head from the pillow, flooded emerald eyes showing fear. That used to be so wild, free and strong. Now darkened by fear and lies. The puppy licked and nuzzled into Mariam's neck, as she pulled him close. Tears darkened the light brown fur of Max, and Kai just didn't know what to do at this point. After about an hour, Mariam stopped crying, and lay on her bed, petting Max and Kai affectionately.
Hilary sniffled as she opened the door to her house and stepped inside. Kneeling, she opened the box and let the depressed cat and guinea pig crawl out. Tyson looked down; Down, the feeling of the hour. He felt for Mariam, but still, as a shiver crept up his tiny spine, he couldn't shake the fact that something seemed out of place here.
Sadly, Tyson couldn't of been more right.
With a loud groan, Hilary's father emerged from the den, taking a swig of his beer. Hilary felt her knees go weak. No! He couldn't be home! No!
"Daddy, I.. I thought you were at work..." Hilary said as she stepped in front of Tyson and Ray. She couldn't let her father see them.
"Work? That's a good one dearest." The drunkard said, taking a clumsy step towards her. Ray felt, for some strange reason, this wasn't going to turn out greatly. "Now, what should I do ton-to-tonight?" The man said, advancing ever closer to the shaking brunette. Hilary didn't have a chance to answer before her father swung, with all his might, the beer bottle at Hilary's temple. With a loud thud, Hilary fell to the floor. Her father laughed lightly. "You made me spill my beer." He said, walking back into the den.
Ray and Tyson were horrified, and bounded to their fallen comrade.
Hilary! Hilary! No! Tyson screamed as he felt wetness begin to soak the carpet around his feet.
Ray just gulped, staring in disbelief and in pure sadness. Until Tyson's extremely scared voice broke the silence.
Ray, she's not getting up! Ray, SHE'S NOT GETTING UP!