Shoot, almost forgot to post again. SATURDAY, I WILL CONQUER YOU ONE OF THESE DAYS. *shakes fist* So, uh, yeah. I don't want to spoil the chapter for you guys, but I got stuff to say, so I'll just see you at the end of the chapter, okay? :D

Obtained Item: Disclaimers!
The Binding of Isaac, including all related characters (c) Edmund McMillen, because he's awesome.
Original story of 'the binding of Isaac' (c) Genesis 22, not that it applies.

Chapter 4: Babylon

Case Study: Isaac Peterson, Day 16

It seems that every time I try to AVOID mentioning the night on Eden Hill, I find something more horrifying in Isaac's psyche to take its place. Today, we discussed his bullying problem, and Isaac looked panicked when he let slip that he's been raped by those bullies that give him so much trouble in school. If he didn't have the excuse of insanity in the way, we could put those boys in jail for the things they've done.

Before I can dive into the story, though, Isaac assures me that it was no big deal. How a rape can be considered "no big deal," I'll never know, but I needed to hear Isaac's story. As Isaac told, it wasn't the rape that caused the problems.

It was the part that came afterwards.

xxx

The second Isaac could move, he ran back to the church in a fit of tears. He couldn't go home, not in his state. Father David would have a fit. So the only safe place he could hide was the church, lying in the moonlit glow of the stained glass windows.

Isaac didn't particularly enjoy playing basketball, but he did it to keep Father David happy. "You need more extracurriculars, Isaac! It isn't good, hiding in your room and drawing all day! You need to get out and make some friends! Be active!"

So it was basketball or drama club. And Isaac had too many people picking on him WITHOUT drama club.

Isaac wasn't very tall, nor was he very fast. He was clumsy and shy, not to mention had the horrible habit of screaming every time the ref would blow his whistle. Ever since he moved in with Father David, loud noises made him jump out of his skin.

So Isaac didn't PLAY basketball. Isaac wore the uniform and WATCHED basketball. He was a damn good water-boy and a great statistician, but for the most part, he was a seat-warmer. Not that he minded, of course - he'd much rather sit and enjoy the game than be expected to participate.

So the boys on the team decided that Isaac could participate in ANOTHER way. In the showers afterwards, to be precise.

And now here he was, crying on the floor of his adopted father's church. He had never felt so violated, so afraid, so alone. ...Well, he had, but Eden Hill was a long, long time ago.

Funny how things never leave you alone.

My, my, doesn't this scene seem familiar...

"Go away."

Don't say things you don't mean, Isaac. It gets you into too much trouble.

"I don't want your help."

You'd rather lie here crying all night? Go back to school tomorrow like nothing happened? Let those rats keep fuckin' with you for the rest of the season?

"Well, what am I supposed to-?" Isaac shot up to continue his internal conflict, but froze when he saw the sudden change of location. His beloved stained glass windows were gone. Instead, the walls were black and covered in imprints of skulls and bones.

But instead of the onyx goat statue he had become accustomed to during the rush for his life under Eden Hill, the center of the room was occupied by a shadowy figure. Bald and featureless, with the exception of glowing red eyes and a pair of crooked, spiraling horns.

It just sat there, surprisingly silent for once. It was waiting for Isaac to make the first move.

Isaac swore he'd never do it again. He still hadn't lived down picking up the Book of Belial all of those years ago. But the old book had clearly lost his potency.

And looking into those bloody-red eyes that followed him in every passing reflection, he knew the shadows were thinking the same exact thing: You need something else.

"...I don't want to sell my soul again." He had nearly died when he sold out for the Book of Belial. Granted, he was much older now and could probably take the strain much better, but the agony of that first mistake still sat in his chest. Could he put himself through that again? WOULD he put himself through that again?

Oh, but you're fine and dandy with being picked on and attacked? Letting those boys run all over you?

"N-No, but-"

But nothing. What's the point of living if you're going to waste your life like this?

Isaac sighed. The fact that he HAD a devilish voice in his head never bothered him. The fact that it was usually right did.

"Alright, so what's your idea?"

The faintest of smiles appeared on the faceless shadow. You're a smart kid, Isaac. Glutton for punishment, but smart.

Isaac tried to argue, but stopped with a cry when a tendril of shadow grabbed him by the arm and yanked him to the ground. The darkness overtook him, burning into his back and making him feel sick. He wanted to cry out, but knew it was useless - in the darkness, nobody could hear him scream.

Don't worry, Isaac. Next time those bullies are giving you a hard time? Next time I catch them beating on you?

I'll make sure to give them hell.

xxx

Nobody seemed to pay any mind to Isaac, as usual. Life went on. His hair was a bit flatter and a bit darker (it almost looked black in the wrong light), and his eyes seemed a bit duller, but it wasn't enough to be noticable.

Isaac's oversized layers helped to cover the black and red moon and star that was now pressed onto his back.

So the next week came around, and with a new week brings another home-court game for the St. Rebecca's Rams. Isaac kept a tense hand on his scoreboard, a shiver running up his spine every time the boys came onto the sidelines and shot him scary, dirty looks.

The game ended, and Isaac was barely three steps into the locker room before the boys were on top of him. Isaac fought much less this time. Last time, he screamed as loud as he could until a ball of socks found their way into his mouth, and tried to kick and squirm as much as the boys' grips would allow. This time, his uniform was torn away almost effortlessly, and he bit his tongue to keep quiet and avoid the ball-and-gag he received last time. The boys grabbed and pulled and smacked Isaac right into the shower, with mean laughs and sloppy cat-calls of "hey, hold still, you whore!"

The second blood was spilt, the flickering lights of the locker room went dark. "'Ey, yo, who shut off the lights?"

"I did."

The sounds of screams and the squelches of torn flesh shook through the cold locker room, disguised somewhat by the rush of water from the shower faucets. When the lights came up, Isaac was dragged off into the shadows, while the shadowy figure looked over the dead and bloodied bodies with its glaring red eyes.

Tsk-tsk. Me, a whore? More like the Whore of Babylon.

xxx

ADDENDUM: I'm keeping record of Isaac's stories, but for the most part, I'm dismissing them as fantasy. However, one alarming fact has been brought to light - this mysterious shadow that haunts the back of Isaac's mind, the voices that tempt him into darkness. What I originally assumed to be Multiple Personality Disorder may actually be quite a bit more severe. I'll have to do a bit more research and see what else it could be.

Okay, so this was an uncomfortable chapter. Eve's an uncomfortable character, alright? XD Blah-blah, everyone be adult about this and don't flood my inbox with your offense, 'cause I'm very anti-PC and don't want to hear it. Next chapter, we go back to things everyone's okay with, senseless violence and blasphemy. XD

Thanks for reading, guys! :) 'Til next time!

§ Tucker's Mayflower, signing off! §