Is This The End?
Chapter Two: Let the Sky Fall
Sheldon slowly walked through the dark streets of Pasadena. Throughout his mind the images of the night continued to play over and over again. The look of shock on the men's faces when he showed them Amy's picture, the sight of Amy lying on the back of that table, with that tempter hanging over her and finally the look of her as he stared at her before he had left her there in the darkness.
His eyes still watering, Sheldon continued to walk down the streets. Again and again the images played and replayed. Again and again. Sheldon suddenly let out a scream. "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up," he shouted, but no matter what he did he couldn't shift the images. He couldn't forget it was impossible for him to forget. His mind was continually turning and churning the mixture, he couldn't shut it off. It carried on and on, like it was mocking him. His own mind was mocking him. Snarling Sheldon smashed his fist into a brick wall.
He winched in pain. His knuckles already ached from punching down whoever the gigolo leaning over Amy was. But somehow the pain felt different, it was painful, but it wasn't… he had no idea what it wasn't, it just wasn't. Slowly he carried on. Every step of the way was the same; nothing could shift the images, or the feelings, or any of it, all of it continued on and on and on again.
By the time he had arrived at the building and had gotten up the stairs. He was long lost in a turbulent sea of negative emotions. Entering the room, he saw Leonard and Penny sitting on the coach, kissing. They had clearly returned in the time he had been gone. Not caring Sheldon walked past them, his head hung. However Penny spotted him.
Breaking the kiss, she jumped to her feet. Leonard shot him an annoyed look, but he didn't care. "So how did your night with Amy go?" Penny asked. Sheldon stopped in the middle of the room. "I don't want to talk about it." He said solemnly. The mere mention of her name had caused his eyes to water again.
Penny started at Sheldon's back in shock, "what do you mean?" she asked, "I don't want to talk about it," Sheldon repeated, this time slower and putting more emphasis on the words, and with that he continued to walk away. Penny rolled her eyes, "honestly Sheldon, you are most insensitive person in the world." Sheldon stopped suddenly. Slowly he turned round to face her. "What did you say?" he asked coldly, his voice was deeper than normal, but Penny didn't notice.
"After all she did for you and to you tonight, you don't even want to think about it?" Penny asked, "I don't understand you, how you can keep a relationship is beyond me," Sheldon's fists clenched, but not noticing the danger Penny continued to talk "I swear your drive her to arms of another man, that's all your actions will do. And then you'll be sorry."
Upon hearing this, Sheldon looked up; he was now staring straight at her. Somewhere inside him the last restraints snapped. The previously simmering sea of pain was now boiling. He straightened up to his full height, still facing her, reguardless something about his posture was wrong. "Oh, I'm sorry," Sheldon said coldly, "I'm sorry that I ever met you. I'm sorry that you have nothing more meaningful in your life, that you're forced to pry into the business of others. That's what I'm sorry about, you worthless, stupid hack!"
Penny stared at him, "What did you call me?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing. "What's the matter you deaf as well as dumb now?" He snapped back. His voice was shifting; it was like it was like it was caught between two very different voices.
Penny walked forward towards him, "Sheldon, I swear if you don't take that back I will…" Penny began, but before she could finish, Sheldon suddenly charged forwards pushing her back against the wall. "Your do what?" Sheldon shouted back at her, his voice had now completely changed. He was now speaking in his native birth accent, his Texan draw slivered out of his mouth like a cobra. The way he spoke, it was nothing like his silky smooth voice he normally had. It was cold; it was deep and it was almost frightening to listen to.
"Get off me." Penny shouted trying to push him away. However Sheldon pushed back, knocking her against the wall again, Penny groaned in pain. He then threw his arm against her neck, holding her in place against the wall. Penny choked. "Listen," he snarled, his voice getting lower, "And this time listen good, I'm sick of your prying, I'm of your comments, and most all I'm sick of you, do you understand me?"
Penny was still trying to struggle, "do you?" Sheldon snarled again. Penny pushed back trying to throw him off, but he had a grip of iron. "Let go of me." Penny shouted. Sheldon let out a great snarl. His hands moved like lightning grabbing Penny's sides he hoisted her several inches into the air. They two were now eye level.
And the look in Sheldon's eyes chilled Penny to the bone. His eyes were like boiling pools of fire, furry and rage burning away angrily. And yet throughout the rage, was another emotion, pain, so much pain. "Do You?" Sheldon bellowed. "Yes, yes, now let me go." Penny screamed, but this time quieter, something about his eyes had damaged her spirit.
Sheldon continued to stare coldly; he held his grip showing no signs of releasing his captive. "Let me go." Penny screamed again. She kicked him violently, hoping he would loosen his grasp. Sheldon yelled out, he bent forward in pain, but he didn't let go. He straightened up, before suddenly spinning round. He threw Penny across the room; she collided with the floor hard. Looking up she saw him staring down at her, still snarling like an animal.
"Sheldon!" Leonard shouted, finally broken from his trance, "What's the matter with you?" he ran over to Penny's side. "What's that matter?" Sheldon repeated coldly, "What's the matter, I'll tell you what's the matter. Things Fall Apart." Turning he moved sort of swaying around the room uncertainly, "Things Fall Apart, the Centre Cannot Hold; Mere Anarchy is loosened upon the world. The Blood dimmed Tide Is Loosened and Everywhere the Ceremony of Innocence is drowned."
He paused his voice getting softer suddenly, his anger seemed to melt away, "The Best Lack all Conviction and the Worst are Full of Passionate Intensity." He slowly collapsed onto a chair "Surely some Revelation is at Hand; Surely the Second Coming is at Hand." Slowly Leonard helped Penny to her feet, the two watched Sheldon, he was just sitting there, his gaze was distant it was like he was no longer paying any attention to either of them.
"The Darkness Drops again but now I know that twenty centuries of stony sleep were vexed to nightmare by a Rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem born?" And with that he stopped, his eyes began to water. Beginning to cry he got to his feet and walked off to his room. He slammed the door behind him.
Leonard and Penny just stood there trying to take into account what had just happened, "what happened to him?" Leonard said. "I have no idea," Penny replied unsure. "Whatever it is," she said, "something is seriously wrong." "I've never seen him like that," Leonard said, "he's gotten angry before, very angry, but this was like none of them, he's never turned violent before, out of rage or out of anything else for that matter." "Something's seriously shook him." Penny replied. "But what could shake a man like that?" Leonard asked. Both of them were left without a single answer.
Amy slowly walked into her apartment; it was almost four in the morning now. She would have probably stayed in that dark room until hell froze over if given the chance, but the owner had kicked her out when the club had closed. She had spent almost seven hours sitting in the darkness. The man, whoever he was, had woken up at some point and had just run off, she hadn't noticed, she hadn't been paying him too much attention.
Amy walked over to the mirror, her tears had caused her makeup to run and a good portion of it had fallen on her dress. The blue colour which had made her smile yesterday now made her feel sick. What had she done?
And then as she looked her reflection scowled at her, 'Turn away,' her voice said coldly 'I don't want to look at the likes of you.' Amy gulped, hanging her head, 'look away or I'll crack myself,' the reflection said coldly, 'death's better than spending time with your like.' "I…I'm sorry," Amy managed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
'SORRY,' her reflection shouted back, 'after all you did, you're sorry? Well I'm sorry little Miss Jezebel, but sorry doesn't cut it, Now Get out of MY Sight!' Sobbing Amy turned away. Slowly she walked backwards into her bedroom. Turning she saw her bed lying before her. She couldn't sleep; she couldn't even bring herself to try.
Turning she saw her other mirror before her. 'I Told you to get lost,' her reflection screamed, 'look at you dolled up like a slut, because that's all you are isn't it, that's all your worth, your nothing else, nothing.' Amy was already crying this made her ball. She swayed forward to get away from the mirror; she was now looking at her dresser.
All her photos glared back at her coldly. Many turned their heads so they didn't have to look at her. "I'm sorry, I really am," Amy managed through her tears. A great cry resounded around her 'Sorry? You're Sorry?' Amy backed away. Her eyes darted the room trying to find something else. But they were all around her, all glaring, and sighing and hating her, they hated her.
Amy's face turned to the picture of her getting awarded her doctorate. 'You,' she called, 'If I knew this is what you would become, I would have given back to them then and there. The likes of you don't deserve to be a doctor; you don't even deserve to be in the presence of one.' Amy turned away, her eyes now fixed upon another picture this one much more recent, a picture of her taken only a few months ago, all poised and dignified and successful. 'How could you?' the image asked, tears falling down its face, 'how could you let us fall so far? What happened to your self-respect? What happened to me?'
"I…I…I didn't mean to…" Amy tried to speak, but the picture had already looked away. Still crying Amy turned again and then her eyes fixed upon another picture, "no," Amy sobbed, "not you, please don't, I couldn't take it, please don't." she begged. She continued to stare at Sixteen year old Amy, sitting there, wearing an oversized school uniform, even though it was meant for girls three years bellow her. Just sitting in the corner; crying like she always did. Slowly she looked up, 'If I knew I would become you…' she said, still crying '…I would have just slit my wrists here and now, it would have been better than becoming you. Nothing can ever make up for what you've done.'
And that broke her. Balling, Amy ran through the door, she had to get away. She ran straight into her couch, and fell over on top of it, landing with her head on top of the cushions. Slowly she slipped over, and huddled up on the sofa. Her apartment was dark, unfriendly faces surrounded her on all sides. Amy huddled up, watching as they all glared at her. All asking the same question 'How could you Amy? How could you?' And left there all alone Amy realised she didn't have an answer; she didn't have an answer for any of it.
Amy paused looking through the blackness "There groaned a Noise, as of a sea in tempest torn by warring winds. The stormy blasts of hell with restless fury drives the spirits on, whirled round and dashed amain with sore annoy. When they arrive before the ruinous sweep, there shrieks are heard, there lamentations, moans and blasphemies 'gainst the good Power of heaven. I understood, that to this torment sad the carnal sinners are condemned, in whom reason by lust is swayed."
And with that she started crying again, she was dammed for the rest of her existence and she had done it all to herself.
Slowly Leonard walked back and forth across the apartment, Penny watched him unsure, "you need to calm down," she said, Leonard shook his head "where are they?" he asked. "Relax," Penny said, "there not late, you only phoned them an hour ago and it will take them time to get this done." Leonard nodded, "I know," he said calmly. "It's just I'm worried, I've never seen him like this before, he hasn't left his room all morning."
"Sweetie," Penny said calmly, "evidently something went very wrong last night and whatever it is, it's left some scars." "Some scars?" Leonard replied, "I didn't think ripping open his chest would produce this sort of reaction. Any idea what happened yet?" he asked, Penny shook her head, "I tried calling Amy, but she wasn't replying." "What could have happened?" Leonard asked, "You don't think they broke up do you?" Penny asked, "Maybe he complained too much and didn't appreciate what she had done for him and she dumped him there and then?"
Leonard shook his head, "they've broken up before and it didn't produce this sort of reaction." "But they weren't as close as this before." Penny replied, Leonard nodded, "true, but I don't know, he's upset and he's angry, but most of all I think he's hurt. Now if I was going to guess, I would say that a break up would make him more miserable than hurt or angry. Besides I don't see what he could have done that would have pushed her over the edge, considering all the other stuff he's already done."
"I guess you're right," Penny replied. There was a knock at the door, "there here," Leonard said, he ran over and opened the door and Bernadette and Howard walked in. "Did you get it?" Leonard quickly asked. "Sure," Howard replied, "we got it, it cost an arm and a leg but here it is." He handed Leonard the box. "One limited addition, 1968 Mr Spock action figure, in mint condition." "If that doesn't cheer him up, I don't know what will." Leonard said.
"Is he really that bad?" Bernadette asked worriedly, "yes," Leonard replied, "you should have seen him last night; it was like nothing I had ever seen in my whole life, he changed moods in a blink of an eye." "He's done that before," Howard replied uncaringly. "He lifted me up and threw me across the room," Penny said aggravated.
The others stared at her, "he's never done that before," Howard said, "wait he lifted you up? Into the air? You?" Penny nodded. "Well here you go bye." he turned to leave. Bernadette grabbed him, "where are you going?" she snapped, "home," he replied, "if he's turned violent, then I'm getting out of here, he's a lot bigger than I am and we all know he dislikes me the most." "You're his friend," Bernadette snapped, "only because of another friend," Howard replied. "You're not going." She snapped, Howard groaned, "fine," he said, "but I weigh a lot less than she does."
Penny stared at him wide eyed, "what are you implying," she snapped angrily, Howard backed against the wall, "What, no, nothing, I'm just severely underweight." He quickly added. "Come on," Leonard said dragging his friend off down the corridor. The girls walked over to the edge listening. "Should we go with them?" Bernadette asked, "Best not crowd him," Penny replied, rubbing the bruise Sheldon gave her last night.
There was a knocking, "what?" Sheldon's voice snapped coldly, "Sheldon, Howards here and he's got something for you, can we come in?" Leonard's voice called; there was a grumbling noise and Sheldon's door opened. It then closed again.
"Well here you are" Howard said, there was a pause, and then Sheldon spoke, "it's a toy." He said coldly, "yep it is, and not just any toy, but a limited edition one of your favourite character, what do you think?" Leonard asked, "You got me a toy?" Sheldon asked coldly, his voice was fluctuating. This time the others didn't reply. Slightly worried, the girls leaned in closer.
"You…Got me…A Toy?" Sheldon said again. "I'm thirty-three years old," he suddenly screamed, "I don't want toys." There was a great crunching noise that caused Howard to shout out, then the sound of glass smashing. "Now get out." He bellowed. "Sheldon…" Leonard began. Suddenly the door opened and two great crashing noises echoed throughout the apartment and the door slammed.
The girls ran forward. Howard and Leonard were lying sprawled on the floor, lying against the walls. Their eyes were dazed and didn't look right. "Are you okay?" both girls cried in union. "I think so," Leonard said, slowly getting to his feet, he shook slightly as he tried, but kept his balance. "What happened?" Penny asked. Leonard stared unsure, "when we gave him the action figure, for some reason it drove him mad. He was even angrier than last night; he crushed the figure between his fingers, before throwing it through his window. Literally, he broke the glass and threw it out. And then he threw us out."
Howard looked up at Bernadette, "I told you," he groaned, "I should have left." Suddenly a loud smashing noise caught there attention. It was echoing from Sheldon's room, the four of them stood there unsure, it sounded like someone was trying to break everything in there. A sudden loud bang against the door sent them all running out of the apartment. Leonard slammed the door. "He's gone insane." Penny said.
"What happened?" Bernadette asked. "We don't know." Penny replied, "Something happened between him and Amy, and we can't get hold of Amy." Bernadette paused, "should we go and see her?" She asked. "What if she's the same as he is?" Howard asked "there just as nutty as each other." Bernadette shot him a look; he cowered back, nether the less none of them moved.
Amy huddled under her blanket; she didn't dare look out from underneath. She was constantly surrounded. They all hated her, she hated her, she hated herself. Amy couldn't bring herself to cry, not any more. How much time had passed she had no idea, it felt so long. Every second felt like an hour.
She was starving; she hadn't eaten in so long. But she couldn't bring herself to get out. She knew she had to eat, but she didn't dare pull up the covers, for fear of what would happen. She lay there shaking. The voices were getting louder. She tried to listen, but she couldn't understand a single thing they were saying. It was like mumming, it was like…Hebrew?
Amy knew she couldn't look out, she couldn't. But curiosity was building through her. In the end she couldn't resist. She couldn't, she would just take one peak that was all. Just one quick look to find out what was going on around her. That was all, just one peak. How could that hurt? Slowly Amy pulled the cover back to look around. And then they grabbed her.
Amy barely had time to scream; half a dozen hands grabbed her and dragged her across the floor. Screaming all the way she was dragged down the stairs and out of the apartment. Rushing across the ground, Amy stared in shock. She was no longer in Pasadena; she was in what looked like Middle Eastern settlement, a desert of some sort. The men were all dressed in dessert robes. Amy was still screaming as they dragged her across the warm dirt. Suddenly they stopped. A tall, thin man walked up her; he had broad shoulders, but thin hips. His face was covered but Amy could have sworn she recognised him. Standing above her, she caught sight of his already bruised knuckles, seconds before they crashed into her face. Amy was knocked out cold instantly.
Amy slowly opened her eyes, she was standing up. She tried to move, only to find she was tied to a post, looking around she found she was still in the same Middle Eastern settlement, the baking son poured down on her pale skin. A large crowd surrounded her, all eyes glaring and all snarling in anger. Looking on she saw the same man who knocked her out standing at the back watching, although his face was covered he could barely look at her and it was clear he was crying. He turned away and faced the wall; even now it was clear he was still crying.
And then another figure emerged out of the crowd. A woman! A slightly short, reasonably chubby woman, with just below shoulder length mid brown hair and brown eyes with golden flakes. She had an oval shaped face, with a slight point on her chin and was wearing light brown circular glasses and red lipstick. Before her stood another Amy, only this Amy was dressed like she normally dressed.
Looking down Amy saw she was still wearing her long blue dress, with white buttons, and her two inch red heals. The other Amy stared at her disgustedly. "Please," Amy managed, "Amy, don't." She was practically begging now, no she was begging. The other Amy slowly bent down and picked up a large stone. "I hate you so much," she said coldly, Amy hung her head in shame. "Death to the Adulteress!" The alternate Amy screamed hurling the stone through the air. It smacked into Amy's face, cracking her glasses and knocking her head back into the pole, blood ran down the side of her head. Around her the crowd cheered, and then from all around her rocks started flying. And they all smashed into Amy, her blood splattered on her dress, she was screaming and begging for mercy, but that just encouraged more and more stones to fly. Two well-placed rocks shattered her knees, she collapsed onto the ground. More and more rocks were still flying. And then one clipped her straight in her forehead and it all went blank.
Amy sat up panting, she was back in her apartment, it was still night time, and she was still lying on her couch. Amy relaxed; it was just a nightmare, just a nightmare. She lay back, still panting, it was just a nightmare. And then a fist smashed into her face. Amy was knocked off the sofa and onto the floor. Looking up she saw the other Amy standing above her, glaring down at her. "You're not getting away from me that easily." She said coldly.
Amy cowered on the floor, looking up at herself standing there, so much hatred held in those brown eyes. And then the other Amy kicked her "You Selfish…" She kicked her again "…arrogant…" she stamped her foot down on Amy's chest knocking the wind out of her, "…stupid…" she kicked Amy's head, blood poured out of her nose "…treacherous…" she kicked her side, "…Lecherous…" She stamped her foot down hard on Amy's right arm, there was a cracking noise, Amy screamed, "…backstabbing…" she stamped down on Amy's left arm, breaking it as well and again Amy screamed in pain "…Whore!" She screamed. Then she dived forward at her.
Her knees smashed deep into Amy chest. Amy screamed, the wind was knocked out of her again. The other Amy shot forward, her hands wrapped around Amy's neck. Amy tried to scream, but she had no more air. "Die," the other Amy hissed coldly, "Die…Die…Die…" and around her others joined, "Die… Die…Die…" multiple voices started screaming it. Amy could feel her lungs burning, her heart racing, her vision was clouding. Looking up all she could she were other Amy's brown eyes. Staring coldly at her, as Amy watched, the brown shifted and two skulls now looked back at her. "Die!" they screamed, joining in the chanting. Amy tried to… she tried to… but that was it, looking up as everything started to go black the last thing she heard was the other Amy saying "go and ahead and Die, you filthy whore!"
Amy sat up gasping for air; once again she was back in her apartment, on her couch. She lay there, naked. Slowly she huddled up to the corner and pulled her blanket in close again, as the images rolled through her brain, Amy once again began to cry.
Penny slowly walked forward towards Sheldon's door; he had barely left his room in just over a week. He only came out for food and water, and he barely even did that, it was like he was testing the levels of human endurance. Leonard watched her from behind cautiously. He shuddered at the thoughts of what he had previously heard; every night had been the same since it first started. First there was anger, shouts and screams, and a loud beating against the wall, like someone was trying to knock it down. And then it stopped and in its place was sobbing, so much sobbing, every single night till about three in morning at which point he finally stopped. And then it would start again the next night.
Things had been quiet however for a few hours; it was almost eight o'clock now. Slowly Penny walked up. Following what happened last time, Leonard was too afraid to even go near the door. Penny was shaking slightly herself as she reached for it, the image of those burring eyes of fury still sent chills down her spine. But it was still Sheldon, and Sheldon was Sheldon, regardless of what emotional problems he was going through.
Slowly she knocked at the door, "Sheldon?" she called out, "Can I come in?" The door slowly opened and Penny stepped inside. The room was dark; the curtains weren't drawn however, casting a little light. The window was broken, the glass pane had a whole though it. The room was tip, broken action figure pieces, torn pages from both books and comic books, and small piles of ash littered the room. Sheldon's shelf's had been split in two down the middle. His wardrobe door had been ripped off its hinges. His mirror was shattered. The place looked like a bomb had gone off. And there on his bed sat Sheldon, with a knife against his throat.
Penny stared in shock. It was a long hunting knife, the sort you use to gut animal carcasses. Sheldon looked up to see her standing there. "Hello," he said calmly, his voice was softer than it had been previously and although he still talked with his rural draw, it was also higher, like his normal voice was.
Slowly he put the knife down and held it by his side. It was strange to look at him like this, he was mostly unshaven, but didn't really have a beard. He had several cuts along his neck and face, from the looks of things it was almost as if he had been shaving with his hunting knife. His hair was messy, his eyes were red and puffy, it was clear he had been crying. Looking down Penny noticed his knuckles were badly bruised, she then spotted a section of his wall, the plaster had been shattered and it looked like it had been beaten in.
Penny eyed Sheldon; it was odd to watch him sitting there. His eyes were somewhat blank and then he spoke, "you need not stand, you can sit." Unsure Penny continued to stand; Sheldon turned his head to the side so he was now looking straight at her. His gazed seemed to go right through her. Slowly Penny walked over and sat down next to Sheldon. He continued to stare at where she had been standing; it was like he hadn't noticed she had moved.
"So…" Penny began, "how are you feeling?" Sheldon didn't reply, "Are you hungry?" she asked, Sheldon didn't reply. Penny sighed and took the plunge, "Sheldon, its clear something serious has happened which has deeply affected you, and as your friends we care, so could you please tell me what happened…"
Penny was cut off; Sheldon slowly got to his feet and walked back and forth through the room. Looking at him, it appeared he hadn't heard a word she had said. He was still holding his hunting knife. Slowly he turned round to face Penny, it was strange, it was like he finally realised she was there for the first time. And then he spoke, "you know something Penny, I hate them."
Penny was taken aback, "you hate who?" she asked. "Them," Sheldon replied, it was as if he expected Penny to know at once what he was talking about. "All of them, they're everywhere," his voice was deepening, "the dirty, the fifth, the disgusting, all those who sins pile up, walking amongst us in honest clothes." His voice was getting louder. His eyes narrowed coldly.
Penny sat there staring, who was he talking about? "The tempters and seducers, who corrupt the innocent with there lies and manipulate there, lust, with their bodies and words." Penny paused unsure, was it possible he meant her? His previous words, "Most of all I'm sick of you," rang through her ears. Was it her she was talking about? "I HATE THEM." Sheldon suddenly shouted smashing his fist down on his dresser. Penny dived backwards to the front of the bed in shock. Sheldon continued to pace back and forth in front of the bed.
"All deserving to rot in their own filth, deep down in the pit, that is only fate fit for the likes of them." Sheldon carried on. Penny stared at him, shocked by his sudden mood swing. Sheldon sudden stopped walking and turned to face Penny. Slowly he leaned in. "of course…" he went on, his voice had softened, he was now staring directly at Penny. "…we have to take into account the mind set of people like this."
"Some are vindictive, some are greedy and then there are the others…" and as he said this his eyes lit up and he leaned in closer. His unblinking gaze was unsettling; it reminded Penny of videos she had seen of Charles Mason. He had the same mad look in each eye. "…The ones who used to be something but grew out of it, who grew into it, whose school life was spent experimenting with it. And now carry on this lifestyle long past their teens…" As his spoke his voice was getting more and more forceful "…and now go out of their way to tempt and seduce, who take the good and corrupt them, who crush what is good and destroy all else, I hate them, I hate them so much." He was now mere inches away from Penny's face.
The look in his eyes sent shivers down Penny's spine. Slowly he brought his hand forward still holding his hunting knife; know pointing it directly at Penny. She could not take her eyes of the long, sharp blade. Slowly he raised it, so it was now pointed at her neck. And then in practically a whisper he said, "What I would give to hear them scream as my knife slit their throats."
Penny dived backwards alarmed, "don't you come anywhere near me," she screamed. Sheldon straightened back up looking confused, "what?" he asked, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Penny the speech had left her terrified, "but don't you dare come near me, you don't need to hear me scream, I'm your friend." Penny's voice was almost broken.
Sheldon's eyes suddenly opened wide, and then they slowly narrowed. He glared at Penny, and it was then she realised she had seriously misread the conversation. "You honestly think I was going to kill you?" he said in a soft, disbelieving voice. Penny sat the huddled against the head board, "How could you think I would kill you?" he suddenly screamed, "I would never kill you, I couldn't bring myself to kill you, Never… NEVER!" Then he lunged at her. Penny dived to the floor. Sheldon's knife slashed right through his head board where Penny had been sitting moments earlier.
Penny stared at the slashed board, her face turned pale. "Get Out!" he screamed, "Get Out before I…" Penny didn't wait till hear the rest. Frantically she ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. She ran into the living the room, straight past Leonard. She collapsed onto the sofa, panting for breath.
"What happened?" Leonard asked, shocked by the shouting. "I misunderstood what we were talking about," Penny gasped, "I thought he was planning to kill me. When he found out, he went insane, you should have seen him, he was as cold as a dungeon and merely the look in his eyes was enough to scare the living day likes out of you. He's gotten worse, much much worse. He's now somewhere between Jack Torrance and Dr Lecture."
Leonard stared at Penny, "what?" he asked shocked "what happened?" Penny paused, "At first he didn't seem to notice I was with him, and then he did, and he started talking about some type of person he hated for some reason, and from his comments I thought he meant he hated me. I seriously thought he was going to try and kill me, and when he found out that's what I though, it drove him insane. He's cracked."
Leonard continued to stare in disbelief, "you really thought he was going to try and kill you?" he asked, "Sheldon was going to try and kill you?" Penny slowly nodded, "what happened to him?" Leonard asked shocked. "I have no idea," Penny said, "I tried to get him to talk, before things went out of control, but he just ignored me, so either he doesn't want to talk about it or he wasn't paying attention when I asked him."
Leonard stood there worried, what could they do? Sheldon seemed to have gone well over the edge. "At this rate where going to have to inform the authorities and have them take him away." Leonard said remorsefully. Penny stood there, "okay," she said still worried. "Has it really gone that far?" Leonard asked. Despite not making a decision he took his phone out of his pocket, he held it out in his hand. "I'm not sure," he said, "You're his best friend, you have to make the choice" Penny said, "And I'm telling you he's completely gone off the deep end." Leonard paused; still unsure he held the phone in his hand. Suddenly a knife shot through the air, there was a crashing noise and Leonard's phone was knocked out his hand. They both turned and there it was, against the wall, with a long hunting knife stabbed into it. Slowly their eyes turned and standing in the doorway, his face like thunder, his teeth bared was Sheldon.
Leonard backed away; the look in Sheldon's eyes was terrifying. "Send for someone to take me away?" he whispered, "now Sheldon…" Leonard began, "AWAY?" He screamed suddenly. Leonard was almost knocked backwards by the force of his voice. Sheldon charged at Leonard. He grabbed hi, by the collar and pulled him in close, lifting him slightly into the air so now the two where closer to eye level. "Away?" he asked again, this time in a much softer voice, looking at Leonard his burning eyes had disappeared, only sorrow and pain shone through them now.
Leonard tried to speak, but the moment he moved his lips, the anger returned. Snarling Sheldon spoke "I was angry with my friend:" he said, "I told him my wrath, my wrath did end." And with that he threw Leonard backwards onto the floor. He landed and just lay there unmoving. "Leonard!" Penny screamed, she charged forward startling Sheldon she brought her fist straight into his face. He was knocked slightly to the side.
Penny bent down, but Leonard just pointed behind her. Turning she saw Sheldon slowing rising up in front of her. Slowly Penny craned her head up till she could see his eyes. They were now burning with white hot intensity. It was only at this point that Penny realised just how much taller than her, Sheldon really was. Standing in front of him she felt tiny. She stared wide eyes "Oh cr…" she didn't get to finish.
Penny went flying backwards across the room and collapsed on top of the coffee table. Sheldon stood there still snarling "I was Angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow." He said coldly. Penny held the side of her head, she was disoriented. Sheldon charged forward. Penny quickly dived off the table just as his fist shot down, smashing into the table. She looked up at him from where she was crouching on floor.
As her vision cleared the true horror revealed itself. Sheldon looked every bit the psychopath, his eyes were burning, his nostrils flaring, his teeth bared, she could practically see his blood vessels popping. Looking at him, Penny forgot that she was Penny and this was Sheldon. She forgot she was a street smart, strong woman who could look out for herself, and he was a scrawny nerd and coward to boot. All she saw was a huge man standing over a much smaller woman.
Sheldon let out another scream. He kicked the coffee table into the sofa. Penny jumped to her feet and backed away, scrabbling against the wall. Sheldon seeing this ran at the wall. Grabbing the sword that hung next to the door, he hurled it across the room. It smashed into the kitchen. Penny ran past him and dived behind the sofa. Sheldon swung his arm, knocking every item off the shelves. Penny huddled there watching him. Sheldon looked down at her. His ice cold eyes burning with passion. They cut right through Penny. She couldn't move merely watch.
And then he turned away, snarling he went for the armchair, he tipped it over and violently kicked it, "And I watered it with my fears." Sheldon shouted as he continued to kick the chair. Penny slowly looked up from the sofa; he was now over in the kitchen, savagely pulling out the contents of the cupboards. Tossing the crockery and the glass behind him where they shattered on the floor. He wasn't after her; it was like he was lashing out at everything he saw, smashing and breaking it, trying to get the rage out of his system.
Holding up a chopping board, he strained pushing it until it snapped in two then tossed the broken wood behind him. Penny sunk down; if she stayed here she should be safe. "Night and Morning with my tears;" Sheldon continued, his shouts were getting softer now, but they were still shouts. What he meant was beyond Penny, it sounded like some sort of riddle. And then her thoughts focused on Leonard. Turning she saw him, still lying on the ground where Sheldon had thrown him. She couldn't leave him out there, not with Sheldon on a destroy all melt done.
She rose up. A lose mug smashed next to her head. Penny dived down again. He may not be targeting her, but that didn't exclude her. Penny paused. She had to do this, she had to. She ran forward. Grabbed Leonard and helped him to his feet. Leonard was dazed and had clearly had had the wind knocked out of him. Penny guided him back behind the sofa. Turning her eyes opened wide.
Sheldon stood there facing them, holding the TV above his head. "And I sunned it with my smiles and with soft deceitful wiles." He said coldly. Penny pulled Leonard down, just as Sheldon hurled the Television. It smashed into the wall, shattering into dozens of pieces. The broken box hit the ground right next to them. Together they huddled together in the corner. As Sheldon continued his rampage. "And it grew both day and night." He screamed, carrying on the rhyme.
Penny pulled Leonard closer; Sheldon's voice was getting louder again "Till it bore an apple bright." There was a pause and then a great crash followed. Neither of them dared look. "And my foe beheld it shine. And he knew that it was mine." Sheldon said now in a softer voice. There was another crashing noise and then several other clattering sounds after that, "And in my garden stole When the night had veiled the pole." There was a final crash and then silence.
After several minutes, slowly Leonard and Penny stretched their heads over the sofa. The room was wrecked; it was like Sheldon had tried to rip everything to pieces. His laptop lay on the floor, the monitor ripped from base. Several knives were stuck in the counter. Piles upon piles of broken glass and crockery lay on the floor. The DVD collection had been thrown down; most of the disks were smashed. In the centre of it all sat Sheldon, now crying.
As they watched he spoke one final time "In the morning glad I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree." And with that he hung his head and continued to cry. Not waiting twice the two of them raced out of the apartment and slammed the door. They ran across the hall, Penny fumbled with the keys before opening the door, they then ran into Penny's apartment. Neither could speak, they just collapsed onto the sofa, trying to understand what they had just seen.
"He is insane." Leonard finally managed. Penny nodded. "But that's not all he is." he continued. Penny turned to face him a bit surprised, "when he held me close, I saw his eyes, he's hurting, he's really hurting, more than I imagined. Whatever happened, it hurt him really badly and I'm willing to bet that's what caused his anger." "But what did happen?" Penny asked unsure. "Well there's only one other person who knows that." Leonard replied.
Penny got to her feet, "your right," she said, "I'll get Bernadette and then were visit Amy; this has gone too far we have to find out what is going on." Leonard paused, "do you mind if I stay her tonight?" he asked, not wanting to go back while Sheldon was this unstable. "Sure," Penny replied, "You can stay her until this whole thing is worked out." Leonard smiled. Penny grabbed her purse and walked off. As she passed Sheldon's apartment, she paused, she could hear him in there, still crying. "What is the matter with you, you wackado?" Penny asked in a worried voice, before turning and walking down the stairs.
Amy lay there on her sofa. A whole week and she had barely left. Everywhere she went; she was screamed and shouted at. And mocked and insulted. She had cried so much that she was shocked she hadn't died of thirst. But it made no difference. She hadn't slept properly in so long. She was terrified if she fell asleep she would die. Her nightmares would kill her.
So she just nuzzled there. Her home had become her prison. She dared not leave or move or even make a sound for fear that she would wake them. She knew they were watching her, they were always watching her, waiting for her in the blackness. Waiting to ridicule and shame her. And the worst part was everything they said was true. Amy held her head in her hands, she was so ashamed, how could she have done what she did? She was pathetic, that was all she was, nothing but a pathetic jerk who had betrayed the one she loved, purely out of lust. And here she lay alone, naked, afraid, not worth the attention of anyone.
And then she suddenly realised she was not alone. Slowly she looked up, Penny and Bernadette were glaring down at her. She stared at shock at her friends standing before her. "You're not real." Amy managed. "Typical," Penny sneered, "you know something Amy? You're right you are pathetic." Amy gulped, "a pathetic weakling, who had the audacity to call me a slut, compared to you I'm a maiden of virtue." Amy hung her head, she couldn't take this. It was too much it was just too much. She already hated herself she couldn't take then hating her as well.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you," Penny snapped coldly, "no," Amy said meekly, "Look at me." Penny shouted, "I don't want to," Amy sobbed. "Look at me or I'll smash your oversized head against that table till your dirty mind spills out of your ears." Penny screamed. Still sobbing, Amy slowly raised her head. The second she finished, Penny slapped her.
Amy felt no blow, but she was still knocked onto the floor. Her head collided with her coffee table, there was a loud smack and she fell backwards in pain. She looked up, sprawling on the ground as the two of them glared down at her. She felt so tiny before them. "You're a sinner Amy," Bernadette said angrily, "and your burn! Your burn for what you've done, your burn." Amy sobbed, she didn't dare move. "Lye there," Penny snarled, "Lye there maggot, lye like the whore you are. If you move I swear to god I'll…" Amy continued to cry.
The two girls shrugged. "Come on let's go," Penny said, "I hate being in the company of dogs." And with that they turned to leave. Amy just lay there still terrified still sobbing, as they vanished, Amy heard there last words, "To think we once called her are friend, I need a wash just for thinking about it." Penny said, "She will suffer for what she's done," Bernadette said coldly, "just like all the other adulteresses she will suffer…she will suffer."
And once again, Amy was alone. She lay there on the floor. She couldn't bring herself to move. Still crying she lay there. Bernadette's words echoed through her head and her mind to turned to one place. "Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I shall endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here." Amy muttered to herself sadly.
She paused unsure before adding "Into the eternal darkness, into fire and into ice." And with that she just huddled up and continued to cry. A sudden knocking grabbed her attention. Amy jumped to her feet, who was that at her door? "Amy," a familiar voice called, "Amy? It's me Penny, are you there?" Amy's eyes opened wide. Again the knocking rang out, "Amy? Amy? Can you open the door? Bernadette's here to."
"No," she whispered to herself, "not again, I couldn't take it, please not again." Sobbing she huddled behind the sofa her head in her hands. "Please," she sobbed, "please, let me be, I know what I've done and I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" She just sat there still sobbing, repeating over and over again "I'm sorry," in the same broken whisper of a voice.
Penny turned to Bernadette, "she must not be in?" She said, "Try calling her." Bernadette suggested. Penny dialled and the phone rang out, "she's left her phone in her apartment." Penny said surprised, "where could she be?" Bernadette asked. Penny shrugged, turning the two women walked off in defeat.
Sheldon walked down the streets, he leaned forward unsure. It was late afternoon and there was no one else about. This was the first time he had been outside in over a week. He had to leave, he had to get out. He looked back behind him, he wasn't being followed. Leonard hadn't been home in three days now. His apartment was silent. He had just been sitting there, when the urge had forced him out. He couldn't stay, nothing had changed; it was all repetitive, all of it, repetitive and painful. Were there no answers in this accursed universe?
As he walked along, his head hung low he suddenly heard someone calling out his name. "Sheldon," a cheerful voice called. Sheldon was in no mood for company. He carried on walking. "Sheldon," the voice called again and then running up beside him was a familiar man. It was Kurt, Penny's ex-boyfriend, and Sheldon's seldom seen, muscular friend with the IQ of a goldfish.
"Sheldon," he said a final time. Faced with no other alternative he turned to face Kurt. "Hello Kurt," he said solemnly. "Hi Sheldon," Kurt smiled, "it's been a while since I've seen you, how are things." When he caught sight of Sheldon's expression, he realised something was wrong. "What's the matter?" he asked concerned. Sheldon looked up at him, as he did a single tear ran down his face. "It's complicated." He said solemnly.
Kurt gulped, he knew something else was different with Sheldon, but he could figure out what. Shrugging he brushed it off, it probably nothing important. "Do you want to talk about it?" Kurt asked. Sheldon shook his head. "Well can you tell me what it is basically?" he asked, not wanting further questions, Sheldon simply answered, "relationship problems," he muttered. "I see," Kurt replied. "As in girl problems?" he asked. Sheldon nodded solemnly. Kurt paused for a moment to think and then an idea hit him. "Come on," he said, he led Sheldon down the road, "where are we going?" Sheldon asked apathetically. "The one place that guys can go to make themselves feel better during this particular crisis." Kurt replied.
And with that he led Sheldon off.
Well didn't I tell you there would be a few shocks in this story? I hope you enjoyed, and didn't mind my use of classic poetry to convey Sheldon and Amy's moods (For those interested, the extracts are taken from "The Second Coming" By W.B Yeats, "Dante's Inferno" Canto 3 and 5, respectively and Blake's "The Poison Tree") I just felt it was appropriate as there both highly educated people.
To the person who brought it up, I am aware that in reality prostitution is illegal in California, but I had to bend that make the story work. If you can't bend your suspension of disbelief that far, I recommend you interpret it as the guy (who is clearly not the most honest or moral in the world) was simply lying and Amy was to drunk by that point to realise.
I'll will upload the third (and probably last) chapter in a few days.
Please review.