He had left to go for a walk, aware that his new parents would be there to collect him shortly but found himself uncaring. The matter no longer bothered B as he had decided what was to be done about it. He did not desire to have parents again - having cared so little for the original pair - and so he would not have parents, not for long anyway.
It was while he was out walking in the gardens that he saw a familiar blonde girl sat on the garden swing. With a swift glance to the top of her head he confirmed his suspicions and allowed a cattish grin to cross his features for a second.
"Good morning, Annabelle, you're looking radiant as always."
Her green eyes lifted to meet his, the usual fake smile she wore dropping into a sarcastic smirk at the mere sight of him.
"Beyond." This was accompanied by a slight inclination of her small head. "You're looking more disappointing than ever."
To anyone else, the curt and rather blunt tone would be unexpected from the seemingly innocent and pleasant girl, but to Beyond it was normal, for he knew the real Annabelle.
"Your words wound me deeper than any blade ever could."
Clearly this comment aroused some sort of approval from her as she released a small chuckle and indicated for him to take a seat next to her. He did so, giving the garden swing a slight push as he did. The light shift in his jacket pocket was discarded as nothing but movement of material from the contact of the wooden seat below. He was wrong.
"I see your hands are still as quick as your tongue."
B's gaze snapped to her hands as she dangled the ruby and gold bracelet in front of his eyes. Truthfully, he enjoyed Annabelle's company. She was like him in more ways than one and her sharp tongue and wit lead for many interesting discussions. Plus, this girl, who was two years his elder, knew how to hold an intelligent conversation.
However, that did not mean that, had she been a suitable first victim, he wouldn't have killed her.
No-one was that special.
"I could say the same for you."
Of course, he had realised by now that the sensation in his pocket had in fact been her removing the bracelet. This was merely one of the reasons he enjoyed her and the small shrug she delivered suggested that she knew this.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." The dazzling fake smile had returned to her features as she batted her eyelashes and attempted to seem innocent. "I am incapable of such a feat. Although I didn't think women's jewellery was much to your taste."
"You have no idea what is within my taste, love."
The girl released a small sigh and shook her head. "I am not your love, nor am I caring for your irritating rabble. You know very well that flattery will not work on a person such as myself." However, she still turned her head and tilted it, staring into his eyes as if attempting to reveal some sort of answer to an unknown question.
"But, tell me, Mr Birthday. Why is it that your name is Beyond Birthday? That hardly seems fitting for any child of your age."
His grin returned and he leant slightly towards her. "Well, you see, my parents were nothing but imbecile, incapable of choosing a name suitable for a young boy such as myself. I found my true name that irritating and that... insulting that by the age of three I had developed and decided upon my very own. One that was much more suitable for a child of my intelligence."
Annabelle was one whom he would not lie to often, not completely anyway, as she was much too smart to be fooled by his silver tongue. It was something he both admired and hated her for as there were not many he could not manipulate into doing what he desired.
"I see, then what is your true name?"
"That, my inquisitive little rose, is something which will remain within my own knowledge. A name can hold a lot of power when used correctly and I believe you may be one smart enough to figure it out."
The disapproving stare from her was a clear indication that he had crossed some kind of line and that he had, in fact, made it so her interest in him was at an all time low. But she had never been one for long discussions for others. In fact, she found them rather irksome.
"Very well." She stood and straightened out her clothes. "I will be taking my leave then. There are other, more important, things which require my attention. I do not have time to play with little boys my whole day, after all. I will see you again soon, Mr Birthday."
Beyond hesitated for a moment before standing to join her, although she had already begun to walk away. Always so formal. He had gotten too caught up in their little game of flattery to notice that he had forgotten to tell her of his departure. But that would not stop him from doing so.
"By the way, Annabelle?"
The turn of her head was indication enough that she was listening although she did not stop.
"It appears I am to be adopted. This was to be our last meeting."
He could have been wrong but it appeared that she seemed rather disappointed by this fact. What looked like a small amount of sadness crossed her delicate features for a mere second, although that could have been a trick of the light, before returning to the pleasant and polite smile.
"I see. Very well, I hope you have a pleasant life with your new family."
"Lying never has suited you, love. Be careful with that bracelet. It is the matron's."
She left him standing there with a small smile and almost fond thoughts of their discussions. B did not consider her a friend but she was someone he could speak with without feeling the need to blow his own brains out with a pistol and that was high praise from the young killer.
When he returned to his room he was mildly surprised to find that all of his belongings had been removed and nothing remained but a small note laid on the bedside table. Granted, he did not have much but he still did not enjoy his things being removed without his permission. Their hands could have been riddled with any amount of bacteria and germs.
Mr Birthday.
Your parents will be waiting in the main office. Please join us immediately.
So that was the case. He looked around the room unhappily, a dangerous and slightly insane mood overtaking his body as he left and headed down to the indicated office. There was nothing to be done about it now. Not yet anyway. But upon entering the small room he found himself mildly surprised. There was a basket of sweets and a small bunch of balloons waiting for him beside his parents. The clear "Welcome Home" scrawled across each brightly coloured balloon was indication enough that these people were expecting something much more from the boy then he was prepared to give.
"What is this?" He frowned at the selection of party items as he asked the question, clearly unhappy.
"This is for you, sweetie!" This was chirped from his supposedly new 'mother' as she stood and pulled him into a hug which lasted much longer than he desired.
"Release me, woman." Beyond detached himself from her and stepped away, dusting himself down in hope that she was not harbouring germs. "You could be filthy. When was the last time you washed your hands? And those clothes, there is a high possibility that you have just infected me with any amount of bacteria from the outside world. Take better precautions before approaching me."
He had, in all honesty, expected something of a shocked or upset expression to be on the woman's face but, as he looked back up to her, he found nothing but mild confusion which was quickly replaced with undying happiness. She was instantly infuriating to the boy. His gaze shifted across to his 'father' and up to the top of his head.
"Good afternoon Andrew Thomas. I expect that you are meant to be the new father figure in my life? Please refrain from addressing me in any manner other than Beyond or B. I will not be adopting your last name as Beyond Thomas sounds rather ridiculous and I am not permitting you to change my first name." B's gaze dropped to the man's face as he smiled nastily. "Is that understood?"
The was a quite clear pause as he contemplated what had been said to him. Again, he had expected something confused or angry from the man but, as he stood up and clasped the boys smaller hand in his own, giving it a strong shake, he seemed nothing but happy. What is wrong with these people?
"Well, aren't you clever? I can see you're going to be a great addition to the family already!"
Beyond's gaze widened and shifted across to the rather smug looking matron.
"Surely you are not seriously considering allowing these people to take me to their household?"
The almost desperation in his voice irritated him beyond belief, but he tried to recompose himself before she answered.
"Of course, Mr Birthday. I believe this will be very beneficial to your emotional and physical growth."
Her smug grin spread to the rest of her features. Had anyone else been observing this discussion between the child, the matron and his new family they would have seen a clear power struggle between the boy and the matron. Although the new parents seemed nothing but oblivious to this obvious display of dominance. Clearly they were mentally damaged in more ways than one.
That was how Beyond Birthday found himself, much to his dismay, travelling in the back of a Mitsubishi L200 Animal car, with his small amount of possessions beside him, to his new home with his new family and new found lack of hope for the sanity of the world.
If the cheeriness of the pair continued they would be lucky to still be alive by the end of the week.
*Author's Note* : Well... That was a long one, wasn't it? Thank you to those who read and reviewed and even to those who favourited it. Because you are awesome. Clearly. I hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter should be up soonish. It all depends on my health and schedule. Enjoy. :)