how it feels to be alive {tom riddle}

fifty-one: cruelty

CRUELTY

trigger warning: this chapter has kinda graphic depictions of violence.

The days were becoming longer and colder as they entered winter time. Most students opted to staying inside, and there could be less people seen exploring the grounds or sitting in the grass completing homework than usual.

The cold had never stopped Lucia though, and now apparently Tom as he sat across from her on a blanket beside the Black Lake.

Icy dew could be seen on every blade of grass, and it wouldn't be long before it began to snow. A brisk breeze would occasionally pass, causing them both to tighten their scarves around their necks with a shiver.

Tom had a Dark Arts book on his lap, with his diary resting on top as he scrawled notes in it. Lucia lay on her back across from him, playing with her knitted gloves as she admired the different dark grey clouds that drifted by.

"Have you finished this essay already?" Tom asked skeptically as her eyes began to drift shut.

"Nope." Lucia chuckled with her eyes closed.

Tom didn't say anything, but he let out a deep breath and she heard his quill begin scratching on the parchment of his diary again.

Lucia's fingers came to play with the tassels on the side of the blanket as she began humming to herself. They only had a short time left before they would have to go to their next class, so she was determined to enjoy it.

"You know, they give us these study periods so we can get everything done." Tom spoke gently a portion of what he wanted to communicate.

"Mhm." Lucia hummed without much regard for what he'd said, then laughed to herself lightly as her fingers became caught in the twist of the tassels she had laced them in.

"Are you high right now?" Tom accused, putting his books and quill to the side for a second.

"So what if I am?" Lucia opened her eyes and turned her head to face him.

"Your eyes are glossy and red... Lucia it's the middle of the school day." He ran his hand through his dark curls in frustration.

"Stop acting like my parent, for fucks sake." Lucia huffed, sitting up and spinning herself to face him crossed legged.

"Well since they aren't around, I feel like I have to." Tom said matter of factly, referring to her being at a boarding school away from home.

And then he realised what he'd said.

"Yeah, take the place of my dead father and bitch of a mother, thanks Tom." Lucia said cynically.

"I didn't mean it like that, it just came out." Tom explained apologetically, cursing his lack of forethought.

"Whatever, I'm old enough to make my own decisions." Lucia spat, gazing off into the black lake to avoid looking at him. She pulled a cigarette and lighter from her coat pocket, bringing it to her lips and flicking the small muggle plastic until it sparked to life.

Must he always be such a buzz kill?

"I just don't think this is healthy." Tom reasoned, looking at her cigarette judgementally.

"And the amount of dark magic you've subjected yourself to isn't either." Lucia responded, rolling her eyes and taking a drag of the cigarette.

"That's different." He sighed.

"Is it?" She retorted, raising her eyebrows.

"You're being unreasonable." Tom shook his head, seeing his words seemed to have no impact. "You need to remember your past... issues... Lucia. You shouldn't be having any of this stuff."