RED PARALLEL

Chapter 38: A Ringbell That Tears Us Apart

Song: Promises (feat. GOLDN), by Max Styler.

(Owen)

"Whoof..." Traviz shivered as if relieved he had killed a giant spider. "That was crazy, man..."

Owen killed another ant. Funny, because there was nothing sweet around there, so why the ants... Maybe they were passing around to laugh at his face. He didn't throw a glance at the jackass, focused on the table's cold surface. Traviz walked up to him.

"So..." he spoke. Owen dragged the ant, stiffening his body. "We're good, right? Like, that gay thing was hilarious, freal... But tell me, tell me. I'm a good kisser, ain't I? Haha..."

Really? Really?

"No, we're not good," Owen mumbled, almost whispering. "And it was not hilarious."

He stood up, pursing his lips and carrying a considerable ton inside his throat. Traviz whistled. "Ookay... My bad..."

"Yes, your bad." Owen looked down.

"I think we should forget this thing, haha. And never drink again..."

Owen glanced from the carpet to the disgusting pair of brown shit.

"I think you should just go."

Traviz was caught off guard.

"Wh-what?"

"To go, to leave, to vanish... You choose." Owen felt the heartbeat pace up at each word.

"Wait a sec-"

"I'm not waiting. I'm tired of you."

Traviz was frozen, probably trying to catch some hidden joke inside Owen's face.

"Are you kidding, Phants?"

"Call me by my name." Owen's voice was dead and flat. "Actually, don't call me. Ever. Do me this favor."

"Jeez-"

"... I don't want you here. I want you out. I don't want to see your stupid face anymore, I'm sick."

"What the hell-"

"I've had enough of your childish games, of me having to babysit you-"

"Did you smoke-"

"... to bear you... And, no. You're not a good kisser." Owen pointed at the corridor. "Start packing your bags. Just take that out of here." Owen turned around. "I'll pick your stupid b-soda, don't want it lingering around my fridge."

"Phants, wait a sec-"

"DON'T TOUCH ME." Owen pushed Traviz away.

Traviz was confused, holding himself at the wall.

"Stay away from me," Owen said, turning his back at him. "Grab your shit and move."

"Wow. Just, wow," Traviz blurted, waving his hands. He threw a furious stare at Owen, who was feeling a crack in his chest each time he looked at the boy. "Fine. Awesome. You want me to grab my stuff. Here."

Traviz picked the wallet over the side desk and put it in his back pocket, eyes fixed on Owen's.

"That was quick." Owen nodded. "Perfect. You know where the door is."

Owen picked the b-soda and threw it at Traviz's arms, and the boy didn't move, with a face of 'are you serious, son of a bitch?'.

"Ah," Owen spoke unemotionally. "You don't know where the door is. Not to worry. I'll show you. Please follow me."

Owen unlocked the door, swung it open, and looked down, waiting. Traviz walked near, eyes glued on his mad friend.

"Phants, you-"

"Just get out..."

Owen shut the door and went to the bedroom. His chest was locked and jammed, heavy as fuck.

The bell rang.

Owen felt a wave of pain about to make him burst into hard tears.

No, stop...

He threw his back at the near wardrobe and slid down to the floor.

And it rang again.

Owen curled up, the chest ripping entirely, the throat suffocating him. And it rang and rang, and at each rang, Owen would hold his tears for life, but the chest was begging to release them, but he held it.

The ringing stopped, and silence collapsed over that house, so irreversible. The chest ripped its last edge and Owen choked in his tears, sobbing, lungs twisted, and he tried to catch his breath, but how, there was no air. So the chest would contract and shake, desperate, his thin body shivering. The pack of sticks was just next to him, so he reached it, lit four at once, hands trembling, and sucked it.

He coughed and choked, the brain burning and the chest completely crushed into pointy pieces.