Haze

Chapter Eight

*trigger warning(s): child abuse/exploitation*

Chapter Eight
something snapped

Y/n's POV

"I took a photography class last year, but my polaroid camera broke. I knew Kyle and Sue had another one somewhere, so I asked Sue where they kept it. She told me she thought Kyle kept it in the shed outback, but she wasn't sure." I started, staring at the polaroid Mammon had.

"When I walked in I saw a bunch of boxes and yard tools. Christmas stuff, Halloween, but I had found something I shouldn't have that day. I found a small box so I opened it, hoping to find the camera. The camera wasn't in there. It was pictures of the foster kids, but they didn't have their clothes on.. I-I didn't understand at first, but..." I turned away from Mammon trying to hide my face. I felt too guilty for staying silent, my glow changing to a blue haze.

"He said if I told anyone...It would destroy the family, and all the foster kids would be taken away. H-He said all these awful things would happen." I sat up, bringing the blanket with me as I choked back tears. "I should have said something sooner. I feel like a terrible person for not saying anything, but I was scared. Mammon-" I sniffled then turned, seeing Mammon sit up, his eyes filled with rage.

"Kyle  is a fucking pedophile. And I'm gonna kill him." Mammon shot up from the bed, quickly sliding his boxers and pants back on. "You shouldn't have told me that. I mean no- I'm glad you told me." He huffed as he tossed his shirt on. "But now I'm really gonna fucking murder him." Mammon's face was feral, a type of rage I had never seen on him.

I frantically grabbed my sweatshirt, coving myself up. "Mammon, no. Don't say that." I frowned as I got up and slid my panties back on. "I'm fuckin' serious Y/n." Mammon snapped, turning to face me. "Kyle is fucking dead." He started walking to my door, things around my room starting to float around from his anger.

Before he opened it, I ran and blocked the door, a faint yellow glow swirling around me. "You don't know what you're saying. You're not killing anybody." I said, looking up at him, I saw his hands turn to fists at his side. "You've been defending him this whole fucking time? You knew this the whole fucking time? Are you serious?" He frowned, his lips parted in awe.

"I'm not blaming you, I get you were scared. But Jesus fucking Christ. He's a disgusting monster Y/n. Don't you get that?" I took in a shaky breath, looking down at the floor now. "I think- I think you should leave, Mammon."

His face contorted to a more confused one, "What?"

"You're clearly upset. You're not thinking clearly-" I started again but Mammon cut me off, "Like hell I'm not!" He scoffed, his lips pursing. I looked back up at him, my yellow glow dissipating, "I don't want you to do something you'll regret. Please." I half begged.

Mammon's expression turned cold. He turned around and opened my window again, "Fine. Fuck. Fuck, Y/n!" He muttered as he left, leaving me alone again.

I looked down again, closing my eyes and letting the tears fall, my blue glow choking me. I slid down my door, holding my head in my hands.

When I looked up, my eyes locked on the polaroid pictures I had hanging on one of my walls. My sadness melted into to anger. I was mad at myself, mad at Mammon, mad at the world, but mainly enraged at Kyle...

*****

Mammon's POV

I stomped down the road, rocks and debris flying behind me. I was livid, I reached in my pocket and grabbed a cigarette. I pulled one out, placed it between my lips and tried to light it. I was so shaky with rage that I gave up trying to light it.