A Hard Knock Life

Soft Screams of Terror

Vylad

Who does Garroth think he's fooling? Lying to us is only gonna make things worst. I growled to myself as I stormed away from Zane after we confronted the blond.

"Vylad! Wait up!" Zane called out to me as I snapped my head in his direction, causing him to jump. "What is wrong with you?"

"Garroth! That's my problem!" I screamed before rubbing my temple. "Just leave me alone!"

"But I thought we were supposed to be in this together!? Please don't walk out on me..." Zane whispered as I rolled my eyes before smiling at him.

"I just need to breath Zane. I'll never leave you. It'll always be bros before hoes." I giggled as he chuckled lightly. "I'll call you at dismissal, ok? I have something to do."

"Just don't be late, Vylad... You might risk being caught." He warned me as he ran off to 8th grade math.

Rushing to the bathroom, I took slow breaths as my eyes flashed from my normal green to a dark blood red. Grabbing my pocketknife, I held it against my skin hesitantly.

One...

I gripped it tightly and closed my eyes, taking slow breaths.

Two...

I thought about the outcomes of cutting before I smiled wickedly into the reflection of the dirty, blood stained knife.

Three...

I sliced at my arm as laughs escaped my lips in slow harmony with my tears cascading down my cheeks.

Sniffling, I covered my face with my scarred arms as a soft voice floated into my mind.

You're worthless.

"Who are you?" I shouted as the voice just chuckled at me.

You're insane, Vylad Ro'Meave.

"What do you want from me?!" I screamed, afraid that someone has caught me.

I'm you, but greater. Let me in and we'll great friends.

"What should I call you?" I asked slowly as I lowered my guard.

Call me anything you can think of. Just remember... I'm your inner strength.

"But you're not the good kind. I know about you. A spirit from the underworld, sent to watch over people who are in distress." I whispered as the voice snickered. "A diwa or lost demonic soul."

Smart kid. You don't have a single drop of good left in you. Let me in and I can help you gain that back.

"Tao..." I spoke up as it made a confused like sound. "Your name is Tao Masama. For evil spirit in Filipino."

It's.... perfect. Unlike you.

"I'll talk to you when I get out of school. Maybe then, you'll introduce me to your physical form?" I asked, hopefully as it sighed in content.

Of course. Thanks for not taking it so bad. My last master killed herself after I cursed her out for being so unoriginal.

"What did she name you?" I asked genuinely as it groaned from the memory.

Frank the Friendly Floating Fucker. Or Quadruple F.

With that, I laughed as the voice screamed at me to shut up and leave. In which, I complied.

Upon exiting the bathroom, I automatically bumped into a dean by the name of Mr. Issac.

"Mr. Issac, fancy seeing you outside of the student male's restroom." I formally addressed him as he had a hand on his hip and glared directly into my eyes. "Can I help you?"

"Actually Vylad. I was hoping to know why you skipped my class. I asked a few students and they said they last saw you enter the bathroom." He explained as I bit my lips.

Feeling my blood run cold, my eyes widened as I looked down to my arm in which it was still dripping crimson.

Freezing up in fear, I watched as he gently grabbed my arm and pulled up my sleeve as the fabric tickled my cuts.

"Vylad, what are those marks on your hands?" He growled at me as pain and regret flashed across my eyes.

"M-Mr. Issac! I-I can explain!" I begged as he picked up his walkie-talkie and reported me to the principal, who in turn told him to handle it.

"You and your brothers. My office, now!" He hissed as I hung my head and walked in front of him to his grim, grey office.

~•~•~•~•

"Do you know why you all are in my office?" The green eyed male snarled at us as I rugged down my sleeve. "Well?"

"It has something to do with Vylad, obviously." Zane sarcastically remarked. "Since Garroth and I were in class."

"Tell them what you did, Vylad." His piercing grey eyes stared into my nonexistent soul as it was replaced by Tao.

"I-I cut myself... In the bathroom... During 1st period." I whispered as their eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry..."

"Why did you do it, Vylad? Tell me or so help me, I'll call your parents and ask them." He slammed his hands into the wooden desk as I let out a shaky sigh, letting tears fall onto my lap as I gripped my pants in anger.

"I-I'm scared. I-I'm alone. I-I don't deserve to complain about my problems." I chuckled as everyone stared at me in confusion. "I-I'm sorry to waste everyone's time like this. I'm sorry I'm even alive."

"Vylad, what do you mean by that?" The usually mean man softened his voice as my breathing grew heavier and my eyes went wild.

"I've been cutting, dicing at my own flesh for years. Paint my arms as I do canvases, with scars, memories of every different account." I snickered to myself as everyone took a step back from me. "You think I've gone insane... I think I've gone insane. I-I can't breath."

As I spoke, a wave of panic spread throughout my body leaving me quivering in fear.

With one last breath, I was left in black as the soft voices never left my ears.

Tao Masama... I'm your protector. Do you accept, Vylad Ro'Meave?

I do...

~•~•~•~•

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this insane chapter. Had writer's block (and was lazy {and busy}) for the past few weeks.

~Shadow Out!🌑