Killing Crows

Flashbacks

August went home with Seth, in August's car. "I can't believe you can't drive," August exclaimed out loud upon entering the house, moments before Seth had uncovered the wild truth of not having a car. Seth ignored him, putting his things down. It was 6pm Seth had finished his shift just before the snow started to fall coating the ground with ice and the trees lost their last leaves.

"I can't believe it's snowing" Seth countered, he looked out the window, admiring the small snowflakes hit the ground. A memory plagued August's head.

"¡Mami! Está nevando" A young version of August about 6 clinged to the window seal jumping up and down, a vague image of a tall woman, with long auburn hair. Walked over to August, and held him gently over the shoulders, crouching down to his level. He couldn't hear her but her mouth moved, she smiled, stood up and held August's hand watching the snowfall outside the window.

The flashback swept away like a cool breeze, August wiped away the tears streaming down his face, Seth still stood at the window. August clutched his chest, his heart pounding and his breath quickened. He ran up the stairs turning the corner into the guest bedroom, the same one Seth took him to a week ago. He struggled to the bathroom, locking the door behind him. August slid down the door, breathing heavily. Reaching up he grabbed his hair tugging at it, pulling out strands, he kicked, hoping the burning sensation plaguing deep in his chest would go away. He released his hair with one hand punching his chest, his chest felt like a hollow cavern, he felt the hit vibrate through his body, he punched again and again and again, until he was coughing. The sensation disappeared, leaving only a bruised burning on his chest. He focused on the pain, his breathing stilled. He dug his nails into his arms as he stood up and stared at himself in the mirror. His face was dark, the tears had stopped. August took his shirt off, his chest was red, and it started to turn green and purple. He rubbed it, the bruise throbbed as his fingers dragged along it.

"August?" a soft knock, sounded on the door. August ignored it, turning the shower on to burning, the steam filled the room, he couldn't see himself in the mirror anymore. He undressed and hoped in, it burnt turning his skin red raw, the bruise on his chest throbbed. He knelt to the floor clutching his legs holding them. August just sat there listening to Seth incoherently, talking outside the door. The door unlocked, and a figure walked inside the room. The curtain on the shower was drawn so all he could see was a dark figure lit up by the outside light. He realised how dark it was. "Are you okey?" Seth asked, kneeling to the floor. August touched the curtain outlining the figure's shape, drawing a heart on his chest. Seth sighed, turning around and sitting against the tub.

The water ran down the curtain, he watched as the drops of water fell down landing inside the tub. He wondered how long it would take to fill the tub, and collectively how long it would take for August to drown in the water, perhaps 20 minutes 40? He pushed those thoughts away, leaning against the cold tile wall still staring at the figure in front of him. Unlike Tommy he felt weird towards Seth, and unlike everyone else he felt comfortable around Tommy but Seth? He couldn't understand it. He hated how his heart flared like a spark of light ignited inside of him, making him shine a faint glow, and he definitely hated how his face warmed up around him, despite the cold weather.

After a few more minutes, Seth had left the room and came back shortly after to leave a pair of shorts and a shirt neatly folded on the counter, before leaving the room again and closing the door behind him. August turnt the shower off and hopped out into the intensely colder room than it had previously been in the sanctuary of being under heated water and behind a shower curtain, blocking out the cruel cold. He quickly dried himself off and dressed, his chest throbbed rudely whenever the fabric just briefly brushed against his skin, he winced, opening the cupboards hopefully finding at least a roll of bandages. "How the hell does this bastard not have a single medical supply" August complained throwing his arms down, regrettable, a shock of pain sliced through him making him groan in agony. He cursed himself for having one of those painful flashbacks, and carefully walked out of the bathroom making no sudden movements. Seth was nowhere to be found, but he seemed to have left a glass of water on August's now nightstand. He gratefully drowned the drink, it soothing the pain in his throat. as he put the glass back down, he keeled over sideways collapsing against the mattress, and passing out.