Pill By Pill {Muke}

33 - Same Person, Different Body

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Luke's POV

I arrived at Riley's house and he instantly pulled out several different things and tossed them onto the table. I looked around as Riley turned to me with a devilish grin. "What? Are you just going to stand there? Or will you care to join me?"

"S-Skarlet doesn't like me smoking with you.." I said quietly and Riley cocked an amused eyebrow.

"But you like it." Riley said, he sounded so confident. As if he knew me entirely. So I shook my head, this is either when Riley got confused or enraged - maybe both.

"I know you want to join me." Riley said sourly. "Just do it."

"Riley, I really don't." I shook my head and took a step backwards. Feeling my shoes skidding across the floor as Riley stood up. I knew that look on his face all too well. I remembered it from a few years ago, when Kody asked me to smoke for the very first time. I said no initially, but he was right there to put an end to me saying no. Now I knew, Riley was the same way. He was short tempered and hated my interactions with anyone besides him. Everyone was evil in his eyes, but he could never see that the real torment was himself.

Like Kody, I cared enough about Riley to want to stand there and bow down to what he said. But unlike Kody, I knew I could not stand there and let myself fall apart. I was a shaky structure already. Riley could knock me down if I did nothing to defend myself.

I felt chills run on my spine as I walked backwards more, every step I seemed to take, Riley took one too. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. I give you all these nice things! And you dare to look at me, and refuse the assistance I am giving to you!? This is why Skarlet treats you like a child - because you're never happy with what you have. So why give you anything in the first place?"

"Nice things?" I said quietly, finding myself enraged even more. "These 'nice things' are ruining my life! Can't you see that you sour bastard!? These are going to end up either killing me or getting me jailed for the rest of my life!"

"What are you going to do about it!?" Riley screamed. "You have nothing!" His voice was shrill and his words were sharp enough to cut through me. But in the end, there was nothing I could do but defend myself.

"And neither do you." I said calmly. "I'm not your play thing. If I wanted to be used and abused I would have stayed with Kody. But you're cruel and unjust. I can't stand to look at you one minute longer."

Riley gritted his teeth, and turned. Shoving me to the wall and slamming his fist against my face. I must have knocked down a few things as I hit the ground as he grabbed my shirt and slid me harshly into another wall. I picked myself and ran out of the door as fast I could.

"Luke!" Riley screamed. "Luke come back here right now! Luke!"

I walked down the path and folded my arms as I tried to swallow down any fear I had. I felt like crying, but in all honesty I felt a lot of things. And none of it ever seemed to be good.

I put a cigarette between my teeth and lit it, hoping to calm myself. Its bad taste was evident, but only now was it completely obvious. I cringed at it, but left it there anyways. After all, without it my head might as well throb.

I had no idea where I had wandered to. But in a minute I found myself standing in front of a house. A house I knew.

It was the Irwin household.

I stood there for a moment, before sitting myself on the steps. Hoping someone would show up eventually.

And eventually, someone did. My head was ducked in my legs, I had no idea they were coming until I felt someone kicking my foot with their own.

I looked up to see Ashton, Michael, and Skarlet looking down at me. Michael looked awfully confused, but Skarlet looked angry - almost unimpressed. She grabbed my arm and pulled me up off the ground and cocked an eyebrow. At first nothing came out of my mouth, and my eyes started to burn. I turned between them. Wanting to say something and eventually turned to Michael as I felt hot tears streak down my face.

"H-Help m-me.." I whimpered and he went wide eyed at me immediately. Turning me around, he pushed me through the door and up the stairs. I had no idea where he was taking me, but eventually I was shut into his room. We stood there for a few moments, and neither one of us said anything.

"What happened?" He asked. "You look a little rough there, cupcake."

I blinked a few times, trying to remember it. Trying to form the words to make it come out. Michael said nothing, just looked me up and down and took a step closer - but I took a step back and Michael ended with a shocked expression.

"What did I do?" Michael asked, the pain on his face seemed to shake any fear I might have had, and replaced it with a self-hatred that filled me full.

I sank to my knees and gripped my head, bursting into a full sob. Michael crouched in front of me and ran his hand through my hair before pulling me into his embrace. Shaken with my woes, he ran his hand gently down my back, every now and again kissing the top of my head.

Eventually he pulled back and I felt the chill of the room, but I was alright with that. Michael gripped my hand and ran his fingers over my pale knuckles.

"What happened to you, love?" He spoke gently.

"R-Riley is just like Kody.." I said quietly. "O-Only worse."

Michael went wide eyed for a moment, only a moment. "Do you want me to get Skarlet?"

"She'll just make sure I know it's my fault.." I whispered. "W-Why did I ever do this to myself?"

"I don't know, I don't really think you wanted to." Michael responded. "What made you even come here in the first place? What made you think I would want you here?" Michael rolled his eyes and spoke once more. "I mean I do, but I feel like you would never think that."

"I..I don't know.." I said quietly. "I just don't know."

"I feel like I'm the last person you would go to, after all," Michael said. "You're not very fond of me." When I caught his eye he just shrugged. As if it was obvious. Maybe it was, after all. I spent all my time away from him. When I did see him I kept my distance. It was like I never wanted to be near him at all.

But there was always something to drag me back, and even if he was the last person I went to, I went to myself even less.

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

Oh damn that double update though. So there will be either 2-7 more chapters (Probably two really long ones.) And there won't be any epilogues because you'll understand why once you've read it.

Hugs, Kisses, cuddles and Serenades xX