Kids in the Dark

Chapter 14

Theo's P.O.V

I was sat at the table, across from the new kid Ryder had brought home. His hair was sandy, but darker at the roots, it paired well with his tanned complexion and almost inhuman blue eyes. He turned his head slightly and caught me staring at him.

"What?" He asked somewhat defensively. I shook my head and got to my feet, moving over to the fridge. I yanked on the handle and popped it open. I grabbed the carton of orange juice and then resumed my seat.

"So?" I asked unscrewing the carton cap and taking a swig.

"Theo, that's disgusting," Ryder complained as he entered followed by Tank. I rolled my eyes and continued, despite the look Ryder, who was now sat by my side, was giving me. I found myself watching Marc closely, as I drank the juice. He just couldn't sit still.

"So what is it with you huh?" I asked setting the juice aside and leaning across the table towards Marc. The guy's eyes flicked towards me as I continued to speak. " Are you a klepto? Pyro? Just plain stupid?" I kept asking. Marc smirked and leant forwards.

"Well, this time they want me for as stolen jeep, a gallon of gas and a match."

"So?" Ryder asked looking in my direction.

"Seems cool. He can stay." I gave my verdict, and the two 16-year-olds vanished upstairs. I took a glance at my watch and saw that it was half 6. I sighed and got to my feet, making my way upstairs. When I reached the upstairs landing I heard the sound of my brother laughing. I smiled, it was a sound a had not heard in awhile. I continued on my way and entered the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror. I glanced down at the razor blade perched on the sink's edge.

Do it, a voice hissed inside my head. Smash the razor and do it.

No, I thought back, clenching my fists. I had been clean for 2 years, I could fight it.

You know you want to.

"No." I found myself saying out loud, slamming my fists down on either side of the sink.

"Hey Theo, you ok?" It was Ryder. I turned around to face him to see a concerned look on his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I casually lied pushing my way past him and heading towards my chosen room.

"Are you sure, was it the drawing?" Ryder asked trailing behind me.

"Ryder I'm fine. I'm gonna turn in for the night." I muttered shutting the door in his face.

"What about dinner?"

"I'm not hungry." I uttered through the door.

"Theo?" Ryder's voice sounded deflated. I kept quiet at took a seat on the corner of the bed and looked down at my wrists. Seeing the drawing Ryder had created had triggered the voices in my mind, the ones who broke me with all the abuse they shouted at me.

No, I thought, I could keep them quiet. I wouldn't give in, Ryder and Adam would want me to stay clean.

But you know you deserve it. The voice hissed again. I screwed my eyes shut trying to block it out. Upon opening my eyes once more I reached out for my phone and pulled it close. I turned the music up and plugged in my headphones, the loud guitar riffs and drum beats silencing the voices. I lay back, resting my head on a pillow and closed my eyes.

Sleep did not come to me as I had wished, instead, I lay awake, feigning sleep only when Ryder came to invite me to dinner. Only after the sun set, and silence fell upon the house did sleep finally was over me.

"Theo!" Ryder's shouts came, awakening me from my sleep. "Marc's gone. I woke up to take a piss, and he was missing."

"Calm down mate," I said wearily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"But what if he does something stupid?"

"Ryder, you don't honestly think he would do you?" I said sitting up to view my brothers disheveled.

"Well, over dinner things were said and..."

"And what?" I asked.

"Well, he got mad," Ryder said in a small voice, like a kid who knew he was in trouble. I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"Marc knows the cops are out there. He's stayed in the shadows this long, he wouldn't waste it all now. Just don't push him too far. He's hiding from his past, you know too well what that's like. Just watch his eyes, they-"

"Yeah I know," Ryder cut me off. "His eyes go gray. Look I'll keep you up to date." He sighed and left. "G'night." He called from the hall before silence fell upon the house once more.

Short chapter, more on the way. Comment. Share. Vote :)