Riptide

Chapter Nine, I Have Never Failed to Feel

Roseabella's Point of View

I woke up to see the sun slowly rising. It was probably around three in the morning, but who knows? I saw Mystery in front of me, dotty curled up on his lap.
I was very confused, because Dotty was just hissing at him before I fell asleep..
"How long was I sleeping for.." I questioned.
"You weren't sleeping. You blacked out. But I guess it works both ways.
And, it's around three in the morning. "
Ha. So my guess was correct.
Shit, why have I been blacking out so much? Twice in a day. I really hope my head injury isn't that bad.
But, I'll have to cope.
I sat up slowly and sat against the base of the highrock.
I smiled at mystery.
"You never told me who you were, mystery boy."
My voice awakened dotty. She hopped off his lap and sat next to me.
I stared at Mystery.
"Come here." I said softly.
He stared blankly, but sat next to me.
"Tell me who you are." I whispered.
He sighed.
"Billie. My name is Billie. "
I chuckled.
"I like your name. "
He stared expressionless at the rising sun.
"Thanks."
We sat in a silence for a couple of seconds.
"You sound familiar." I said.
"I was expecting you to say that. " he sighed. "All over the headlines, the news, magazines. Everywhere.
Billie Joe Armstrong. That's my full name. "
I stared at him in shock.
It's him. The famous teenage psychopathic murder.
He didn't look at me.
I tensed down a bit and asked softly,
"Why..?"
Why would he do all that? How the fuck do you live with yourself?
He better give some answers.
He didn't say anything for a good ten seconds.
"I was mad. I was completely unstable.
After seeing everything in the world, I couldn't take it.
After being treated harshly by everyone and everything in my way. I just couldnt do it.
I wish that the good outweighed the bad. Not just in my scenario, but in everything. "
He paused.
"I was never taught how to love. My mother and I barely spoke, throughout my entire life. I never understood emotions them self. To me, everything was an illusion.
The only thing that mattered to me was my guitar. I could play it beautifully. I could sing melodies that could express my corrupted, blank mind.
But, my mother took that away from me. She took everything away from me.
She had severe alcohol problems and would always scold me, for no specific reason. She would imagine things and then blame me for them. "
He tensed.
"She came home, wasted one night.
It was four in the morning and I was strumming a couple of chords, thinking about how I could use my skill to get out of this town. To go somewhere. To do something with myself.
I was able to ignore all the pain at home. I was able to look past it. I thought it was getting better. "
I stared at him.
Fuck... I don't even know what to think.
"She came home on more than just alcohol. She was on hallucinogenic drugs. She smashed my guitar.
Broke it to pieces. To the point where it couldn't be repaired.
I hated her with a deep passion ever since.
That night, when she blacked out,
I took a pillow and I suffocated her. I didn't feel pity. I didn't feel shame. I wanted her gone.
The police came by and they considered me their number on suspect.
I escaped before they could do anything.
Some people call me disappearing boy, from my ability to move so quickly.
I manipulated that power.
I killed people all around.
I killed people in their own homes to steal their clothing.
I killed people in their businesses to get their food.
All I could think of was myself. "
I began shaking with fear. I held onto dotty tightly and I stuttered.
"H-how can you live like that?"
I said.
I was afraid that I would be his next victim. My life was flashing before my eyes, and I nearly burst into a fit of despair.
I calmed down, and thought that even if I die or live, everything will be okay.
I stroked Dotty's head.
Billie brought out a cigarette and a lighter, flicking the flame until he lit his cigarette. He inhaled deeply and he blew smoke out.
His eyes were a beautiful emerald green.
So many words behind them. They looked lost. I could see past his emotionless face.
He was broken.
His eyes stared at the remaining stars in the sunrise lit sky.
"I lost all emotion after that night. All I could feel was hate, a hate so strong that killing people was the only way to let it out. "
He sat quiet for a couple seconds.
"When you hurt people for so long, it becomes apart of you.
It was the only way I could feel."
He took another drag off his cigarette, and he held it out for me to take one.
I took it, inhaled and blew out the smoke.
My body felt calm, and the feeling of relaxation washed over me. I passed his cigarette back and closes my eyes.
"Until I saw you."
My eyes snapped open and I looked at him slowly.
"You looked as lost as I am."
Tears spilt from my eyes, slightly fogging my glasses.
My vision cleared up once the fog evaporated.
Shit. Am I that obvious? Do I look lost?,,
"I don't know. I don't even know your fucking name. But, I hadn't helped anyone in my entire life until I saw you.
The feeling was stronger than the hate that eats me alive. It broke my never ending cycle."
I looked at him, my eyes full of emotion.
"I thought maybe you could help me. "
He used his thumb to wipe away my tears.
I took off my glasses and shoved them in my backpack, then covered my eyes with my hands.
I don't even know what to think.
I looked back at Billie.
He was pale.
"I don't know if I can be helped." He said, voice straight and flat. He took a big drag of the cigarette, and threw it on the sand.
I scooted closer to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, and hugged him.
After around five seconds, he put his arms around my waist and held me.
Dotty came over, nuzzling against Billies torso.
She laid down next to us.
I couldn't think straight with everything that was going on. I was going to help a murderer for fucks sake.
But, you know what?
He needs me. I'll do my best to fucking help him. I will fix him.
I climbed onto his lap, facing towards him and laid my head on his chest.
"Roseabella." I spoke softly.
"What..?"
"That's my name. Roseabella."
He held me tighter.
"I like your name." He said.
"Thanks." I mimicked from him earlier.
The sun had come up, but we were sheltered from the shade from the highrock.
Billie and I sat there, watching the ocean.
My eyes fluttered shut.
"I promise to help you."

~ Authors note ~
Wow! What a sweet chapter.
I really hope you guys like where the book is going.
Please vote, and remember
Midnight Popsicles are great.
- Jace 💙✖️