He's Come Undone

Chapter 9: I know, I'm a Monster

                                ~ MACY ~

"I need to find Ethan." My head is throbbing and I feel like I'm about to throw up. Or faint.
"I need to get out of here." I mumble, stumbling out of the mass of people who are now crowded around.

Tomi pushes his way next to me and grabs my hand, pushing the crowd so that they split and we can make our way through. Everyone is talking. I can't hear my thoughts.
We reach the outside of the crowd, and Tomi has to bend to come eye level with me. He's still holding my hand, even though it's grown sweaty.

"Are you alright?" He asks me softly, and looks into my eyes as a little piece of his brown hair flops down onto his forehead. He must gel it so it sticks up.
I retch.
He stands by my side, patting my back.
"Breathe. Breathe... it's okay. Just, breathe..." Tomi cooes softly. My heaving breaths slowly return to normal.

I stand up straight.

"We need to find Ethan." I state. My mind is still blurry.

Was it Ethan? Could he have really done it?

"Okay, let's find Ethan." Tomi speaks again, softly, like I'm a little girl and he's encouraging my aspirations.

"We need to look outside." I say simply, finally letting go of Tomi's hand.

I walk quickly to the big glass door. It's not fully closed. I hold my breath and step outside, and the crisp cool air meets my skin.

"Ethan?" Tomi calls, stepping out behind me.

"Shhhh! You'll scare him away!" I scold him.

He looks at me like he doesn't know what he's done wrong.
I walk across the yard, to that spot we spoke that night. I just have to go around the corner. He must be around the corner.

                                  ~ TOMI ~

I hear him before I see him. Macy rushes forward in front of me, calling his name.
His sobbing grows louder.
I walk up after her, and they start hugging. I can hear her whispering the words "it's okay" repeatedly to him. He props his head over her shoulder, and I can finally see his face. It has blood splattered all over it.

"What the fuck?!" I bellow, backing away from them.

Ethan's eyes flick open, and he looks up at me, seemingly terrified. He stands up, also backing away.

"What the fuck?" I say again. "Ethan?"
"Tomi. Calm down." Macy tries to say calmingly, but I can't be calm.
"Ethan, did you... did you kill him?" I manage, staring at him in utter confusion.
Ethan's eyes brimmed up in tears. "Is he dead?" He chokes.
Macy stands up and grabs ahold of one of his hands, pulling him closer to her. "We don't know that for sure. Ethan, please sit down. Please."

I can't think straight. I don't understand any of this.

"You guys... tell me exactly what's happening, or I call the police and tell them what I'm seeing." I say, and I can feel my heart beating in my throat. I clench my fist by my side.

They look at each other. Ethan nods slightly, then keeps his head bowed as if he doesn't have the energy to pick it up again.

"Tomi... Ethan's a vampire." Macy says, watching my face carefully.

I don't know what to do or say.
I laugh.

"What? What's wrong?" She asks me.
"You can't expect me to believe that." I say. Ethan still hasn't moved.
"Ethan, say something." He lifts his head up and slowly looks at me. His eyes are bloodshot and he has tears streaming down his face.
"SAY SOMETHING!" I shout, and my throat starts feeling scratchy, almost like I'm about to start crying.
"Like what? Like 'I know, I'm a monster'? Like 'I know, I fucked up'? Like 'I'm sorry, it won't happen again'?!" He shouts back at me, before more tears stream down his face.
I stretch upwards, and link my hands behind my head. "I can't believe this. I can't believe it."

I turn around and walk. I begin pacing, though I consider running away. Running away from this mess. Whatever it is.

"Tomi, please stop." Macy tries to console me.
"I cannot do this, Macy! What the fuck is wrong with you Ethan?" I shout again.

                                ~ ETHAN ~

He's shouting at me, but I don't have to listen. I've already called myself everything he's calling me. I've already been through this. I already know.
How do you kill an immortal creature?
How does an immortal creature kill itself?
How do I stop this?
Stop hurting others, stop hurting everyone around me?

Because my inner war is wading thin. The time... its ticking away. When it reaches zero, I will explode, and I will obliterate everything in my way.