ᶰᵒᶤʳ ᶜᶤᵗʸ, ᵇᵉᵍᶤᶰᶰᶤᶰᵍ

CHAPTER TWENTY.

The sand in Steel's shoes wasn't the only thing weighing him down.

He hunched over. Why did it hurt so much? He just wheezed and sat down next to his sister. Who was contently staring at their television. She seemed to be able to tell he was upset and comfortably rubbed his shoulder. She softly smiled, trying to be reassuring. He let out a sigh and just went back to staring at his thighs. Kestrel frowned, but decided not to push any further.

Later he found himself listening to music in his bedroom. His teal eyes focused on the screen of the iPod. He felt himself slowly drifting off, the music soothing him into a slumber. His eyes flickered open, now he found himself surrounded by pearly white water. He was standing on sand, a beach. He gazed around before walking forward, hearing he music faintly in the background.

Never thought I'd fall in love

Now I stand corrected

Never thought I'd feel what I feel

Never been so affected

Now I know what I know but sometimes

It feel so subjective, oh oh

He grazed the what he assumed to be an island. Halting at a waterfall, then slowly stalking towards it. The water poured down so loudly he could barely hear himself think. He stared at his own reflection through the water. Before he heard the waterfall fall silent and the ruffling of bushes. Steel looked up quickly, nervously hunching down a little. He saw a figure creep out. It looked like a crystallization version of himself. But his eyes were completely dark blue. It stared at him for a second before another creep out. The other looked similar to Jake. Which made his heart stop.

You surprised me, hypnotized me

Found my weakness, then you creeped in

Took my heart then, oh you started

To make my whole world just explode

He watched them, and they watched him for a moment. Before slowly creeping forward and seeming to act like he wasn't there. The crystal-Steel holding up the crystal-Jake, both laughing happily. Before the crystal-Jake nuzzled crystal-Steel's forehead. This made him feel even more insecure, his heart wrenching at the sight. He then found that everything melted, shrills of screams filled his head. The music now blaring in a distorted, haunting voice. Making him shudder. Blood pooled down like a waterfall, shadows creeping closer.

Bam, my life was changed

Bam, can't concentrate

Bam, I was okay

Until we met that day then

Bam, I am obsessed

Bam, can't get no rest

Bam, ever since we met

I think I know what love is, bam

He heard himself breathing heavily. Grabbing his chest, the shadows closing in, laughing at him. Their faces melting into bones and ash. He let out a shriek. Then, he woke up. Sweating and trembling, he wrapped his arms around himself. Turning off the iPod quickly. Not wanting to hear that song again. Ever. He felt tears coming from his eyes and roll down his cheeks. He ripped out the earbuds and slumped onto his bed. Dragging the covers over himself.