Thorns

677

At last, Ethan had whittled it down to the last cigarette which Tobi watched be smushed against the concrete ground.

Ethan had refused to take the bus home today and instead decided to walk to lengthy way home. Perhaps to observe the city's scenery. He strolls along the sidewalk with one hand in his jean pocket and the other on his backpack strap. Tobi drifts alongside him, to lazy to walk the whole distance. He found himself doing so more and more often.

Then Ethan disappeared from Tobi's side. The ghost looks back to see Ethan looking into the window of a convenience store. His eyes were locked on the cigarettes on display behind the cashier.

Those white sticks have now become a reminder to Tobi that he's a failure and all he can do his create fake friends.

Tobi floats over to Ethan and tugs his arm away from where he is facing. Ethan doesn't notice at first. Tobi pulls harder this time, refusing to let go.

"Ethan don't do it. They're not worth it." Tobi attempts to persuade in the opposite direction. Ethan's feet move him forward.

Tobi swings around to his front. This time he tries to push Ethan away from the front door. He starts to get through to Ethan as the ginger seems to suddenly be conflicted on what to do.

"Ethan! Don't you dare touch those white things. I don't think they're very healthy. You never seem to go a day without one." Tobi fights against Ethan's will as if he is his conscience. The pale boy slowly turns his body away but it pains him.

His mouth craves the smoke. His fingers have the urge to touch them. His lungs are lonely without them. Ethan ignores Tobi and marches inward.

The addiction has started.
~
He's lost control of himself. His actions, his words. They've been buried under the rudeness he's revived. Simon killed it but he wants it back. He thinks.

Josh is torn between what he has been and what he is becoming. Simon has changed him in ways he's unsure about. This doesn't feel like his body anymore. Emotions he didn't know existed are being awakened deep within him. Yet, they feel nice. Especially when with Simon. But should Death be joyous and carefree? Shouldn't he be ruthless and crude? Everything about him has become so complicated.

Wind drifts by, kicking some leaves and rustling the grass. He stops at wall on the outside of school, his back slides down against it. Josh's red orbs keep eye contact with his shoes. Another pair of feet meet his. He knows it's Simon. No one else walks around barefoot. Simon sits down across from him.

"Here." Simon presents a daisy. Josh remains still, holding himself back. So Simon places the flower on Josh's feet. A blackened hand pinches the stem between the thumb and the pointer. The white petals turn to brown as it dies. "Josh why?" Simon takes back the dried daisy and revives it.

"I don't think we should be friends anymore." Josh speaks. Simon's heart cracks. Josh's gaze flicks upwards to meet Simon's, whose eyes now resemble a stormy sea.

"Why? You're a great friend." Simon pouts. His hair moves like the amber grass in the wind. Josh is breaking him, he saw it. He is trying to be gentle while letting him go but Simon is too precious for even the gentlest person to not break him.

For a moment Josh feels guilt. And a few tears roll down his face. They detach from his skin and float across the air. Josh's head moves up. He watches Simon suspend the droplets midair.

"How?" Josh asks. The powers of nature will always leave him in disbelief.

"Tears are water." he answers. "Therefore I can manipulate them." That's what it feels like he's doing to Josh.

"If plants need water and tears are water, then I need my tears because I'm a thorn bush." Josh grabs the tears, they splash within his fist.

"I'm willing to forgive and forget our last two encounters that have disrupted our friendship. Let's just move forward." Simon says. "We can overcome this."

That flower deep inside the dead boy, was still trying to blossom. Josh almost accepts but refuses. That bud of hope is snipped. And all emotions perish along with it. Once more, he was empty.

"You're doing things to me that I don't like. I'm not meant to be your friend. We're opposites, enemies. I'm not friends with people, especially you."

"Josh you're not meant to be anything. It's whatever makes you happy." Simon makes Josh happy. "Don't push that thing away." But he must remain cruel like his father would want.

"I'm evil. I'm death! My blood is cold! I have no heart! I have no feelings for you. Stop trying to put them in me!" Josh stands up in a hurry. If Simon would just leave him alone,

"You don't have to act a certain way. Stop trying to put on a show! I know who you truly are, Joshua. I've seen you smile and enjoy life. It's okay to laugh with me-"

"I'm stronger more powerful than you. You're flimsy! Weak! Stay away, I want nothing to do with you!"

Simon quivers in fear. Yet he still takes a step forward.

"Don't make me light you on fire." Josh clenches his hands in a defensive position.

"Please no." Simon begs whimpering. He knows he should run while he can, but Simon just kept thinking: One more try. His other foot inches closer. "Smile for me?"

Josh experiences a pain in his chest like never before. This needs to stop. When takes another step forward, Josh panics. He raises his clenched hands to block Simon and, with pure anger, blasts him across the grass with a fiery darkness. Simon slams against the brick wall of the school. He slumps down not being to feel his body. Except for a burning sensation around his torso area.

Josh's eyes darken to a blood red. He saunters over to the groaning boy, not an ounce of care residing within him.

"This is the second we had to have this little talk. Let's not have to do this a third time, got it?" Josh spits before stomping away. The grass sizzles under each of his footsteps.

The boy is left laying curled like a wilting flower.