The Fallen Ones

Chapter One: Skarlet POV

Tears fill my eyes as I feel the door slam behind me. Tightening the grip on the strap of my backpack, I step off the porch reluctantly and on to the side walk to make my way to school. Tears threaten to escape my eyes as I shake my head and bite my lip until the pain makes me forget the the tears. I pause as I hear my fathers cold voice echo the rules he enforced in my head since childhood. Rule number one:never cry. Crying is a sign of weakness. I heard the door slam at my back again. And then a giggle...

"It's because you're not good enough for him, you silly child. How could he ever love someone like you?" That know-it-all voice. The girl that lives inside my head. Jane. My underline insanity. The disaster created because of my schizophrenia.

Reality snaps back into me as I realize I have been starring at the ground, motionless for the past 5 minutes. My pace picks up and I force the walls back up in my head. I couldn't let her control me. Not today. With it being Halloween and after the fight with my father..she was the last thing I had needed.

"Halloweens so scary ya know?" Jane whispers. "You never know who's behind the mask. They could kill you. They will kill you. Who wouldn't want to kill you?"

"Shut up!" I scream at her in my head. "I don't need this!"

"Silly child..."

She went silent. And my paranoia went through the roof.

******

My steps were slow as I try to force myself to walk back home. I know what happens when I fight with father. I could practically feel the bruises form on my body as I flinch and a tear ran down my cheek.

"Uh-oh, daddy's not gonna like that you fought with him AND broke rule number one. Is he?" Jane laughs and the realization hits me.

I freeze and feel my face go pale. Oh god, i think. He's gonna be able to tell I was crying. He's gonna-

"Why do you look so scared miss?"

I look around dazed, i look down at a little kid pulling at my jacket.

"Hello? Can you hear me up there?" I force a laugh as I look at her petite body stand up with confidence.

"Yes sweety. I am fine. Happy Halloween." My voice didn't sound like my own. It had a creepy, monotone-like sound that had shocked me and the little girl.

"Are you a robot?" Her eyes went wide but she remains with her hands on her hips giving her possession of the adorable attitude most kids posses and I can't help but smile. Until I hear a low chuckle come from behind me.

Reflexes immediately kick in and I was in front of the kid with my pocket knife aimed at the strangers throat in an instant. I hear the little girl scream and she kicks me in the back of the knee. I flinch but remain in the same position. I wasn't let anyone hurt her. She's only a kid.

"Don't hurt my bubby!" The girl screeches and runs over to his side.

Observing the guy didn't release the paranoia built in me about strangers, but made it worse. He has a slim, yet muscular build. He's in dark grey jeans with a white hoodie pulled over his head that hid most of his face in shadows. That is until he looked up at me.

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?" He wears a grin on his face, showing he only sees this as a joke. His light blue eyes stare into mine until I break the connection and look at the ground. Rule number 7: if you're scared, never make eyes contact. They'll see the fear in your eyes.

"It's fine", I say quickly, "Happy Halloween." I turn to walk away as a hand caught my shoulder and I freeze in terror. The hairs on my arms were standing on edge as his hand remains on my shoulder.

"Hehe," Jane giggles,"I told you. You're gonna die. He'll kill you."

Laughter ripples through my head when i turn to face him. Although keeping my head on the ground I could feel his eyes on me. I can see his face in the corner of my eye, his grin disappears and pure concern radiates from his face.

"I know I don't know you, but are you okay?"

Rule number 5: you're a robot. You show no emotion. Never show any emotion. "Yes. I am fine. Thank you sir, for asking. It was nice to meet you. But I must go. Goodbye.".

My pace gets faster as I walk away from him but hear two pairs of footsteps follow me as I continue to walk down the path to my house. I continue until he caught my arm, catching me off guard. He pushes me against a bush, forcing my eyes to meet with his as he had held my head up with one hand and pushes my waist against the bush with the other. A frightened gasp escapes my lips and his grin returns once again.

My eyes go wide and my skin pale as I look him in the eyes and force my eyes closed.

Janes laughter grows louder and I grow weaker. "Hehe, told you he was gonna kill you."