Cruel Laughter [Sequel To "Because He Lived."]

{Chapter 7} Voices

The woods were quiet, like always. There was the occasional chirp or crunch, but other than that, the woods remained silent. The voices in my head battled, some of them telling me to go back, the others telling me to push on. I tried my best to ignore them--go on my own path--but it was getting harder with each step I took.

There's no changing your ways, James. You'll always be insane. Go back, go back to your old ways and go on a spree. Kill someone.

Find your family, let them know you're sorry. Fix your problems, killing is not the answer, James.

I collapsed onto the cold, mossy forest ground and clutched at my head, trying to distract my self from them. Pulling my hair wasn't enough, so I dug my fingers into my scalp, drawing blood. They still didn't stop.

"Go away!" I screamed, pounding my fists on the ground. Finally, the constant fighting in my head ceased, and I could think normally again. I stood up, breathing heavily and wobbling.

I steadied myself up against a nearby tree, and stood there for a few minutes, until my breathing was steady. Once I could breath again, I pushed myself off of the tree, and began on my journey again.

~~

I walked for days, unsure if I was going the right way, but I took my chances and tried to remember the way to Phoenix Drop. If I was right, the village was close.

In the distance I could hear the bustling sounds of a village: Villagers shouting, children screaming and laughing. The sounds filled my ears as I made my way closer to the village.

After a few more minutes of walking, the village came into view, and I knew exactly where I was: Phoenix Drop. As I took a step into the busting town, heads turned to me. After all I was hard to forget. I was a spitting image of my father and mother, and almost everyone had witnessed or at least heard about what I had done. No one did anything, or made a move. Not even me.

Finally, a guard shoved through the crowd that formed and approached me. "James Lycan?" I didn't recognize the guard, but he looked fairly young. He had to be only 16.

"Yes."

Kill him.

Don't.

Kill him!

Don't!

I shook my head, ignoring the voices again.

"You're under arrest for murder and attempted murder," the guards tone didn't change and he explained what I had done. It was the same: cool and collected. "Drop your weapons and hold out your arms."

I unsheathed my sword and dropped it in front of the boys feet, along with a dagger I had in my boot. I held out my arms, and the boy pulled out a chain. He spun be around so my back was facing him, and tied my hands behind my back. I gratefully let him march me through the crowd, and towards the prison. The crowd parted, the people afraid of me touching them.

The guard shoved me into the prison, and then unlocked a cell, throwing me into it. I grunted as I hit the floor, before standing up and looking for the guard. By then he had already disappeared, locking the door before he left. It was only a matter of time before someone appeared to question me, so I took however long I had to look out the bared window of my cell. Outside, I couldn't see much, except for a house on a hill. I recognized it. My old home. Outside was an old swing set, and in one of the windows, I could faintly see a candle lit. There was so much more that I remembered... I shivered, and turned away from the window. I couldn't look at it anymore. I looked towards the exit of the cell and waited.

A few minutes later I heard footsteps, and from around the corner appeared my father. I took a sharp intake of breath, and braced myself up against the wall.

"Father."

He shot his gaze over to me. His expression was impassive, but his eyes were cold. "James," he stated, his voice monotone. My father turned to the guard and asked him to unlock the door, and the guard complied unlocking the door for him. My father stepped in and closed the door behind him, surprising me.

"So, why are you here?" He asked, once the guard had disappeared.

I let my gaze drop to the floor, and shrugged. "I'm feeling guilty for some reason. I regret what I did."

He laughed, and I looked up at him in puzzlement. "Why now? James, its been six years, and you are just now returning? A few days after your sister returns, after being attacked by you?" He paused and then sighed. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

I let out a shaky breath. "I don't know. But the voices in my head won't shut up, and they're still battling, trying to tell me what do to."

"Ignore them, James"

Tears formed at the edge of my eyes, and I closed my eyes. "They don't let me ignore them."

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Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have finals coming up and I have a lot of prep for them. I'll try my best to update more often, but I can't really promise. Anyhow, have a good day!