The doors of the building opened slowly as a young boy pushed on them. He winced as they creaked, but it wouldn't stop him from walking in. After making sure he was alone, he proceeded to find the usual seat he took on Sunday and kneeled down in front of it.
He brought his hands up to his face and put his palms together. Quietly, he began whispering a prayer. It was short and hopefully not asking for much.
"Please send me a reason to stay alive."
He repeated the phrase over and over, eventually sighing as he realized it meant nothing. What greater power would listen to someone like him? He was a nobody, he was nothing, he was worthless. It had to be, or his prayer would have been heard by now. Right?
The boy stood up, looking around the empty room once more. He began walking to the doors.
I can't do this anymore.
The words rang in his head as he slowed down his walk.
He doesn't think I'm worth it.
He came to a complete stop, grabbing the side of his head in pain.
I don't think I'm worth it.
He collapsed to the ground, grabbing his head with both hands and almost cried out in pain.
I can just end it, right here, right now.
He choked out a sob and let his head drop.
Why me? Why me? Why me?!
He finally let the tears flow. He couldn't do it, he couldn't be strong anymore. There was no reason for him to stay.
After a few minutes of breaking down, the boy stood up. He wiped his tears and exited the building, running home as fast as he could. He didn't care anymore. It isn't worth it. Who is he sticking around for anyways? No one. He has no one, and soon, no one will have him.
He walked up to his house, and almost knocked instinctively before he realized how late it was. Checking his watch, he saw that it was around 3 AM, but the tears blurred his vision so he wasn't sure of the exact time. He walked around the house & found the window he snuck out of on the first floor and climbed back in quietly.
"Where were you?" A voice called from the kitchen. He turned around from the staircase and stared down the hallway to find his brother standing in front of the kitchen sink.
"Wha-what are you...doing?" He questioned, ignoring what his brother had said.
"It's not important, Ty. What were you doing out so late?"
"Stop acting like you're my mom, Zach."
"Stop hiding everything from me, Tyler."
The two stood in silence for a moment. Finally, Tyler sighed.
"I was at the Church. No big deal."
"At three in the morning? Why?" Zach asked, tilting his head to the side.
Tyler walked towards the sink as Zach turned back around. "No reason. Just felt like I needed to, you know?"
Zach looked up from whatever he was doing and gave Tyler an odd look. "There's always a reason. You know you can tell me, right?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine," Both Tyler and Zach knew that he was lying through his teeth, but luckily Zach dismissed it. "I'm gonna go to bed. Goodnight, Zach."
Zach mumbled something in response as Tyler made his way upstairs. He doesn't really care, Tyler thought as he reached his room. No one really does.
His door creaked shut, but he didn't mind this time. Tyler sat down on his bed and placed his head in his hands, tugging on his hair.
"Why won't you listen? I've never done anything wrong, please listen!" He whisper-shouted, not wanting to wake anyone up. "Please, please! Give me a sign, something, anything!"
The room was silent, a sign of no response. Tyler groaned in frustration. He stood up and began pacing.
"What did I do? Please, at least tell me that!"
The silence seemed to grow louder in Tyler's mind. Nothing was happening. No one was listening.
Nothing mattered anymore.
