Mental Foxtrot

  “What to do..what to do..?” A figure hissed, pacing in his room as he listened to the constant ticking of the metronome that sat on his desk; falling in step with it’s sound. 

  I don’t understand..I don’t understand why I keep thinking about her. 

  “Obviously there is a reason, otherwise you wouldn’t be panicked. What are you scared of?” He accused himself, glancing over his shoulder to smirk at nothing.  

  I’m not scared! Why would I be scared, especially of her?!

  “Now now, no need to yell.” He chuckled, “You care about her don’t you? More then you should even dare. She’ll just kill you, and you won’t come back.” 

  What do you mean? How do you know? She may feel the same way!

  The figure then threw his head back, his cackle bouncing around the room only to twine its way back around him, “Now that, is hopeful thinking, friend.” 

  You just don’t want to admit to me that you love you too!

  A loud crash echoed as he threw himself against the wall, “How DARE you! If there is anything I am not, it would be scared! Only the weak get scared! You spineless, colourless fool!”

  I-I am n-not! Y-You are because you aren’t open minded! You need to be mo-

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” He growled, turning toward the wall to find himself staring back, “You don’t understand anything! How it feels to be alone in your own mind!”

  You aren’t. You are just too scared to realize that. Scared of losing her.

  Red eyes met red eyes then as he felt the dresser nearly chip under his hands. The low ticking of the metronome replacing any thoughts he had, “I’m not scared, especially of her! I’ll prove it!” He growled, watching the pupil become the only color in his right eye as a blood-thirsty grin crawled across his cheeks; twisting the appearance of time.  

  Wh-What are you gonna do?! 

  “Prove it to you...since you don’t believe me.” He left the dark room then, sliding down the banister of the near by stairwell; landing on the wooden floor below. Doors crowded the walls, calling his name as he passed; reaching out to pull him in.

  “Where is she? AH! There!” A long, twisted sword blade pointed at a door as the hour passed. The figure laughed loudly, inching his way toward the door, “All doors can take you anywhere, if you simply put your mind to it. That’s what she’d say.”

  She’s right! Now, turn around and go back to bed!

  “Make me.” The transition from world to world was almost unbearable. Colors flashing as the walkway twisted, the door at the end of the hall a bright white. A giggled echoed around him then, a giggle he knew all too well. It was her, his target. The hall blurred as his feet carried him faster and faster, the calm clock becoming a stopwatch. 

  You can’t do it! You won’t!

  The world around him was white and splotched with random items when he opened his eyes, creating a rainbow across the small home, “Watch me.” 

  “Who’s there?” A sharp, song like voice chimed from the far archway; causing the ticking to cease. He moved, curing his bold coloring, into the nearest room; ducking behind the bookcase. 

  His target appeared; her hair a bright, tangled mess. Her eyes glancing around the stark white room, the soft click of her heels seeming to disappear, “Are you too afraid to face me?”

  “Never.” The bold colored figure hissed, watching the girl turn back toward her coloring; her ink black arms sliding over the wall. He stepped out, noticing his steps were silent, raising his weapon. 

  Don’t. 

  “She wanted paint, well, then I’ll let her have her paint!” He cackled, rushing forward, “I’ll create my own masterpiece!” 

  NO!

  Red. Red was what splattered on the wall, his sword dripping with a steady pace. He grinned wildly as her white dress stained red, the color seeping through the fabric. 

  “T-Tony..?” 

  Her voice reached his ears then, pulling him from the trance like state he had been in, “Paige..?” Tony asked, his sword hitting the floor as he rushed forward; catching her. His red eyes glanced over Paige, his head starting to shake as he traced the wound on her stomach, “Oh Paige! I-..”

  “T-Tony..?” Paige wheezed, her eyes pooling with tears, “I-I… I don’t u-unders-stand..?” She coughed loudly, her eyes squeezed shut. 

  “Paige, I-I..!” 

  “W-why did y-..wh-!” She coughed up blood then, panic clear in her eyes.  

  “Paige, please, just...wait!” Tony felt his heart hammering as he lifted her pencil, their hands holding it together before it pierced his chest; their blood mixing together. 

  "Tony.."

  "Paige.." 

  The light faded from Tony's eyes as he held onto Paige, falling to her side. Their eyes never looked away as they both faded away, the metronome silenced as it fell to the floor. For even the End must come for a broken clock and a filled notepad.