Inner Demons

Chapter 1

Michael's pov

~I hate having flashbacks of things I don't want to remember~

I sigh as I literally drag myself to school. I barely got any sleep last night so I'm tired as fuck. I groan internally as I think of the awful day ahead of me. '5 more days Michael, 5 more days' I think to myself. This is the last week before our Christmas break, and to be honest I am happy, yet sad for the short holiday. Anyway I will not drag on about the subject it's not like you really need to know.

I stop at the gate and glance back the way I had come, hoping to find the energy to run away as fast as I could up the steep path covered with snow, but to much of my disappointment my limbs dicide that they would rather sit in the warmth of the classroom rather than stay in the cold with my very thin clothes. I contemplated whether the risks were worth it but then I automatically gave in as I thought about what everyone would think if I came home 8 hours early, and I followed the crowd into the large building.

I pull my hood down but keep my head low as I walk through the large crowds trying to make my way to my locker. Thankfully I make it without getting noticed. I fill my bag with the nessisary books and I stuff my freshly cleaned PE kit into my bag as well. As I turn around I quickly glance at the clock, 9:40 great, 5 minutes left till assembly, I try to wiggle my way to the bathroom in hopes that I can lock myself in there till the bell goes. I get to the bathroom doors and burst through them, ignoring the shouts from someone I have no intentions in talking to. I quickly stumble into the last stall that's farthest away from the door. I hear 3 or 4 people enter the bathroom, "Oh Michael, where are you, you little fagot." One of the boy shouts. the words bouncing all around my brain. I be as quiet as I possibly can, but I hear them right outside the stall. "Come on out pretty boy, we won't hurt you" a familiar voice whisper yells. Yeah right like that's going to happen. I wait for them to find me in my stall. Waiting, that's the hard part, it's hard to stay quiet when you know what's coming. I curl up into a ball on the toilet seat. The door slams open and I can feel the three glare down at me, smirking. This happens often. Too often. It repeatedly happens, almost every day. I shut my eyes as i feel them pull me up the same old routine. I give out a small yelp as I feel the first punch, at my stomach. I keep my eyes tightly shut as the punching continues. I can barely hold it together but then the bell rings. now they only have one more job I open my eyes to see the fist coming towards my face, the fist that ends it. The grip on my arms looseness and everything turns black.

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Drip. Drip. Drip.
Pain. Everywhere.
I groan as I sit up against the cold wall. I slowly open my eyes and wince at the brightness. I look around the bathroom. I'm alone. relief washes over me and so does a wave of pain as I try to stand up. I ignore the pain and stand, but just to my distaste I fall down back onto the floor, earning a load grunt from my mouth. I get up again and lean against the sink. Time, I check my phone. 14:50. Shit it's last period. Suddenly the bell rings and I hear students fill into the hallway. I hide in a cubicle and wait. Once the noise has died down and I can't hear anyone, I come out and as fast as my lanky legs can go, I run (more like jog) to the doors and onto the streets.

Yes I am in pain and I'm scared to look in the mirror and see the full extent. I am used to it now, I can take the pain. I deserve it. I will not cry like a baby over some bruises. I never let my enemies see my emotions. Emotions will only show them how weak and broken I really am. I can't let the mock me with truths instead of lies. My subconscious tells me that if they knew how broken I really am they would leave me be, but another part of me says that they will just find another person to bash around. Better me than someone else.

I walk around the streets, stopping at a nearby park and I stop I may as well spent the rest of my day here as I have no interest whatsoever to go home this early.

I walk along to the lake and escape through the large patch area of trees. I keep walking along the mix of trees and water. I stop once I arrive at a small patch where a little part of the lake is concealed by large amounts of grass and vines from a frozen tree that's hanging off the end of the part of land. The grass is covered with snow and the ice is covering the lake. The vines are not exactly there but the branches are covered in ice and can still conceal the little hiding spot. I lay on the blanket that I always keep there. I take out my book and read I listen to music with my headphones.

The music is calming, a wall blocking me from reality . The pages of my books keep me safe from the outside world by giving me fake factices that help me sleep at night. The broken always get repaired but here I am. I have no hope left but the books give me some sort of illusion from my life. I escape my fucked up life with these two things. I don't know what I would be without them.

I read for at-least half an hour before I desire to head home. I gather all of my belongings and head out of my secret hiding place.

I walk out of the park and along the street until I stop at a small shop. I go inside and grab a sandwich and a bottle of water. I pay for them and as I thank the cashier, I catch him looking at me up and down. Something in his eyes. I quickly rush out of the store and quickly walk down the street. I slow down once I reach the corner.

If I haven't been in class so they must have phoned home. Oh well I'll get in trouble either way. I trudge home slowly, taking as much time as possible. Finally I get home and hesitate to turn the cold metal handle. Fear suddenly consumes my body and I can't seam to move. I stand there for a minute contemplating, until the door opens for me.