Down With My Demons

3.Pity

I woke up naturally, confused and dazed. The voices were telling me that someone was trying to hurt me all throughout my sleep.

Weird, huh?

I didn't know what to do so I simply grabbed my phone and scrolled through my notifications. Lucas was the main one.

You free?

I chuckled. If only he knew what was coming.

Yeah, why?

I texted back cautiously. The voices were trying to get me to text back something entirely different but I can't ruin the surprise.

Park in a few? Dogs get bored too.

I laughed.

Poor doggy. I'll be there.

I looked at the time and realized it was 10am. Damn, I fell like a rock yesterday.

I walked to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair. I stared at myself in the mirror.

I've grown so much since my first prank. I'm more mature...more clever.

My jokes are getting more elaborate. I'll never be caught.

I smiled at myself and the compliments the voices were telling me. They're so nice to me.

I grabbed my keys to my house and left the house, walking towards the park.

I'd rather walk than own a car. Keeps me fit and saves me money. Plus it gives me time to think.

My mind drifted off to Lucas. His name sounded...familiar when he spoke it. His smile felt genuine yet fake. It was almost as if he knew something I didn't. His eyes held...the w-

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud greeting that hurt my ears.

"Hey!" I looked up to meet eye to eye with Lucas.

"No need to yell." I mumbled.

"Sorry, Eli. I jus-"

"Eli?" My eyebrows raised in curiosity at the name.

"What? You don't like nicknames? I thought it'd be cute." He encouraged and my lips pressed into a fine line.

"No? Okay." He looked down in what I could only imagine was disappointment.

Kill him.

Make him bleed.

He smells like home. Eat him.

The voices continued repeating absurd things into my head causing me to sigh. They're so impatient. Maybe I want to have fun with this one.

Lately, my pranks have been boring. They're constantly reckless and don't have any thought put into them. I don't see the fun in mindlessly pranking. The voices do, but I truly don't. I like strategy and watching their confused face as I start the fun and start pranking. It's the true definition of happiness and I'm not hurting anyone at all. The voices said they'll come back and I'll see them again so there's no need to worry.

"I don't like nicknames." I spoke up after a long pause of silence.

He looked up, confusion and shock in his face. Probably because I actually spoke up and opened up about something.

"Why's that?" He asked in a hushed tone as if he was asking God for the meaning of life and it required secrecy.

"They hold unnecessary emotions. A full first name holds nothing but the identity you wish to show people." I explained my beliefs, not expecting him to understand.

And just like I expected, he-

"I understand." He stated and even the voices in my head ceased for the smallest millisecond ever.

I ceased the urge to roll my eyes. That's the biggest lie I've ever heard. People only say that because they pity you. They see you struggling and it inconveniences them so they try to temporarily make you feel better. Pathetic human beings, always thinking selfishly.

I bit my lip, staring into his eyes.

No pity.

Maybe just maybe, he actually does understand.

Oh well, isn't going to stop my prank from happening.