Birthmarks and Bruises

Pain

It hurts.

Everything had become sensitive again, his rib feeling as if it had been lodged back out of place- reversing all the healing he had managed.
It was, maybe, 4 or 5 in the morning, and everything was still dark. Maxine had dragged herself back to the other room, sitting against the wall directly opposite to the doorway so Felix could still see the whites of her eyes glinting back at him, unblinking, as he attempted to stop his teeth from chattering. It hadn't taken long for her eyelids to finally slip closed, though.
Felix, however, still couldn't sleep.
At this time of the year it wouldn't even start to get light until around half seven, so he slumped back into the  position he was in before- legs stretched out in front of him, staring at the moon, waiting for it to take him away.

What could he even say to the others when they awoke? What excuse could he make for such a perfect outline across his birthmark? That he slipped and bumped his head? No. It looked too deliberate, too human.

Why there, anyway? It's such an exposed place. Everyone could see what she did if I chose to speak out.

Except, I don't have a choice, do I? She didn't even directly threaten me and I'm scared. But I don't want to be cut again. I don't want to be hurt. I hate the control she has over me.

So it was a decision between potentially having his oesophagus ripped out or making the wound seem more natural.

I can't do this. I'm hurting myself.

A series of small, chipped off plaster tiles adorned the floor.

I hate myself. I fucking hate myself so much.

The next morning was confusing. Time felt like a thick goop. Felix was so spaced out he felt he was walking on air.
"Jesus Christ, man. What happened to your face?" Daniel questioned, finger-combing his hair back into place in front of a mirror which was so bent out of shape, it distorted his features into some kind of odd alien creature.
"Hey, don't be so rude. Some people are just born looking like demented pixies, Dan." Marcus decided to chime in. "Oh fuck." He exclaimed, turning to notice the wound for himself. Felix ran his fingers over the series of lumps on his birthmark where the cuts had scabbed over.
"Oh, I hit my head pretty hard against the sink in there." Felix responded through breathy laughter. "I'm a dumbass. I know. It was dark."
It was hard to guess if Maxine had any sleep at all. Felix had briefly glanced over, searching for any kind of confirmation that his lie was convincing enough. The deep purple rings under her eyes faced away from him, Maxine avoiding his gaze deliberately.
"Oh, I thought I heard something." Said Andrea, half yawning. "I figured it was just a nightmare or something and I was half conscious."
This is stupid. Why am I doing this to myself?
Felix forced a snicker.
"Yeah, no- that was just me. Sorry about that."
Marcus groaned. "I was half awake last night anyway. Figured someone just needed the bathroom pretty badly or something."
"I was up all night too." Andrea started, ready to complain about another sleepless night. Marcus snorted. "Oh, really? Because you look like you've just woken up. Stop trying to earn pity points by lying."

God. That was just... uncalled for.

"It's not like you get a say in whether I was telling the truth or not. I saw you sleeping too." Andrea spat back, quickly taking offence. The others just watched in annoyance, waiting for the petty argument to play out and be over with.
"I said I was half asleep, you ignorant bitch."
Andrea's cheeks glowed an irritated shade of red as she spun around, glaring at someone for backup.
"That's enough." Maxine growled. Andrea's fingers had curled into quivering fists.
"The last thing we need is you two fighting like small children. There are plenty more tasks at hand which are a lot more dire." Maxine continued cooly.

That's ironic.

She shifted her gaze towards Marcus. "And there was no need for name calling. I will be outside." With that, she gathered up what little belongings she had and left. Andrea turned her back on Marcus with a frustrated hiss, shoving her ruffled hair back into a rough ponytail with a sharp tug.
"I hate you. I hate you all."

We can't be broken up just because of pressure and anger. I mean, that's what it is. Words made from spite. Right?

Felix knew he should really be getting some fresh air and time to himself too, since the latter was interrupted last night- but with Maxine in the way and Andrea being bitter he feared that wouldn't be so easy at the moment. Marcus didn't even seem affected. It was as if the conflict was just to entertain himself rather than to show his emotions towards Andrea.
Boredom can drive people to do stupid things.
A few minutes later and only the three boys remained in the room.

This is a mess. Everything is a mess.