Kidnapped by Pierce the Veil

The Mystery of You

"Something inside of you changes when you witness both of your parents die."

Vic's face faltered and his grip on me eased. "What?" He asked softly.

I gritted my teeth. "My father always had anger issues. When he lost his job, it all got worse. Whenever he got angry, he'd get violent. My mom would take Joey and I out until he calmed down." Tears fell from my eyes slowly. I continued to snarl at Vic. Tony, Jaime and Mike looked on silently. "Joey was at work so it was just me and mom that day. I was 13. Mom and I went to the zoo. When we got home, dad was still upset. Mom told me to wait in my room. They started screaming at each other. After a minute, I heard mom start begging. Begging with my father not to do something. I was scared and confused. That's when I heard the first shot. And Mom stopped talking."

"Bethany..." Vic began. I cut him off.

"Then, Dad started crying. He kept saying 'What have I done?' over and over again. Then I heard another shot. And dad stopped crying too. I walked out of my room and found them, dead. My father had killed my mother then killed himself. I called 911 and Joey. I didn't know what to do, so I laid in the blood of my parents until they came for me. I didn't tell anyone what I saw until today. Not even Joey or the police."

Vic opened his mouth to speak, but I once again cut him off.

"You know, Shakespeare was right." I went closer to him, tears continuing to pour down my face. I couldn't see anything but tears and anger. I clenched my hands into fists. "Life is really a tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing!" I hissed, yanking my arm back from Vic's grasp. I stormed into the guest room, slamming the door.

Why would you tell him that?!? You swore you'd never tell anyone!

I crumbled to my knees, my body shaking. My wracking sobs echoed throughout the room, tears dripping onto the floor and sinking into the carpet.

Knocking sounded at the door. Vic's soft voice traveled from the other side. "Bethany? Are you alright?"

"I don't want to see anyone." I slammed my fist into the door once. The wood quaked.

Vic walked through anyway, carrying the same bag they'd given to me earlier.

I looked up at him, hyperventilating from all the tears. "Did you hear me?" I slurred. He nodded. "Then why are you here?"

"Because I'm worried about you." I had to laugh at that one. Worried about me, my ass. Vic reached out to take my hand, but I yanked it back swiftly. "Bethany, I know you're still scared and angry. But never letting us near you isn't gonna help anything." I stared at him for a moment, his soft brown eyes piercing. I stared at my hands in my lap, and he took one of them in his own, gently. "See? Not so bad, huh?"

I shook my head, pursing my lips. My gaze was still locked on my lap. "What do you want, Vic?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "To get to know you." I scoffed. He took my chin gently in his fingers, lifting my eyes up to meet his. "This won't get easier for you if you never learn to let us in once in a while."

He let go of my face, but still held on to my hand. I gave in. "What do you want to know?"

"Uhh...I don't know...what do you like?"

I half smiled. "Sour gummy worms and orange gatorade. And Law and Order SVU."

He returned my almost-smile. "Gotta start somewhere..."

"What about you?"

Vic shrugged, holding my hand a little tighter. "Music, my fans. Pranks." I smiled. He grinned back at me. "Bethany, I like you when you talk. You should do it more often."