Diary of a Killer

4.

"SAL!! WAKE UP!!"

Sal bolted upright. Larry was right next to him, his concerned eyes wide with fear and panic. Sal stared at him. He was in Larry's room. The safest place he could ever be. Nothing would hurt him here. He kept telling himself that, as the shaking and sobs came out. Larry was holding him close, stroking his hair and whispering to him. Sal grabbed his shoulder, clinging to him. He buried his face in Larry's chest. Everything was okay.

It felt like hours had passed, but it had only been a few minutes. His breathing steadied. He stopped shaking. He looked up into those chocolate eyes, his perfect smile. But he wasn't smiling. He was worried. "You okay now?" He muttered into Sal's hair. Sal nodded. "Good." Larry said, kissing the top of his head. "You were screaming..."

Sal shivered. "I....I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Larry said, keeping him close. They stayed like that in silence for a while, before Sal pulled away. Larry stared at him, his eyes still filled with worry. Sudden realization hit Sal, and he bolted to his feet. "I didn't wake Lisa, did I?!"

"No," Larry shook his head. "She's out visiting her sister."

Sally sat back down, taking deep breaths. "Oh. Okay. Good."

"You wanna tell me what it was about?" Larry asked softly.

Sal stared at the ground. "Same as always," he muttered.

Larry looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't. He noticed Sal had started shaking again, and he pulled him into another embrace, lifting him back onto the bed and laying him down. "Sleep," he murmured. "I'll stay right here."

For once Sal didn't bother protesting; he just cuddled his friend, letting his warmth and steady breathing lull him back into sleep.

"Uncle Swally!"

A blur of gray and purple slammed into Sal's leg. He pretended to be winded, letting out a breath and looking down. Nobody else could see his wide smile. "Soda! You got me!" He grasped his shirt where his heart would be, making a grunt and falling over, careful not to hit the tiny girl. She giggled, hugging his head. "I won!" She cheered.

"Alright, sweetie, that's enough. Let uncle Sally stand up," Maple said, failing to keep the hint of pride out of her voice. She was drying off some dishes, watching Soda and Sal play from the kitchen.

"Aww," Soda frowned, moving away. Sally sat up and patted her head. "Don't worry, Fizz," he said, using the nickname he gave her because she was always "so full of energy," and "so unexpected." "Why don't we color instead?"

Soda brightened up, giggling and clapping her hands together. "Okie!! Let me go get my colorwing book!" She bolted off into her room, and Maple and Sal chuckled.

Sal got to his feet, coming over by Maple. "She's certainly a handful."

Maple laughed, putting the plate on the drying rack and grabbing a glass from the sink. "You could say that again. I really appreciate you staying over, Sally. It's nice for her to have someone so sweet and caring to play with. I know I'm always too busy," Maple looked down.

"Nonsense, Maple. You're a great mom," Sal said, putting a hand on her arm. "Anyone with two eyes can see that. Or one eye."

That got Maple to laugh, just as Soda came back with an armful of Sesame Street coloring books. She dropped them all on the ground, and a tiny frown formed on her face. Sal kneeled down next to her. "What's wrong, Fizz?"

"I don't have any colorwing sticks."

"Maybe if you didn't eat them all you would have some," Maple scolded.

Sal couldn't help himself; he snorted in laughter. "Soda, you ate all your crayons?"

She nodded, keeping her pouty face on. "I was hungry."

"Honey, those aren't food," he laughed. "What about your markers?"

"She's not allowed to have any more after she drew on Mr. Addisons walls."

Sal shook his head. "What are we going to do with you, Soda."

"Unwle Sally! Can I wide on your shoulders now?"

Shaking and covered in blood, he got down to one knee. She came over to him and hugged him. Dark crimson drops fell on top of her head. Her shirt stained with the mix on his. He held his breath, daring not to move. The blade held behind his back. Tears welled in his eyes. "No, Soda, not today," he breathed, barely able to speak over a whisper.

She pouted. "You say that every time."

He pulled her closer to his chest again. Not letting her see the blade that he slowly brought out from behind his back. He held it right at her back, hand shaking. His heart was beating fast. She tried to pull away. She looked up at him. Big, wide, scared eyes. "Unwle....Sally...? Why're you crying?...."

"Some bad people....are making me do bad things, sweetie..." his voice shook. He swallowed hard, trying to control his voice again. No more crying. He had no choice. He had to finish this.

Repeating it didn't make it any easier.

He closed his eyes. Stop watching. Don't watch. "I'm so sorry, Soda...." he whispered.