Tattooed Emotions

8

Phil

I could feel his whole body trembling as I helped him to his feet.

His eyes moved up my body and he jumped back when he realised who I was.

"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to... it was an accident, I-"

"Dan, it's fine." I smiled softly. "Why are you out here so late at night?"

His eyes shone with fear as he went to move past me, "I need to go."

"Wait.." I reached out my hand, grabbing onto his arm to stop him running off. He gasped sharply, and struggled to remove his arm from my grip.

My gaze moved to his cheek. The symbol that was always there. Something I'd made fun of many times in the past. But there was something strange about the mark. I wondered why it never changed. What had happened to make it that way.

"Dan, I'm not the person you think I am! I'm not a bully!"

I studied his glistening eyes, watching as they turned dark and angry. "Well then prove it and let me go!"

I loosened my grip at his harsh words and watched in stunned silence as he ran away into the dark night.

And it was only when I returned home to the light that I realised my hand was covered in blood.

And it was then that I decided I needed to speak to Dan.