The Tape Face Boy (Romance)

Chapter 3

On my way back from Cassidy's, I realized how long I had spent time with her.  It was already dark, and the street lights were on.

     After walking for a couple of minutes, I noticed someone sitting on a bench that was illuminated by a street light up ahead.  Based on the build, I could tell it was a boy. I was concerned, for he was hunched over on the bench. I couldn't see his face because it was resting in his hands, his hair strewn in many directions. 

     I frowned.  He looked distressed, sitting there in a black blazer and grey jeans.  He must have been deep in thought, for he didn't hear me approach him and stand next to his bent over figure.  That, or he was asleep. Either way, I was concerned for the stranger's well-being.

     I tapped his shoulder gently, not wanting to alarm the man as I spoke in a calm voice, "Excuse me, are you alright?"

    I was not prepared for what happened next.

     My goal of trying not to surprise him had failed as he sat up immediately, tensed.  I heard a sharp inhale, but no voice or shriek was heard, and he stared at me with worried, alarmed eyes surrounded by black eyeliner.  Though that isn't what terrified me. It was the strip of tape that replaced where his mouth should be.  

     Tape Face.  
   
     My mind and heart were racing, and I flinched back from the man immediately.  Fear consumed my body as stories of Tape Face flooded my mind. I literally thought I was going to die.

     In an attempted frenzie to dash backwards, I tripped behind myself and fell to the concrete.  It hurt, but I was preoccupied at the moment. My eyes were wide as well as my instant reaction was to start screaming.  

     One part of my brain was focusing on how to get out of this alive, meanwhile the other part of me was noticing the way that Tape Face had jumped once more, standing up on his feet with an alert stance.  His hazel orbs looked into my own with a pleading stare. One of his hands was extended palm up towards me as he shook it back and forth, as if trying to show me he meant no harm. Meanwhile the other had a finger up against the tape as if to shush me.  

     Calm down.  It's okay.

     It wasn't until that point that my full attention was on him, looking up into his eyes from my place on the sidewalk, arm close to my chest as I studied him.  He was scared. More scared than I was. I immediately stopped screaming, looking at the boy with confusion.  

     This wasn't what was supposed to happen.  Not based on what I heard. He was supposed to be vicious, mean.  He stole children and did terrible things, such as murder or made them into slaves.  Tape Face noticed that I had calmed down, and his stance became less defensive as I heard him sigh with relief through his nose.

     We stared at each other for only a second before I heard the front door of a nearby house open up, and I looked in the direction of the noise to see my neighbor, Mr. Johnson, rush his way out with a baseball bat.  I frowned, looking back towards Tape Face to find that he was gone. I still sat on the sidewalk, but now by myself.

    "Heidi, are you alright?!" Mr. Johnson made his way over to me and helped me up off the ground as I dusted myself off, looking back at the spot where Tape Face had been mere seconds ago.  By the question, it was obvious Mr. Johnson hadn't seen Tape Face.

     I turned back and looked at the older man and nodded, "Everything is okay. I just… got scared and thought I saw something."

     Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow, as if understanding, in which I wouldn't be surprised, "It's those rumors about Tape Face, huh?"

    I let out an awkward chuckle and shrugged, "I guess.  Anyways, I better get home. Thank you, Mr. Johnson."

     "Goodnight, honey.  Get home safe. Tell your mom and dad I said hi."

     I smiled and nodded, "I will."

~•~ Time Skip ~•~

     I lay there in bed.  It must have been a couple hours since my run in with Tape Face, and I couldn't stop thinking about him.  I was ashamed and embarrassed by my reaction. I had been part of a discrimination act. I let bedtime stories get to my head and didn't even realize that Tape Face was his own person, who had his own story.  And I didn't even bother to listen to his. Instead, I freaked out and most likely ruined a potential friendship with someone who I saw was hurting.

     I brought my hands to my head, letting out a loud groan.  It was killing me! I got out of bed. At this point, I had no idea what I was doing, but the guilt inside of me took over my actions along with compassion.  Sneaking through the house, I made my way to the front door and walked outside, letting the fresh chill of a summer night clear my senses. I made my way over to the bench a couple houses down where I had met Tape Face, the streetlight still shining down onto the ominous scene.  But I was not scared. There was no reason to be.

     Tape Face was nowhere to be seen, which was expected.  But I still began to talk anyways. I talked into the darkness that lay in front of me, my eyes not adjusting due to the streetlight shining down on me.

     "Hey, Tape Face," I paused, biting my lip and letting out a sigh.  "I-I just wanted to say I'm sorry… for-for freaking out on you… I feel really bad."  I listened, a nice breeze passing by, but other than that it was silence. I continued, standing up to look more intently into the darkness, "You're not bad.  You're just… different. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with being different." I let a smile make its way onto my face before turning and walking back home.

     I heard a rustling in the bush behind me, but I didn't bother to turn around and see who it was.

     I knew he had heard me.