Confident

I'm Here

Song: Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne

October 18, 1993

Bill knocks at the door multiple times before allowing himself in. He can't shake the eerie feeling. Everything feels so wrong. The first thing he noticed when stumbling upon the house was that there were no cars parked in the driveway. The boy carries himself through the hallways, taking in his dark surroundings. Out of the corner of his eye, Bill spots the candles which shine barely enough to catch his gaze.

Slowly, his feet move forwards. He's cautious at first, but soon he's able to control his nerves and enter the room at last. There he finds a bath full of water, most likely cold by now. Candles take place around, still lit aflame. Bill wonders why Stanley didn't clean up such a mess. Not mention a hazard.

Bill flips on the bathroom light before taking it upon himself to clean up the mess. The leader in him just can't help it. Though that's not what he'd title himself. Bill's never thought of himself as leader material. The Loser's, however, established that it was him who deserved the title. That was a long time ago, though. But to them, nothing ever changed.

Only after the water is stirring down the drain, the candles are no longer lit, and the floor is wiped dry, does Bill finally make his way up the stairs. He's careful as he goes. The only light in sight is the one peaking out from Stanley's bedroom. Yet he still can't see a damn thing.

Bill waits outside the door momentarily. The room is almost too quiet. The boy's hand raises slightly before tapping on the door. Inside he hears a scream.

Thump, thump, thump-

"Go away!" Stanley yells from the opposite end of the door.

Bill jumps back. A wave of hurt rushes through him. "Stan?"

The screaming stops and soon the door is wide open, revealing a half naked Stanley Uris. Bill's eyes grow wide at the image. He eyes him nervously, taking note of the tears that cover his cheeks. Bill's never seen him so broken.

"Stanley?" He repeats, taking another step forwards.

Stan looks absolutely exhausted. His eyes are blood shot and his nose is runny. The boy's hands stay glued to his side. Bill notices the scratch marks that litter his skin. He also takes notice of the lost, dim look in his dark orbs. Stanley's chest is bare, as are his legs. He only wears a pair of black underwear. Usually Bill would blush, but it doesn't seem right with the current circumstances.

"Bill? Hey! Hi!" Stan laughs loud, almost too loud. His hands reach up to grasp his locks. "Sorry about my state! Come in, come in!" The boy moves awkwardly.

Bill's breath hitches at the frantic sight before him. He wonders what's taken over the boy. "Stanley what-..."

"You want anything to eat? I think we have some beans or rice or I don't know." He laughs again.

"Stanley?"

The boy snaps back. His full attention is on Bill now. He stands outside of his closet, his hand already reaching for a hoodie. Quickly he takes hold of it and yanks it down, still eyeing Bill.

"Yes?" He questions sassily while pulling the hoodie up and over his head.

"What's gotten into you? Are you okay?" He takes a couple steps closer.

Stanley suddenly notices something out of the ordinary. "Hey your stutter is gone."

Thump, thump, thump-

The boy screams suddenly. Bill watches Stan claw at his arms. His eyes widen and he's quick to stop the scene from playing out. He grabs the boy's cold hands and holds on tight. Stanley's screams of terror stop, but his eyes still squeeze shut. He sobs now, basking in the warmth of Bill's touch. This is a side that he's never shown anyone.