Never Be Afraid Again (An MCR Short Story)

"Frank?"

Frank was caught by surprise. he hadn't expected anyone to follow him. Why would anyone even care enough to follow? The stick that was only the size of Frank's pinky that had been pressed against Frank's pale, blotchy, forearm flew out of his hands and bounced off the cement road a few inches away from his feet. Red, bright, sparks started to fly and spring around his feet as Frank snapped his head towards the figure standing in the doorway of the tour bus. Frank's face was still streaked with tears. His cloudy, murky, light, brown eyes seemed to grow wide with panic as he recognized the silhouette. His soft blond hair was swept over his crystal, blue eyes and his slightly yellow teeth were biting his round, silver lip ring. The figure in the doorway stared at Frank with an expression of concern and worry.

The figures gaze had traveled down from Frank's frenzied face to his pale arm. The sleeves to his black leather jacket were rolled up to his elbows. Red rings were spread across Frank's skin as was small, light, pink marks. Frank seemed to notice the silhouette staring intently at his arm and he quickly rolled the sleeve to his jacket back down to his wrists. His panicked expression was replaced with a calm, almost confused, smile within seconds.

"Bob, you scared me." Frank stated simply as he reached into his pocket for his pack of cigarettes. He turned away from Bob and looked up into the starry, night, sky. Frank suddenly wished that he was far away from here. He wished that he was far away from reality. He wished he could just pinch himself and that all of this would be just a dream. He slowly opened the box and frowned when he saw what it contained. There was only one cigarette left. He sighed sadly as he took it out and lit it up. He would have to get some more tomorrow.

He took a long drag from the cigarette. Frank smiled sheepishly as the familiar taste of the thick, grey, smoke swirled around his dry mouth and traveled down his throat, into his lungs. He exhaled loudly, letting all the grey smoke spill through his yellowing teeth and chapped lips. The smoke danced around him as he stole a nervous glance towards Bob, who was still standing in the doorway. Bob's legs were locked in place as he observed Frank's smooth, relaxed movements. His tranquil smile would've convinced anyone who hadn't seen what Bob had just watched.

"Well?! What are you doing?!"

Frank's peaceful expression had switched to heinous and hateful in the matter of seconds. Frank hadn't meant to use that tone with Bob. He had been on edge lately. Frank would just be having a normal conversation with some of his best friends, such as Gerard Way, about something as normal as the weather when Frank would suddenly snap at Gerard for playing with his snowy, white hair. Gerard would flinch in shock at Frank's hateful stare and ask what was wrong. Frank would just return to his previous mood and chuckle lightly.

"It's nothing..."

Frank would then walk out of the room, leaving Gerard incredibly confused.

This had been going on for weeks. Maybe even months. Frank's band mates were growing worried of Frank's odd behavior. They were all taking notice of his short temper and decreasing social habits. Sometimes Frank would randomly disappear and no one would have a clue where he was. Frank would reappear two or three days later and act as if nothing had happened. He would act as if the band hadn't been worrying their asses off while Frank was hiding in the corner of the nearest bar, sipping his beer.

Bob had been the first to notice Frank's change of attitude. He tried bringing it up in conversation multiple times, but every time he did, Frank had quickly changed the subject. After a few failed attempts of trying to talk to Frank, Bob talked to Gerard.

That night, Gerard had payed close attention to Frank's every move during a concert in Detroit. Frank was usually the one to be jumping around and getting all sweaty with his guitar but as Gerard sung the words to 'I Don't Love You' his brother, Mikey Way, had seemed to be more energetic than Frank. This was unusual for the two. It had been like the two had switched bodies or something.