The Origin of Madness

Remembrance

    It spoke to me. From very young i could hear it. Ive heard various different names for it. The devil, the darkness, I call it The Madness. This presence inside me that takes control. I dont remember what happens when it does, only how things have changed after. Ive only seen it once, the same time I learned its weakness.

      I was very young, only about 16. I was at the White Rabbit, but things were different. Barb didnt own it, she was just a table girl. Even then we were friends, basically the same scenario we see ourselves in today. I helping with rude people at the bar, usually ending with me getting my ass kicked, Barb dressing my wounds, and sneaking half empty bottles to my room.

     I was resting in my room, recovering from a fight when i heard something break downstairs. Accidents happen from time to time so i didnt think much of it. Then I heard Barb scream. The only time i ever have. I jump out of bed, no doubt busting my stitches, but ignore the pain. I leave the room and look down the steps leading into the bar. 3 men are standing in the middle, 2 pushing Barb onto a table, clearly hurting her, and one motioning towards the crowd of onlookers with a long dagger.

      I run down the stars and come face to face with the men, their size now coming into proportion. They tower above me, the one closest at least a foot taller than me. I take a bottle off the bar, breaking it to give me a weapon. The one closest takes notice. He laughs and ignores me, focusing entirely on Barb. I rush him with the bottle, but trip from a rogue floorboard, rolling up to his feet. This makes him laugh even more, and turn towards me. He crushes my bottle with his boot, still in my hand. He begins to kick me, right in my stomach, the location of my worst wound. I hear his voice suround me.  " what are you gonna do, chump? Really think you could handle me? You couldnt handle the 5 feet between us."

      Suddenly its gone. His voice. The pain. Everything. All i can see is a small white dot ahead of me. A sound. A new voice.

Do you need some help? Your gonna let them get away with this? We could hurt them. Hurt them worse then they ever could hurt you or her. You just have to trust us.

You're ready.

     I didnt really have a choice. If something didnt happen i would die and Barb would be lost. I had to believe it. "Ok," I said, "I trust you."

     Warmth, silence, I could feel my wounds healing. The pain completely eliminated. Things started to return. First my hearing, then my sight. The picture ahead of me was one of blood and pain. The three men were gone, just gore where they stood. The only evidence they were there was a dark brownish red in the carpet, and the same color on my shirt, pants, and face. Barb looked at me in complete horror, covering herself, even though we were the only two left in the building. "What the hell was that?" Her eyes extruded from her head, the shock of what happened clearly evident.
   
     I was eventually able to calm her down and take her to my room for her to rest. I laid on the floor, leaning against a wall, looking at the new etchings on my arm. A thing black line starting from my bicep to my finger tips, branching out, seemingly tracing my veins. I whispered a silent "Thank you.", recieving a slight warmth along my arm in response.

     "But what was the weakness?" You may ask.

     Wouldnt you like to know.