Cloud Association: Pretty Boy Psycho

Trust

A grey patch. There's a grey patch under my arm. Not happening... Not happening ... Okay keep it together. It's only a teenie tiny patch really. Easily hidden. No one will notice if I avoid wearing vest tops. I pull on my blue shirt, hiding discoloured skin. Everything will be fine. I'll go to Master Hugo's class as usual. Think I'll skip breakfast though. My stomach is queasy.

I end up on the bridge staring into the water hoping Alpha Fish will swim by. My hands tap at the top of the bridge. I take some long breaths. Did a part of my mind drift away last night? Surely a person would realise if a part of them was gone. Yeah, they would. I'm perfectly healthy just have a few spots on my nails and a mark under my arm. Nothing fatal. Healthy.

Someone's behind me. Their boots thump on the bridge. Max. I'd know his heavy footed walk anywhere. The bruises all over my torso are more scary than the grey patch. I've tried being friendly with him which ended up with me getting a whack and ignoring coaxed him into name calling while pushing me around with Collette.

Despite dreading what he'll do to me today I smile at him to make him wonder why. "You know I've been here four months and your taunts haven't made me run off yet. I'm going nowhere." I want to run over the bridge as far away from him as possible. I grip hold of the top of the bridge, forcing myself to stay.

Max shoves at my shoulder. "Maybe I've not been trying hard enough. You're gone today."

"What's your problem with me?"

"Take a look at your reflection runt."

Max stands at my side so both our reflections are visible in the pond. He's built like a jock while I'm skimpy. "Hardly a threat to you, am I?"

"No, you're a disgrace to the Cloud Association organisation. Geordie's the threat. You're nothing; getting in the way. Slowing us down."

Here we go. I am forced off the bridge onto the grass with several hefty shoves which almost trip me over. I should run, save myself getting bashed about, I do happen to be faster than him when scared, problem being my feet won't move. I've frozen. All I can manage is a wince as he takes a punch to my ribcage then closes in, getting up way too close.

"You're shaking." Max gives me a sharp jab in-between the ribs. "Are you going back to where you came from?"

"You must have been through tragic circumstances to be this warped." I manage then take a smack to the mouth. Yowch. Not quite hard enough to knock any teeth out but hurt. I blink shocked. Realise I'm sat in the pond. Well there could have been worse places to land like a pile of sharp rocks or overgrown bed of nettles.

Crap, Charlie is staring at us as he crosses the bridge. He clutches his book and carries on his way.

Max kicks water at me. "Where are you going?"

I try get up and get pushed straight back down.

"You're going far away from here right?"

I think I might have shook my head because Max gets this riled up look in his eyes and grabs my shoulders, twists me round, pushes my face towards the water. Holds me under. I can't move save for flail about because my nervous system makes me.

"Where are you going?" demands Max as he lets me up for some air.

I'm unable to speak. I splutter, and dirty pond water dribbles out my mouth. Before I have chance to get my breath back, Max pushes me under again. Next time he lets me up I'll try tell him, I'll leave, then go. He's right I do slow everyone else down. I'm no Cloudy. Even relief would be better off without me. Master Hugo gave up on me weeks ago. All he teaches me are defence stances and never partners me with any of the other trainees. I'm that tragic. Was stupid me ever coming here.