Rough around the edges

The beginning.

Ej POV:
Rough, that's what this place was, I constantly feel unsafe and watched when I'm in here.. I hate this place. Zalgo had "saved" me from the person that did.. this.. to me, however I hardly feel like I've been saved in the slightest.

I sighed as the cold air pricked my exposed fingertips, maybe fingerless gloves was a bad choice in this cold. I let myself become lost in my thoughts as i walked through the dead leaf coated trail in the forest.

*shuffling*

My pointed ears prick up at the distant noise, I quickly snap myself from my thoughts, now becoming alert. I listen in as I attempt to figure out where the sound came from, being blind has its perks, I can hear the slightest of sounds.
'Bingo..' i thought to myself as I picked up the strong scent of a human, now feeling quite excited at the thought of food, i began to creep over as quiet as possible, tail swishing excitedly behind me as it brushes against the ground.

A sudden noise broke me from the predatory trance I was in, listening in i heard what sounded like.. crying? I walk a little closer to this person, still hoping for an easy kill despite the sound of crying tearing guilt into my chest. Failing miserably to overcome the sharp guilt, i decide that I'm going to wait a little longer for food, especially since I had just discovered that this person was no older than 16, a kid.. i don't kill children for many reasons, they can be my weakness in a way..

I stood on a dry leaf, causing the sound to emit loudly in the almost silent atmosphere, their head snaps towards me as they slightly scramble backwards in shock. I can't blame them, I'd be pretty freaked out if I had looked behind and seen some creature had been stalking me for about 15 minutes too. For some reason I can't find it in me to speak, still somewhat dazed from the food-driven aggression I was in a moment ago.

"What the fuck..?" A voice just above a whisper came from the small being, my tail swished behind me anxiously as i tried to speak, "What the hell.. i knew this forest was fucked up but.. *sniff* I didn't know creeps roamed here..?"
I was honestly shocked at how calm this kid seemed to be, weird.

"..hi" i awkwardly waved a clawed ashen hand at the person.. forgetting how to properly interact with new people without scaring them.
"Uh.. hey?.." the young teen muttered while wiping his nose and eyes with the edge of his stained sleeve.
I decided "fuck it" and just sat down near them, hoping to somehow help with whatever was troubling them, i mentally facepalm myself at the realization that I'm going to attempt comfort what i call food.
"Are you.. okay?" I rasped out, i hadn't spoken much since I had been at Zalgos lair, it was a little dry and raspy from disuse.

The kid seemed confused for a moment, before sighing, bringing his knees to his chest, "Does it ever get any better..?" He asked softy, sadness and emotion lacing his voice like silk.

"Uh, what do you mean..?" I asked, tilting my head to the side, I should learn to stop doing that, it seems to have become a natural characteristic since I changed, it reminds me of a dog.

"This place, zal.. gor.. whatever his stupid name is, Took me here, to his 'lair' as he calls it. It fuckin' sucks. I get picked on for pretty much everything and I just feel so.. alone.."

Stunned at the sudden confession of emotions, i struggle to find the words to express my own. "Zalgo..? I'm.. staying there too, i didn't know you were one of his.. workers.. "

The purple haired kid looked up at the strange person.. or, thing..? "You live here too..? How come I've never seen you..??"

Embarrassed at the reply I was about to give him, i explained hesitantly. "I uh, I'm kept in a.. room.. as punishment for, being violent and... biting people-" my ashen cheeks flush with embarrassment behind my navy mask.

This kid might not be so bad after all.