When August Ends

Bloody Hands And Bloody Faces

Nikkos P.O.V.

***

            I sit in silence beside... Maya? Yes, that's her name. She looks pretty enraged. Her friend... Troy? Yeah I think that's his name. He was pretty harsh towards her. And it's because of me. We've been driving for what the guy driving, Andrew I believe, says has been three hours. He's friendly enough. At least he doesn't give me the glares that Troy did. I must confess I feel rather awkward in these people's company. I shot and wounded that one girl, she's really pretty now that I think about it. Grace? Yeah, her name is Grace. Anyway I shot her, and I nearly killed Maya with my knife... It still baffles me as to why she saved me. After it all, if I were in her shoes I would have gladly allowed my attacker to finish themself. Or would I? So much has changed since this started. I never used to think about death and dying. I was happy with my life. I took everything for granted though and now I hate myself for it. I'm not the same person anymore either. I feel trapped within my own body as someoen else is taking over for me. I make decisions rashly and abruptly and regret them later. Like Lisa... I shake my head. I can't think about it. I'll lose my cool. I can still see her sweet face though. Her soft green eyes, her long smooth blonde hair... "Nikkos?" Somone calls bringing me back to reality. I look to see Maya looking at me with a furrowed brow. I notice her neck wound has re-opened. A small trickle of blood slips down her arched neck.

"Yes?" I inquire, my eyes on her neck.

"Are you alright?" she questions quietly, her brown eyes seem thick with sadness. That's how Lisa looked before... "You seem out of it." she continues. I shake my head again.

"I'm fine," I reply quickly, refocusing my gaze on her wound rather than her eyes.

"Are you sure?" she presses crossing her arms.

"It's been a while since I've been around people, I've gotten used to being alone. I zone out a lot." I smile weakly.

"What's on your mind?" she asks me. My heart hammers in my chest. I desperately need to share the horrors that swarm my mind but my demons encourage me to keep my mouth shut.

"Just thinking about where we're going from here." I reply quietly. She rolls her eyes at me. "What?" I ask in confusion.

"Oh nothing," she sighs.

"You're lying?" I say rapidly and then wish I hadn't. She grins at me mischeviosuly.

"Doesn't feel great does it? Being lied too." she mentions and I realize I can't lie to her because she'll see right through me.

"No," is all I reply but she seems content.

"Are we gonna stop to eat soon becuase I'm like hungry again." Andrew complains from the front seat.

"You're always hungry," Maya shoots back at him.

"So are you," he retorts. She smirks.

"I'm hungry too," the guy in the passenger seat chimes in. I can't remember his name. He has a curly mop of hair that's dirty blonde, and he seems to have a mischevous glint in his eyes.

"No one cares Parker," Maya shoots back.

"You're real funny Maya." the one named Parker shoots back.

"Don't be mean to Parker like you're mean to Troy." Morgan chimes in from Maya's left. I feel tension in the air as she looks at him. I don't know if that was really called for...

"Oh I'm the one whose mean to Troy?" she asks in annoyance.

"Yes." the one called Jack replies from the back seat.