She hadn’t meant to let her guard down. Hadn’t meant to be caught up in the soothing comfort of people. Yet here she is, back at square one. Charcoal eyes settle angrily on her. Searing pain gnaws at her face. Wrists bound above her head as if she’s some kind of animal that needs restraint. Fear sings in her veins as she struggles against the wire restraints causing them to cut into her wrists. This isn’t what she wants. She’s never wanted any of this. Nothing in her life is making sense anymore. She’s screaming now at the top of her lungs, until his fist connects brutally with her jaw. The sound of it cracking echoing off the walls of her mind. The more she struggles the more he hits her.

The blonde standing in a corner of the room laughs, trying her hardest to not shake the camera in her hand. This is routine behaviour for her. One would think that this type of mistreatment would not be acceptable. Not with her. No, she finds joy and amusement in this. Watching him treat his own sister in such a cruel manner puts a sadistic smile on her face. Still, the younger girl tries frantically to escape; only to be repeatedly punched. It’s a back and forth reaction until the world turns black around her.

Eyes open to nothing but darkness. An empty room with bare walls. Surprised that she’s able to move. The bruises on her arms and legs dance into view, creating silent tears that soak into her cheeks as the fall. Gentle movements in order to find clothes that don’t have holes in them or aren’t torn in an attempt to prevent further use of them. Not that there’s anywhere she can really look besides the floor of the closet. Which is where she finds a sweater. It’s the only thing she finds. With as much gentle strength as she can muster in her frailty she slips the worn material over her head. She’s not sure who it belongs to, just that it’s not hers and wearing it makes her skin crawl and burn.

Without so much as an attempt to leave through the front door, she trudges to the window, opens it, and tumbles out of it as safely as possible for her in this condition. Not to mention quietly. Unfortunately, the bushes beneath said window are of no landing comfort and leave more cuts to speak of. If she survives the night. Moving carefully, she tries hard to stay well within the shadows so she’s not found. At the same time she’s fighting off the demons trying to tear her mind apart. Even in this darkness, she can still feel hands in unwanted places. Keep screaming, no one will help you. You’re a waste to the body you inhabit. Just go kill yourself. There’s a nice bridge not far from here for you to jump off of.

She can hear the laughter that ensues from their words. Or are they hers? She’s quickly losing it, her sanity that is. Wait, she lost that months ago. In fact, her memory can only recall that it happened after the death of her parents. Could it have been before that? No…maybe? Everything is so distant and surreal there’s no telling what’s what. Already filthy feet trek through muddy grass. Just how long was I there? A week? A month? Possibly more? Soreness follows her like a best friend as she lets damaged legs carry her wherever. Brown eyes don’t register the location until she’s standing at the edge of what looks like a bridge. Hey look, we made it. No one will look for us after this either. How perfect.

The water down below is shallow, and she knows it’ll kill her instantly if she takes the plunge. After all, who’s going to miss her? As far as she’s concerned there’s not a single person in the world who cares about whether she lives or dies. What difference will her life make on a world that has no use for a pitiful soul like hers? Slowly her body edges forward, leaning towards the craggy rocks below. One more step and it will all be over. No more dealing with her brother. No more haunted sleepless nights. No more feeling helpless. And no more voices driving her further into the pit of despair. All it takes is that one little leap. So, with one last final breath she takes that step.

He’s not sure it’s her. What’s it been? Three weeks? She’s been gone long enough that he’s certain what he’s seeing is all a part of his imagination. That and he’s drunk as well. Consuming alcohol is nothing new to him, but for him and some of the others it’s been worse as of late. He can’t fathom why. Not like he’s concerned. What was I doing again? Oh, right, following after the girl. Please don’t let my eyes be playing tricks on me. Placing one foot in front of the other, he follows her. His own demons weighing him down. Just what good are you going to be to her? Does it matter? Your own parents tried to kill you off. That alone should tell you something. Not everyone is unwanted, just you. Your band thinks you’re mute. Your mother and father thought they opted you out instead of the better twin. You’re a waste of energy.

There’s no arguing with his conscious. He will never win. After all, it’s right. What good can he do if he himself is unwanted and unloved by the very people who made him. Suffering, that’s all he’s doing. Doing it in a manner that makes it look like surviving. There’s no way he can survive this though. Not with the tension that rides on it and the constant angry words his own mind throws at him. Still, he follows this girl, hoping that it’s her. Something about her changed everyone. They need this something back, whatever it may be. Gray eyes follow her as best they can. It takes him awhile to register where her leg are leading her, until the bridge clicks into view. She won’t jump will she? No, she doesn’t seem the type to do something like that. He moves closer without her knowledge just in case it’s something she’s thinking of doing. How he hopes it’s not.

Dark grays watch her every move. Even the hesitation she has before her feet move her over the edge. Lanky legs move rapidly and despite not being very athletic he manages to catch her wrist just in time. A very vivid mental image of her sprawled and dead at the bottom of the river paints itself across his vision. His heart dead weight in his chest. Slowly, she looks up at him and just as he feared it’s her. Her eyes betray her and she’s much smaller than he remembers. Frantically he pulls her back up and eagerly hugs her to him. She stiffens briefly before breaking down into a mess of uncontrollable sobs. Not one word leaves his lips as he rocks her back and forth.

His eyes skim over her. Not noticing the lack of most of her clothing, but rather the way ferocious bruises and scars adorn her skin. The way her body sinks in on itself. How her face looks swollen, particularly around her jaw. Concern is replaced with rage. Setting fire to his bones, tearing his soul in half, turning to charcoal a heart once turned to ice. For just a moment his vision is gone, preventing him from seeing his friends approaching. Doesn’t even hear them calling his name or trying to get an answer from either of the two.

Aaron’s not sure what’s worse. Marie’s condition or Jason’s stoic expression. Green eyes watch his friend. Even he can tell it’s not a good idea to approach him. That it’s not in the best interest of anyone to even try it. Well, unless Alex wants to attempt to do or say something stupid tonight. Which by the looks of it, he’s decided against it. It’s a surprise the blond male followed them all the way out this way. Shaking the thought away Aaron approaches one side of Jason and, despite the dirty look he receives, helps him to his feet while he’s still clutching Marie. Marie shudders and the action is enough to send Aaron’s anger spiraling. Bright greens turn to hunter. Muscles tense and coil visibly. He’s the face of hell in a matter of seconds. The others slow to a stop, knowing to keep their distance from him. Words cannot express what’s going on in his head at this point in time. Instead, he stalks off. Where he’s going even he doesn’t know, but he knows who to look for based off their last encounter.

“Jason, let’s just get her to a hospital. I don't know how we’re going to explain it, but we’ll find a way.”

“She might not let us at this rate. I mean look at her. She’s in such bad shape that she wanted to jump to her death. Who’s to say that if we try this she won’t make another attempt?”

“For once in your life can you not be a pessimistic piece pf shit?”

Alex ignores the agitation in Bryant’s voice. Ignores the look of anger in his eyes. The others don’t so much as bat an eye in their direction. Rather, they walk around the two of them to their mode of transportation. Eventually Bryant storms off to keep up with Mitchell and Jason. A sigh leaves Alex’s lips as he watches them. His moment of hesitation draws no attention from anyone, but their red-headed companion. There’s no telling why he’s hesitated or what’s going on in his head, but the stress from everything is written on his face for all to see. Scratching the back of his head he moves on. Not without Eijinn patting him on the back first and going ahead of him. The small gesture reminds him that despite all the hell he puts them through, at the end of the day they are still his friends and brothers. Smiling just a little when he reaches the van, he climbs in the front passenger seat. As he does so baby blue eyes catch sight of Marie laid across Jason and Bryant’s laps.

The heart clenches, nearly caving on itself. Despite the words he’s used to hurt her, seeing her in this state worries him. He says nothing though. Mostly because he fears saying something spiteful or disrespectful and now isn’t the time to piss anyone off. Neither Aaron nor Eijinn are in the vehicle, but Jason alone looks ready to tear apart anyone who so much as breathes in Marie’s direction. And Alex is quite satisfied with where his spine is sitting at the moment. It stays quiet. Not one word. Even though, Alex is positive Mitchell is breaking several traffic laws to reach the hospital.

“So, why didn’t we just call an ambulance?”

“Because, pretty princess, it would’ve taken longer for them to get to us. Plus they’ll alert her family, seeing as we aren’t her family.”

“Won’t they do that if we take her anyway?”

“That’s why it’s called lying, dumbass. And since you’re so fucking smooth at insulting people or ruining shit, you better smooth shut the fuck up.”

Bryant’s dark blue eyes burn with ferocity. The tinier male shrugs, but otherwise resumes his silence before realizing they’re at the hospital. He climbs out just as quickly as Mitchell does. Noodle like legs rush into the emergency room and up to the receptionist. Words tumbling from his mouth without his permission.

“My friend’s sister is in really bad shape. We don’t know what happened and have been unable to reach him to let him know, but she needs treatment. Please.”

The lady behind the desk looks as though she doesn’t believe him. That soon changes when Jason walks in and several people are either gasping or murmuring. The looks the four, or rather five, of them get are far from just being uncomfortable. It makes Alex wonder if the way he often treated Marie is similar. Did I make her feel worse than the dirt beneath our feet? And she still managed to be nice to me?

“You can all stop fucking staring. She’s hurt, we know it well enough. Shit happens or you all wouldn’t be here either.”

Wide eyes fall on Alex and he’s not even remotely surprised. It encourages him more. Especially since he knows he’s not wrong.

“Staring at me doesn’t change the fact you looked at us in disgust. Yes, I’m pretty. I’m well aware of it. Find something else to do.”

At the same time a handful of nurses rush out with a stretcher to collect Marie. And no one says a word to the scrawny mouthy male. They’re still in astonishment for the most part. Wonder shifts in Bryant’s eyes at his friend's behaviour. The two having forgotten to follow behind Jason and Mitchell for the time being. Realizing their current situation, both make haste to find their companions. It doesn’t take long to find the pair seated in a hallway, screaming coming from the room across from them.

“Took you two long enough. Stay with Jason. I’m going to go find Eijinn and Aaron, before one or both of them get arrested for aggravated assault.”

When no one speaks a word, Mitchell swiftly removes himself from their presence. The other two simply place themselves in the seats around their quietest member. All eyes on the floor. The screaming is starting to die down. However, the nurses still scurry past. And there’s still a cloud of desperation and darkness hanging over Jason.

A small child wanders out of their room. Far too late to be up, but something just won’t let him sleep. He can hear angry voices. Desperate voices. They seem to draw him closer. What they’re saying he can’t tell. Their backs are to him, excluding the third person whose dark amethyst eyes catch on him and widen in shock. Was he not to be here? Both parents turn and plaster smiles to their paled faces. His father is quick to usher him back to bed, worry lines and a hidden frown on his features. This is just the beginning of something much deeper. Something he would one day wish he did not know.