-Chapter 23: The Voices-

Warning!: there are mentions of Blood, bullying, self-harm, and suicide in the texts below.

-Cassie-

The night is when the voices run wild. They say what they want and get the reaction they want. I can't control anything they say.

"They don't care about you; they're only bringing you up to tear you down." The voices said in my head.

"Go. Away." I say to them in a whisper.

"We will never go away, Cassandra. We will always be here. There's nothing you can do to make us go away." They hiss with malice.

I look down at the scabbed over wounds on my arm—a grim reminder of what happens when your mind takes over.

"Do it again." They barked. "Remember how fun it was last time?"

I put my hands over my ears in a vain attempt to drown the voices out.

"No, no, no, not again," I say out loud. "Please stop."

"Do it, you worthless piece of crap!" They ordered.

"No! I won't." I say in response. "Not again!"

Then, I stood up. I'm not going to let these things be the end of me.

"I'm going to get rid of you." I hiss at the monsters that torment me.

"That's impossible." They challenged. "Nothing can get rid of us."

"Wanna bet?" I say out loud, challenging them to say more.

They stay silent.

I go into the kitchen and grab a decent-sized knife. I run the blade across my finger to see if it was sharp. The blood coming from the wound gave me the answer, and I'm satisfied. I don't bother to write a note. They don't deserve an explanation. I stuff the knife into my pocket, grab a hoodie, and walk right out the door.

——————-

I follow the sidewalk. I don't pay attention to where I'm going. I end up on a street I'm not too familiar with, and I get a bit nervous. I hear people talking up ahead, which doesn't help me anyway, so I put my hood up and keep my head down.

Though as I walk closer, I start to hear what they're saying.

"Can you stop throwing shit at my window?" One voice asked angrily.

"Why don't you come over here and make us." The other replied before laughing.

God, nothing can go the way I want it can it?

I walk in the gutter and keep my head down to avoid running into the people in front of me.

—————

-Zeke-

I duck as another rock flies towards me and into my room.

How the fuck did Rafe even find my house?

"Do you really not have anything better to do?!" I shout.

"I mean, we do, but this is more fun!" He replied. "Come on out and make me stop, coward!"

"You're not worth my damn time." I sigh before going to shut my window.

"What's the matter? You scared?" Rafe taunted.

I stop in my tracks. This mother fucker thinks I'm scared of him? Hell no!

"If you think I'm scared of you, you're dead wrong," I say with an eerie calmness.

I grab my sweater and my lighter and see that Rafe was holding someone by the arm. They seemed like they were trying to get away.

"Well, well, look who it is." Rafe taunted. "It's your girlfriend! I noticed you two were hanging out the other day."

"She's not my girlfriend, asshole," I say, annoyed.

"How the fuck do these people find my house?" I think to myself.

Rafe laughs as Cassie seems to say something to him before she pulls out a pretty big knife and points it a Rafe.

"Woah," I say, surprised.

"I guess I have to do something." I think.

I run over to the pair and nudge myself in between the knife and Rafe.

"Dude, I may not like you but get the fuck outta here now." I turn and say to him.

He did something smart for once and ran away.

Cassie, who was now furious, set her sights on me. She poked me in the back with the knife.

"What the fuck was that for?!" She snapped. "I was doing just fine before you came."

"What are you doing here?" I ask sternly. "Why the fuck do you have a knife that big?"

Cassie's expression of anger turns to one of shame. I couldn't tell in the dark. I take this chance to disarm her and throw the knife away from her.

"Why are you over here?" I ask again.

I had my ideas after seeing the knife and why ere confirmed when she silently slid her finger across her throat.

"I mean, why else would I have a fucking knife?" She said with malice in her voice.

"Go home." I say, my voice shaking.

"Not tonight." She said.

"Where are you going to go?" I ask her.

"I don't know." She said quietly.

I would offer her the extra room but I don't think Luna would...you know what? Screw what she has to say.

"I have an extra room." I offer. "Do you want to use it for the night?"

She just stood there, saying nothing. Just staring in what looked like awe. This went on for a few more awkward sentences.

I sigh, annoyed.

"It's a yes or no question." I say. "Please hurry up, I'm cold."

Cas shook her head as if coming out of a trance.

"I-Uh, yeah." She struggled to say. "I-I'll take up the offer. T-thank you."

I lead her into my house and to the spare room on the first floor. In it there was a bed, a nightstand and a closet. Nothing to fancy.

I leave her to do her own thing and go retrieve the knife still laying on the ground. I pick it up and take it to my own room before going to check on Cassie to see how she's settling in.

I knock before slowly opening the door to find her passed out in the bed. It seems like shit just fell asleep before her head hit the pillow. But then again I don't blame her. I turn the light off before shutting the door and going back to my room.