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 Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:30 pm
I heard he killed 5 more this time.
No way, that was last week! It's 7 now!
How many more does he have to kill to be satisfied? he's decimated 2 gangs already!
Clearly this kid's not human/
Don't you hear what they've been calling him? They dubbed him the "Demon child"
Heck, something like him should be killed. It don't deserve to live.
That was how it had always been, ever since that "incident".
Countless times he tried to tell them it WASN'T HIS FAULT, but they never believed him. Who would believe that shadows were capable of killing people?
No one saw anything, it was only him. He had tried to believe that it was only his imagination, but each time... every single time he wound up in a fight with someone, that... that THING would be waiting. Watching. Feeding. To them, they only thought he had accomplices hiding in the shadows. Silent assassins. HE WAS JUST A KID. HOW THE HECK was he supposed to get stuff like assassins? Others believed he made a deal with the devil, and through that, he was able to kill people. Why couldn't any of them see the creature that was just lurking there? Was it just following him? WHY?
He had gone on living like this for 8 more years, bearing the burden that no one else did. And each year, it had only gotten worse. The thing grew, feasting more. The other gangs could no longer turn a blind eye. Overpowering him by sheer number, they beat him, and left his broken, bruised body to rot.
----------------------
...Hey
........Hey, you awake?
Eyelids fluttered.
What... why...
... Who was calling him?
Oh, thank goodness! And here I thought I was too late!
... Late?
He tried to move, but every part of his body ached.
Tried to speak, but it felt like something was crushing him.
Was he... dying all over again?
He tried once more to project his voice, only to end up coughing.
No no, don't push yourself! Here, let me help.
He felt hands touching him. Holding him. Pulling him up.
When he finally opened his eyes, he was assaulted with light.
What...
Taking several moments adjusting to the brightness, he blinked several times before taking a look around.
Just... where was he?
"You're in a church."
... wait. WHAT?!
He looked around bewildered.
Why the hell was he in a CHURCH? Wasn't he left dying on the streets? Was he.. actually dead? But no, he wouldn't go to heaven, he-
"Whoa, whoa, calm down!"
He finally turned his head towards the voice, and was greeted with a pair of warm green eyes.
The woman laid a hand on his forehead, smiling.
"How are you feeling?"
He only stared at her.
... what?
He was sore all over. He couldn't move. He was supposed to be DEAD. How was he SUPPOSED to feel?
"Like s**t."
The woman tsked.
"Such language! You've been a naughty boy."
The boy only rolled his eyes.
You don't know the HALF of it, lady.
She continued to smile.
"Regardless, you're safe now, so you don't have to worry. Just get some rest."
He stared at her, bewildered.
Worry? Rest? JUST WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON? WHY WAS HE HERE? WHO THE HELL WAS THIS, WHY WASN'T HE-
Hands slid over his eyes.
"Just rest." The voice whispered.
Suddenly, he felt fatigued. He didn't want to think about anything at the moment.
Yes, rest. That sounded nice.
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:00 pm
"...Thompson?"
"No."
"...Jackson?"
"No."
"...Dickson?"
"HELL no."
She frowned as she crossed her arms.
"How about-"
"Stop. How long are you going to torture me?"
"But you have to pick one!"
"No, I don't. I really don't see the point of this."
She sighed, and her laid her hands on the book that rested on her lap.
"But we have to find a name for you!"
"I already HAVE a name. It's Jake."
"No, a LAST name!"
"Why the hell do I need a last name?"
"EVERYONE has a last name! It's what makes you... you!"
Jake huffed, and pushed himself out of bed.
...How long had he been here?
He was no longer at the church, but the woman's house. A woman named Catherine Summers.
It turned out she had been taking a shortcut through an alley, and came across his unconscious body.
Out of some strange act of kindness, she had managed to drag his body to a nearby abandoned church, and took care of him there for several days.
When he was finally stable and able to walk, she brought him to her house, where he was now resting.
He still didn't understand why she was doing this.
If he had the energy, he would of ran away a long time ago, but he was still covered in wounds from head to toe, and in the state he was in, if he stepped out of this house, he was as good as dead.
He told himself that after he had recovered and was able to take care of himself, he would leave. He didn't like relying on others, ESPECIALLY a woman, especially a busybody like Catherine. The lady just wouldn't SHUT UP for a second.
"How about..."
"FOR THE LAST TIME, LADY, I DON'T NEED A LAST NAME."
Catherine clutched the book to her chest, looking at Jake wide-eyed.
"I told you already. I don't NEED one. I don't care if a last name signifies that you belong to a family, or tells of your heritage, or... WHATEVER. I don't care about that. I don't need it."
Her expression softened.
"Oh Jake, it may not be important to you, but it's important to me! Since you won't take my last name, and since you won't let me try and find your original last name, the least I could do is give you one."
"I told you already. I don't need it. I-"
"Cross."
"...What?"
Catherine was no longer looking at him, but at the wall, where a small wooden cross was hung.
"Jake Cross. I think it fits you. When I think about it now, I'm pretty sure it was God's will that I found you, and I'm really glad I did."
Walking over to the wall, she knelt down, folded her hands, and prayed.
"You're crazy."
There was no response.
He sighed, and looked up at the cross also.
"Cross, huh?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:30 pm
"How are you feeling?"
"... A lot better."
Jake flexed his arms and moved his legs. The cuts and bruises had fully healed, and moving them no longer hurt. He peeled off a band-aid on his face and dropped it on the floor.
"Ahem."
"Stingy."
Regardless, he bent down and picked it up, walking to the kitchen to drop it in the garbage bin.
He had been here for a month now, and almost knew this place inside out. It was almost like... it was his own home.
... No. He shook his head.
It wasn't. This wasn't his house, he didn't belong here. He was only here because Catherine had dragged him here to recuperate, but now that he was better, there was no reason to stay here any longer.
Looking around the kitchen once more, he stepped out, and gave one last glance around the house, and hefted a sigh.
"...Jake?"
No. He wouldn't linger. It would only cause him pain, wanting what he couldn't have, losing what wasn't his. Besides, it would be better if he was out of Catherine's life. He was only inconveniencing her. If only she had just left him to die... it would of been so much easier.
He turned towards her, giving her a bittersweet smile.
"Well. Thanks for everything."
Her eyes widened as she watched him walk towards the door, and only realized what was happening when he opened it, taking a step out.
Before he could take another step, she had reached out and grabbed his wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He stiffened.
Why was she making this so hard?
"Where do you think?" he scoffed.
"There's nothing for you out there."
"How would you know?"
"Jake. I found you nearly beaten to death on the streets. That kinda tells me what kind of life you'll be going back to if I let you leave."
"So? It doesn't concern you."
"Jake!"
He closed his eyes and grit his teeth.
"Damn woman, why are you so persistent that I stay?"
"Because I like your company."
"Well, I don't."
"You're lying."
"Prove it."
She spun him around until they were looking eye to eye.
"Fine. Tell me this. Do you REALLY want to go back to the life you lived up until now?"
"...Yes."
"You're lying."
This stupid charade was never going to end.
He shoved her back, glaring at her.
"YOU STUPID b***h, don't you tell me how to live my life. You're not my mom, ok? You have no control over me."
He seemed to have struck a nerve as she gave him a sad look
"...Maybe so, but I care about you."
"You shouldn't"
"But I do! And I know that if I let you go now, you'll end up getting yourself killed."
Oh, was that it?
He scoffed.
"Please. Those jerks just caught me off guard last time. I'll be ready for them."
"I'm not talking about them."
Now it was his turn to stare.
"You know what I'm talking about... don't you?"
She walked over and ran a finger over the scar on his left eye.
"It hurts, doesn't it? And you can't do anything about it."
His voice was caught in his throat.
How... what...
Did she know?
She only laughed softly at his expression.
"I know that there's things other that just those street kids you need to worry about. And I know... it's not your fault."
Seeing as he made no further attempt to escape, she pulled him back in, and closed the door.
"My parents used to think I was crazy, babbling about how the shadows were moving, whispering to me. No one believed me. Of course, they had no reason to, because I was the only one who saw them."
Her gaze lingered on the window.
"I used to think I was cursed, that God was punishing me for a sin I didn't repent. I prayed and prayed to him, asking Him to take this burden from me. I didn't want to see or hear them anymore. I was scared. But... the more I prayed, the more I realized that maybe it's not a curse, but a blessing. With this gift, I could maybe keep others from being scared by them."
She didn't even need to look up to know Jake scoffed.
"Of course, from where I was, the most they did was move and occasionally whisper to you, but I have a feeling they thrive off fear..." she trailed off.
"In a place like this... I would expect it to be... a lot more extreme, possibly even possessing the power to kill."
Jake only grunted, and she shot him a worried look.
"This is EXACTLY why I don't want you back out there! You know what I'm talking about, and I'm sure you're quite more familiar with what they're capable of."
She sighed.
"Just because you and I can see them, it doesn't mean we can actually DO anything against them. All we can do is avoid them... and hopefully keep others to stay away."
Getting up, she walked to the cross that hung in the living room, looking up at it.
"What I want... more than anything, is to have the power to stop all of this... I don't want anyone to be scared anymore, I don't want people to be afraid. More than anything, I want to protect those I care about, more than anything..."
Dropping to her knees, she clasped her hands together, her eyes closed and head bowed.
"Oh Lord, Sovereign Father... give me strength I pray. Please protect the ones I love. Let me be your instrument of peace, give me the power to carry out your will..."
Tears were streaming down her face.
Feeling awkward standing there and watching her pray, Jake opened the door and stepped outside.
She knew... everything.
It only made him want to run away more. She knew too much. He couldn't get her involved. It was too dangerous. This was his burden to carry.
Yet, when he tried to run, he couldn't move.
For once, he tasted fear, but not about his own life.
He was scared of losing this comfortable life he now lived.
He had food, shelter... he didn't need to steal, or live off scraps.
He didn't need to watch his back day and night in case someone wanted to rob or kill him.
He was safe. He was loved. He was... content.
...No. NO. He couldn't...
His mind screamed at him to run, run and never come back, even if she tried to look for him, but his heart and body refused to yield. They refused to let go of this sanctuary they had found.
Dropping to his knees, he clenched his teeth, pounding the ground.
He was scared. Weak. Selfish.
So, so, selfish.
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Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:29 pm
He stared out the window, frowning.
What a dreary day.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned.
"Shame that it has to rain on such a special day."
At this, he only stared at her.
"There is nothing special about this day."
"But there is! Don't you know what today is?"
"Uh... a Tuesday?"
A hand reached out to bop him on the head.
"No, silly, think harder!"
"...The 27th??"
He had no idea what she as trying to hint at.
Catherine only frowned at him.
"It's your birthday!"
Jake rolled his eyes.
"Not that again. I already TOLD you-"
"-That you don't remember when you were born, I know! But... that doesn't mean you still can't have a birthday."
"That doesn't-"
She raised a hand to stop him.
"Do you know what a birthday is, Jacob?"
"I told you a million times, my name is not-"
He paused when he felt something pressed into his hand, and looked down to see that he was holding a small box, wrapped up with a ribbon with a note tucked underneath it.
"A birthday is just to celebrate the day you were born, but the day I found you, the day you turned your life away from violence, you were 'born again', Jacob."
She wiped away a tear, and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"You're 18 now, Jake. An adult. Most kids in this area don't even live past their early teens. If anything, that alone is worth celebrating.
His gaze held Catherine's for a moment before dropping down to the box in his hand.
"This better not be another bible again."
Catherine only laughed.
"I don't think I could find one that small."
Jake sincerely doubted that.
Somehow, the woman had managed to find the TINIEST bible EVER as a gift for his "birthday" last year.
Of course, he never bothered reading it, and couldn't quite remember where he left it.
Needless to say, Catherine wasn't happy.
As if reading his thoughts, the woman frowned at him and placed a hand under his chin, lifting it... which was kind of pointless considering he was taller than her.
"Jake. I want you to treasure this gift, ok? It would mean a lot to me if you always carried it with you."
She lifted one of his hands, placing it over the box.
"I'm serious. Don't treat this like your other present."
At this, he couldn't help but be curious, attempting to pull at the ribbon.
"No! You can't open it yet!"
She quickly pulled his hand away.
"I still have to buy the cake! And then when we have the party, THEN you can open it."
Jake gave her an exasperated look.
"Lady. Why are you even- WHO are you going to even have this party with?"
"Just us two."
"... Do you even know what you're-"
The woman only spun him around, steering him towards the door.
"I know what I'm doing, ok? Just head on over to the church. I'll bring the cake over there and then we can celebrate."
When she was like this, it was really hard to argue with her.
"Wait. Why am I using the back d-"
"Just go!"
She hastily shoved an umbrella into his hand and winked at him.
"The second half of your present is there. You'll know it when you find it."
With that, the door was closed, leaving the teen standing in the rain.
He only stared at the door for a good while, wondering just what in the world was going through her mind, when he realized he was starting to get soaked.... along with the gift.
Hastily shoving the box into his pocket, he grumbled as he struggled with the umbrella, finally managing to open it.
With that, he made his way to the church.
-------------------------
When he arrived, he looked up at the rickety old church, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
He couldn't believe it had been 2 years since his life had been completely turned upside down by a simple little woman.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the doors open, coughing as the motion sent dust clouds scattering.
It seemed so strange that there was an old abandoned church here, but after two years... it almost felt like a second home.
Walking past the pews, he headed straight for a little room hidden off in a corner, the place where he had first met Catherine.
He felt a strange sense of relief when he saw that nothing had really changed, the tiny bed coated with a thin layer of dust, and the small bedside counter that was-
There was something on top, wrapped in plain wrapping paper and tied with a red ribbon.
Eyeing the thing curiously, he walked over and picked it up.
It was light... and small, and... somewhat oddly familiar.
When he unwrapped it, his eye widened slightly, and he let out a soft chuckle. So THAT was what she meant...
In his hand, was the pocket bible Catherine had gave him last year. How she managed to find it again, he had no idea.
His gaze then turned to the box she had given him earlier, and he pulled out the note.
-----------------------
Jake.
By now, I'm sure you've found the "gift" I left for you beside the bed.
PLEASE take better care of it this time, I mean it! You don't want to know where I ended up finding it.
That aside, I want you to know that I am so proud of you. These past two years just flew by, and I loved every moment of it. We may of had our ups and downs, but just having you there made everything worthwhile. I know this is probably really sappy, but I'm really glad you decided to stay. It was so lonely by myself, and well, I really loved your company.
Even now, I'm still so glad I found you in time.
Call it what you may, but I still believe it was His will that our paths crossed.
I only pray that you may continue to remain faithful in Him, no matter what happens.
We live in a broken world, and there's so much pain and suffering, but despite that, there's still some good in it, so please, Jake, no matter what, believe.
Our time on earth is but temporary, and there is so much more waiting for us, so please, don't ever forsake that hope.
Dios te ama, Jacob, and so do I.
Please, don't ever forget.
------------
Jake only stared blankly at the letter.
What the hell? If he didn't know any better, it looked as if she was saying goodbye.
... was she planning on leaving this place?
A lump formed in his throat.
That idiot. Well, he didn't blame her. This place was the worst.
Surely she had saved up enough to find some way out, and there was no way he could ever go with her. They lived in different worlds. He couldn't keep dragging her down anymore.
Remembering the box, he looked down, pulling at the same red ribbon used to tie his "other" gift.
In it, lay a familiar object he had seen every day, except a smaller size than the one he normally saw, and made from something much more valuable.
How... in the world did Catherine afford such a thing like this? Surely this would have costed-
The truth hit him like a brick wall.
With this, there was no way would have enough to leave, so why... why did she...
He grit his teeth.
Catherine... you idiot.
"There she is!"
"Where are you hiding him, b***h?"
Bang, bang
Jake snapped his head up, turning at the voices.
What was going on?
Slipping Catherine's gift over his head, he dashed out the door.
"Hey, what-"
His voice caught in his throat when he saw two teens standing over a familiar figure.
"CATHERINE!"
He rushed to her side.
"Catherine, what's going-"
He paused, staring at his hand. She was bleeding.
"J-Jake..."
She laid a hand on his shoulder.
"G-get out of here, now..."
"WHAT? What are you-"
"So this is where you've been hiding all this time?"
Jake looked up to see one of the teens walk towards the church, kicking at the door.
"Pretty ballsy place to hole yourself up in, don't you think?"
"Don't worry, he won't be running off anywhere anymore."
Hearing a click, he turned around, only to find himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
Bang.
He felt a crushing weight, and everything went black.
Was this... how it ended? He never even got a chance to thank her, never got a chance to say goodbye... he was...
... alive?
His eyes flew open, feeling liquid seep through his clothes, hearing labored breathing.
What...
Catherine's face was inches from his, and she was panting, clearly in pain.
Her scapular was splattered with blood, and did little to hide the gaping hole in her shoulder.
"s**t, that was my last shot. That b***h ended up taking it."
Jake redirected his gaze to the teen who held the gun that was now fumbling with it and glowered at them.
Catching his look, the two teens' eyes widened, and they fled.
"J-Jake..."
Pushing himself up, he shifted Catherine so that he was cradling her in his arms.
"Shh, it's ok, I'm going to find a doctor and get you fixed up, and then-"
She touched his cheek and gave him a sad smile.
"N-no..."
Lowering her hand, she rested it on the gold cross around his neck.
"I'm glad to see it suits you... Jake Cross."
Letting out a soft sigh, she closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry... this was all I could give you. I hope you take good care of it."
Jake only stared at her.
"What... what are you saying... Catherine! You can't die here, you can't-"
She opened her eyes, giving him a tired smile. It sickened him to see how weak and fragile she looked, this woman, who was always full of energy, full of joy... and now...
"If anything, I'm glad I was able to protect you for this long..."
She reached up, touching his cheek again, smearing it with blood.
"You are... so, so precious to me..."
"Protect? What do you-"
It finally clicked, why she was always so secretive, why they barely stayed at home.
She knew. She knew that they were after him, and yet, she still continued to stay in his company, continued to protect him.
He was suddenly filled with anger.
Those guys knew. They were waiting, watching, waiting for her to leave him, but in the end, she got in the way. Once again, he screwed up, and now...
Catherine's eyes widened slightly when she saw his expression.
"Jake... don't"
"I promise you, I'll kill them with my own two hands. For them to do this to-"
"No! You can't!"
She clutched at his shirt.
"Please... Jake... let bygones be bygones. Don't be fueled with revenge... don't-"
"No, I'll make them suffer just as much as they made you suffer, they-"
"Jake..."
Her voice was quieter now, strained.
"Please... promise me... you won't... do anything..."
"...rash."
She trailed off into a sigh, her grip on his shirt loosening as her eyes closed and body fell limp.
"CATHERINE, CATHERINE!!"
He couldn't remember that last time he cried, but tears streamed down his eyes as he grabbed her shoulders, shaking her.
"CATHERINE, WAKE UP, please... wake... up..."
Dropping to his knees, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, muffling his sobs as he buried his face into her shoulder.
After several moments passed, he put Catherine down and stood up, wiping his face with his sleeve.
Sorry Catherine, but this was one promise he couldn't keep.
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