Chapter 18:

*EDDIE'S POV:

"You know, you're really pissing me off." I huffed, sensing a presence from behind.

"Am I now?" he mocked, tapping his fingers along the top of the wooden desk.

"Look, whatever you're doing to make me lose control of myself, cut it out. I nearly hurt my aunt because of you."

"I know, it was pretty fun if I must say so myself."

"Fun? You're ruining my life!"

"You don't find it entertaining? You don't find me taking complete control over your mind and body funny? Because I for one enjoy it very much."

"Of course I don't enjoy it━knowing I have no clue what's happening or what I'm even doing."

"I've been kind to you. You know, I could let you see and remember everything, but instead I've been blocking you out. Maybe I won't next time."

"Well, it'll stop soon. I'm going to the doctor and you're going to stop once and for all."

"It won't be that easy, lover boy,"

Lover boy? "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, knowing he was already gone.

Going to the doctors is going to need every ounce of strength possible. He can't keep taking control, he can't keep up the constant abuse. I want my life back. I want to go to college, get married, have kids, grow old. With a heavy weight bearing down on my shoulders, going about a simple day seems like trudging through a graveyard. Living as a constant danger and not knowing when I'm going to snap is a game I never signed up to play.

I nearly hurt my own aunt today. There was a black out moment once again, where after everything blurred back to reality, the whole atmosphere was different from when I left it the first time. Uncle Wayne was screaming and Aunt Susan was shaking hysterically with glass scattered all around her. I begged to know what actually happened and the two of them just kinda stared confusingly. My aunt was hesitant to answer, knowing in her heart that it was truly a mind block. The whole retelling was obviously sugar-coated but the main plot of becoming inconsolable when I was warned about medical attention remained as clear as the glass that was apparently thrown. Physically, that was the first time almost hurting my aunt ever. Emotionally, however, had been a reoccurring hobby. The words spilling out of my mouth are full of spite and hatred, two things I'd never feel towards the woman who gave me such a beautiful life.

Don't even get me started about Luna. I've hurt her the most, physically and emotionally. That night, that god-awful night, when my hands clasped around her throat in a fit of rage during a dream, it tore me to shreds. The only memory I have is the dream itself and the slow fade back to reality━an uncle struggling to hold back his nephew as he lashes out at nothing. A nephew unaware of what he had just done and an uncle screaming, asking what the hell he thought he was doing. I couldn't give an answer. What had I done? Where was Luna? Then it was all explained, piece by piece as my heart broke. I was choking her? The beautiful and sweet girl who holds the oceans in her eyes? The night of a thousand stars in her mind? The girl who smiles pearls and laughs melodies? I couldn't get my thoughts straight. Pacing back and forth, gripping at my hair, trying to prevent myself from punching my bedroom walls, I was so angry at myself, so broken, for actually harming her. Sounds were suppressed and vision hazed from the salty tears collecting in the brim of my eyes. Uncle Wayne was trying to talk to me through a messy blur of emotions, eventually just giving up and going back downstairs after I had run upstairs. When hearing everyone chatter downstairs, I walked down the hall and stood at the top of the steps. Luna's hoarse voice had already asked about me as she wiped tears from her cheeks. My breath hitched as I saw her start massaging her neck. There's no way my hands forcefully restricted her from breathing. I couldn't have done that. I couldn't have strangled the girl I'm madly in love with.

And then the incident just recently, slamming her against the wall and gripping at her arms. Even before that, I had been yelling. Luna was extremely uncomfortable with being yelled at. It's one of the first things many learn when spending time with her. A delicate girl, flushed of all color and elation as bitter words attacked her ears. I have never, ever, yelled at her before and knowing I was doing it out of pleasure crushes me even more. The fear in her eyes proved she was petrified, petrified of me━the boy who was supposed to love and protect her from anything harmful. But there I was, causing the harm.

After all of the things, all of the awful fucking things that have been happening, she still does the little things. Whenever there's distress, a disguise of collected calmness plasters itself onto her face. It's a strategy to avoid any explosive reaction, but the pain in her eyes, her oh so bright brown eyes, shine through with a distinct gloss. The stares from her whenever I'm struck with a migraine or stomachache haven't gone unnoticed. She's trying to help the boy she loves, but the appreciation I have is overpowered by this voice in my head.

Negative thoughts linger in my mind, often ones that are clearly untrue, simply to boil blood. The torment never stops. Sometimes he screams and it feels as if my skull is about to shatter into millions of pieces. No matter what kind of prevention is done, he's always there. The worst is when he's visible, where I can see him following me every step of the way. Quickly moving around to different places like a shadow that doesn't follow the basic principles. Jumping along the walls and sticking to the ceiling corners, watching and waiting. Roaming around others and creating situations only I can see. He'll have a knife to my aunt's throat and slowly drags it along her skin, making the thick, dark red blood pool from the cut. He'll tap on my uncle's shoulder, making him wither away like dust in the wind. Complete strangers melt into puddles and burst into flames. All it takes is a quick blink of the eyes for everything to go back to normal.

As I sat on the edge of my bed, there was a knock at my door. "Sweetie?"

"Yeah, auntie?"

"We're going to bed. You should, too. It's getting late."

"Alright, g'night, guys." I answered.

"G'night,"

"I love you." I said with all sincerity.

"We love you, too." she answered.

"No they don't."

"Yes they do, stop."

"Really? It didn't sound like it. I mean you put your heart into it, but she didn't."

"You don't even know my aunt. Leave her alone."

"Whatever you say. Don't believe me then."

Don't answer back. I won't give him the satisfaction of toying with my thoughts tonight.

"Someone's quiet,"

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"That pretty little Luna?"

"I like her."

"I want her."

Just ignore it. Ignore him.

"Can you imagine the things she could do?"

"That filthy little whore."

"Stop," I gritted my teeth, burying myself into a pillow. The talking stopped as soon as the idea of sleep overwhelmed me, but as soon as it seemed possible, the harassment began again.

"You can't sleep."

"Don't,"

"Don't fall asleep,"

"Remember that one time you did?"

"You hurt her."

"You hurt the precious little jewel."

"She has you wrapped around her little finger."

"You're weak,"

"Pathetic,"

"Useless,"

It went on and on all night with not a minute of slumber. The words were too loud, too pungent to even process. They screamed, mocked, and laughed. Nothing helped.

Though the hours spent last night were miserable, I got up anyway. Dragging what felt like a corpse out of bed was difficult enough, let alone making it down to the kitchen to possibly socialize. I did it, though, knowing I saw starving for food. A bowl of fresh fruit was placed on the counter with a bright red apple begging to be eaten. My arm refused to move as I tried to reach for it.

"Don't eat,"

"You don't need to eat,"

Yes, I do need to eat.

"No, don't eat,"

"They're trying to poison you,"

"You're going to die,"

I need to eat something.

"Don't eat anything,"

Whatever, hydrating might be a better idea for the moment. Grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, the icy water felt heavenly as it ran down my arid throat. My eyelids became unbelievably heavy as I sat at the table, so I put my head down and closed my eyes. Screams rang through my ear.

"I told you not to sleep,"

"Don't sleep!"

"Stop!"

"Wake up,"

"You can't fall asleep,"

"I want to sleep." I groaned, pounding my fist on the wood.

"Then go back to sleep." my uncle answered, walking into the kitchen. "Did you not get enough last night?"

"Uh, no, not really." I answered, rubbing my eyes.

"It's still early. Go up for another hour or so. It's not like we have anything planned." he shrugged, pouring a cup of coffee.

"See? Look how your own uncle doesn't even care."

Shut up, he does care.

"I could stab you right now and he wouldn't even blink."

That's a lie.

"Don't believe me? Let's test it." he said, and before I could even answer, I felt a cold blade slit through the fabric of my shirt and pierce the skin of my back. Blood soaked my shaking hands as I reached behind me, trying to abruptly stand from my chair to defend myself. My legs gave out as I lost all sensations in them.

"Eddie, you okay?" Uncle Wayne calmly asked.

I gave him a confused and desperate look until realizing it was another trick.

"See? He barely moved."

"Uh, yeah, I uh got a sharp itch on my back. I'm going upstairs for some more sleep." I answered, turning away. Uncle Wayne didn't move because he didn't see it. No one ever sees anything.

As I ascended the stairs, his presence from behind was strong. The heat was radiating off the mysterious entity, scorching the flesh of my backside. My nails scratched at my skin in an attempt to get the burning sensation to simmer. The heat only intensified. I made a dash for the bathroom, reaching the sink and splashing cold water everywhere. It wasn't enough. The heat was unbearable, causing a sporadic moment of jumping in a freezing shower with clothing on. I stripped after a few minutes under the icy water, finally relieved. The shower continued as normal. When finished, I dried off and wrapped a towel around my waist, carrying soaked clothes to the laundry bin.

Still utterly exhausted, I gripped the sides of the sink and tried taking deep breaths to gain a sense of focus. Looking up at the mirror's distorted and slightly foggy glass, there was a faint difference in my appearance. Dark circles hanging under my eyes, a pale complexion, all that. My eyes suddenly turned a dark black, but once I blinked and took a closer look, they were their normal color.

You're tired. You're seeing things.

I went to my bedroom to change into other clothes, falling on to my bed after dressing. Music always had a way with nerves, but even when putting earbuds in, music wasn't the only thing ringing through my ears...................................................A/N: Told you this one would be up quick!

But okay, seriously, how could anyone torment this beautiful boy? I mean, did you see that picture? He is an angel.

This thing keeps screwing with Eddie's mind. Any comments? Thoughts?

Next chapter is going to be super long but I'm excited to write it.

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xoxo