Part 1: Denial- Episode 6

With an angered growl, Thy Bad Habits whipped around, a sickening crack coming from its neck. Its eye a shimmering black. William twitched with rage – at this point it was barely controllable. Elias turned to William, his skin shone from the drops of rain dripping through the canopy. He looked at the storm that was William, whose eyes were filled with pure, unfiltered anger.

Rage.

It took one step closer.

Thy Bad Habits’ stained claws rooted in the ground as it leaped towards the pair, its face clawed at remorselessly by Elias. The box cutter, roughly stabbed in the muddy ground next to him, was grasped. You wanted strength! Elias slashed at Thy Bad Habits’ paws with all of his might. His strength coursed through his body as he felt a wave of fury pulse in his heart. Yet, nothing happened. William’s piercing hazel eyes darted to Elias, pulling him back, behind a clustered grove of tall trees.

Their position; it was awkward at the least. Elias lay against William's knees as the two shrunk behind the trees. Elias could feel William’s breath lightly brush his cheek. William turned away as Elias’ breath touched his neck for less than a second.

. . .

William sat against the edge of the bed, Abel against his chest. The feeling of their breath against each other’s skin. William was vulnerable, comfortable in the dark, only being able to see Abel’s walnut brown hair and his bright blue eyes.

“I love you,” Abel whispered, barely audibly. William’s lips brushed lightly over Abel’s forehead, holding him closer.

“I love you too, Abel.”

. . . 

Elias lay against William, feeling his chest rise and fall dramatically, the two immediately scrambling off of each other as soon as Thy Bad Habits bolted after a stray rabbit. Elias kept his head down, only to squeak an inaudible “Sorry,” to William before opening the door to Hope’s house.

Pushing open the door, Elias smiled at Hope, who beamed back. The interior of her cabin was very much like Lloyd’s—the same plasticy countertops and cheap, creaky furniture. “Hey,” Elias greeted, letting the door close behind him as William came to his side, “we needed some stuff,” he said as he shrugged the backpack from one of his shoulders, “and wanted to give you this in return.” Inside the backpack were a handful of ripe nectarines from a tree outside the cabin, slightly bruised. Looking inside the bag, Hope broke out into a grin, “You didn’t have to!”

“We can bring some more again,” Elias thought aloud to himself, “they’re so good.” William frowned, his head throbbing slightly.

. . .

“Back already?” Lloyd calls. The cabin felt.. Cold. And flat. It felt almost empty. He glanced at William, who was behind him, staring idly into the distance. Elias hummed a quiet, “Yes,” before shrugging his backpack onto the kitchen table, turning on his heel and going to his bed.

Elias held the box cutter in his dirtied hands. The blade was rusty and dull as he slotted it back into the handle of the knife. He closed his eyes, remembering the feeling of sitting alone in his bedroom, his bed was soft. A luxurious life, living with his mother and sister. Collin is here somewhere, he thought to himself, his smile saddening. Stepping down the creaking ladder, landing with a small thud, Elias moved to the bathroom. 

After 10 minutes Elias opened the bathroom door. His hair was damp—he’d attempted to dry it, but to no avail. He had his hoodie on, a thick black fabric with the words Devilbend written on it. Putting his toothbrush in his bag, Elias lay on his bed after climbing the ladder. His mouth was minty, a chill coming to it every time he inhaled. Elias’ head hung over the wooden railing, secretly watching William trace over and over a large scar on his forearm. Clean enough to look self-inflicted. Elias sighed, withdrawing his head and turning over, his eyelids grew heavy as he drifted off to sleep.