(Goth)

Geno yanked me in the doorway roughly, throwing me up the stairs.

"Bed. Now," he commanded. I followed his orders, disappearing up the stairs before he could do anything else.

As I changed for bed, I became glad that my jeans were black and the light was dim. I felt the stiffness of dried semen on my pants as I balled them up, and I was certain that it would have been bright red on my crotch if I ever wore any other color. And not the bright blood color, but the dark crimson rosy color that made Palette glow so wonderfully when fully formed...

I laid down in bed with a sigh at the thought of him. Wrapping my fingers around the locket, I fell asleep with him on my mind. The only thing worth thinking about.

----

I got up groggily in the morning. Stumbling out of bed, I pulled on some sweatpants and my hoodie, grabbed my scarf and went downstairs.

Wrapping it loosely around my neck, I hid the mark Palette had left along with the gleam of the locket chain. Geno hadn't noticed the locket under all my sweaters, hoodies, and sweatshirts, so hopefully, he never would.

I still felt tired when I reached the living room. It seemed like Reaper and Geno were out, so I took the absence as opportunity and settled on the couch for a nap.

As I slowly fell asleep, my body relaxed into the cushions and I spread out.

The slam of a door woke me suddenly. Oh, goody, they're home... I thought as I sat up. Groaning, I rubbed my head sleepily. I heard footsteps come into the living room and stop, so I looked up to see Geno standing in front of me. His face had no expression, just sat blank.

Then his eye flared red and I felt myself being forced up and flung into the wall. Gasping as the air was slammed out of me, Geno approached me angrily and grabbed the front of my shirt, pointlessly holding me up with both my shirt and his magic.

"What is that?" he growled.

"What?" I gasped, trying to recover air. I gripped at his arm, noticing my scarf on the floor by the couch. Geno forced me into the wall.

"That!" he growled, poking the sore spot of Palette's bite mark.

"Ah! I-it's nothing, nothing!" I said, trying to free myself. Geno pulled me off the wall to slam me back further. Tears of pain welled in my eyes as I whimpered.

"Doesn't look like nothing," he growled furiously.

"I swear, it's nothing! J-just a scratch!" I implored. He slammed me into the wall again, bruising my back.

"Don't lie to me! Now, who did it?" I clenched my teeth shut, half-biting my jaw to keep from crying from the pain. He slammed me again, making me gasp, "Tell me now!"

I just whimpered, unable to think straight from pain, shaking my head. I saw his eyes dart down to my neck and flicker in anger again. He roughly grabbed the locket chain and yanked it up, pulling on my neck.

"Ahh!" I screamed as the fine metal dug into the back of my neck. Geno studied the locket before opening it and looking inside. He dropped it onto my chest with a growl and slammed me on the wall, "What is this?"

I was crying freely now, whimpering in fear. I just shook my head, trying to breathe.

"Geno, let him go!" I heard Reaper yell. His dark sleeved arm pulled on Geno's shoulder but he shrugged Reaper off.

"Not until he explains this!" Geno shouted, shaking the locket and pulling on it harder. I whined at the renewed pulling, more tears leaking from my eye sockets.

"Help me..." I breathed, "Please, help me..."

"Geno, get off of him now!" Reaper shouted. I saw red chains wrap around Geno and yank him off. I took a deep breath of air, feeling pain as my ribs expanded. The grip on my soul vanished and I crumpled to my knees, crying and gasping.

"Let me go!" Geno growled as Reaper wrestled him to the ground.

"Goth, run! Just go, now!" Reaper grunted. I didn't need telling twice. I bolted out of the door, running for my life.

"Get back here!" I heard Geno shout but I just kept running, even though I could barely breathe. Before I reached the end of the block, however, Geno teleported in front of me and grabbed me by the neck. I cried out in shock and pain as he held me up, glaring down at me.

"What has that boy done to you now?"

"N-nothing!" I cried, gasping for air, "Nothing, I swe-ahh haa!" He tightened his grip. I clutched desperately at his arm, clawing him weakly.

He slammed me down to the ground and I screamed as I felt my shoulders crack.

I could take no more pain, so I screamed for the only thing that could save me.

I screamed for Palette.

Geno growled deeply and slammed me down into the concrete again. I felt my skull crack and I screamed again. He slammed me down a few more times, and each time I would scream for Palette, growing weaker. He slammed me down once more and darkness washed over me.

---

My first thought when I came out of the darkness was I need Palette. I opened my eyes and tried to move, only to feel a searing pain in my body. I groaned and curled up, wanting to hide from the pain. Unwarranted tears fell from my eye sockets as I shook.

"Shh, be still," said a soft voice. I looked up through the red tears, seeing Reaper's solemn face.

"I-it hurts, dad..." I whimpered, hugging myself.

"I know, I know," he whispered softly, "Just lie still. It'll be okay, I promise."

I chuckled mirthlessly, "Don't make a promise you can't keep."

"I know..." he sighed, "Geno, um, he..."

"I know..." I whimpered a bit, "Let me guess, he took the locket."

"Yeah," Reaper looked away, "When you're up and moving, he has some words for you."

"Figured," I said bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Goth, I really am," Reaper sighed, "Now, get some rest."

I obeyed, flipping to my other side painfully and hugging my pillow. I tried to sleep but my body throbbed with pain. I knew that Reaper had put the healing salve on the cracks in my shoulders, ribs, and skull, but it was useless against the pain. So, I just hugged my pillow, burying my face in it to hide the gentle tears of pain being forced out of my eyes.

I hate everything...

(Palette)

Goth wasn't at school on Monday. I felt a little bit panicked and sought out Gradient and Amber, who seemed to have accepted me as Goth's boyfriend and now tolerated me rather well. Finding them I asked them if they had seen Goth on Sunday or this morning.

"No, sorry, Palette," Amber shrugged, "He might be sick."

"He should be back tomorrow," Gradient suggested, "Talk to him then."

"Okay..." but the feeling in my chest writhed like an angry serpent, wanting to be released and find Goth.

The serpent coiled and hissed all day. I couldn't focus on anything, not even art. All I could think of was Goth. This odd feeling of worry, which I had never had before, made me short-tempered. I lashed out at a few people and had to be physically restrained from punching Sling in gym by the coach.

I spent the final period in the back of my last class, staring out the window. As soon as the bell rang I was out of the door before anyone else and jogging down Goth's street. I reached the end and stared at the house, waiting for anything.

I saw someone leave and ducked behind a bush, still watching. Looking through the leaves I saw a dark cloak, but it was far too tall to be Goth. Reaper started walking towards my end of the street and I had a mental debate about stopping him or running.

Before I could make up my mind, however, Reaper reached me and stopped, looking down at the bush I hid behind.

"I know you're back there, Mr. Roller," he said in a grave voice. Carefully, I stood up, looking over his shoulder.

"Hey, Mr. Reaper, fancy seeing you here," I said casually, as if I were supposed to be here.

"Cut the crap, Palette," Reaper sighed, "I know why you're here. And he can't talk, not right now. Just wait until he returns to school, okay?"

"Is he okay?" I asked.

Reaper looked away, putting his hands in his pockets as he began to walk away, "I'm sorry, Palette," he sighed as he vanished around a corner.

Looking back at the house, the serpent hissed as I sighed and left. There was nothing I could do, and I hated it.

(Goth)

Groaning, I slowly sat up on my bed. A wave of dizziness hit me and I held my head, sitting still until it passed. Once it did, I stood and made my way downstairs carefully, still shaking in pain.

Geno was sitting in the living room, looking like his usual angry self. Sighing internally, I made my way over to him and stood. If I sat down, it might take too long to stand back up. I settled on holding myself to maintain my balance.

"You wanted to talk to me?" I said huskily. Geno looked over at me, a small snarl in his teeth.

"Have you been seeing that boy?" he asked.

Lying would only get me more pain, so I sighed, "Yes."

"What was that?" Geno leaned forward.

"Yes, I have," I said through gritted teeth.

"The same boy that has been tormenting you for years?"

"Yes," I said, "But he's changed."

Geno glared at me, "Boys like him don't change."

"He has, I know he ha-"

"He's just playing with you, Goth!" Geno growled, "This is one of his tricks!"

"It's not!" I shouted.

"I won't let him play with you like you're some goddam toy! He's screwed with you enough already!"

"He isn't! He loves me, Geno!" I screamed at him. Geno stared at me, wordless.

"He loves me, and I love him. I love him and I've loved him for years," I said, feeling angry tears in my eyes, "The dolt just took forever to realize it. But he's changed! He cares for me, has kept me safe!"

"He's playing with your heart, and you can't see it!" Geno growled, stepping forward and grabbing my shirt front. I didn't even care.

"If he's playing with my heart, then he's been doing it for months," I spat at Geno. He glared, shaking with anger.

He pulled me up closer, "You are never seeing him again, got it?"

I heard my heart shatter.

"I forbid you from seeing him," Geno went on, "You are going to go to school and come straight home. You won't leave this house unless with me or Reaper. And," he pulled me up even closer, "You are going to tell him that you will never speak to him again."

He dropped me and I just stood there, staring at him. He started to walk away. Then burning, fiery anger filled me and I muttered, "I hate you."

"What?" he said.

Clenching my fists, I turned to him, "I said I hate you!" I screamed at him in my coldest voice, "You can go to hell and rot there for all I care! I HATE YOU!" I ran upstairs and slammed my door shut, locking it before collapsing on my bed in tears.

I hate everything...

(Palette)

Goth showed up to school the next day. I felt relieved but soon figured out that he was avoiding me. Unfortunately, he was rather adept at disappearing into crowds and he vanished every time I tried to get near him. We had no classes together, so I had no opportunities to talk to him at all.

I remained worried about him all day, but held my temper and my tongue. Ink had been rather stern with me upon getting home yesterday, so I didn't want to disappoint him anymore.

As the last bell rang I again bolted out of school to catch him on his way home.

He saw me following and sped up, running away from me. I tried to speed up but too late I remembered just how damn fast he was. He was within sight of his house so I had to stop.

"Goth!" I yelled after him, but he just ran away from me, as fast as he could.

"Goth, wait..." I said weakly.

The next day I schemed to corner him. But my plan went downhill when a teacher cornered me as the last bell rang, talking about an art commission. I watched in dismay as Goth's hood vanished out of the door and out of sight.

He showed up halfway through school on Thursday and vanished before I could corner him. I felt like I would lose it if I didn't speak to him soon. I had gotten so used to being near him, hearing his voice, soft laugh, gentle taunting. I'd do anything just to even fight with him! If he'd just talk to me!

I got my wish on Friday. I was shuffling through the halls, too angry and worried to care who I bumped into, when there were no more people around. I looked up, seeing that the midafternoon bell was about to ring. Then I looked in front of me and stopped moving.

Goth stood in front of me, hugging a stack of books and looking at the floor.

"Hey, Palette," he said in a dull voice.

"Hey, Goth," I said back, "I've been trying to talk to you all week."

"I know," he said, "and..."

"And what?" I took a step forward and he looked up.

"And..." he trailed off again.

We stood in silence as the bell rang. Neither of us really heard it. I took another step forward and wrapped him in my arms. He fell into me stiffly, saying nothing.

"I've missed you," I whispered.

He looked up at me, tears welling in his eyes. He pulled me down into a kiss before pulling back and stepping away, looking at the floor again.

"I'm sorry," he choked.

"For what?" I asked confusedly.

"We c-" he choked again, "We can't see each other anymore."

"Wh-what?" I took a step back. He looked up, tears falling down his face.

"D-don't talk to m-me anymore," he said as if it pained him, "j-just le-" he choked out a sob, covering his mouth. He took a deep breath and brought his hand down, looking at me directly, "Just leave me alone."

"B-but, Goth-" I tried to step forward but he stepped back, shaking his head.

"Please, Palette," he whispered painfully, "Just, stay away from me..."

He stepped back continuously, speeding up until he was running down the hall.

I just stood in the hall, alone, feeling the shards of my soul slowly flake away.

"...why?" I breathed to no one.

(Goth)

I hid in the science lab for the whole period, just sobbing on a desk while the teacher sat and waited for me to speak. He was a friend of mine and knew how to handle my episodes. When the bell rang, he came up behind me and laid a hand on my shoulder as I stared mournfully into the black desk.

"I hate everything..." I grumbled into the desk.

"It will get better, eventually..." he said, "But you need to get on with the day. I can only cover so many class periods for you, Goth."

I looked up at him, seeing his eight eyes look concernedly down at me.

"I don't know why you do so much for me, Webster..." I sighed, sitting up, "I mean, Sling never did anything for me..."

"Sling is a young boy with young boy issues. You are a young man," Webster said, "You and he aren't on the same level and he knows it. So, he tries to bring you down. I wish I could control him but he is so much like his mother and aunt...it's impossible for me to get anything through that thick head of his."

"Well, thanks anyway," I said standing up.

"I'm glad I could help one of my best students," Webster smiled, "Now, perk up for the rest of the day, okay? The weekend is near, so you will have time to relax away from the bustle of this school."

"I'll try my best, Dr. Webster," I said as brightly as I could manage. He smiled softly down at me, then went back to his desk. I left the lab and went to my next class, avoiding Palette.

At the end of the day I hurried back home but Palette caught me before I reached the street, pulling me into the alleyway shortcut.

I pulled myself out of his grip, seeing the heartbreak in his eyes.

"Palette, I told you to leave me alone," I said weakly.

"But why?"

I just shook my head and turned away, running out of the alley.

"Goth, wait!" Palette shouted after me.

"Please, Palette, just go away!" I shouted behind me, feeling fresh tears. I heard him speed up and found myself tackled to the ground.

"Not until you explain!" he said loudly in my face.

"I can't!" I screamed, writhing in his grip. Angry and upset and heartbroken, I used my scythe chains and pulled him off of me, scrambling to my feet as I formed a bone cage over him.

"Please, Palette," I wept, "Don't make this harder than it already is..."

I ran away, leaving the bones on him until I was in sight of my house. I cried freely as I ran, sobbing over what I just had to do.

Reaching my door, I crashed my way in, seeing Geno on the couch. Reaper was in the kitchen and came in at the sound of the door.

"I hope you're happy!" I screamed at Geno, tears flowing freely, "Because now I'll never be!"

I ran upstairs, slammed the door of my room shut and locked it, crashing onto my bed as I succumbed to my misery.

I hate everything...