A/N: Trigger warning. Stay alive, frens.

   •Tyler•

         After dropping Jenna off, I head home and go down to my basement, trying to avoid human contact if at all possible. Rehearsal was great, so why am I feeling this way? So...empty. I lay down on top of my comforter without even taking my shoes off. That would be too much effort.

      Jenna says the band is good, but is she telling the truth? She seems so enthusiastic about it, but she's probably putting her faith into a lost cause. Why do I even have these rehearsals anymore? The music business is too hard to get into. I'd never make it anywhere, right?

    Just give up already. It's not like you were getting anywhere. You've only played for twelve people in a basement and at a few talent shows. Do you really think you'll get a Grammy out of that?

    I slap a pillow over my ears, trying to block out the voice. It's not working.

   You have no one to turn to at school, except for Josh, Mark, and that Jenna girl. They'll all leave you sooner or later. Then where will you be?

    Tears well up in my eyes. "Stop," I whisper.

    Your siblings hate you and are ashamed to be around you. Everyone knows you're a suicidal headcase.

      I plug my ears. "Just stop. Leave me alone."

     Oh, I'll leave you alone...for now...but only if you do one thing.

      "What?" I say. "I'll do anything to get you to shut up."

      Look in the bathroom. You know where it is.

      I shake my head. "No. I'm not doing that." Despite my protests, I find myself standing, my feet leading me to my bathroom. My hands have a mind of their own as they rummage through the drawers of my vanity. I stop when I finally see it.

     Do it, Tyler.

   I shake my head.

    C'mon, do it. Be brave. Just once, and I'll leave you alone.

   I look in the mirror at my tear-stained face. "I'm scared," I whisper.

   It's not like it's your first time. Just do it.

  No.

What?

"I said no," I say out loud. My head hurts.

  Yes, youw ill doi t.

  "NO I WON'T!" My body starts racking with sobs. Is this body even mine?

  YE SYOUW ILL DOIT. DOIT T YLER. PICKU PT HERAZOR, PIC KIT UP. ONEC UTW ILLN OT HURTY OU.

   I'm beaten down. "Fine," I whimper. I pick up the small, delicate blade. Who knew it could be so deadly?

   You rshir t.

    I obediently unbutton my shirt and raise the blade, my hand hovering over my gut. I almost slice into my tender skin when--

  ping.

I freeze and reach into my pocket, withdrawing my phone and looking at it like it's an alien. Is this a coincidence?

Jenna: Hey, are you okay? You looked all sad when you dropped me off. I wanted to check in on you.

I take a deep breath and come back to my senses. I told Jenna that I was trying to stop cutting, so that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to put her through this worry and pain. Shoving the razor blade back into the bathroom drawer, I button up my shirt and reply.

Me: I'm feeling better now. Thanks for checking :)

Jenna: I'm here anytime if you need me.

Me: thanks.

I sigh and walk out of my bathroom, heading toward my keyboard to work on Trees. This is a small victory, but not enough to win the full on war raging in my head. However, it's still a victory. The demons didn't win this time. Not Today.