The Boy's Children

Chapter 22

"Fuck."

Marionette went to get someone so, I could get pain meds.

"Ugh. I'm gonna be tired now."

I was in the hospital for another month. When I got home, Novalyn ran right up to me.

"Daddy!"

"Hey bug!"

I picked her up.

"Do you feel better?"

"Eh. I'm still in pain. I have bad dreams now."

"Oh..."

"Yeah. I'll be okay. Don't worry."

"I missed you!"

"I missed you too. Were you good for everyone? Especially Mari and her family?"

She nodded.

"Guys...is she lying?"

Novelyn started giggling.

"Bug....what did you do?"

"Babe she bit my brother."

"Nice. Where?"

Marionette slapped the back of my head.

"She bit his ass."

I started laughing.

"Jesus Christ...you're just like my father."

I started coughing after laughing for a bit. My chest started hurting.

"See? Now you've overdone it!"

I groaned.

"Go upstairs. Shoo."

I just stared at Marionette.

"Don't give me that look mister! You were told to take it easy!"

"But I just got home." I whined.

"Doesn't matter."

Marionette took Novalyn out of my arms.

"Hey! What the hell?!"

"Go wash up."

I walked up to my room. I grabbed clean clothes and walked into my bathroom. I turned on the water. I took off my shirt and just started staring at myself in the mirror.

I hate looking at them.

Is this how Mari feels?

I started outlining my new scars.

I shouldn't get upset.

I'll only hurt myself more.

I'll overwhelm myself.

I won't be able to breathe...

I felt arms going around my waist.

"I knew this was coming."

I saw Marionette standing behind me.

"How do you live with yours?"

"You get used to it over time. I still love you though."

She kissed my back. I felt tears forming.

"You're gonna be okay. It's gonna be fine."

"Is it though? Is it?" I said as my voice cracked.

"Yes. It's gonna be fine."

She started rubbing my back.

"Do you want to be alone?"

I shook my head.

"Okay. I'll stay with you then."

My legs started to shake. I fell to my knees.

"It's all my fault! He brought a gun to my school because of me! My classmates died because of me!"

"Zed no. Don't do that. Look at me."

She cupped my face and tilted my head up a bit.

"It's not your fault."

"H-how many died?"

"Why?"

"I should know how much, blood is on my hands."

"Oh god. You don't have blood on your hands. Here let's get you in the shower."

She helped me stand up. She helped my take off my clothes. She took off hers and we walked into the shower. I backed up against the wall I slid down it onto the shower floor. I brought my knees up to my chest. I put my face in my hands.