Black Strings: Threads of Revenge

Repeat

Avillion 24.

It’s the last moments of sunrise. Tommy and Benjamin walk together side by side.

There’s little people out on the streets. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful.

The cool winter air passes through the streets. Nothing fills the silence between them.

As they walk, Tommy’s eyes are fixated on the street in front of his feet. They practically moved on their own.

Benjamin hasn’t said anything about last night.

He glances at him.

What does he think about it? He seemed pretty shocked, witnessing me rip out the souls of those black spirits.

Benjamin glances at Tommy, sliding an arm around his waist. “Are you on alert… Tommy?”

Tommy blinks. “What? No. Why would you think that?”

Benjamin looks down at Tommy, his gaze softening. “You’re quiet. I haven’t known you for long, so I don’t know whether that’s a good or bad thing.” He gently pulls Tommy closer. “I just want to make sure you’re alright.”

Tommy cracks a smile. “It’s all situational.”

“That makes it harder to read you then.”

The pair falls silent.

Tommy's eyes shift to Benjamin, then back to the ground in front of him.

What? He isn’t judging me?

His right index creeps up to the side of his neck, the nail dragging along the neck, occasionally pressing into the skin til something comes out.

But… what I did was terrible.

His gaze momentarily falls on Benjamin.

I’m a killer. I’m terrible. Why is he sticking around?

His cheeks slowly gain a hint of redness as if he’s putting a pair of hand warmers on his cheeks.

Why isn’t he calling me a monster? He saw me rip out souls from black spirits. They’re gone.

Tommy clasps his hands behind his back.

He should hate me. He hasn’t pushed me away. Why hasn’t he pushed me away?

Benjamin’s arm around his waist holds him a little tighter.

He should be calling me curseid. I’m curseid.

A flash of heat hits him like a passing fancy.

I’m a killer. I’m a murderer.

One by one, he pops his knuckles, some louder than others.

I’m a danger. I’m a threat.

A second flash of heat.

Why is he staying? Why hasn’t he pushed me away? Why hasn’t he told me to leave?

His hands begin to tremble, shaking like they’ve fallen asleep.

Oh ancestors…

Tommy brings a hand to the corner of his vision, feeling his hands shake and numb.

I'm getting worse. I need to escape my thoughts.

The strong pounding of his heart echoes in his ears. He takes a deep breath, calming the words he’s about to mutter. Like a mask, he puts on a calm demeanor.

“Can we take a quick pit stop, Benjamin?" Tommy asks as he points to one of the shops.

Benjamin looks at the shop Tommy is pointing at, then at him. “Of course. I’ll wait for you here. Take as much time as needed. There’s no rush.”