The Pseudo Semicolon

CHAPTER 17 || PART: 2

Only thoughts upon thoughts upon thoughts until it buried him.

"Yes. It's the best way to fasten the process. I will enjoy the day you finally crack."

"And then what? You'll revel in my insanity?"

"Yes. I will make your brother watch from hell. I will make sure you ruin everything you hold dear—and it'll be all your fault! You'll have no one to blame except you."

"I won't—I won't give you what you want—"

"No? You won't give me what I want? Why but it's in your system! Right now you're planning to "avenge" your lover in the form of killing one of my worshippers. In the end, it's all for your satisfaction."

"Go away. Go away—" He was trembling. It didn't help that the monster was telling the truth; it was to satisfy his own anger, his own hurt of being wronged. He had been wronged his whole life; everyday in that miserable mansion with wingless paper butterflies stuck to the fridge and the stairs scattered with glass pieces.

He opened his eyes and stared right into the mirror. He didn't like himself in the reflection, he looked harsh and cold and cruel.

Devland was wearing his old uniform, tie askew and shirt not properly buttoned. What would Akira think of all the things he did while he was there? Of all the bad things he had done to come out on top? To be the number one?

The reflection was smiling the same wide smile, teeth stained black from the dark blood running down his lips. Don't you dare forget who you are, what you did. I won't allow you.

Oddly, those words were spoken in his mother's voice.

The black creature stood behind Devland in the mirror, its body formless and red rubies glistening like eyes. It seemed to look smug, it looked downright delighted.

"Leave me alone, please. I'm sorry for what my brother did—I'm so so sorry—" Devland pleaded. Make it stop.

"I won't." The creature said coldly, "Do you know why? Because you need me, fool. You need me for what's about to come. And I'll be there, one arm extended, ready for another deal."

He was suddenly snapped back to reality—the monster was gone and everything was back to normal. He was standing in a circle with Roy, Mitchel, Jason, Charlie and Todd. He tried his best to keep up with their conversation, though his fingers still trembled.

"Why don't we go on a trip next week?" Mitchel suggested, "It's been a while since all of us went for one."

There came some nods of approval and Devland's eyebrows scrunched, "What about school?"

He was met with weird stares, as if the other couldn't comprehend what he was saying, "We can make up for it? It's not rocket science."

"...Right."

"Anyway—we'll send the locations in the group chat?" Charlie suggested. Everyone seemed to be thrilled and almost as soon as they dispersed, Devland started receiving thousands of messages.

"Hey Devland! Devland!" Todd's voice called from behind and Devland's pace picked up, not wanting to see him at all. He had been avoiding the Elites for the past few days, but mostly, after the party, Devland had been avoiding Todd.

He didn't know if he could keep his rage in check and honestly, he was still panicking from the latest visit from the Devil.

"Devland please listen to me–" Todd grabbed his arm and Devland snapped, rounding on the other and slamming him onto the locker, anger boiling inside of him.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't call you—" Todd started and Devland let out a humourless laugh, "Please just give me a chance and stop avoiding me."

'Give him a chance? Did he give his victims a chance? Did he grant Mr. Rogers mercy? Selfish horrible creature. And Akira—the bruises on his face, the bruises on his body—Did he give Akira a chance? "I just have one question for you."

"What is it?"

"Why did you hurt Akira?"

"I—" Todd's eyes widened, "I–I never hurt Akira, why would I hurt—"

"That's what I'm asking you." Devland said coldly. In an actual fight, Todd could beat him. But considering that he liked Devland to a certain extent, he wouldn't dare. However, he prepared himself for a fight, just in case.

Devland wanted to hurt him—hurt him as badly as he hurt Akira.

"Devland—" Todd tried again as Devland let him go. The latter pretended to be hurt, glaring at Todd as if he was pained by Todd's actions.

"I thought you were a good person." Devland made his voice waver and he secretly smiled as Todd's expression turned into shock. But it wasn't enough. "I thought—Fuck, who cares now? You're an asshole who can't even hold himself back from hitting someone."

"I'm not—"

"You are." Devland seethed, "You're a man-child who can't control your anger and take it out on other people; a baby who can't help but throw a tantrum because oh life is so hard back home."

Todd was quiet as Devland checked whether his guess was true and judging by the rising anger in the other's eyes, it was. He had been suspecting it ever since they met that day on Knocker Street, but he had forgotten about it. Now, he recalled the way Todd had covered his arms with his sleeves.

Something he knew all too well.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Todd's voice was so full of venom.

Normally, Devland wouldn't dare hurt someone with their trauma, even with those assholes back at his old prep school. But Todd was a special case, far too special.

He had wronged Devland, crossed a line that shouldn't dare be crossed.

"I don't?" Devland grinned, "That's why you're beating up Akira right? Because life is sooo unfair. Boo-hoo my parents beat me up and I'm too much of a coward to fight back—"

If it wasn't for Devland's quick reflexes [Again, thanks mom], he wouldn't have dodged Todd's punch. He secretly smiled but hid it under a mask of shock and hurt.

Todd's eyes had gone numb, his mouth slightly parted in surprise as if he didn't expect himself to punch Devland.

"You—" Devland's breath hitched, "You're just as bad as your parents."

"No wait–Devland—"

"Don't. Don't you fucking dare touch me."

And Devland left, the same bitter triumph blazing inside of him. He had hurt Todd and Devland knew this because those were the things he said to himself everyday. He stopped, remembering the cruel boy in the mirror. Don't you dare forget who you are.

Devland knew that if Akira had said those things to him, his heart would've broken.

Except Akira isn't a murderer.

Devland momentarily stopped, rethinking some of his decisions. He hoped he could find a solution to the problem, along with processing what the devil had said about his brother.

"He was the most pathetic—Do you know what he wanted? He wanted everything to go back to the way it was. Poor mortal, he didn't know the true gravity of his situation. He knew the consequences, and yet he agreed to them. How wonderful is that? What a wonderful brother—he did it for you, for his "family". "

'Oh Max.' Devland thought sadly, 'Why did you do that?'