Nero walked along the sidewalk, street lamps illuminating the empty avenue. Tiny snowflakes danced in the soft breeze, glittering in the warm, golden light. The gentle draft caressed his snow white hair as the sprinkles of flakes tickled his pale skin.
He gazed upwards, taking in the sight of twinkling stars that were spilled across the night sky. The area was completely silent other than the soft click of his boots against the pavement and the rustling of leaves, just the way he liked it.
He held a hand out and watched as a fat snowflake landed in his palm. Even though it was surrounded by such warmth, it didn't melt. The teen rose an eyebrow in confusion. Then, the innocent flake slowly turned black as did the rest of his world until he was standing in an empty void.
He gazed back up and found no stars, just blackness. Soon, his body started to disappear, bits of him flaking away with the nonexistent wind. His vision blurred and went black...
When he regained his consciousness, he was welcomed with intense pain all over his body, the most uncomfortable being the constant thump of his heart beat resonating inside his throbbing skull, and the slight scent of something metallic.
He moved slowly, even though his injuries screamed with white, hot pain. He managed to sit up against the cold, harsh metal of the lockers. He noticed a puddle of red beside him, most likely his own blood. The bandage that was normally wrapped around his arm was tattered to shreds, leaving his condition open for the whole world to see.
Luckily, he wasn't able to feel the torture of showering fists and the harsh treatment his body received while roaming around in his dreams, but the most difficult part was the rush of pain when he returned to reality. He groaned in discomfort when he tried to lift himself up. He was panting lightly when he managed to support his weight with his feet.
He turned his head when a soft crescendo of heels on tile caught his ear. A teacher walked by him, not even batting an eye towards his crippled and pathetic form. A thin smile stretched his lips, taking cognizance at the fact that hell was never going to relinquish its hold on him. It's not like it mattered anyways; he's just an outcast. The people at school have beaten him down so much, literally, that he has given up on humanity as a whole.
After removing the blood traveling down his broken nose and busted lip with the sleeve of his hoodie, he made his way towards the exit, limping as he used the lockers for support. He pushed the heavy door open with his so called "devil arm" and was temporarily blinded by the sudden flash of harsh sunlight. Once his eyes adjusted to the bright rays, he traveled among the concrete path in search of a place to rest. He branched off the path when he reached the corner of the school building. He remembered seeing a bench that was located against the large expanse of brick wall, away from everyone and left in solitude– just the way he liked it.
He settled himself upon the metal pew, a few stabs of pain, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. His blue eyes were set beyond the football field as pastel pink pedals fluttered graciously with the draft.
The only reason his parents moved schools was because of the death threats they received. The people living near him claimed that he was a demon and tried to harm him on multiple occasions, and his parents moved, not for his benefit, but for theirs.
They tried to put him up for adoption three times when he was still a child, but no center would take him in. In the end, Nero's parents were forced to keep him. They didn't want to leave him out the streets because they didn't want to be charged with child neglection, even though they abuse him at home.
One rule at his household stood high above the others: never touch the phone. They feared that he would call the police, but they didn't need to fret. Nero has found an escape through his dreams– a peaceful place where no harm can be felt or done– a universe separate from his own.
The deafening ring of the school bell rang throughout the campus, and the students started pouring through the doors. He must've been unconscious for a while– a few hours at the most. Not even one of the students took a glimpse at him. It was like he was invisible– nonexistent.
After the crowd dispersed, only a few were lingering around, most likely to watch the team during football practice. He didn't need to worry about being home right away. His parents didn't care. They could lie if he ever went missing.
He tugged the sleeve of his hoodie over his arm. He always preferred having them rolled up, but he didn't have a choice.
Then, a buff group of men jogged out onto the field, getting into their positions. He could hear a muffled shout, and a football flew through the air.
He was envious of others. They got to live a well and care free life while he was fighting to survive everyday.
A cluster of students walked past him. They were snotty, the stereotypical type who would kill an innocent puppy in front of its owner with a vase. One of the members tapped another on the shoulder. He then pointed to Nero, a devious grin splitting his face in half. He whispered something, and all eyes were on him.
The gathered around, staring him down with a deadly glint in their eyes. They popped their knuckles and released small chuckles. After a few moments, he looked up and a fist cracked across his jaw. His head shot back in a split second, hitting the brick wall as blood sprayed from his already broken nose.
Nero didn't say a word; he just let it happen. He closed his eyes, and allowed for himself to be carried away. Throughout all that time, he could feel a pair of eyes observing the scene from afar.
YOU ARE READING
Lucid Dreaming (Devil May Cry)
Fanfiction"He's a freak!" They say, but what they don't know is that it wasn't his fault. Nero was born with a defect that made his arm like red leather and his nails into blood red talons. After having to deal with abusive parents and a school that closely...
