You're a let down.
Leave MATA.
See, you need to try better, alright?
Your mother would be disapointed.
"We don't need you."
***
I need me.
The verbal abuse continued its onslaught, with no end in sight; each word cut like razors, each sentence ending in flames, scorching and slashing his mind.
No one needs me, Ali thought. His fists clenched, head slowly rising in defiance. In front of him were phantoms of those who have criticized him, their shadows towering over his short, fragile figure.
Amongst them were the people who'd betrayed him, trained him, raised him and are close to him. They had helped him, but not from willingness; they were helping him because they were told to.
They didn't need him. His father didn't need him.
But I need me. In this world—in his world, it was him for himself. There is no more room for sympathy, for pointless self torture. It was about time for him to stop caring.
Closing the doors of his heart, the phantoms disappeared, but as did his sense of hope.
I need me.