"Bitch is dead? Left me her fuckin' kid? Just like that? Damn. Well, make yourself useful and clean up round here, boy."
Slow steps. Shock.
"Jesus, boy. You can't even clean without being in the way. Put that broom down. I said put it down!"
Pause.
"Him? Aah, don't mind him. He don't talk, don't clean, don't do shit. Fuckin' useless. Money his momma left behind's nice though. Want a beer?"
Quick steps. Drown.
"I don't hit you because I hate you. You understand that, right? Get over here. That's a good boy. Pull your briches down. Stop moving. I said stop moving."
Stop. Repeat.
"Why? What did I do? Where's momma? I'm scared. Why?"
Slow steps. Shock.
"I'm worthless. I'm useless. I'm nothing. I'm stupid. I'm sorry."
Pause.
"I deserve this. I deserve the pain. I deserve it. All of it. I killed her. Hit me. Hit me again."
Quick steps. Drown.
"Die. I should just die. Yeah, just like he said. I should just die."
Stop. Repeat.
"Uh, hello? Are you alright? .. Hello?"
Slow steps. Shock.
"I'm Leah. Uh, could you please come down from there? .. Hello?"
Pause.
"Stop. Stop! Get away. Stop! I deserve this! He's gone, I can die now. Let go of me! Stop.. Please, stop.."
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Quick steps. Drown.
"It's alright. You'll be okay. Just come here. It's alright to cry. Don't be afraid. I'm here. Sshh.."
Stop. Repeat.
"Why'd you stop to help me back then? How'd.. Where'd you even come from? And why?"
Slow steps. Shock.
"I could see it in your eyes. The will to live. It was faint, but I could see it. Your cry for help. It was heartbreaking."
Pause.
"Can we.. Talk later? I'm still adjusting to life since- You know. And I've never properly thanked you."
Quick steps. Drown.
"Of course! Here's my number. Text or call me any time. In fact! How about we meet for lunch tomorrow?"
Stop. Repeat.
"Leah. I think I love you. I owe you everything. But that's not why I feel this way. I love you because you're you. If you could see what I see..."
Slow steps. Shock.
"Lucas, I.. We've known eachother for 5 years and I've had my feelings on the back burner for a long time because I believed you only ever saw me as a friend. It stung to think I'd stay that way without ever expressing myself.. I'm so happy. I love you too, Lucas."
Pause.
"So, Lucas. Babe! Listen, I applied for a job that I think is perfect for me.. As a psychiatrist! For heroes! Isn't that great?"
Quick steps. Drown.
"You're the perfect candidate! I'm so proud of you. It's a great opportunity."
Stop. Repeat.
"Leah? It's two in the morning. Who was that at the door? Are you okay? Why are you crying?"
Slow steps. Shock.
"You know I love you. I doesn't matter what he says, Lucas! I never did anything with him. You know how much I love you and Abel."
Pause.
"Hello!? The door's locked! Who's in there!? Leah? Why's Abel crying? Leah! Open the door! Lea-"
Quick steps. Drown.
"Hey, pay attention! I need you to tell... broke into you're home... found you're wife and kid... you're blaming him... solid alibi... need more... going away... useless."
Stop. Repeat. Break.
Like a young child that knew what he did was wrong, a spoiled apple ran back to the safety of his powerful parents. A blanket of lies thrown to cover an ugly truth, all for the comfort of keeping reputations.
An innocent man, now completely broken, sent to be institutionalized for the apparent murder of his family. He had long tucked himself into the inner depths of his mind, leaving nothing more than an empty husk behind.
For the past five years, they had tried pulling him out from his shell of insanity. For the past five years, they had given up on explanations and instead tortured for twisted reasons. And for the past five years they were unaware of what was left behind being not a shell, but a chrysalis.
A crazed beast hibernated within. It's insatiable hunger dormant for the time being. But slowly awakening with every prod it recieved.
Months later, news coverage blamed terrorist groups for an attack on a certain mental institution and the government backed this claim. However, classified CCTV footage showed a different story. A story of a man with empty blue eyes and people killing themselves in a variety of different ways, blood everywhere, as he casually walked toward the exit with an awkward, sinister smile.