I used to look up to heroes, idealized and worshiped them like the rest of society. They were publicized everywhere, on TV, podcasts, websites, and books. No matter how many times I was dragged down to the gutter, I stood back up, with my belief in good remaining fervent. I would endure and endeavor to do my best, until a hero brought me, and my loved ones to salvation. But I waited too long, realizing the hard way of the ultimate truth…
Heroes are a bane to society. The concept of a powerful being, arriving at the nick of time to save the day, to save you from an ultimate evil, or to lift you up from your darkest moments; it’s just that, an idea. It’s completely unrealistic. A fantasy. One that instills a false hope. One that makes you weak. That made me weak… Feeble, helpless, alone. Reliant on others. But no ones reliable forever. No one can stick around that long…
But you want to try? You want to be a… Hero? Reality will come crashing down, a weight heavy enough to not just crush you, but everyone around you. You can’t bear it, you won't. Even if you did, you wouldn’t be rewarded for it. Bad things happen. And sometimes, there simply isn’t any way for salvation.
Everyone’s been slapped by the wake up call known as reality. Few remain ignorant of an idealized world. It’s why you see so many bystanders in society. They don’t help, merely observing, blending in with the crowd. People see a crisis and the first thing they do is whip out their phones, or ignore it under the pretense of more important business.
No, heroes don’t exist. But you know what does? Villains.
…
Ding Dong, Dang Dong
At 3pm the school bell rang
“Wooooot, I’m fucking outta here! See ya losers next term!”, the cheers of students resounded through the air, as a stream of immature teenagers burst through the front gates.
Meanwhile in a particular classroom, the sound of a door closing echoed throughout the room. Within it, only students remained, separated by groups of desks into cliques of varied friend groups.
Promptly after, most of these teenagers got up from their seats and started speaking to one another whilst packing up their things. From all the chatter, one particular voice stood out. As if no one dared to speak above it.
“Ay Mav”, a grating voice spoke, as a hand planted itself roughly on a particular student's shoulder, trying to get up from his chair.
“Stay”, the same voice commanded, pushing the student back to his seat.
“You’ve not forgotten what we talked about last, yeah?”, the chiseled boy grinned, his hazel brown eyes staring ominously at his target.
“I, I’m sorry”, the classmate responded while putting on a fake smile.
“I’ll try to get it next time, me mum caught me in the act, I tried again but…”, he continued to yabber on, even chuckling to lighten the mood, and the burden of punishment he knew he’d have to endure due to his failure.
BAM
EEEK
The classmate caught a fist to the face, launching him from his seat and pushing another classmate's desk away, who promptly eeeked his way backwards off of his seat and out of the way.
Some students mainly in the back of the class, where this transgression had occurred looked over either out of curiosity or amusement. Most from the front of the class either looked away or ignored the random disruption, seemingly used to it. Either way, there was silence in the classroom.
“Dillan”, the boy with the grating voice spoke out once again.
He squatted down next to the fallen classmate, putting his hand behind him, whereby 3 boys of varying stature’s stood awaiting his order.
“Hammer”
“W-wait, no, wait. I’m sorry, I’ll do better..”
“You have next term to do better. This term to heal”, the boy spoke matter of factly.
He curled his hand around the grip of the hammer that one of the 3 boys oh so obediently supplied. Provided by the one named Dillian.
“Now, finger”
“F-fuuuck, please…”, he whimpered.
“Quit being a little pussy shit, and put it here…”, the boy tapped on the desk next to them with his newly acquired ball pein hammer.
He took that moment to peer over it and at all the attention he was getting from most of the class. He struggled to stop the smile from emerging on his face. But a simple glance at a particular person at the front of the class had stopped it. The girl there was simply packing her things ignoring the commotion, and a small frown emerged on his face in response.
He hastily stood up and waved his hammer around menacingly gesturing for all the class to see.
“What you twats waiting for? Get a fucking move on, and a fucking outta here”
But as he spoke, the classmate that he had knocked over continued to moan about forgiving him, weeping as he held his precious index finger. The boy sighed before squatting back in front of the classmate, both hushing and lightly tapping his forehead with his hammer.
The goons behind the boy with the hammer chuckled to themselves, muttering to one another, tossing their chin out to the victim of their boss, and throwing their head indicating at a lone black haired boy seated at the front corner of the room.
He’s much more fun than that one”, Goon A spoke.
“Ay, gives in easier too”, said Goon B.
“Wish the fucker over there fought back like old times”, repeated Goon A.
“Wot, you miss the time he nearly took out your eye, ya fat masochist”, Goon C aka Dillan jabbed.
“Fuck you”, Goon A retorted
“No, Fuck him”, Dillan spat.
“I never did”, Goon B sneered.
“Fuck you both”, Goon A cringed.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
A loud cry filled the room as a loud thump rang out, and blood sprayed a desk. The boy, their boss, turned around, placing his bloodied hammer over his shoulder and questioned.
“What are you dumbasses recounting?”
Goon B held back the urge to spout your mum, deciding best to shut up while their boss wields his weapon of authority, his mighty hammer. In his stead, Dillian laid out the truth.
“Talking about long hair over there”, he threw his thumb behind him, intending to look cool, but he had missed his mark, pointing at a window.
Nonetheless, the boss boy knew who he was talking about and smirked.
“Ah! That loser. He’d gotten so quiet I hardly even knew he was there”, he turned back to his goons.
“Well what, you dumbasses going to ask for permission? Come say hi”, he chuckled as he walked to the front of the class with his hammer resting on his shoulder, those that were standing by, being pushed aside.
Bam
“Heya loser, long time no see”, said the boss boy as he let gravity carry his giant mass of authority onto the desk.
The student with long black hair didn’t even flinch, and continued staring with his dark empty eyes, unfocused in front of him. Who knew what sort of thoughts were circling his head. But for all the boss boy knew, it could be empty inside, likely resultant from all their ‘games’ in the past.
“Oi, anything on in there”, he tapped the head of the boy.
“Oi…”, and he didn’t like being ignored.
“Hey listen here you little pussy shit”, he grabbed the jaw of the boy, yanking his head towards him such that he was the sole recipient of his black soulless eyes.
The face that was revealed was narrowed and handsome, a face that could melt the heart of any girl, had he not stared at them with such dreary eyes. The boss boy hoisted his hammer up to meet the boy's eye, making sure it was in the center of his view.
“I just wanted you to know… Had you not been so goddamn handsome, I would never have had it out for ya. Mean it, liked you”, he winked at him, and continued to stare into those soulless eyes, searching for something. But of what? Even he didn't know. He wasn’t an ophthalmologist.
After a second, he pretended to hit his eye with his hammer, stopping short to provoke a reaction. But it was like looking into the abyss, the boy not even flinching.
“Tsk”, he tutted.
“Well now you know, glad you know. ‘Bout time we came clean ay?”, he let go of his grip on him, his head turning slowly to look back in front of him.
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“Had you not been so goddamn unresponsive we could have had some more fun like old times. And maybe your mum would still be alive”, he stared at him again seeking to provoke a reaction, but on receiving none he leaned back and looked away.
“Gosh it's like talking to a brick wall, tsk”, he tutted once again.
The boy sighed, or did he? He was as still as a robot, and could have even been dead. No one would have been surprised.
Boss boy had his attention elsewhere, at some students that gave him the attention he rightfully deserved. He was clearly already bored, not hearing the small breath of life from the boy, and decided to leave. He didn’t play with broken toys.
The same boy sat there motionless. Not even a minute passed and there was some more commotion around the boss boy and his goons. More minutes passed and most of everyone had found a path around the boss boy, out the door. Only after 10 minutes passed did everyone, including the boss boy, leave the room. All but one.
The boy, Silas, turned his head towards the window beside him. His class was on the 3rd story of a 4 story building. He had an oversight of the gate from this angle and could clearly see all the students rushing past one another to enjoy their vacations quicker.
But he knew not all students were like that, take boss boy Leo for example. He and his gang of goons, Jacob, Corey and Dillian, as the delinquents they were, would always frequent the rooftops.
They owned that area as no one dared near it. It was their playground for experiments and… Playtime with their victims. It was a place to be feared. Though it could be said that the world was Leo’s playground, the world a fearful place as a result. It didn’t matter exactly where he was, he would always find a way to ‘play’. Due to the powerful effects of corporate greed, his father had made sure of that.
‘But playtime’s over’, Silas thought, as he continued to stare out the window, watching as the amount of students leaving dwindled.
He then turned his gaze to his opened backpack, or more specifically the sharp glimmer inside it. His father, the school, the police, none would be able to cover up for him any more. After all…
‘There’s not much time for you left’
…
On the rooftops, 4 boys sat leaning against the fence that stopped one from falling off.
Leo sighed, “fucking Maverick. Wanted to smoke on the last day of school, makes it special”
Dillian shrugged, “we could just buy some down by the store. I still have that fake ID”.
But Leo dismissed him immediately, “ain’t the same, sitting around a street all thug like. Gotta be here, as kings of school”.
“Oh”, Jacob exclaimed, “what about that Queen of yours?”
Corey punched him on the shoulder, “ay, don’t bring her up, that’s one beast he can’t tame”.
“Fuck you”, Leo hissed, “I could tame that bitch in an instant if I tried”.
Dillian rolled his eyes, “then why don’t you try”.
“Cause then you guys would miss me. You’d miss my personality, my money, my time”
“Ay your right”, Corey announced, “forgot how much I’d miss you, gimme a pecker”, he shifted closer and flopped his tongue out.
“It’d hurt to have a hammer in your mouth, don’t try me you fat fuck” Leo grimaced, disgusted.
“Ah”, Dillan ignored his bosses close molestation call, kneeling down to check his bag.
Jacob got curious and looked over him as Dillan took out a box of fads. He handed them out to one another, with Leo sighing in response.
“These aren’t a substitute for ciggies”, and flicked it behind him, through the fence and off the building.
Luckily for any victims below, the grounds were empty, as most students had already left along with the stampede, while teachers were gathered somewhere inside on the second floor to discuss… Teacher things.
“I know”, Dillan replied.
“But better than nothin’”
“Ay, it do be better than nothin’”, Corey reciprocated, plopping the candy in his mouth and curling his tongue around it.
“Tsk, your standards are too low”, Leo tutted.
“Should have kept Mav behind. This is boring”
“...”
“Nah fuck this, I’m leaving”
“Aight, lets go”, Dillan immediately responded, like a puppy tailing its master.
“Nah, fuck you guys, content with better than nothin’”, he mocked.
“Enjoy your fads, fags”, Leo got up and left, walking to a room, closing the door and preparing to go down the staircase.
What he didn’t realize was the boy leaning against the corner, hiding in the shadows. Nor did he realize the wire before the steps. What he did realize was the stairs that were covered in plastic. Though only had he noticed, as he was sent flying down the staircase, having tripped on the wire.
“W-w-w-wh Fuck” Leo wailed, the hard ridges of the concrete stairs cutting into his chiseled body.
The plastic did nothing to ease his fall as he landed upside down at the end of the first row of stairs, still confused as to what had happened.
Step, step, step.
The boy from the corner did not speak, only walking down the staircase. Leo looked up from upside down, but with his vision hazy, he couldn’t tell the facial features of the boy getting closer to him, only that he had black hair and a tall figure.
“Fuck me, Dillan. I told you to stay…”, the steps stopped as the boy stood behind him.
“...”
“...”
It was Leo who broke the silence, rolling over.
“Well what you waiting for? Help me up, would you”, he reached out his hand, with his other grabbing at his head, trying to stabilize his blurry vision.
But the boy was not Dillan. Still, he reached out a hand, and Leo clasped it. Pulling him up, the boy put a hand on the back of Leo.
Leo tried shrugging it off saying, “fuck man, I don’t need your pity”.
But the boy kept pushing, his other hand on the stair railing, swinging him to the next row of concrete stairs, and throwing him off. The last he felt of the boy's hands, pushing downward, his head curving towards the ground.
“Fucking”, was all Leo managed to say before his head made contact with the staircase.
His skull threatened to cave in from the sheer blunt impact alone, and he continued to flop like a ragdoll down the staircase once again, only this time, unconscious.
…
Back on the rooftop.
“Sad”, Dillan moped, with his friends patting him on the back.
They were leaning against the railing, looking down at the rest of the school.
“It is sad to be a fag”, Corey continued rubbing his back.
“How's it feel? Since I’m not one”
“Don’t be cringe", Jacob replied.
At that moment the door to the staircase room opened up with a thud. Out walked the boy, adorned in normal school wear.
Dillan swatted away the weak emotional support he was receiving, smiling as he spoke.
“Leo, back so soon?”
But no response was returned.
Taking a look, Jacob turned his head and couldn’t believe his eyes, squealing, “it’s that fucker”.
Which caused the rest of them to finally turn and face him.
Silas stared at the goons with his usual deadpan look, causing them to smirk.
Watching the movements of the man they used to abuse daily, they snickered, with Corey remarking first.
“It’s unfortunate that Leo left so early ay? I’m sure he would have loved to know he’d caused Stockholm Syndrome in his old toy…”, he continued after a pause.
“Guess we’ll give you some love and attention in his stead”
“Tsk, stop being creepy. One would think you’re gay” sneered Jacob, completely unperturbed by Silas standing there eerily silent.
“I am though”
“Fuck off”
“Ay, bruh. Im serious”
“Shut the fuck up”, Dillan hissed, “someone wants our attention”.
Silas opened his dry lips, thought for a second, and then closed them, biting his lip until blood emerged. He reached with his hand behind him, clutching at the handle of the ball pein hammer he had acquired from Leo's bag.
But rather than equipping it, he secured it, making certain it wouldn’t fall out from his pants. But the belt that went with his school uniform that kept it in place had already been tightened beforehand, he just had to double check.
Suddenly Silas ran forward, even as he charged towards them, Dillan gave a hearty laugh.
“I see your knee healed nicely”
As if on cue, Jacob ran forward to match Silas, sending a punch flying his way, only to be ducked and countered with a palm to the chin, leaping forward but using his hind leg to trip Jacob over as he ran past. As Silas continued with his building momentum, Jacob’s head had hit the pavement, rendering him unconscious immediately.
Seeing this Dillan only chuckled to himself reminiscing how they first started bullying Silas. He used to be such a vulgar person then, till his bestie helped him to reform.
4 years ago in the bathroom, they had ganged up on him by orders of Leo. Silas was tall compared to the other kids, and he had only grown bigger since then. But at the time, they had not expected such a lanky pretty boy to be able to put up much of a fight.
Even with the jump on him, Jacob and Corey both easily went down, and had almost beaten Dillan due to his unexpected flexibility, landing a kick to his chin. They were a sorry sight by the time Leo walked in, eventually managing to pin Silas to the ground. And Leo promptly shattered his kneecap straight afterwards.
Having zoned out he focused back on the current fight. Back then he was a mere yellow belt in taekwondo, but had since become a black belt. His confidence hardened due to this certainty. He had only almost lost back then due to the unexpected attack. Such a thing would not work a second time.
‘Okay’, he thought, ‘time to focus for real’.
He got into an aggressive stance, preparing to engage as soon as Corey got dealt with or pinned him down with his large body mass. Because yes, as Leo always said. Corey was indeed a fat fuck.
As Corey stood there, preparing to tackle Silas. Silas took out the hammer and swung, hitting Corey in the face, knocking him backwards, stunned.
Dillan who was behind Corey noticed a little too late as he had already sent out a flying punch, striking from his rear hand, as he had already hopped forward with his front foot. His fist managed to match with the hammer, the force of which broke the bones in his knuckles.
“F-f-f-fuuuuuuuuck, Wha- F-fuuuucking FUCK!”, he wailed.
Corey leapt out of action upon hearing the wails of his friend, staggering up, and proceeding to take a step back from his dazed self. He wasn’t about to engage a guy with a hammer. He saw the damage that could be caused from Leo. Corey noped right along as he high tailed it out of there.
He wasn’t very fast, and Silas heard his heavy breath as he panickedly ran to the staircase room. Yet he didn’t even turn around to check on Corey as he lifted his hammer and without hesitation, threw it towards Dillan, his only response?
“Wait!”
Before the hammer lodged a little into his skull. Not enough to break it. But enough to let out a loud scream of anguish and pain from the recipient.
“FUCKING WHY!”, was what he wanted to say, but all that it amounted to was a gurgle of blood in his throat.
“AH!”, a voice that was not Dillan's, emerged from the open doorway to the staircase as Corey fell down, too fear stricken to have noticed the wire.
Silas tilted his head to the side, identifying the scream as Coreys. He nodded his head a little before using his other hand to clutch the back of Dillans head, unlatching the hammer from his face, before going at it again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again. It only took the first of those furious attacks to have Dillans' wails die down. His skull was open and exposed by the end of it.
With a huff and a puff, Silas took a step back and drew himself an unsteady breath of fresh air. He put all thoughts such as the repercussions to the back of his head, closing his eyes and embracing the silence.
His finger twitched, then his left eye followed. His eyes opened as he peered down, at the blood sprayed on his feet, and the droplets leaking onto the ground. At the blood that accumulated around the faceless head. Then he looked up at the afternoon sun, slowly descending from the sky. As the adrenaline died down, he clutched his heart and frowned. Then… Slowly smiled.
“HAHAAHAHHHAAHAHAA”
And then laughed… Hysterically.
Blurgh-glub
And almost vomited. But he caught it in his mouth and swallowed.
“Haaaaaa….h”, he sighed.
The first words out of his mouth all day followed.
“Mum would fucking hate me”, a single tear fell by his cheek and he immediately felt heavy.
He dropped to the ground to cuddle his knees. Over the faceless splattered body of a boy once known as Dillan, he cried. Out of relief, frustration, or otherwise. For the first time in many years. He cried.