Chapter Nine: Stillness

He pushes me down the stairs. I'll admit, it's kind of funny. He reminds me of Li's sister too.

I pass out, but not before I feel excruciating pain in my neck and right leg.

And, of course, I wake up in a hospital. It gives me flashbacks from waking up in hospital before. Except, this time, it actually hurts a lot more. Like, on a scale of 1-10, 9.5 at least.

I'm lying almost completely flat, with something around my neck and a casted leg elevated in the air. Plus, I feel insanely groggy.

When I avert my eyes from the ceiling, I can just about see Will. I look around, but luckily, as far as I can tell, no sign of Henry. I can't really tell how long I've been unconscious for, or how long I've been conscious, for that matter, but William decides to say something.

"He said you fell. I don't believe him, of course. I am not going home, and neither are you. I told the police he pushed you," he explains, somehow emotionlessly.

"We need to tell them about everything else too," I say slowly. My throat hurts, and it's kind of hoarse.

"Are you sure?" Will says, immediately sounding panicked. "I mean, we can't, can we? You heard what he said!" He sounds hysterical. "I won't get in trouble, but you will!"

"Uh, okay. Listen. Henry is a kunt. I can tell them about the voices. Will, he's messed with my head. I can't... I can't think straight. I - I don't care."

"I don't know if there are any officers around," he sighs.

"Leave me. Now. And find someone. Bring them here. I'll tell them what happened. I will tell the truth. All of it. I don't care about the consequences." I squeeze Will's hand. "Henry, is a disgusting subhuman thing. He desperately needs to be locked up. Now, go," I tell him. He stands up, but he doesn't leave. I notice a tear roll down his cheek.

"I'm sorry," he gasps, "I just - you're the only proper family I have left. I couldn't bear it if I was on my own."

"Um, Will. I know we don't say it much, but, I do, actually... I love you. Just, please go." I whisper.

This time, he does - and quite frankly, I'm terrified. I try and figure out what I'll say when they get here. I wonder if I'll get in trouble, I wonder if William will be put into care. I wonder how long Henry will go to prison for, and I wonder if everyone will hate me.

Time seems warped, my head feels fuzzy. I can hear the voices but they're really faint and distorted, Satan seems to be exceptionally angry, seeing as though I have defied Him in every way possible. I still can't really tell if Henry has manipulated my thoughts or if it really could be Satan.

Going against everything I could possibly believe in, I pray to God. It's only ever been a thing we've done in school, so I don't really know what I'm doing, and it may be one of the most stupid things I've ever done, but it feels like the right thing to do. But they won't shut up and it's driving me crazy and it's only getting louder, I feel as though I'll explode...

And they're all screaming and I don't know what they're saying but the physical pain is numbed by the worst emotional and psychological pain I have ever felt in my life, because it's all wrong-

My parents would be disappointed in me, they would hate me for what I am, but maybe I'm just like them... 

"Charlie?" I hear a female voice, faintly, one that isn't in my head. But my head feels like it's being ripped apart from cell to cell, shocks being rippled from every ounce of my being. He won't shut up, I can't make him quiet, but I still can't pick up what's being said. I'm well aware everything I'm doing is wrong, and he doesn't like it, and I can't make it stop, why can't I make it stop? I want to die. I understand suicide now. I want to kill myself. I don't care how, I don't care, it's like a mantra just repeated, over and over.

"I can't make them shut up!" I scream, tears streaming down my face.

"Oh god, should I get someone? Should I get a doctor? William, what's happened?" The distorted female voice seems to whisper.

"Tell me, tell me I'm dreaming," I say, absolutely bawling my eyes out. "Will, I don't know what to say," I can barely hear myself, "oh Satan save me, God, save me, I can't do this, I want to die." Will stands stock still, shaken. "You have to tell her, Will, all of it, make it stop!" I can't seem to stop hyperventilating.

"I'm... sure... to...," he says, I can't hear it all. Then suddenly, it stops. I don't let him continue.

"It's stopped now," I say, take a deep breath, try to regain my composure. It's the policewoman I'm familiar with. "Henry tracked down our parents' murderers. They're in the basement. And, I hear Satan in my head. That's it."