72.2- Burned Along With Her

"Hey. How are you doing?" Waving my hand, I greeted in a dead tone, forcing a smile. "What are you doing?" He asked, checking if it was truly me or not. "They released me. Didn't want to bother you guys to pick me up." Mumbling, I walked inside. "How- How are you?" He asked, holding my arm, tears glistening in his eyes. "Alive. Somehow. Thanks for the lesson." Pulling my arm back, I walked away. Not bothering to espy his emotions. Feelings had begun to irritate me at that point because she loved to smear them so I stopped it. "Which lesson?" "The world isn't as beautiful as you think." Smirking coldly, I looked from my shoulder before leaving for my room. The moment I entered my room, Mother was there already, hugging my shirt. She kept it cleaned, organized, exactly how I left it. "Hey." "Sebastian? When did you come?! Why didn't you tell me?! I-" Panicling from delight, she ran to me, refusing to let my hand go. I didn't react and ran my hand in her hair, kissing the top of her head. My last kiss to her. "Can I have something to eat? I am starving." Whispering, I pulled away. "Sure." Grinning, she nodded and was about to embrace me but I moved away, wiping her smile. "Don't. I have left your embrace. You no longer have to protect me in your shade." Sighing, I threw my bag on the bed, running my hand in my hair, releasing a loud, long exhale of freedom and delight. "Don't be ridiculous, how can a Mother not do that?" Chuckling, she held my arm, resting her head against it. Tears of delight gleamed on her eyes. Glancing at her, I leaned down to her ears, promulgating the condition I did to myself. "Because your son had died. I killed him with my own hands." Chuckling darkly, I pulled away as my eyes couldn't focus on her words, on her voice anymore. She had become mute for me at that point. Whatever almost stopped before began to attack me with a stronger force. I became exactly how they never wanted me to. After leaving her in a daze, I freshened up and got my file, going downstairs to eat something. "Sebastian. I am extremely sorry, I had been such a terrible Father. I didn't support you. Believe me, after you left I never stopped thinking about you once. I know you must be furious at me." He whispered, on the verge of crying, coming after me. Humming, I waved my hand to shrug it off, "I am not angry. No worries. Calm down, mate." I didn't hear properly. I couldn't. "Really?!" "Yeah." Grinning, they both stayed next to me as I threw my file on the table before eating my foot. "What are those?" Father asked, perplexed. "My files. Burn them if you want, not of my use." I said, swallowing my bite. "You seem changed… and muscular." Mother smiled, noticing the difference. Nodding, I focused on my food, "Hmmm." A month later, the void was making me frustrated. I wanted to hear screams, voices like those. I needed to witness one's misery but I couldn't for now so I found a new way of diverting my mind. "Father." "Yeah, son?" For the past month, Father became extremely sweet towards me and I didn't like it. I didn't want anyone near me. "I want to continue my studies privately and learn martial arts. I want to train my mind and body." "Sure. I am glad to hear it." He agreed hastily. Later that night, I was in my room, using my phone. My oldest and bestest partner was with me. Candy crush. I started playing it and soon it developed into a habit. Mother came, dragging me out from my game, "Sebastian…" "Hmm?" She sat beside me, "Ever since you came... you haven't asked about Ruben." "So? He can grow on his own. Asking about him won't change a thing." I replied coldly, focusing on my game more. I didn't want to talk about him. His mention broke my heart but I remained emotionless. "You loved your brother so deeply-" "Exactly. I 'loved'. He didn't need my love nor I have intentions of providing him with that anymore." One day, Ruben came to pay them a visit and when I saw him from afar, it clasped my heart in an unstoppable ache. Seeing the scar on his eyes reminded me why I reached this point. I believed I deserved that torture in exchange for what I did to my brother. Seeing him broke my heart and I wanted to distance myself as much as I could from him. I was afraid to stay in his presence anymore. I was frightened of my own self. Taking a deep breath, I controlled my emotions, acting emotionlessly and came downstairs. He looked at me, I saw my reflection as a monster in his eyes, augmenting the throb I tended to discard. One glance and it burned my core so I considered distance to be the best option. "Sebastian? When did you come back? How are you doing? Why didn't you tell me? I would have come." Ruben asked excitedly. My heart skipped a beat at the felicity in his tone. He was happy to see me. Don't be. "Long ago. Didn't bother to tell you that is all." Ignoring his glee, I focused on my phone. I knew it would be hard for me to do it at first but I must. I didn't want my shadow anywhere near him- I am a monster after all… "Why are you talking like that?" Tilting his head in confusion, the shine on his face faded, not liking the tone I used. Father also came but I was already detached from my family or perhaps they discarded me in the first place. "Ah, both of my sons-" "I am kinda busy. You guys enjoy yourselves." Speaking nonchalantly, I began to use my phone to pretend I was not interested as I walked away. "Are you avoiding me?" Ruben called, stopping me by grabbing my arm. He didn't like how I treated him. He was sorrowful but it was for his own good. "I am merely prioritizing my concerns." Yanking my arm back, I responded impassively, not looking into his eyes. I hated the scar I made. I was punished for it too. They taught me- that you should be punished physically for your mistakes. Your scars could compensate for your actions. I didn't know if it was right or wrong but I followed it blindly. "And when did I fall low on that list from being on top?" Ruben asked, not liking my lack of attention. Taking a step back, a dark smirk came to my lips, forcing my gaze to collide with his. He was taken aback by the darkness of my aura. He moved back on his own. The moment he walked back from me, I knew instantly- I was no longer a part of this family anymore.