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[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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Alex was dreaming back to when he was a kid and he was talking to his brother, "You were always the favorite child... Why did everyone like you but not me...?" He voice slurred.
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Valerie watched his lips move as he spoke, his rambling bringing her attention to his movements over his brothers.
Dustin didn't answer as his brother struggled to speak, focusing on cleaning the gashes Alex had left on his wrist. He couldn't find a way to reply, so he avoided to question, beginning to wrap his brother's wrist with gauze.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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"Was it because you were popular? Because you could actually make friends?"
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"Alex, this isn't the time to talk about this," Dustin advised, using Valerie's approach and using a more gentle tone. His hands works to finish one wrist, now starting on the other.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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"No. I want you to tell me right now. What did I ever do as a kid? What did I do wrong?"
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Dustin let out a rattly sign, deciding it couldn't do much worse at this point. "I don't know, Alex. You didn't talk much at school. And when you did you came off rude sometimes, I don't remember, I always liked you though, you were always my brother, up until Dad died."
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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"So you didn't like me after Dad died? I was always jealous of you, and I still am. I wanted to be like you..."
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"No, of course not. I always considered you a brother, but you turned into this after dad passed. You started to make it hard to care, you wouldn't let me as easily," Dustin explained while he finished the bandage. He let Alex lay for a moment, wanting him to settle down before he helped him move.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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Alex slowly opened one eye, shocked to see Valerie looking down at him, "But maybe this is who I am now. A monster."
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Seeing as Dustin settled against the wall, Valerie assumed they would be huddled here for a few moments longer and lifted Alex's head, adjusting before letting it rest back on her lap. "You don't have to be," she pointed out, a shred of hope in her voice.
His brother nodded,"You don't have to act like this."
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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"This is what I deserve... For not doing what I should have. This is my punishment..."
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"You don't need to hurt yourself to make up for your wrong, Alex. Just apologize, act differently," Valerie countered, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Dustin was worried sick for his brother, not only was he beginning to ramble, but he had hurt himself. The blood he lost didn't leave him to die, but it obviously wasn't good for him. "Alex, if you want to die for not doing what you should have, just do what you should have."
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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Alex looked up at Valerie and reached his reached his hand to touch one of her bruises that he had created, "I'm sorry..." He whispered, "Please forgive me..."
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Every instinct that she had developed over the years screamed as his hand moved towards her. But Valerie fought them bitterly, not letting herself cringe away from his touch. Instead she allowed him to find a new bruise on her skin,"I know you're sorry, Alex," Valerie murmured softly, no edge in her voice.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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Alex looked away when he saw all the multiple bruises and scars on her body, "I cause those..." Alex tremble, in shock.
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Valerie shifted the fabric of her shirt, attempting to hide the marks as his eyes settled on them. She put her warm hand against the side of his face while she tried to calm him down, feeling his body tremble.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
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"I'm a monster..." Alex repeated, his eyes wide.
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"Not anymore, remember? You're gonna change, you're going to fix those things that made you a monster," Valerie cooed, her voice low and gentle as if she were trying to calm a young child.
[Center][size=36pt][shadow=red,left]Barbaric[/shadow][/size]
[shadow=black,left] “We're going through a kind of ancient, barbaric war dance now."[/shadow][hr]
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Alex nodded slowly, looking at his wrists.
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Dustin had wrapped him brothers wrist to the best of his abilities and when he saw Alex glance at them, his mind prodded him into action. "Let's get you in bed, Alex. I'm sure a little rest will do you good, come on," he urged, standing up and offering his hand.
Valerie moved his head from her lap, scooting back to allow him space to stand.