lost in your own ::: jack

Jack returned to school with a bit of airs. He looked at every one of the students thinking ha, you're lucky I didn't get to you. He knew he could, though, if he wanted. He felt like he had control over the school. Even Miss Willow Santos couldn't touch him. The morning was perfect. And then he had that blasted class with Zachary. And one glance from the boy seemed to repeat what he had told him. ".You know who else likes to be noticed? Children!" . It had been a few days since spring break ended, and Jack felt pressure from his rival He could feel Zachary's eyes on him, even when he wasn't looking at him. he could hear his laughter, even when he wasn't laughing.Jack had control over everyone else, and Zachary had control over him. He had to break loose. He had to. He didn't go to the next class they shared together. Instead, he went down to the basement, to get away from him.

It made matters worse that he had been watching him at the dance. Jack couldn't even pretend to be flattered by that. It was like being a little kid and being watched by his dad to make sure that he wasn't making mistakes. He didn't need his dad. He didn't. He was enjoying the silence. Silence soothed. Jack closed his eyes, huddled in a dark corner. He didn't hear the bell ring to go to lunch. He was enjoying the hum of the boiler. When he heard footsteps, he jumped to his feet, pressing his back against the wall. His eyes watched the feet. "stop watching me!" he growled.

Jack stayed in the shadows. It was safe there. He wouldn't be seen. It was....a girl. His heart started beating again. He swallowed. "No. No watching me. No more. I don't need to be watched." he shook his head. "I won't mess up. I promise. Jack will be good." he was sweating, and shaky. His eyes that could be the cruelest when he had a life at his mercy were wide and scared.

He looked up at her. He backed up more, letting out a whimper. "you have her necklace. That's not nice. Only-only mothers can wear that" whether or not the girl was really wearing a necklace was hard to say. Jack's entire body was throwing a fit. But it wasn't guilt. It couldn't be. No, it was Zach's fault

Jack tried to retreat, but he couldn't. He was already flat against the wall as it was. He heard the question and looked down. "My mother. I need-I need-" he closed his eyes. "Just be normal. Jack, be normal. I wasn't-" he swallowed. "she hit her head. I didn't-I didn't" he looked up at her. "pretty girl. Are you an angel? Am-am I?" no, he wasn't dead. He was in the boiler room. He heard people on the floor above them. "he'll be coming for me. He watches me. He wants to see me bleed"

Jack swallowed and slid down to a sitting position "mama" he whispered. The boy wanted his mother. He wanted to go home, hold her head, and talk to it. "I was a bad boy" he whispered

he shook his head. "He caught me. Caught me. He was watching. Followed me to the--" he stopped, rocking. "He wants to see me bleed. He says I'm a child. Just a child." he looked at her. "are you an angel or a ghost?"