
|
TaintedClay's eyes shot open at the sound of muffled talking. "Something is wrong... He's not himself... Acting strange lately..." He let out a low moan and struggled to lift his body to his feet. Remnants of last night clung to his chapped lips, causing him to grimace in distaste when his tongue flicked out in a failed attempt to wet them. Disgusting. I'm disgusting. Moving to the sink, he washed his face slowly, wishing he could run with the water, and left the small bathroom. Jacob was standing there, Angela and Quiana right behind him. "Dude... We need to talk to you." He said gently, his dark eyes searching Clay's dulled green ones. "There's nothing to talk about." Clay muttered, brushing past them and heaving his frail body onto the tan couch. Please leave me alone. Please. Just leave me alone. His silent pleas went unanswered. The three of them followed him, standing in front of him and looking at him expectantly. "Clay... We're worried about you." Angela said softly. "Please... Tell us what's wrong." "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine." "We all know that's not true. We can help you through this. Just talk to us." She prodded, her long braids swaying as she spoke. Clay sat up, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to remain calm. "Nothing. Is. Wrong." Get away from me. Just get away before I lose it. Quiana took a step forward, shaking her head. "Damn it Clay, we're tired of watching you look sicker and sicker every day! This needs to STOP! I am NOT standing by and watching you fade away like this! NOW TELL US WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!" Clay opened his eyes, staring at her wordlessly for a moment. The silence in the room was laden with a tense awkwardness, like a violent storm about to spew. "Stay. Out. Of. My. Business." He said quietly, annunciating each word carefully. Ignoring their shocked expressions, he stood up and stormed off the tour bus, his jaw set firmly and his teeth gnawing at his already destroyed lips. "Clay!" He turned, seeing Jacob standing on the steps of the bus, looking distraught. "Dude... Don't be like this." Clay's brow furrowed, and he narrowed his eyes. "Go to hell, Jacob." He spat, fury in his voice. "Just go to hell."
|
|---|