sorry

???: I’m home

…

No answer came from the empty house, not that the boy expected otherwise. He calmly stepped inside, slipped out of his shoes, and put his backpack down. Though he had never done it before, he proceeded to go straight to a cabinet in his kitchen and pull out a drink. However, this simple action seemed robotic if viewed from the outside. He pulled out the drink as if he had been rehearsing this moment over and over in his head for a long time. It was similar to the way a nervous boy would imagine a hundred different scenarios before asking out his crush. A slight feeling of nervousness and possibly excitement washed over him as he pulled the bottle out, but before he could properly sort out this strange feeling he was interrupted.

???: That’s some pretty strong stuff you’ve got there Pax

A beautiful woman wearing a pure white sundress appeared in the doorway. She playfully tilted her head as if teasing the boy.

Pax: That’s the point

He brushed her off and walked past her back into the hallway. After entering the bathroom, Pax accidentally made eye contact with his reflection in the mirror. Eyes that had a dead look to them peeked out from the greasy long hair covering the upper half of his face.

Pax: Disgusting

He hated that face. Those eyes, those cheeks, that nose. Not to mention the scrawny body attached to it. But even more than the outward appearance, Pax hated what was inside that reflection. He hated everything about that boy he saw and it took him all the restraint in the world not to punch that stupid mirror. Today though, Pax was thankful to the mirror for helping himself prepare for what was coming next.

Pax exited the bathroom to retrieve a certain knife from his bedroom. This particular knife wasn't particularly high quality, the only thing special about it was a strange glyph located on the blade. It looked like 4 circles partially overlapping one another. Pax wasn’t sure why he chose that knife in particular, it just was appealing to him in a strange way.

Returning to the bathroom and standing before his bathtub, Pax took a swig of the drink he had taken from the kitchen earlier. And then another swig, and another-

Pax: *cough cough*

???: Now, Now. We’re not in any sort of rush here you know. Also its not like that will really change much.

She hadn’t made any noise when walking into the bathroom but Pax wasn’t startled in the slightest because he had expected she would be coming soon.

Pax: Shut up

Though Pax thought that the drink tasted horrible, he took one last sip before setting the bottle down on the spotless floor.

???: This way Pax

Now sitting in the tub, the woman called Pax over in a provocative way. He couldn’t help but feel enticed by her long legs and pretty lips. Naturally he did as she said and entered the tub, getting his clothes soaked as he came in. In response, the woman snuggled closer to him and caressed his head. Then she whispered into his ear

???: Good job. Now for the important part…

Calmly, attentively, and nervously the boy listened to the woman’s words and listened. Fully focused, as to not miss a single word, Pax listened. All else faded from existence other than her words and her lips as Pax entered a trance like state.

???: Unfocused, unseeing, and now… unliving

The water in the bathtub stained red.

Eyes twitching yet focused.

Muffled screams.

???: Syzygy of the Four Souls grant this wanderer safe passage –Break and Shatter then become whole once more

The once ordinary bathroom warped and spiraled into darkness.

Then it returned to normal once more.

Pax looked up at the plain ceiling obstructing his sky. The woman had disappeared, leaving behind a cold and numb feeling that was now rapidly washing over his body.

Why had it come to this?

Where did I go wrong?

Why was I born this way?

As Pax’s consciousness started fading he was reminded once more of his last remaining family member. His father would come home from his business trip some day to this scene.

Dad…

I-

I’m sorry

???: Sorry? There is nothing that needs to be forgiven. You finally did something right –Lust.