Chapter Text
Josh does not have many friends.
Actually, he didn't have any. Growing up he never made a serious effort to reach out to other people, much preferring the company of a book or game. His parents got over it with a whisper and a sigh, saying that it was better than running off with delinquent kids and causing chaos. The rest of his elementary and middle school was spent in solitude, and by the looks of it, high school was going to be the same. It shouldn't hurt to think about it, he was perfectly fine last year, but now he's surrounded by people who all have something he doesn't. It hurts.
Rambunctious laughter interrupted his gloomy thoughts. Josh didn't need to turn around to know it was yet another friend group making the sound. He envied them. To them, the rooftop was a place to talk and joke, to catch up and while away the time together. Wherever he went there was always a reminder, but in the beginning the rooftop used to be his. Josh leans on the railing, the book he was reading forgotten on the floor.
Should he try to make friends? Where would he even start? Everyone around him seemed connected in some way to another person, only he was cut off from everyone else. What if he reached out, and got met with cold rejection? But there was no way someone would reach out to him...
Buried in his thoughts, he didn't notice the girl making her way toward him.
He felt a hand brush his shoulder and stiffened. Turning his head, he noticed a girl standing beside him, her gaze fixed on him. Her mouth opened and she said something, but it sounded like gibberish.
"S-sorry?" Josh said, still a little confused. The girl didn't repeat herself. Instead she held out her hand.
"Follow me." Crisp and straight to the point.
Josh looked down at her hand and then back at her. What is she talking about? She's a total stranger.
He looked closer though, and slowly he felt as if he knew her. Not personally, but something told him that she was one of the popular girls. He couldn't remember how he knew. He just did.
Wordlessly he took her hand. Finally! A voice inside his head cheered. We're getting to know some people! And not just anyone, but one of the popular kids. We're bidding this loner life goodbye.
Once he gave her his hand, the girl took off. He kept up with her pace, but just barely. They rushed down the stairs, sprinted down the hallway, and pounded up the stairs to the second floor. They finally came to a stop in front of restrooms, Josh taking a second to let go of her hand and breathe.
Josh gave a side glance to the girl. "Where are we going?" He asked. Again she gave him no response, her head quickly checking the area before ducking into the boys restroom.
Josh stared, dumbfounded by what he just witnessed. Suddenly, the door swung open just an inch and a hand emerged, gesturing for him to come inside.
Just do it, the voice in his head urged, are you just going to stand there like an idiot?
He tried to retort. She just entered the boys restroom like it was nothing.
She already asked you in, if you wait any longer she'll get mad. And you know what happens to the people who make the popular kids mad.
He did know. Part of him was sure that it wouldn't be any different from his usual life. The other part of him was curious, and sadly, that part of him won.
Josh pushed open the restroom door.
The interior was the same, except for the girl standing there holding-
Was that an axe?!
Josh's vision went white as the edge of the ax was swung deep into his throat. His jaw hung open in shock as he saw hands grip the handle and lift it up, a horrible scewulch sound accompanying the action. Without hesitation, she slammed the ax down into the previous cut, sending him crashing to the floor.
He lay there, unable to turn his head or make a sound. His throat was a mass of burning pain, his entire body feeling numb and heavy. His vision was rapidly blurring, the white tiles of the restroom floor slowly being stained with his blood swallowing up his sight. Before he died, Josh had one last thought.
Why?
She observed the body on the floor with a cool look in her eyes. That's 35 dollars, she noted, kicking aside one of his limbs to reach the restroom sink.
Her face was covered with blood, most likely from her initial attack. The spray of blood got everywhere, the walls were nearly painted in red, but she supposed she should be grateful it didn't get on her clothes. She turned the faucet on and scrubbed her face vigorously, trying to get every bit of crimson washed away. After fifteen minutes, she raised her head from the sink and inspected it in the mirror.
Her face looked as if she was never there, every trace of blood washed down the drain. She noticed through the mirror that the walls were also miraculously clean. Well, that's convenient, she chuckled to herself. Reaching into her pocket she drew out a trash bag. Clamping it between her teeth, she grabbed the axe from where she rested it against the wall and stared down at the dead body beneath her.
She had a feeling it wouldn't bleed now.