There was something wrong with you, deep down. It had always been there, even as a young child. People of the communion whispered- muttered how you were ‘corrupted’, and ‘of the Devil’. Mother tried to shield your ears, but she knew as well as everyone else did, you were depraved.

You spent a lot of time in solitude. In your room or up in the woods, observing the creatures, ignoring the twitching in your hands that begged for freedom.

It wasn’t until the neighbours dog got too loud and suddenly went missing that your father decided to pack up and leave from the prying eyes.

A tiny town in New Orleans was your father’s choice of residence, a little area somewhat resembling your previous home. With a thriving religious community, your parents sought to present you as a regular child, claiming you were simply shy, and nothing more.

After moving into the new neighbourhood, you had been forced to make friends with at least one child, so your family had decided to ship you off to school on day two.

———

In the house opposite yours lived a child dressed in as neat clothes as he owned.

Alastor was a loud child, always smiling and friendly, contrary to how he actually felt. In honesty, he preferred the comfort of his own company and the little critters in the garden or behind the church.

His mask was perfect. Although as a small kid, people tended to look at him weirdly, now they brushed past that as if it was a small phase of his childhood.

The only ones aware were his parents. More specifically, his mother. She knew, and didn’t treat him any differently. His father preferred to ignore that part of him, shooting him judgy looks whenever he did something his father deemed ‘devilish’.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t normal enough to avoid the attention of bullies. They were a daily annoyance against his peace. They tended to follow him around with general taunts and light physical attacks.

One day, he had enough. He had attacked the main character of the group. He was not gentle. His hands ached with the same tension they always did, and to finally release it was…exhilarating.

He was now sat in the furthest corner of the yard, keeping his gaze on his bloodied hands and away from the prying eyes.