HOME | DD

Description
What do you get when you turn 16? A shinny new car? A credit card full of cash? These are gifts you would get. But me? I got something completely opposite, and horrible. I got a curse, a family cursed past down before the 1st chain saw wielding murder movies. This family curse, might as well cost me my life, because it partially destroyed it! I lost everything that I ever cared about! And all my father said about it was "Its in your genes, son." But I'm getting a head of myself. Allow me to start from the beginning.

****

   It was a Friday afternoon, Jessie Longhorn was in his 8th period, which is English honors 2, today was his 16th  birthday. Jessie flipped through the book that his best friend Jethro got for him. The Complete set of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems. A smiled graced over his smooth lips as he found his favorite poem, “The Bells”.

    “Mr. Longhorn,” Mr. Flaskamp said, standing over Jessie’s desk. He looked up.

   “Err…yeah..?”

   “Would you like to tell the class what makes poems unique to the person who wrote them?” He grinned. Mr. Flaskamp knew Jess was good with poetry knowledge.

    “Well, the person who wrote them describes how they’re feeling through the flow of words and rhyme. It helps them cope with negative stuff in their life with smooth similes and metaphors. it’s the emotion of literature.” Jessie said, pushing his thick black bangs out of his eyes, only to have them fall back into place.

   “Well, very good mister Longhorn, you get, 200 pointless points!” he chuckled. Everyone laughed along with him. Jessie then tuned out the class, getting lost in his novel.

   “Hey queer…” a voice whispered, he just ignored it. It was that prep girl, Melody. She was always out to make him feel low…Jessie simple flipped his raven black hair and turned his head away from her. But she continued.

   “Heh, I bet you’re a fag, so do you get it in the ass from other guys or do you just suck them?” Jessie felt his skin grow hot, but didn’t answer.
“Of course I know you’re a fag, I mean, what kind of guy reads poetry? Heh, maybe your not gay…you’re just pussy!” Jessie closed his eyes slamming the thick black book on his wooden desk, hard. Mr. Flaskamp looked up from the board and  at him, along with the other students.

    “Longhorn?” Mr. Flaskamp asked, concern in his voice. Jessie, ignored him, all could hear the Melody’s burning words stinging his skin. Out of rage, he got out of  the desk, and flipped it over, the class jumped at the loud crash. The boy stormed out of the room, ignoring Mr. Flaskamp’s warnings. After he was out of the room, Jess sprinted down the hall his shiny black hair flying in and out of his vision, but his old black converse squeaked against the ground, he moved his thick bangs out of his emerald eyes, he was nearing his designation, men’s restroom.

    Jessie kicked the door open with his old converse shoes, the door slammed against the wall with a BANG! Jessie stumbled in, he felt a few tears slip from his green eyes, Dammit…I don’t know why I let people get to me so easily… He looked at his reflection in the mirror. Forest green eyes gazed at him back, though they were starting to turn red from the few tears. Raven locks gracefully fells over one eye, while the top of his head was perfectly smooth as though it didn’t dare to mess up, an innocent face, yet abused so much? Why?

   Jess gripped the sink, glaring at his face. Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He was frustrated with himself. The truth is, he was gay. He liked guys. But how could she have known? The only person who knows is Jethro. Was he…betrayed? His anger burst into full blown wrath. He punched his reflection. Shards of glass spraying everywhere like crystal rain, cutting his arms and his cheeks. Jessie collapsed on the floor, letting out a choked sob, few of his tears landed on his clench fist, mixing with the blood. Jessie whipped his face with his blood stained hand, smearing it across his face. He frowned.

  Why is my blood so…cold? He thought. He used his good hand to wipe the blood from his face, his head tilted at the blood. It was dark…like ink. Jess’s green eyes scanned his arms, the ink-like blood was dripping down his arm, like black ribbons. Jess got up, using the sink for support. He raised a shaky hand and turned on the faucet, quickly placing his hands in the cold water.

   Jessie scrubbed franticly at his arms, It’s not coming off! He began to panic. He was practically trying to claw the ink substance off, only to cause more of the sticky black substance to pour out. Jess looked up at the fractured mirror, his evergreen eyes wide with horror. The black ink spread to his face, coating him in the cool black fluid.

  “What the hell? What‘s wrong with me?!” Jess yelled at his 5 reflections, the appeared due to the cracks in the mirror. He gripped his throat, his breath coming out as harsh wheezing. The raven haired boy started to cough, trying to clear his throat, only to have blood leak from his mouth. Jessie made a gurgling noise as the blood pooled from his mouth and over his shirt, barely noticeable over his ink black skin. The boy leaned over the skin, watching his blood spill from his mouth at an alarming pace. Am I going to die..? He thought pitifully, looking at his bloody face’s reflection.

   Not…death…ch…anges A voice said, though it sounded broken up, and hard to under stand.

   “W-what?” Jess muttered, looking around, hoping no one would see him.

  Re…lax…ov….oon  Jessie gripped the sink, gritting his teeth.

   “I-I don‘t know what you’re saying!” He shouted.

   Look…at….re…ection… Jess looked at the broken mirror. His face looked like someone painted a skeleton face on it, bone white against ink black…His eyes is what caught him 1st they were like black sockets, with only a red pupil, that seem to glow against the black. Jess gently ran his hand over the cold surface of his skin, it didn’t feel like bone…it just felt like skin…He looked at his hands, they were also covered with the layer of the bone design.

   “Am I some kind of freak…?” Jess whispered to himself, hoping that voice would answer him.

Not…kind…of…you…freak the voice reasponed in its chopped voice.  Jess tilted his head.

“What..?”

   The voice sighed in aggravation. No…time…not…strong…enough…

   Jess ran a hand though his bangs, which were slowly turning a dark silver color.

   “I can‘t show may face at school now…what am I going to do?” Jessie moaned.

Wake…up… The voice said.

   “But I‘m not----”

****

   “Mr. Longhorn. Are you alright?”  A voice said, shaking the boy’s shoulder. Jess groaned, lifting his head up, blinking away his blurred vision. Where am I? He looked around, …I’m back in the classroom…? How can that be… The teen sighed with relief, then his eye widen. He quickly sat up, running his hands over his flesh  and his face. It wasn’t cold like before. He looked at his hands, they were his normal pale color. He exhaled his held breath.

   “Whoa, easy Mr. Longhorn,” Mr. Flaskamp placed his hand on Jess’s shoulder giving it a light squeeze. “You gave us quite a scare there.”

   “What happened?” Jessie asked, rubbing his eyes.

   “You just finished giving the class a definition of a poem, then you just passed out.” Jess stole a glace at Melody, who sneered at him.

  “oh…” Jess whispered. And with that, the school bell rang obnoxiously though the classroom, and the students began shuffling out of the classroom. Jess slung his messenger bag over his shoulders and headed out the door. Hs converse squeaked down the halls, he looked at his ipod for the time. Ugh, I’m going to be late… He thought in dismay. After school, on Fridays, he had to work at his father’s restaurant. Longhorn Steak House Original name, no?

   Jess slipped his head phones on and blasted his favorite song. “I‘m Not Okay“ And the truth was. He really wasn’t, his life was going down hill. And that ‘dream’ he had when he passed out…with the black ink stuff…the skeleton pattern…the voice…it only made things worst.  The teen cussed under his breath. He turned the dial on the volume louder, trying to block out his thoughts. When suddenly and arm wrapped around his throat. Jess froze, his green eyes wide. He intently stopped breathing.

   “Whoa! Jess! Calm down!” The voice said. Jess pause his ipod. “dude, sorry, I didn‘t mean to surprise you.” The blond teen said. Jessie exhaled his breath.

   “Man, don‘t ever do that again…” he muttered, gripping his heart. The blond’s head bowed, almost causing his black beanie hat to fall off. Jess felt a guilty stab at his heart, he gently wrapped his arm around the blond’s neck. “Sorry Jethro, I just had a rough day.” I muttered. Jethro’s head snapped up.

   “Was it Melody again?” Jess looked away. Jethro stopped, turning the raven hair teen around to face him. “Dude, if she keeps bothering you, I‘m gunna get involved with it.”

   “No, no. Its okay I‘ll just deal---”

   “NO! Its not o-fucking-kay! I’m not gunna let my friend be pushed around by some plastic prep bitch!” Jethro seethed, gripping Jess’s shoulders. Jessie hated when his friend got over protective like this, like when ever Jess started dating someone, Jethro would be pissed at the person hanging out with Jessie.

   “Alright.” Jess muttered. “I‘ll let you know if it happens again.” He muttered turning his head. Jethro gently gripped Jess’s chin with his thumb and index finger, turning his head to face him again.

   “I just can‘t stand seeing you hurt…” He whispered, and pressed his pierced lips to the raven-haired teen’s pale ones. Time seem to slow down, the hall ways have long been abandoned, they were alone. Jess’s cheeks turned a soft rose color, his eyes slowly closing, he felt a calm sensation over come him. He loved it. But the kiss was short, Jethro pulled away, leaving Jess’s body with nothing but his hand intertwined with his.

   Jessie looked into Jethro’s grey eyes, something he always liked about people, their eyes. When his phone buzzed in his pocket. The teen jammed his hand in his pocket digging out his phone, he flipped it open, instantly and annoyed message from his father started.

“Son, you‘re late for work.” That’s one thing Jess hated about his dad. His father never called him by name, only ’son’. Jess sighed and closed his phone. Looking back at Jethro.

   “Want to meet at my place tonight?” Jethro murmured in Jess’s ear. “For your…other present.” Jessie’s heart pounded in his chest, his cheeks flushing.

   “S-sure.” He said, all too eagerly.

   “Alright then!” The blond grinned, wrapping his long lanky arms around the teen. Kissing his forehead gently. Jess closed his eyes, breathing in deeply, craving Jethro’s sweet scent. He wanted to stay in the embrace for ever, though time was short. The raven hair teen pulled away.

   “See ya, Jethro!” He called running down the hall blissfully. Totally forgetting about the dream he had.

*****

   Jess ran the rag over the mug, cleaning it then, placing it upside down on the rack. He was the bar tender at his father’s steak house. Kind of weird having a 16-year-old bar tender…

   “’Ey! Shorty, ‘nother round for my gang ‘ere!” A bald headed biker called, snapping his fingers at Jessie, much like an owner would do with a dog.  Jessie cursed under his breath, But grabbed some frosted mugs from the counter, and poured some beer in each glass. He Loaded them on a trey and brought it to the biker gang’s table. The bald biker grinned at Jess with his yellow teeth, and slipped some money in Jess’s apron pocket.

   “You’re alright kid.” He said, then gestured for Jess to lean down. “I have an extra 20 here, if you put on a show for my pals.” He cackled. The teen didn’t know what kind of ’show’ they wanted, but he sure as hell didn’t want to do it.

   “No.” Jess said flatly. “I have to work.” He turned around a went back to the bar. One of the bikers said something behind his back.

   “Fucking tease!” The gang’s table roared with laughter. Jessie felt his face burn with anger, a took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He grab the soda nozzle and sprayed some coca-cola into a chilled glass, then pouring some cherry serum in it.  He stirred till it turned into a dull crimson color. Making his own cherry coke. He took a sip, smiling at the soft drink.

   “Perfect.” He whispered. He set the drink down when he noticed one of the bikers sitting on the far side of the bar. Jess, ran his hand through his black bangs and took on his mini note pad and a pen. He approached the man and greeted him.

   “Hey, my name is Jessie Longhorn and I am going to be your server tonight, may I get you a drink sir?”  Jess asked, he hated the whole introduction thing, but he had to do it. Father’s orders. The man looked up with brilliant blue eyes, which was lined with eye liner, and at black war make up under it. His hair was spiked at the top, and his bangs also fell over one eye.

   “’Ello,” He said, the man sat up, allowing me to see his shirt.

Messengers 13

   “Are you apart of that gang?” Jess asked, nodding his head toward the loudest table in the restaurant. The man sighed.

   “Aye, I am.” He murmured.

   “Well, you‘re pretty calm compared to them.” Jess said. Grabbing a frosted glass. The man cocked an eye brow.

   “Is that bad?” He asked with a slight smirk. Jessie shook his head.

   “N-no! Not at all! Its just…there something weird about them…” The raven haired teen murmured. The other nodded in agreement.

   “You don‘t know how true that is…” The biker took out a cigarette, and lit it. He looked at the teen. “Want one?” He asked. Jess nodded, placing the cig between his fingers and letting the man light it. He took a huge drag on the cancer stick, letting the toxic fumes burn his lungs, a comforting pain. Jessie flicked the ashes in a near by tray.

   “So, what was your name again?” Jess asked tilting his head.

   “Dusk. Just call me Dusk.” Jess nodded.

   “Alright, Dusk. Did you want anything from the menu?” The raven haired teen asked, taking out his note pad and pen.

   “Na, I ate before I got here.” Dusk shuddered. “Though, I do need to talk with you.” his face grew darker, more serious. Jess place the note pad and pen back in his apron pocket.

   “’Bout what?” He questioned. Pulling up a stool and sitting down.

   “You turned sixteen today. Correct?”

   “Yeah…” Dusk bit his lip, lean further over the bar, looking around as if someone might over hear.

   “Has anything…weird happened lately…” Jess tensed, his hands gripping the bar.

   “W-weird…how?” He asked, though he knew what he was going to say.

   “Scary weird. Haunting. Ominous…” Dusk whispered. Jessie’s lip quivered, he bit down on his lip, and nodded slowly. But, before Dusk was able to tell Jess anymore, he was cut off by the bald head messenger.

   “'Ey gang! There is a ritual tonight! Time to head back to Gwazi Fields!” The messengers roared and stampeded out the door. Dusk turned around, watching them leave, he got out of his seat.

   “Wait! Dusk!” Jess called. “Please tell me what this dreams mean.” Dusk didn’t move, his eyes glued distantly at the door.

   “You’ll find out…soon.” He said ominously, he walked out the door, and soon, his motorcycle roared down the road. Just as the other did. Jessie, frowned. Now I’ll never know… Just as that thought past through his head, his father came out of the kitchen. Jess was unable to decipher his father’s mood, due to the dark, black sunglasses that shielded his eyes.

  “Son,” He said in his gravely voice.

   “Father.” Jess said back, eyes narrowing.

   “Come with me.” He grunted. Pulling me toward the door.

   “To where? You know mom hates it when you take me places.” and I have to meet my…boy friend…at his house right now… Jess didn’t dare say that in front of his father though.

   “To…a party.” He muttered, locking the restaurant up. He grabbed the keys to his motorcycle and jumped on the bike, waiting for Jess.

   “Would mom allow it?” Jess questioned. The father sighed in annoyance.

   “Honestly, No. But---”

   “Then I‘m not going!” Jessie shouted. His father raised his fist and punched his across the face. Jess starred at his dad, eyes wide as he place his hand over his throbbing cheek.

   “You are my son, and you will do as you are told!” His father commanded. The teen could practically see the fire blazing behind his dad’s eyes. He reluctantly obeyed. Climbing up on the motorcycle and wrapping his arms around his dad’s flat stomach. Much to his dismay. “Hold on.” His dad said. Back to his gravely voice. The father revved the bike, gripping the handle bars and turning it.

VVVVVOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM

   The bike roared to life and they sped on through the night. Chasing the plume of smoke that came from the bikers before them.

****

   The father and son thundered over the empty highway. There was no single sigh of a car or truck, nor motorcycles. Jess began to worry. What if Jethro thinks I abandoned him? Would our relationship be over before it started? This party better be worth it… Jess yawned. His eye lids were getting heavy, his body urned to cuddle up with Jethro on a warm bed and sleep till 1 AM. But instead, he was forced against his will to go to some party with his dad, who he hated with a passion.

   “Son,” The dad started, Jess grunted to let his father know he was still awake. “The road is going to get rough, hold on tight.” He murmured, sharply turning the handle bars and going off road. Driving through gnarled tree branches, Jess closed his eyes tightly, not wanting to get scratched by the branches. Soon, the motorcycle’s engine turned to a low hum as the father turned it off. He hopped off the bike and helped jess off as well. The raven haired boy had his arms wrapped around his stomach, his knees buckled beneath him.

   “Dad…?” Jessie croaked. Swaying back and forth. His head was spinning, as though he been sitting upside down for too long. His vision burned. Finally, standing became to hard for him, he collapsed. Jess landed on his knees, arms still around his stomach.

   “Oi! The kid is changing fast!” a voice called.

   “Hurry! He needs a transplant!” The familiar voice of Dusk rang out.

   “Any donators?” the father said. Silence. “He‘s my son! Now someone better step forward! NOW!” The man’s voice boomed. The messengers looked at each other. Finally Dusk stepped forward.

   “I will.” Dusk said.

   “Alright.” the father nodded. “Acid and Grime take Dusk to the table and get him ready. I‘ll get my son.”

    Jess coughed, a wrenching cough, sending crimson droplets to the ground. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
“Dad…”  He wheezed, as he felt two strong arms lift him. “I don‘t want to die…”

   “I would never let you die…Jessie.” his dad spoke. Jess smiled, his eyes closing gently. That’s all I ever wanted…was my father’s reconization, to be someone to my father. I wouldn’t mind dieing right now… Jessie was thrown onto a table, hard.

   “Lets start while the moon is up.” A voice said. Murmurs of agreement spread through the gang. Jess cracked open one eye, to see a pair of scissors he toward him. He tensed, but soon relaxed. For they were only cutting off his shirt. The teen blinked.

   “Wh-what…?” He gurgled. Blood flowing over his bottom lip.

   “Don‘t worry about it Jess.” His father said. “I will be over soon.” Jess frowned. What will be over--- Before he could finish that thought, a skelly printed hand pressed against his chest, its fingers digging into his pale flesh like knives. Jess’s breathing became ragged, as though his lungs wouldn’t fill with air. He started hyperventilating. The cold fingers snapped through his ribs like popsicle sticks. Jess screamed in pure agony. Only to have it fall to deaf ears. No one could hear him.

   The sketeton printed fingers then gripped around its main desination. The heart. As the fingers grasped the muscle, Jess insently stopped seizing. He froze. A wave of emotions crashing over him. Rage from Melody’s insults, horror from the black ink consuming his body, love from Jethro’s kiss, fear from his father’s wrath, sorrow for abandoning Jethro, and now dismay. With those emotions, cam the images that matched. Was he really going to give that all up?

   “I don‘t want to die…” Jess whispered, a drop of blood dripping from his mouth.

   “Hm?” The messenger with his arm in Jess’s chest spoke.

   “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” jess screamed, shattering the silence like an apartment window in a little league field. Jessie began to thrash, trying to force the arm out of his chest.

   “’Ay Kid! Calm down! You‘re messin‘ me up!” The messenger growled. Jessie dug his black-painted nails into the messenger’s arm, once his grip was tight, he pushed the arm from his chest. The messenger stumbled back ward, and with him, Jess’e beating heart. Jessie gasped. His hands atomaticly gripping his throat, his air way was closing. Jessie stopped thrashing , his emerald eyes were wide, his mouth slightly opened.

   “Hurry Smog! Put Dusk‘s heart in him! NOW!” the father shouted franticly. “We‘re losing him!” The messenger  know as Smog held Jessie’s heart in one hand and with his other he began clawing out dusk’s heart. Who layed there, calmly accepting his fate. Quickly, Smog found his heart and ripped it out. The organ throbbed in his hand.

   “Yo! Pin! Put this on in the kid!” He handed the darker heart to the messenger know as Pin. Pin blaced his hand into Jess’s chest, and turned his hand a few times, as though he was twisting the heart back in like a soda bottle cap. He waited a moment, the heart stopped for a second, then began beating its tainted blood though the teen. Jessie breathed in a huge gulp of precious oxygen.

   “’Ey kid, you okay?” Pin asked.

   “I just got my heart ripped out! How do you think I feel!” Jessie snapped. Pin chuckled.

   “Looks like giving him the kindest messenger heart did no good!” He laughed.

   “Of course it didn‘t.” Smog said matter-o-factly. “when Dusk changed, we gave him the brutalest  messenger’s heart, thus, making him a kinder messenger.”

   “So shorty here is going to be a ‘tough‘ messenger? That’s a load of bullshit!” Pin chuckled. Jess sat up slowly, head bowed. A wicked grin graced his face. The black ink leaked from his eyes and down his face, soon his face be came a black canvas, with the white sketeton pattern soon to follow. The ink spread across his eyes, turning them pure black with red pupils. Jess stood up. He ran his thumb over the blood the had trickled from his mouth, and ran his tounge over the blood on his finger.

   “Welcome brother, to The Messengers.” A messener said. He has a bandana over his mouth. Which he removed and tied around Jessie’s head.

   “What is your messenger name?” One  messenger asked. Jessie, looked up, and scowled at the moon, Jessie! What an unfitting name for someone like me!

   “Black Plague!” He grinned. The messengers cheered. And while they congratulated. Black plague and told him about the life of a cursed biker gang member. Someone forgot to place a heart in Dusk…

Rule one of the Messengers: For one to live, one must die.

*****Epilogue****

To wrap with up nicely. I got a curse for my birthday. I’m unable to control this beast known as ’Black Plague’, so I usually end up killing more people each October then I’m allowed to. Which is 13. After the heart transplant, I began pushing everyone away from me. Some asked me what was wrong, and I’d just shrug. Nothing good came out of this experience. I killed the only person I ever cared about by mistake. Jethro…
      He came over my house to demend I tell him whats wrong and…and…my messenger side erupted. Its took over my body and the next thing I knew, Jethro was death, his dismembered arm gripping my pants leg, and his face caught in petrified fright. It was horrible. That’s when my dad decided to…or force me. To spend my after school days at a place call Howl-O-Scream. Where I met creatures like myself, who have probably couldn’t control their demoic or cursed sides.
     Though its been 2 years since the night I got that heart tranplant, I still feel the pain, emotionally and physically. Even the scar still burns…

Description
What do you get when you turn 16? A shinny new car? A credit card full of cash? These are gifts you would get. But me? I got something completely opposite, and horrible. I got a curse, a family cursed past down before the 1st chain saw wielding murder movies. This family curse, might as well cost me my life, because it partially destroyed it! I lost everything that I ever cared about! And all my father said about it was "Its in your genes, son." But I'm getting a head of myself. Allow me to start from the beginning.

****

   It was a Friday afternoon, Jessie Longhorn was in his 8th period, which is English honors 2, today was his 16th  birthday. Jessie flipped through the book that his best friend Jethro got for him. The Complete set of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems. A smiled graced over his smooth lips as he found his favorite poem, “The Bells”.

    “Mr. Longhorn,” Mr. Flaskamp said, standing over Jessie’s desk. He looked up.

   “Err…yeah..?”

   “Would you like to tell the class what makes poems unique to the person who wrote them?” He grinned. Mr. Flaskamp knew Jess was good with poetry knowledge.

    “Well, the person who wrote them describes how they’re feeling through the flow of words and rhyme. It helps them cope with negative stuff in their life with smooth similes and metaphors. it’s the emotion of literature.” Jessie said, pushing his thick black bangs out of his eyes, only to have them fall back into place.

   “Well, very good mister Longhorn, you get, 200 pointless points!” he chuckled. Everyone laughed along with him. Jessie then tuned out the class, getting lost in his novel.

   “Hey queer…” a voice whispered, he just ignored it. It was that prep girl, Melody. She was always out to make him feel low…Jessie simple flipped his raven black hair and turned his head away from her. But she continued.

   “Heh, I bet you’re a fag, so do you get it in the ass from other guys or do you just suck them?” Jessie felt his skin grow hot, but didn’t answer.
“Of course I know you’re a fag, I mean, what kind of guy reads poetry? Heh, maybe your not gay…you’re just pussy!” Jessie closed his eyes slamming the thick black book on his wooden desk, hard. Mr. Flaskamp looked up from the board and  at him, along with the other students.

    “Longhorn?” Mr. Flaskamp asked, concern in his voice. Jessie, ignored him, all could hear the Melody’s burning words stinging his skin. Out of rage, he got out of  the desk, and flipped it over, the class jumped at the loud crash. The boy stormed out of the room, ignoring Mr. Flaskamp’s warnings. After he was out of the room, Jess sprinted down the hall his shiny black hair flying in and out of his vision, but his old black converse squeaked against the ground, he moved his thick bangs out of his emerald eyes, he was nearing his designation, men’s restroom.

    Jessie kicked the door open with his old converse shoes, the door slammed against the wall with a BANG! Jessie stumbled in, he felt a few tears slip from his green eyes, Dammit…I don’t know why I let people get to me so easily… He looked at his reflection in the mirror. Forest green eyes gazed at him back, though they were starting to turn red from the few tears. Raven locks gracefully fells over one eye, while the top of his head was perfectly smooth as though it didn’t dare to mess up, an innocent face, yet abused so much? Why?

   Jess gripped the sink, glaring at his face. Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He was frustrated with himself. The truth is, he was gay. He liked guys. But how could she have known? The only person who knows is Jethro. Was he…betrayed? His anger burst into full blown wrath. He punched his reflection. Shards of glass spraying everywhere like crystal rain, cutting his arms and his cheeks. Jessie collapsed on the floor, letting out a choked sob, few of his tears landed on his clench fist, mixing with the blood. Jessie whipped his face with his blood stained hand, smearing it across his face. He frowned.

  Why is my blood so…cold? He thought. He used his good hand to wipe the blood from his face, his head tilted at the blood. It was dark…like ink. Jess’s green eyes scanned his arms, the ink-like blood was dripping down his arm, like black ribbons. Jess got up, using the sink for support. He raised a shaky hand and turned on the faucet, quickly placing his hands in the cold water.

   Jessie scrubbed franticly at his arms, It’s not coming off! He began to panic. He was practically trying to claw the ink substance off, only to cause more of the sticky black substance to pour out. Jess looked up at the fractured mirror, his evergreen eyes wide with horror. The black ink spread to his face, coating him in the cool black fluid.

  “What the hell? What‘s wrong with me?!” Jess yelled at his 5 reflections, the appeared due to the cracks in the mirror. He gripped his throat, his breath coming out as harsh wheezing. The raven haired boy started to cough, trying to clear his throat, only to have blood leak from his mouth. Jessie made a gurgling noise as the blood pooled from his mouth and over his shirt, barely noticeable over his ink black skin. The boy leaned over the skin, watching his blood spill from his mouth at an alarming pace. Am I going to die..? He thought pitifully, looking at his bloody face’s reflection.

   Not…death…ch…anges A voice said, though it sounded broken up, and hard to under stand.

   “W-what?” Jess muttered, looking around, hoping no one would see him.

  Re…lax…ov….oon  Jessie gripped the sink, gritting his teeth.

   “I-I don‘t know what you’re saying!” He shouted.

   Look…at….re…ection… Jess looked at the broken mirror. His face looked like someone painted a skeleton face on it, bone white against ink black…His eyes is what caught him 1st they were like black sockets, with only a red pupil, that seem to glow against the black. Jess gently ran his hand over the cold surface of his skin, it didn’t feel like bone…it just felt like skin…He looked at his hands, they were also covered with the layer of the bone design.

   “Am I some kind of freak…?” Jess whispered to himself, hoping that voice would answer him.

Not…kind…of…you…freak the voice reasponed in its chopped voice.  Jess tilted his head.

“What..?”

   The voice sighed in aggravation. No…time…not…strong…enough…

   Jess ran a hand though his bangs, which were slowly turning a dark silver color.

   “I can‘t show may face at school now…what am I going to do?” Jessie moaned.

Wake…up… The voice said.

   “But I‘m not----”

****

   “Mr. Longhorn. Are you alright?”  A voice said, shaking the boy’s shoulder. Jess groaned, lifting his head up, blinking away his blurred vision. Where am I? He looked around, …I’m back in the classroom…? How can that be… The teen sighed with relief, then his eye widen. He quickly sat up, running his hands over his flesh  and his face. It wasn’t cold like before. He looked at his hands, they were his normal pale color. He exhaled his held breath.

   “Whoa, easy Mr. Longhorn,” Mr. Flaskamp placed his hand on Jess’s shoulder giving it a light squeeze. “You gave us quite a scare there.”

   “What happened?” Jessie asked, rubbing his eyes.

   “You just finished giving the class a definition of a poem, then you just passed out.” Jess stole a glace at Melody, who sneered at him.

  “oh…” Jess whispered. And with that, the school bell rang obnoxiously though the classroom, and the students began shuffling out of the classroom. Jess slung his messenger bag over his shoulders and headed out the door. Hs converse squeaked down the halls, he looked at his ipod for the time. Ugh, I’m going to be late… He thought in dismay. After school, on Fridays, he had to work at his father’s restaurant. Longhorn Steak House Original name, no?

   Jess slipped his head phones on and blasted his favorite song. “I‘m Not Okay“ And the truth was. He really wasn’t, his life was going down hill. And that ‘dream’ he had when he passed out…with the black ink stuff…the skeleton pattern…the voice…it only made things worst.  The teen cussed under his breath. He turned the dial on the volume louder, trying to block out his thoughts. When suddenly and arm wrapped around his throat. Jess froze, his green eyes wide. He intently stopped breathing.

   “Whoa! Jess! Calm down!” The voice said. Jess pause his ipod. “dude, sorry, I didn‘t mean to surprise you.” The blond teen said. Jessie exhaled his breath.

   “Man, don‘t ever do that again…” he muttered, gripping his heart. The blond’s head bowed, almost causing his black beanie hat to fall off. Jess felt a guilty stab at his heart, he gently wrapped his arm around the blond’s neck. “Sorry Jethro, I just had a rough day.” I muttered. Jethro’s head snapped up.

   “Was it Melody again?” Jess looked away. Jethro stopped, turning the raven hair teen around to face him. “Dude, if she keeps bothering you, I‘m gunna get involved with it.”

   “No, no. Its okay I‘ll just deal---”

   “NO! Its not o-fucking-kay! I’m not gunna let my friend be pushed around by some plastic prep bitch!” Jethro seethed, gripping Jess’s shoulders. Jessie hated when his friend got over protective like this, like when ever Jess started dating someone, Jethro would be pissed at the person hanging out with Jessie.

   “Alright.” Jess muttered. “I‘ll let you know if it happens again.” He muttered turning his head. Jethro gently gripped Jess’s chin with his thumb and index finger, turning his head to face him again.

   “I just can‘t stand seeing you hurt…” He whispered, and pressed his pierced lips to the raven-haired teen’s pale ones. Time seem to slow down, the hall ways have long been abandoned, they were alone. Jess’s cheeks turned a soft rose color, his eyes slowly closing, he felt a calm sensation over come him. He loved it. But the kiss was short, Jethro pulled away, leaving Jess’s body with nothing but his hand intertwined with his.

   Jessie looked into Jethro’s grey eyes, something he always liked about people, their eyes. When his phone buzzed in his pocket. The teen jammed his hand in his pocket digging out his phone, he flipped it open, instantly and annoyed message from his father started.

“Son, you‘re late for work.” That’s one thing Jess hated about his dad. His father never called him by name, only ’son’. Jess sighed and closed his phone. Looking back at Jethro.

   “Want to meet at my place tonight?” Jethro murmured in Jess’s ear. “For your…other present.” Jessie’s heart pounded in his chest, his cheeks flushing.

   “S-sure.” He said, all too eagerly.

   “Alright then!” The blond grinned, wrapping his long lanky arms around the teen. Kissing his forehead gently. Jess closed his eyes, breathing in deeply, craving Jethro’s sweet scent. He wanted to stay in the embrace for ever, though time was short. The raven hair teen pulled away.

   “See ya, Jethro!” He called running down the hall blissfully. Totally forgetting about the dream he had.

*****

   Jess ran the rag over the mug, cleaning it then, placing it upside down on the rack. He was the bar tender at his father’s steak house. Kind of weird having a 16-year-old bar tender…

   “’Ey! Shorty, ‘nother round for my gang ‘ere!” A bald headed biker called, snapping his fingers at Jessie, much like an owner would do with a dog.  Jessie cursed under his breath, But grabbed some frosted mugs from the counter, and poured some beer in each glass. He Loaded them on a trey and brought it to the biker gang’s table. The bald biker grinned at Jess with his yellow teeth, and slipped some money in Jess’s apron pocket.

   “You’re alright kid.” He said, then gestured for Jess to lean down. “I have an extra 20 here, if you put on a show for my pals.” He cackled. The teen didn’t know what kind of ’show’ they wanted, but he sure as hell didn’t want to do it.

   “No.” Jess said flatly. “I have to work.” He turned around a went back to the bar. One of the bikers said something behind his back.

   “Fucking tease!” The gang’s table roared with laughter. Jessie felt his face burn with anger, a took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He grab the soda nozzle and sprayed some coca-cola into a chilled glass, then pouring some cherry serum in it.  He stirred till it turned into a dull crimson color. Making his own cherry coke. He took a sip, smiling at the soft drink.

   “Perfect.” He whispered. He set the drink down when he noticed one of the bikers sitting on the far side of the bar. Jess, ran his hand through his black bangs and took on his mini note pad and a pen. He approached the man and greeted him.

   “Hey, my name is Jessie Longhorn and I am going to be your server tonight, may I get you a drink sir?”  Jess asked, he hated the whole introduction thing, but he had to do it. Father’s orders. The man looked up with brilliant blue eyes, which was lined with eye liner, and at black war make up under it. His hair was spiked at the top, and his bangs also fell over one eye.

   “’Ello,” He said, the man sat up, allowing me to see his shirt.

Messengers 13

   “Are you apart of that gang?” Jess asked, nodding his head toward the loudest table in the restaurant. The man sighed.

   “Aye, I am.” He murmured.

   “Well, you‘re pretty calm compared to them.” Jess said. Grabbing a frosted glass. The man cocked an eye brow.

   “Is that bad?” He asked with a slight smirk. Jessie shook his head.

   “N-no! Not at all! Its just…there something weird about them…” The raven haired teen murmured. The other nodded in agreement.

   “You don‘t know how true that is…” The biker took out a cigarette, and lit it. He looked at the teen. “Want one?” He asked. Jess nodded, placing the cig between his fingers and letting the man light it. He took a huge drag on the cancer stick, letting the toxic fumes burn his lungs, a comforting pain. Jessie flicked the ashes in a near by tray.

   “So, what was your name again?” Jess asked tilting his head.

   “Dusk. Just call me Dusk.” Jess nodded.

   “Alright, Dusk. Did you want anything from the menu?” The raven haired teen asked, taking out his note pad and pen.

   “Na, I ate before I got here.” Dusk shuddered. “Though, I do need to talk with you.” his face grew darker, more serious. Jess place the note pad and pen back in his apron pocket.

   “’Bout what?” He questioned. Pulling up a stool and sitting down.

   “You turned sixteen today. Correct?”

   “Yeah…” Dusk bit his lip, lean further over the bar, looking around as if someone might over hear.

   “Has anything…weird happened lately…” Jess tensed, his hands gripping the bar.

   “W-weird…how?” He asked, though he knew what he was going to say.

   “Scary weird. Haunting. Ominous…” Dusk whispered. Jessie’s lip quivered, he bit down on his lip, and nodded slowly. But, before Dusk was able to tell Jess anymore, he was cut off by the bald head messenger.

   “'Ey gang! There is a ritual tonight! Time to head back to Gwazi Fields!” The messengers roared and stampeded out the door. Dusk turned around, watching them leave, he got out of his seat.

   “Wait! Dusk!” Jess called. “Please tell me what this dreams mean.” Dusk didn’t move, his eyes glued distantly at the door.

   “You’ll find out…soon.” He said ominously, he walked out the door, and soon, his motorcycle roared down the road. Just as the other did. Jessie, frowned. Now I’ll never know… Just as that thought past through his head, his father came out of the kitchen. Jess was unable to decipher his father’s mood, due to the dark, black sunglasses that shielded his eyes.

  “Son,” He said in his gravely voice.

   “Father.” Jess said back, eyes narrowing.

   “Come with me.” He grunted. Pulling me toward the door.

   “To where? You know mom hates it when you take me places.” and I have to meet my…boy friend…at his house right now… Jess didn’t dare say that in front of his father though.

   “To…a party.” He muttered, locking the restaurant up. He grabbed the keys to his motorcycle and jumped on the bike, waiting for Jess.

   “Would mom allow it?” Jess questioned. The father sighed in annoyance.

   “Honestly, No. But---”

   “Then I‘m not going!” Jessie shouted. His father raised his fist and punched his across the face. Jess starred at his dad, eyes wide as he place his hand over his throbbing cheek.

   “You are my son, and you will do as you are told!” His father commanded. The teen could practically see the fire blazing behind his dad’s eyes. He reluctantly obeyed. Climbing up on the motorcycle and wrapping his arms around his dad’s flat stomach. Much to his dismay. “Hold on.” His dad said. Back to his gravely voice. The father revved the bike, gripping the handle bars and turning it.

VVVVVOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM

   The bike roared to life and they sped on through the night. Chasing the plume of smoke that came from the bikers before them.

****

   The father and son thundered over the empty highway. There was no single sigh of a car or truck, nor motorcycles. Jess began to worry. What if Jethro thinks I abandoned him? Would our relationship be over before it started? This party better be worth it… Jess yawned. His eye lids were getting heavy, his body urned to cuddle up with Jethro on a warm bed and sleep till 1 AM. But instead, he was forced against his will to go to some party with his dad, who he hated with a passion.

   “Son,” The dad started, Jess grunted to let his father know he was still awake. “The road is going to get rough, hold on tight.” He murmured, sharply turning the handle bars and going off road. Driving through gnarled tree branches, Jess closed his eyes tightly, not wanting to get scratched by the branches. Soon, the motorcycle’s engine turned to a low hum as the father turned it off. He hopped off the bike and helped jess off as well. The raven haired boy had his arms wrapped around his stomach, his knees buckled beneath him.

   “Dad…?” Jessie croaked. Swaying back and forth. His head was spinning, as though he been sitting upside down for too long. His vision burned. Finally, standing became to hard for him, he collapsed. Jess landed on his knees, arms still around his stomach.

   “Oi! The kid is changing fast!” a voice called.

   “Hurry! He needs a transplant!” The familiar voice of Dusk rang out.

   “Any donators?” the father said. Silence. “He‘s my son! Now someone better step forward! NOW!” The man’s voice boomed. The messengers looked at each other. Finally Dusk stepped forward.

   “I will.” Dusk said.

   “Alright.” the father nodded. “Acid and Grime take Dusk to the table and get him ready. I‘ll get my son.”

    Jess coughed, a wrenching cough, sending crimson droplets to the ground. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
“Dad…”  He wheezed, as he felt two strong arms lift him. “I don‘t want to die…”

   “I would never let you die…Jessie.” his dad spoke. Jess smiled, his eyes closing gently. That’s all I ever wanted…was my father’s reconization, to be someone to my father. I wouldn’t mind dieing right now… Jessie was thrown onto a table, hard.

   “Lets start while the moon is up.” A voice said. Murmurs of agreement spread through the gang. Jess cracked open one eye, to see a pair of scissors he toward him. He tensed, but soon relaxed. For they were only cutting off his shirt. The teen blinked.

   “Wh-what…?” He gurgled. Blood flowing over his bottom lip.

   “Don‘t worry about it Jess.” His father said. “I will be over soon.” Jess frowned. What will be over--- Before he could finish that thought, a skelly printed hand pressed against his chest, its fingers digging into his pale flesh like knives. Jess’s breathing became ragged, as though his lungs wouldn’t fill with air. He started hyperventilating. The cold fingers snapped through his ribs like popsicle sticks. Jess screamed in pure agony. Only to have it fall to deaf ears. No one could hear him.

   The sketeton printed fingers then gripped around its main desination. The heart. As the fingers grasped the muscle, Jess insently stopped seizing. He froze. A wave of emotions crashing over him. Rage from Melody’s insults, horror from the black ink consuming his body, love from Jethro’s kiss, fear from his father’s wrath, sorrow for abandoning Jethro, and now dismay. With those emotions, cam the images that matched. Was he really going to give that all up?

   “I don‘t want to die…” Jess whispered, a drop of blood dripping from his mouth.

   “Hm?” The messenger with his arm in Jess’s chest spoke.

   “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” jess screamed, shattering the silence like an apartment window in a little league field. Jessie began to thrash, trying to force the arm out of his chest.

   “’Ay Kid! Calm down! You‘re messin‘ me up!” The messenger growled. Jessie dug his black-painted nails into the messenger’s arm, once his grip was tight, he pushed the arm from his chest. The messenger stumbled back ward, and with him, Jess’e beating heart. Jessie gasped. His hands atomaticly gripping his throat, his air way was closing. Jessie stopped thrashing , his emerald eyes were wide, his mouth slightly opened.

   “Hurry Smog! Put Dusk‘s heart in him! NOW!” the father shouted franticly. “We‘re losing him!” The messenger  know as Smog held Jessie’s heart in one hand and with his other he began clawing out dusk’s heart. Who layed there, calmly accepting his fate. Quickly, Smog found his heart and ripped it out. The organ throbbed in his hand.

   “Yo! Pin! Put this on in the kid!” He handed the darker heart to the messenger know as Pin. Pin blaced his hand into Jess’s chest, and turned his hand a few times, as though he was twisting the heart back in like a soda bottle cap. He waited a moment, the heart stopped for a second, then began beating its tainted blood though the teen. Jessie breathed in a huge gulp of precious oxygen.

   “’Ey kid, you okay?” Pin asked.

   “I just got my heart ripped out! How do you think I feel!” Jessie snapped. Pin chuckled.

   “Looks like giving him the kindest messenger heart did no good!” He laughed.

   “Of course it didn‘t.” Smog said matter-o-factly. “when Dusk changed, we gave him the brutalest  messenger’s heart, thus, making him a kinder messenger.”

   “So shorty here is going to be a ‘tough‘ messenger? That’s a load of bullshit!” Pin chuckled. Jess sat up slowly, head bowed. A wicked grin graced his face. The black ink leaked from his eyes and down his face, soon his face be came a black canvas, with the white sketeton pattern soon to follow. The ink spread across his eyes, turning them pure black with red pupils. Jess stood up. He ran his thumb over the blood the had trickled from his mouth, and ran his tounge over the blood on his finger.

   “Welcome brother, to The Messengers.” A messener said. He has a bandana over his mouth. Which he removed and tied around Jessie’s head.

   “What is your messenger name?” One  messenger asked. Jessie, looked up, and scowled at the moon, Jessie! What an unfitting name for someone like me!

   “Black Plague!” He grinned. The messengers cheered. And while they congratulated. Black plague and told him about the life of a cursed biker gang member. Someone forgot to place a heart in Dusk…

Rule one of the Messengers: For one to live, one must die.

*****Epilogue****

To wrap with up nicely. I got a curse for my birthday. I’m unable to control this beast known as ’Black Plague’, so I usually end up killing more people each October then I’m allowed to. Which is 13. After the heart transplant, I began pushing everyone away from me. Some asked me what was wrong, and I’d just shrug. Nothing good came out of this experience. I killed the only person I ever cared about by mistake. Jethro…
      He came over my house to demend I tell him whats wrong and…and…my messenger side erupted. Its took over my body and the next thing I knew, Jethro was death, his dismembered arm gripping my pants leg, and his face caught in petrified fright. It was horrible. That’s when my dad decided to…or force me. To spend my after school days at a place call Howl-O-Scream. Where I met creatures like myself, who have probably couldn’t control their demoic or cursed sides.
     Though its been 2 years since the night I got that heart tranplant, I still feel the pain, emotionally and physically. Even the scar still burns…