Vengeance

*knock knock*

'What?'

'Hey! Can we come in?'

'No.'

'Aw, come on... We don't wanna push you or anything, but we're really worried.'

'I don't want to see anyone.'

'How can we support you from behind a door?'

'What if I don't want your support?'

'...We can't just leave you on your own.'

'Why not? I'm the injured one, right? Doesn't that mean I get to call the shots?'

'I know, it's only been a few days... But I don't like the thought of you locked up in there all upset-'

'Upset? What the fuck else do you want me to be?! Should I be happy? Do I need to just cheer up and accept my future now just because you don't like it?'

'No, this isn't about us. You have every right to be upset. We just don't want you to carry the whole burden alone. We do things together, don't we?'

'I don't want to hear this bullshit. What next, a problem shared is a problem halved?'

'Well, there's three of us, right? So it's at least thirded...'

'...That's not funny.'

'I know, it wasn't really meant to be... Hey... we can talk about whatever you want, you know. We won't bang on about what happened if you'd prefer us not to. We just wanna spend time with you.'

'Yeah, Carmella's right! I'll let you make fun of me as much as you want. Nudism, being an eco-warrior, being scared of the dark... it's all fair game.'

'We could watch those stupid eating challenge videos! Zeus hasn't see the one with the cactus yet...'

'Exactly! Wait... someone ate a cactus?'

'Yeah. He ate some pencils too...'

'...Oh, you guys...'

'What do you say?'

'...Don't make a thing of how I look, will you? I've still got the bandage on, don't worry... you won't see the socket.'

'Of course we won't!'

'I bet you look fine! Trust me. Besides, we wouldn't care even if you looked as ugly as Dad... you're our triplet.'

'...Hey.'

'Oh God, don't...'

'Sorry! Okay, everything as normal from now on.'

'Thanks... I don't want endless sympathy, you know? I'll start to feel patronised.'

'Then I'll call you an asshole like I usually do!'

'Good.'

'...Aww. Sounds like they've got through to him.'

'At least someone has.'

'You understand how he feels, don't you?'

'...Of course. It's massive shock to the system. My reaction wasn't to hole up in my bedroom, but... he's still a child.'

'Yeah... everyone's different. I just feel sick knowing what he's been through.'

'I'm fucking furious. It should never have got to this point. Well, I'm going to do something about it.'

'Wait, what are you-?'

'I'm going to Midnight Hollow.'

'Oh God...'

'I have to put an end to this. Otherwise, he'll just come back. I should have done it when he first started writing to me. I'm not sure why I didn't take it seriously enough. I knew what that bastard was capable of. Never mind. It's what I'm capable of that matters now.'

'You'll kill him?'

'Damn right I'll kill him.'

'Okay...'

'Okay?'

'Eh... for once, I don't blame you. I want him dead too. Parents have to protect their children.' 

'I'm glad you agree.'