Snippet #1916216

"Close your eyes, and forget your name, step outside yourself, and let your thoughts drain, as you go insane... go insane!" The loud screams of Slayer blasted Zack's inner ear drums. He shifted uncomfortably beneath the covers, the effects of the drug were already beginning to wear off and Zack craved more. His mind raced as he thought about his friends in the room below him. He was sure Jess hated him by now, the way he had been blatantly ignoring her lately. He couldn't wrap his mind around the fact he had slept with her and presumably ruined their previous existing relationship. It's not like he hadn't had sex sure, he'd been having sex long before he should have been but with someone he was close to, not ever. Having sex with a random stranger was easy, you met, fucked, woke up the next morning and left, never having to see each other again, but this was different. Zack couldn't leave so easily this time and he regretted it.

The unwanted thoughts kept reaping his mind as he turned the music up as loud as the mp3 player would allow it to go but it only made his mind wander further. Zack grabbed the headphones and tossed them on the side of the bed as he stood up, grabbed his wallet from the nightstand and made his way downstairs. As he passed the kitchen/living area, he heard sobs from the other room. It was undoubtedly the sound of Jessa crying. Zack hung his head, figuring he must be the cause of her pain. He quickly pulled his hood over his head and exited the front door without waiting to see if anyone had noticed him.

The sun was still shining brightly as Zack made his way down the street. His mind quickly wandered back to his friends. He felt bad about Jess but he knew he was not the type of person anyone could ever be with more than once. He was trash, an addict, a dealer; he wasn't capable of living a normal life. He was surprised anyone accepted him at all, though he was greatful to have his family at the firehouse. He was never close to anyone, but had started to open up towards Jessa and Skyler over the time he had stayed with them, though lately Zack had even kept his distance from Skyler. Zack was worried about his friend, he had been acting strange himself lately, but Zack was never good with words, he figured if something was wrong, Skyler would have tell him.

Zack's body seemed to be on autopilot while his thoughts were elsewhere because as he made his way through the park near the firehouse, he felt a thud against his legs. Seeming to snap out of his mind, he peered down at the small body that had run into his legs. A young boy with light-blonde hair and a bright red shirt peered up at him with questioning eyes. The boy had clearly not been watching where he was running and had ran straight into Zack.

Zack extended his hand gently helping the young boy to his feet. "You alright there buddy? You had quite a fall there." Zack asked the boy, making sure he wasn't hurt. The young boy smiled widely and nodded as he scrambled back on his feet. Zack grinned back down at him and ruffled the boys hair as if to reassure him. "Alright, just be more careful next time." he said. "Okay!" The child exclaimed as he ran back towards the slide nearby. Zack watched the boy resume playing happily and sighed. If only his mind allowed him to be as naïve.