I sobbed uncontrollably as everything hurt. Blood was tricking from my mouth and the side of my head. Scratches and cuts adorned my body for all to see. I couldn't even stand.

"Get up! We're not done with you." Seoho shouted then kicked my back.

I let out a throaty and pained gasp. Why couldn't he get the picture. I couldn't move even if I wanted to.

"Pick him up." he said then impatiently tapped his foot. "You know, you're a real pain in the ass."

The rod was swung into my side. Seoho twirled it around then pointed it at my face.

"I know you're tired of this. Just kill your self. Make everyone's lives easier. Your parents don't love you, you have no relatives around and your friends deserted you. What else do you have to cling to?" said Seoho with a sigh.

I started to answer, but was silenced with a blow to the stomach and throat. I coughed hard and was spooked by the sight of blood coming out of my mouth.

"Don't tell me you were going to say volleyball? You were? That's pathetic. No one on the team likes you and no colleges have looked to recruit you. Face it, Lee. You are nothing. Your existence is pointless. Do everyone a favor and bite the dust." Seoho said then had them drop me.

They left without another word. I just lied there. He was right. Why was I still breathing? There wasn't anything for me to hold onto. Why was I even born if they weren't going to care later? Worthless, stupid fuck, freak, psycho, mental, puppet, dumbass, asshole, failure, shameful, incompetent. All those words have been said about me and to my face. It was awful, especially having to hear it and see 24/7 whether in person or online.

I managed to sit myself up then looked around. They picked a good place to beat up on me. There wasn't a person in sight. I tried to crawl but the burning sensation on the palms of my hands were too much. I used a wall to help me onto my feet. I could go home like this, but my parents would throw a fit. The nearest hospital was too far to walk, especially in my condition. Seoho and the others had taken my things. They were kind enough to leave my phone, but it didn't matter. None of my contacts would help.

🏐🏐

I found myself waking up in an unfamiliar place. I then started to recognize things. How did I end up in the hospital? The last thing I remembered was walking towards a park. Who brought me here? The door opened and a nurse had come in.

"You're awake. Great. I hope you don't mind if I ask some questions." he said then looked at me.

I nodded.

"Do you know how you sustained these injuries?" he asked right off the bat.

Was I to be honest? Even if I was, it wasn't like anything would change.

"Bullies." I mumbled.

"I see... do they go to your school? Have you told your parents?" he asked as he wrote things down.

"Yes and yes..." I said with my head lowered.

"And it's still going on?" he asked with a hint of surprise.

I nodded silently. I hoped that he'd understand my situation. That no matter what I did it was hopeless. He asked if I had any friends I could turn to. I shook my head. I had no one in my life anymore.

"Hm, do you know your mom or dad's number? So we can call them and let them know where you are." he said.

I recited both of their numbers then watched as he left the room. They'd only come to sign the discharge papers. They couldn't be bothered with me. It would probably benefit them if I died. Though, I couldn't pay back the time and money they had already put into me since birth. I gripped the bedsheets then sighed.

"Seoho..." I whispered before sniffling. "I'll do it..."

🏐🏐

I was told they'd keep me overnight just to make sure nothing was wrong. I lied on my side in the dark room. Once I was out, things would go back to how they were. I would be bullied, no one would care, and I'd be pushed back into the dark space that started infecting my brain. It was so easy to fall into it and was difficult to get out of. Sometimes I felt it was best to never get out, to let myself drown in the darkness that occupied my mind.

I heard the door open, but I remained still. I heard shuffling and soft clatters. The door opened and closed. I looked behind me and saw a cookie and a note. I picked it up and it read "Stay strong. Rainbows can't exist without rain.". I picked up the cookie then started to nibble on it. It was slightly touching seeing that someone cared, even if only slightly.

I ended up finishing the entire cookie and found it slightly easier to sleep. For a while, I had forgotten the harsh reality I lived in.

🏐🏐

I walked out of the hospital with my father then got in the car. He dropped me off at home and told me my mother had already called in that I was sick and couldn't attend. A part of me wanted to believe that they started care, but I had to be realistic. They were just doing what was morally right, not because they wanted to.

I curled up in my bed and hid under my sheets. Tomorrow I'd go back and be subjected to torture. My parents would go back to not caring. I spent the entire day in my bed, having an internal battle of whether it was worth it or not. Whether it was worth pressing through or ending it altogether. The toxic, dark space that occupied my mind continuously stretched, dispersing my brain of any light. I could feel myself suffocating, trying to keep myself from drowning. Maybe I already had.