I've been working on this story and so far I have three complete chapters but I don't know if you guys will like it. Let me know and once I have ten chapters done, I'll publish the first and second chapter for you guys before streaming it out slowly so I can provide a chapter without rushing it.

COMMENT IF YOU LIKE THIS AND WANT TO READ THE BOOK!

Oh yeah! It's a How I Met Your Mother fanfiction with guy me; Cage.

Onwards!

"¿Papi? ¿Dónde está mamá (Daddy? Where's mommy)?" I ask the man I've looked up to for eight years so far. My sisters were barely a year old. The twins; Tina and Trish. When the dark red haired Latino man turns to face me, his brown eyes-a matching set to mine- are so cold looking. I shiver. "¿Papi?" My head turns, the right side of my face stinging from the blunt force of my father's backhanded smack.

"¡Tu madre es una puta ingrata! No me llames tu papá, de ahora en adelante decir señor y sólo hablar si se le habla (Your mother is an ungrateful whore! Don't call me your dad, from now on say sir and only speak if you're spoken to)." Dad shouts angrily at me. I look up at him with tears cascading down my face but I think that makes him angrier since he starts to kick me for what seems like forever until he stops an hour later, my eight year old body beaten and bruised.

Why didn't my mommy want me? And why did daddy hurt me? Did I...

"¿Hice algo mal (Did I do something wrong)?" I whisper, my voice a soft wheeze as I try to get air through my most likely broken ribs.

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"So I had that dream again, huh? Of the day mo-she left." A male voice wonders, his Spanish accent not as thick as it was when he was a teen but still there.

I sigh at remembering such a thing. Why did I have to remember it? A shaky breath escapes my lips as I hold myself, turning onto my other side to try and go back to sleep. This place felt so lonely but it was free, free of the fear of my father coming home late at night, drunk and wanting to start another day of beatings. Yeah. I was free, wasn't I? I've been under his iron fist for so long... I didn't know what to do. But just because I was free, didn't mean the cold grip of trepidation was entirely gone, it still lingered. I curl in on myself, gripping my arms tighter in reassurance.

"I'm free, he can't harm me here. He's in Mexico, I'm in New York. That's a hell of a distance. I'm fine. I'm safe..." I whisper to myself. Yeah, I was safe now. I could finally make friends without having to worry about him hurting them. Wait, but... would they hurt me? I shake my head. I had to be positive. But... what if they abused me too? "I'm a twenty two year old... I can do this. I didn't earn all this money to let my success go to waste."

I had gotten a lot of money, Mexico currency of course, for singing here and there, working anywhere I could. I had to study at home though, since my father left too many markings on me and would be reported, so my education level was lacking and there were some things I didn't understand. But! I did my best and worked my hardest and that's what counts! Of course, I had to calculate the pesos to American money so that I had enough to last me a while. I actually earned 30,000 American dollars (I've been working since I was twelve so that's ten years of saving every single cent I earned) and I got a job at the bar close by; MacLaren's Pub. I would be bar tending there and singing.

"I'll survive... I can do this." I continue, relaxing slightly. I was going to change my name but that would've been even more expensive and this place would cost me forty-five hundred a month. Good thing I had a lot left over and the job I got pays decently so if I cut down on my other costs, I could make it work. Plus, there was tips for my singing. And if it started to go sideways, I could always get a second job.

"I will do this." Just then, my alarm goes off, shrieking into the morning. I screech, slamming my hand on the button above it. "Maldita cosa hecha por un demonio (Damn thing made by a demon)..." I grumble, rolling out of bed and throwing on my outfit for the day before grabbing my music player and heading out of my luxurious new two bedroom apartment. Sure, I could've gone with something cheaper but it was the fastest thing available and it was a nice change from the shithole I used to live in.

I was going to walk around before I had to work that evening. As I pass a cafe, I peak in through the window before shrugging, deciding that it'd be a good place for breakfast.

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After finishing my food, I continued my exploration of New York; getting yelled at by angry taxi drivers, and knocking shoulders with other people walking about. Finally, it's time for lunch so I decide to head to my workplace, taste the food before learning the ins and outs, to kill time before I had to work.

"Hello, I'm the new employee but I wanted to buy some lunch before we get started." The bartender, Carl, nods and sends me a friendly smile.

"Of course. What would you like?" I purse my lips, narrowing my eyes as I study the board above, reading over the items written in chalk.

"Hmmm... just a burger and a large order of fries." I reply, deciding to go with the cheapest option. He nods.

"Anything to drink? Beer?" I stiffen. Since my father was an alcoholic, he'd come home drunk sometimes. The beatings then were worst than when he was sober. I shake my head rapidly.

"No thanks, just water." Carl nods, giving my order to the cook before pouring me a glass of water.

"You get food here free so there's no charge," Carl states, sliding the cup to me before going back to tending to the customers. 

"Thanks." I say softly, peering down into my water. About ten minutes or so later, my food is being slid in front of me and the smell is just amazing that it almost makes me salivate. I lick both my lips hungrily, immediately picking up the burger and taking a large bite out of it. I nearly moan with delight from the wonderful tasting (but greasy) beef. The buns were toasted and that made it taste even better. Don't even get me started on the fries! Once done, I stand from the bar counter and throw my trash away, walking into the back room to get started on my guide to this job.

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Two hours of careful instruction later, I decided to get behind the bar and help Carl out, starting the job earlier than I needed too.

"Hi, have you met Ted?" A cheerful male voice says from behind me. I ignore it though, focusing on getting a drink ready. When I do turn around, I find a black haired American man talking to Yasmine, Carl's girlfriend, and I chuckle slightly. Poor guy. As they're talking, I continue to work but I notice he seems to start liking her. Deciding I don't want to see his heart get crushed, I step in before he thinks he loves her.

"Yasmine, I don't think you should lead him on like that." If you're wondering how I know she's dating Carl, I met Carl the day before and we talked a little, so I know small facts about him while he only knows I came from Mexico and that my full name is Mark Cage Reynolds. The two look over at me and I give the man a sympathetic smile while I lean on the counter with my elbows. "She's dating Carl." I inform him and his brown eyes widen. They were darker than mine.

"Oh..." He mutters before turning to Carl. "Sup, Carl?" I laugh at his awkwardness, shaking my head as I get back to work. I notice he left but again, I ignore it.

"JERK!" Rings out clearly, and my head snaps to the origin. A woman with really dark brown hair just tossed alcohol into "Ted's" face and is now leaving the bar. I quickly grab a rag and head over, seeing the back of a blond friend of his. This friend is currently laughing.

"De-wait for it-nied! Denied!" He shouts. What is he, five?

"Excuse me, are you alright, sir?" I ask "Ted" and the blond man steps out of the way, turning around and letting me see his face. I freeze while handing the rag over to the "denied" friend as my almond brown eyes take in blondy's face. His high cheek bones, smooth skin, blue eyes, fluffy blond hair- I finally snap out of it when the rag is grabbed and I move my attention to the man that needed it.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you, uh..." Ted trails off and it takes me a second that he doesn't know my name.

"C-Cage." I stammer, feeling light all of a sudden. I glance between blondy and Ted shyly, feeling my face burn before I turn away. "Well, I, uh, should get back to... work. Goodbye, Ted." Before I can leave, Ted grabs my arm to stop me as he hands the rag back.

"How do you know my name?" He asks, nervously might I add, as he removes his hand. I wring the rag in my hands shyly, feeling stupid.

"Uh, blondy said it earlier when he was introducing you to Yasmine." I reply, trying to gather my nerves. "If you'll both excuse me." I add, pivoting around and speed walking back to my place behind the bar so I can serve some more drinks. I'm surprised by blondy suddenly appearing and I nearly mess up the drink I'm working on but I save it just in time.

"Blondy? My name is Barney Stinson!" He exclaims, as if I should know. I raise a brow, finding his actions cute. Cute? Why would I think a guy is cute? Wait, I said his actions so... "Hello!?" I jolt slightly, my stance stiffening as I follow his hand movement waving in front of me.

"Uh, huh?" Is my witty reply. It's his turn to raise a brow.

"I asked for a beer." I nod, handing him a bottle. He looks between the bottle and me before I understand he needs me to open it.

"Hold it tight," I instruct, reaching forward and popping off the metal cap with just my thumb. It was a trick I learned after having to do it so many times for my dad. I could do it with my teeth too but that's unsanitary for the customers. "Anything else, Mr Stinson?" I ask and he stares at me before Ted walks over.

"What's your thoughts on marriage?" Ted inquires. I blink and turn my attention to him before my mood sours slightly. Keeping a small smile on my face, I answer him honestly.

"It doesn't last and only causes pain to all involved." I say seriously before leaving to attend to another customer, leaving a baffled pair of friends behind. I didn't see them the rest of my shift.

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It's currently the next day and Ted, blo-uh-Barney, are back. Except this time with two more friends. A tall brown haired male and a short red haired woman. They seem to be a couple. The four are also in a heated discussion before Barney spots me, waving me over. I have to sing in a few minutes but I decide I could take their order down first.

"How can I help you folks-?" Next thing I know, Barney is standing up and kissing me while his friends gasp.

"Did Cage give me the signal?" He asks, looking directly at Ted while I stand there in shock. Barney looks back at me. "I was going to kiss Marshall but he's a four and you're an eight and if Barney Stinson was kissing any guy, it'd be an eight!" I blink. Was that supposed to explain everything?

"I'm not a four!!!" This "Marshall" complains while the red head sends me an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry about our friend, he doesn't have a filter. But since you're here, could you please tell my friend, Ted, that you kiss someone on the first date?" I smile nervously.

"I, actually, uh... never got the chance to date anyone. I was always working so yeah..." I trail off lamely. Before anyone else could speak, Carl calls out to me.

"Cage! You're on!" I give him a nod before waving a small goodbye to the group of friends and taking my leave. In the corner of the room, a small stage is set up. No one would notice it unless near it or looking directly at it. I climb up, adjusting the microphone stand before nodding at Carl.

"Play it!" I call and drums begin to play, followed by electric guitars.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"Am I more than you bargained for yet?
I've been dying to tell you anything you want to hear
Cause that's just who I am this week
Lie in the grass next to the mausoleum
I'm just a notch in your bedpost
But you're just a line in a song."

My voice rings out, loud and clear, and they all seem captivated. I only care about one pair of eyes though. They're blue and belong to a certain blond.

"Drop a heart, break a name
We're always sleeping in, sleeping for the wrong team." What is wrong with me? Since when do I have these thoughts about guys? Hell, since when do I have these thoughts at all? Dad never let me have a girlfriend and I always thought it'll end up like his marriage did. He drilled that into my head by breaking my arm or cutting into it. Carving in names into the skin of my chest, arms, stomach, back, and legs. I still have those scars. I grab onto my sleeved right arm, the warmth of my left hand burning into the scar that I knew was there.

"We're going down, down in an earlier round
And sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it." More emotion fills my performance as I try to make the lyrics that weren't mine more meaningful, catching Barney's eyes with mine. My breath catches slightly but I just use the new air in my lungs to sing the next set of lyrics, still staring into his eyes as I rest a hand on the mic.

"We're going down, down in an earlier round
And sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it." I close my eyes, trying to get his awed stare out of my mind. I needed to forget about such feelings. I was unlovable, right? At least, that was the word mostly carved onto my body... carved into my heart, soul, and mind. Tears prickle at the corner of my brown eyes and threaten to flow but I hold them back.

"Is this more than you bargained for yet?
Oh, don't mind me, I'm watching you two from the closet
Wishing to be the friction in your jeans
Isn't it messed up how I'm just dying to be him?
I'm just a notch in your bedpost
But you're just a line in a song." I reopen my eyes with fresh pain as my emotions start to overwhelm me. I need to hurry and finish this song before I break down in front of all these people.

"Drop a heart, break a name
We're always sleeping in, sleeping for the wrong team." Why did I do this to myself? Every time I sung, I let my thoughts run wild and immediately my mind would bring up the past. Why can't I forget it? Why can't I move on? I continue to sing words that I can no longer hear since my mind wonders even further. To my tenth birthday.

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I spent the morning sobbing from the beating last night. My dad had broken my arm and now he was angry at me, screaming at me to stop crying or he'd silence me permanently. That worked though since I quieted down but silent tears still fell. He left me alone, saying something about not wanting to deal with a whining bitch. I cradled my arm to me, my three year old sisters staring at me before asking for food. I guess they've always been selfish.

Getting up, I feed them the cake the neighbor gave me, not even getting a slice for myself since they ate it all. I really was unlovable, huh?

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"We're going down, down in an earlier round
And sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it!" I finish before muttering a quick thank you and rushing off the stage, running to the men's bathroom to puke. Once I finish, I wipe the corners of my mouth, glaring at the chunks in the toilet bowl before flushing it angrily. Pathetic. I rinse my mouth out with the sink water, splashing my face with cold water before looking into the mirror. My heart stops when I see my father standing behind me and my eyes fly shut.

"No!" I hiss before reopening them, finding nothing there. I give a shaky sigh of relief before Ted enters with Marshall.

"Are you okay?" The taller of the two asks. I nod at Marshall.

"Yeah, just, uh... bad case of stage fright." I murmur, grabbing a towel to wipe at my wet pale face before turning to face the two instead of peering at them through the scratched mirror. "See you." I say, walking past them.

"Hey, do you want to hang out sometime?" Ted calls, making me pause. I shouldn't get anywhere near them. They could hurt me. I close my eyes. I'll keep my distance, see if they're true or fakes, then decide what to do from there.

"Sure." I whisper, leaving the bathroom to go back to tending to the bar and customers. I have no idea what was to come, but I knew I could handle it...

Hopefully.

Love it? Hate it? Let me know!!!

Always crazy,

CasHasSass

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