From Lucia:
Mason, how have you two been? I'll be swinging by the church in a few days so I'll be able to see you both soon, are you excited?!
The phone screen shines brightly in the dim room as Mason stares at it blankly, not quite sure how to respond. Sighing he rubs his face and sits up properly, twining his fingers together the brunette pushes them out to stretch them. Picking his phone back up Mason hesitates a moment before beginning.
How are you? Things here had been great, we had a guys night after you set up Xavier's new sound room, he was really happy about it and played an amazing song with Kyle straight away! But the next day when I came back from a mission something was wrong. I could sense a really strong demonic presence inside the church grounds. I followed it to the church but when I looked inside I found Xavier. His skin was starting to turn green, from something similar to the possession curse I think, and when I approached him he attacked me. He didn't even seem to be able to see me but when he came to he just ran off.
Vincent brought him back later and I cleansed the presence from his body but he wouldn't wake up, I have never encountered a curse this strong either so you should check Xavier over when you get back as well. I sent Vincent home and was planning on staying with Xavier for the rest of the night but I was called out for an emergency early in the morning with the others.
When we returned that presence was back but when I went inside Xavier wasn't anywhere, so I checked the church and it was trashed, the air was tainted with powerful magic but still I couldn't find Xavier. I called the others to help me look and we eventually found him under the tree at the end of the street.
Do you remember the tree we planted for my lost brother?
Xavier's clothes were torn, he had a large cut on his chest that I had to stitch closed and that curse was back! I cleansed it again and brought him back but when I was cleaning him up I saw another injury. It was so much worse than the one on his chest. Luke I think Xavier has been r-
Throwing his phone across the room Mason shouts at the wall. How the hell was he meant to write about that? He couldn't, he just couldn't put it in to words. It was absolutely terrible, and he honestly hadn't been able to tell anyone about it because how the hell was he meant to say something like that? Gripping at his hair the brunet pulls it until it stings his scalp as he goes to retrieve his phone.
After what happened and Xavier had woken up the raven had spent hours in the bathroom and when Mason had checked on him he had had to cleanse that curse again. The other had been standing under boiling hot water, scrubbing and scrubbing at his skin. Blood was seeping from his abused pores but he didn't seem to care. He was muttering under his breath with eyes clouded over, he didn't even react when Mason forcibly removed him. Though Xavier wouldn't remember it.
That curse had returned even though Mason had watched over Xavier all night, even though no demon had come close it had returned. He didn't understand what the hell it was or how to properly get rid of it.
The day after that Xavier had insisted on going to school, despite Mason's protests, but within an hour of being there Mason had found him pressed to the wall of his classroom. The raven flinched whenever someone came close to him, tugged on his long sleeves again and again until threads started coming loose. He'd watched until he couldn't take it anymore and had sent Xavier home, the other had left without protest.
Xavier seemed to be actively trying to repress it all, but something like that doesn't just go away. Mason knew the injury had healed incredibly well since he'd had to pull the other from the shower but even without the physical proof there was still mental damage. Even when Mason tried to get him to talk, to try to help, the raven would shut down and retreat to his room.
Having gone home right after notifying Gregor of the attack, not the specifics, Mason had quickly searched for Xavier.
The other was in the bathroom again but as Mason approached he came out, his usual get up of clothing that hides his skin nothing compared to what he now wore. Mason could see the collars of at least three long sleeve shirts, then a jacket on top of that. He was wearing what looked like two pairs of pants as well. When the brunette had tried to stop him, Xavier had freaked out. Slapping his hand away like it burned him and shouting for Mason to leave him alone already.
It was the fifth day since then and Mason still hadn't told anyone the specifics, Gregor had been around to examine Xavier but they'd been in a room alone together and when he'd come out he wore a grim expression. He refused to tell Mason anything. Honestly the brunet had been hoping the Headmaster would tell someone, would get Xavier help. But no one had come, so Mason knew he had to be the one, but he just couldn't do it.
Shaking his head Mason picks up his phone, no he needed to tell someone, Xavier was only getting worse. Erasing the message he'd written Mason starts over.
Xavier was attacked, you need to come home as soon as possible.
Sending the message Mason slides his phone in to his pocket and sighs. Hearing sounds from the kitchen he tries to bring up a smile and heads out. It was surprising that Xavier was out of his room, but he needed to say something, needed the raven to know he was here for him.
"How about we order some junk food?" he offers as he rounds the corner, a small smile on his face. However, as his eyes land on Xavier Mason feels his heart stop.
Red, why was there so much red?
"XAVIER!" Rushing forwards Mason catches the raven as he tumbles, the knife that had been in his hands clattering loudly as Mason shouts for help. Quickly grabbing tea towels from the drawer nearest to them Mason grabs Xavier's arms with shaking hands.
The blood was getting on him, so damn much of it. The vertical gashes on the raven's wrists are pouring it out freely. How did he not hear anything? How had he let this happen? Quickly wrapping the dish towel around one wrist Mason looks up as the others pour in. Shoving the other tea towel at one he instructs him to wrap the other wrist and hold it tight. Gesturing to his pocket he demands the other call an ambulance.
The blood is seeping through the towel he holds so he presses harder, refusing to acknowledge it. His eyes sting but he taps Xavier's cheek with his other hand. The red from his hand staining the others deathly pale cheek.
"Oi! Wake up! Come on!! XAVIER!" he shouts, louder and louder. He's shaking but he can't stop. Those deep azure eyes finally open, meeting his own teary teal but they just look so empty. "That's it, stay awake for us Xavier." He forces himself to stay, the tightness in his throat almost ceasing his breaths.
Weak laughter reaches his ears, he feels the wrist in his hand tugging meekly. Those eyes move away from his own, to the roof or rather beyond it.
"I just want to die" The words are said so softly, but the pain in them stabs at Mason's heart. This was his fault, he should have helped Xavier more, should have forced him to see someone. Should have done something! Just as he's about to protest Xavier's eyes start to flutter closed, and no matter how much he shouts they won't open again.