Mary just wants to be left alone

*This story is under my folder “Trials of having a brother.” Gacha Club character designs are under this forum: https://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic/117842-my-character-designs-lt-33-3?start=150. Enjoy!*

Introduction 

Mary loved stories about vampires and ghouls, she loved horror movies that made her scream and romance movies that would make her swoon. She loved to talk about the things that made her grin, but her little brother, Mike…

He would take every opportunity that she spoke to make fun of her for being “weird” and sometimes, he called her “hurtful” when she yelled at him for calling her weird.

Mike wasn’t appreciating Mary for who she was and she was tired of it all. Tired of not having a moment of peace where she could simply enjoy what she enjoyed.

So, Mary would teach Mike a lesson in a way that he would most certainly understand!

Chapter One

It was yet another summer day at Mary and Mike’s house. Mom and Dad had left for summer work and since both teens did not find a job that summer, they were left to stay and take care of the house.

Mom and Dad had left a few hours ago, Mary was in her room, Mike was in his. She had a gift in one corner of her room that she had gotten for her fifteenth birthday party a few weeks before. It wasn’t something that any human had gifted her, but something that he bestowed upon her, something that he wanted her to find.

He told her to wait until the time was right to open it. Mary thought that the time had come.

Chapter Two

Mary picked up the rectangular box wrapped up in pink wrapping paper, complete with a pastel pink ribbon wrapped around it and dragged it towards her bed, for it was as tall as an average six year old child and then, she sat on the edge of the bed, unwrapping it without any hesitation.

For inside of the box was the very thing that was needed to call upon him, the very thing that would get him to help her.

There was a rusted lantern on an iron, black-painted staff adorned with gems of many different dazzling colors, what would call him to the human world.

Chapter Three

He said that the lantern was gas powered a long time ago, but it had since been updated to be electric, so, Mary pressed on the black button on the bottom of the lantern, then waved it high above her head, reciting:

“From the shadows and the sorrows, the need for the humans to bleed, from the hollow crevices of the soul, I call upon Tancredi, master of misery and woe!”

Mary kept the staff held high, awaiting for Tancredi to appear.

Chapter Four 

It didn’t take long for burgundy smoke to form in the middle of her room and then, for a tall, spindly boy around her age (at least, that was his appearance) with waist-long black hair cascading around his chestnut-tone face, wearing a black tailcoat and matching shirt, pants, and boots. His hair was all tangled in knots and cobwebs stuck to every part of his body like souls that were reluctant to be alone.

Tancredi smiled at Mary with sharpened, jagged teeth that weren’t all the same size and then, he extended a clawed hand towards her, asking:

“What do you call upon me for, my love?”

Mary’s heart rushed a little, for it was all just like her favorite gothic romance movies and stories, all happening to her, in real life.

Chapter Five

“My little brother doesn’t like to hear me talk about all that’s supernatural and he’ll go so far as to make me sound like I’m the worst person ever! I know he doesn’t like what I like, but he keeps on going and going and-“

“You want me to teach him a lesson? Torture him a little? It’d be light torture but I can go a little further if you want. I could even kill him if you would like that.” Tancredi said, the grin not leaving his face.

While it was a tempting offer, somewhere deep in her heart, she knew that she’d regret having Mike killed, so, she’d settle on light torture, as that would certainly be enough for him.

Chapter Six

“No, just some light torture, please. He’s bothering me and I want him to stop.” Mary said, accepting Tancredi’s outstretched claw.

He then glided towards the door, still holding Mary’s hand. Mary opened it and told him that she’d lead him to Mike’s room.

As he glided, she thought back to the day that they met, the day she saw deep red sparkles rain down on her…

Chapter Seven

FLASHBACK

Mary was sitting outside on the grass backyard, surrounded by her unwrapped gifts. The party was outside and held at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, but it was coming to a close. Everyone was inside, talking amongst themselves and getting ready to leave. Soon, Mary would have to join them.

But her heart was full with a grief she didn’t think she’d ever feel. For most of her life, birthdays were magical days where she could feel special, where she could feel alive.

Most of the gifts she got were things that her family imagined she would like, based off of things other girls her age would like. They didn’t know her that very well and if they did, then they “wouldn’t be able to find it”. Her other gifts were money and she was expected to spend the money on stuff she wanted for herself.

Mary was more than grateful for the gifts and knew deep down that her problem was a first world one, but it still would have been nice for her fifteenth birthday to feel like how it did when she was younger, to feel the glory and splendor of it all, to-

Deep red sparkles landed all around her, on the grass and on her skin.

Chapter Eight

Tancredi stopped where Mary had led him to, letting her swing the door open and into Mike’s room.

Mike, as expected, was sitting on his bed, playing some kind of video game on his phone, but then, he looked up, his eyes went wide, and:

“Mary, what’s going on?! Who is that weird guy?”

Chapter Nine

“Weird, huh? You always call what I like “weird”. This is my boyfriend, Tancredi!” Mary cried out, letting go of Tancredi’s claw.

Tancredi stepped forward towards Mike, who still looked at him in confusion and maybe a small spark of fear. He then raised a claw and out from the ceiling, sharp, pointed red shards, unlike the gentle red rain on Mary, pelted down, giving angry, bleeding scars to Mike’s skin.

“What is this?!” Mike screamed as he tried to shield himself from the shards.

Chapter Ten

“Just a bit of magic to stop you from making fun of me!” Mary shrieked against the storm of shards. It was rather noisy at the moment, anyway.

“How is this going to stop me from speaking the truth? You shouldn’t like death and monsters and all that stuff! It’s weird and creepy and it makes you do things like this!” Mike yelled. Tancredi didn’t stop, for he was the one who loved and appreciated Mary, unlike some people.

Really? The absolute nerve and audacity Mike had to talk as though he was only being helpful to her with his comments! She didn’t need him to speak about her interests! He was thirteen years old and he didn’t know anything!

She’d let Tancredi continue for a bit, but then, they would both have to get better with their methods if they seriously wanted Mike to learn his lesson.

Chapter Eleven 

FLASHBACK

From out of the ground, a slender, dark brown hand with long, clawed fingers emerged, followed by the body of a spindly boy with swishing black hair that went up to his shoulders, smiling at Mary with sharpened, vicious teeth.

“I have wondered what love would be like and now, I see it in you.” The boy said softly.

Mary frowned, hardly believing her eyes at what was happening in front of her. She didn’t know who the boy was or how he got there, but he looked like he was around her age…and was he declaring his love to her?

Chapter Twelve 

“Why not? I never make you feel bad for what you like! Why can’t I like what I like?” Mary said.

If Mike kept bothering her with useless questions, then she’d scream her thoughts until his ears bled. Tancredi looked like he was getting tired of the shards, because the red rain had stopped and he stormed towards Mike, wrapping a claw around his left arm as he dragged Mike to a spooky-looking black portal.

Of course, Tancredi waited for Mary, because he knew she’d want to see him in action. He knew her so well!

Chapter Thirteen

“I could show you my world after this is over.” Tancredi said as his hand twisted in the distance, Mike’s screams resounding in the void.

They were all in a void, Tancredi using his powers to twist Mike’s limbs. He asked Mary the question in a soft, sweet tone, his eyes dazzling with love.

Yes, she always wanted to come to his world, his world that he spoke of only a few times, but could she stay forever?

Chapter Fourteen

FLASHBACK

“But what about me do you love? Why me, specifically? Why?” Mary asked.

Tancredi pulled her close, his eyes never losing its vivid spark, his grin never faltering. It was a nice thought, that he loved her, but just why would some kind of demon or whatever he was love her? At all?

“I sensed your distress and my heart hurts for you. I sensed your creative soul and I wish for you to flourish. Even if you don’t love me back, I will still help you do what you wish. Nobody deserves to feel the way you do.” Tancredi whispered in her ear, his voice in the rhythm of a song.

Either he was compassionate towards how she felt about Mike or he never had a sibling before. Maybe both. She supposed that the “rivalry” between her and Mike was “normal”, but still, it’d be nice if he wasn’t insulting her every few seconds…

Also, Tancredi had such a lively smile, such sweet eyes…and he loved her.

Chapter Fifteen 

“Are you really going to fall for that? If he’s torturing me then he’ll kill you later! What makes you think that he actually loves you? I mean, you’ve got to be stupid to think that-“

“Shut up! You literally don’t know anything about him!” Mary yelled, because what did that loathsome thirteen year old boy know about true love or devotion or-

“Do you?” Mike asked in between screams as Tancredi twisted his limbs beyond mortal comprehension.

Chapter Sixteen

Mary said nothing to Mike, because what was she supposed to say? She knew that he’d just make fun of her. Tancredi loved her because he sensed her misery and wanted her to be happy. That was what she knew about him and she would continue to know more about him after he was done torturing Mike.

“When he’s gone, I want to make sure that I don’t lose you.” Tancredi said, his voice laced with woe.

And of course, Mary wouldn’t protest to what Tancredi would do. How could she pass up such a happy ending that was waiting for her?

Chapter Seventeen 

FLASHBACK

Mary and Tancredi waltzed together, a swirl of deep dark rain falling on them both, a result of Tancredi’s powers.

It all seemed like such a beautiful dream, the two of them waltzing. Tancredi didn’t say a word, but his mere presence was enough for her.

“I have something you can use to call me.” Tancredi beamed.

Chapter Eighteen

“Mary, in order for us to be together, I have to inhabit your body, constantly live in your mind as a voice, controlling you when you need to be. It’s the only way. Are you willing to do this for us?” Tancredi asked, looking at her expectantly.

Mary saw that Mike was glaring at her like he wanted to strangle her, but she was thinking about what life would be like to have Tancredi in her mind, Tancredi speaking to her, controlling her…

Controlling her.

Chapter Nineteen

Could she really give up her own flesh to him? Mary loved him, but if he controlled her, then he would control everything she did and…what if he changed how she acted? What if he made people hate her?

She loved him, but again…why would she need to give up her body to him? Couldn’t they love each other without all of that extra stuff? Couldn’t-

“Mary, I’m waiting patiently.” Tancredi beamed, his eyes twinkling softly, but with something else, something more pronounced.

Chapter Twenty

“No. I don’t want you to control me and I would like for you to let Mike go.” Mary said.

Tancredi’s eyes flashed like he was hurt and Mary felt something inside her break as she stared at them, for saying the words felt like betraying him, but looking at Mike’s curling form and tearful eyes felt more like a betrayal and really, did she need to have him tortured?

Tancredi still didn’t let go.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Tancredi, what are you doing? I told you to let go.” Mary said, for she couldn’t believe that Tancredi was just standing there, staring at her, his one hand extended towards Mike.

“I know that you did, but you don’t understand what you just said. I have to do this so that he’s not in the way. Please let me do what I-“

“Don’t you love me?!” Mary cried out, because if he truly did, then he’d let Mike go and they’d all be happy again.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I do love you, which is why I won’t let go of Mike. Think about it for a second, really think about it.” Tancredi pleaded, his brown eyes sprinkled with desperation.

He was asking her to think about it, but she already knew her answer and she didn’t want to see him hurt Mike any longer, so she ran towards Tancredi (well, what served as running in a void that didn’t really have a floor) and extended her hands out, pushing Tancredi aside.

The connection Tancredi and Mike had broke, no longer was Mike in his grasp, but Tancredi’s eyes were sprinkled in tears, which choked at Mary’s heart a bit.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Let me go, Mary. Let me hurt him. You don’t understand that he deserves this for bothering you, that-“

“You said you were attracted to the misery of my soul? Did you want to use me? Honestly?” Mary asked.

She had already asked the question before, but she wanted to ask him when he wasn’t torturing Mike, before she ran away.

Tears stained her eyes. 

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tancredi swallowed hard, as though the words inside were making him choke. He looked up at Mary with longing, with a hint of confused softness and he said:

“I did want to use you for my own life, but I thought you wouldn’t mind.”

Mary stared at Tancredi, the words lingering in the air around her like an unspoken curse, waiting to be set free. He thought that she wouldn’t mind? That she would want him to use her for his own gain? How…how could…

She let go of Tancredi and ran off to check on Mike, prepared to return back to her own world, back to her own life, without him lurking in it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Mike’s bones were all broken, just like how Mary feared, but it had made sense for him to look like that.

She picked him up and carried him, his arms and legs jutting out at unnatural angles, his spine twisted backwards and so, Mary called out to Tancredi:

“FIX HIM! Fix him NOW!”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Tancredi did not listen, he simply ran away, but Mary chased after him, holding Mike close to her.

She pushed Tancredi down only a few seconds ago, she’d certainly make him help Mike.

“If you actually love me, you’d listen!” Mary cried out, slightly out of breath, but determined to not give up.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Why?! You don’t love me, so-“

“Shut up! I don’t want to talk about this anymore! My brother could be dying and if you don’t help me right now, then I’ll force you to, I don’t care!”

Tancredi’s mouth curled into a smirk as if to ask her “what she was going to do about it”, but then a flash of fear came upon his face, as if he remembered her pushing him down mere seconds ago.

And maybe he remembers that he loves me. Mary thought wistfully.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Tancredi reached out with one claw towards Mike, moving his claw the same way he used to torture Mike, except he shaped Mike’s bones back the way they were before, put back together neatly.

Mary didn’t say anything, for it felt all too surreal for her to speak, to think of a “proper” thing to say, until-

“I…I feel better now.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“You’re okay? You feel okay?” Mary asked, looking down at Mike.

Mike nodded, his eyes slightly tired, but content, at least.

Tears blurred her eyes as the void melted all around them. How could she ever want to hurt her own brother, whose bones looked like they were all intact but must have felt like they were ripped apart? How could she have chosen some demon she just met over someone she loved her whole life? Sure, he got so, so, so badly on her nerves to the point where she wanted to smack his face so hard that all of his teeth fell out and that wouldn’t change, but…

How could she want to torture him?

Chapter Thirty

“You can hate me forever for this, but I’m sorry that I let Tancredi hurt you. It was so, so stupid of me and-“

“Yes, it was stupid, but hey: You came to your senses. Now you’re not allowed to be mad at me anymore!” Mike said with a smile.

He broke away from Mary’s arms as if he were annoyed to be in them and then, he walked away, presumably to let Mom and Dad in, since it looked like the period in between the afternoon and the evening, the time that they would be home.

Mary could see that she was no longer in the void, but at home, in her room.

And the stick to call Tancredi was nowhere in sight.

Epilogue 

Mary hadn’t heard from Tancredi in two years, but she did not worry much of it, for she had her own life to worry about and sometime in the summer, when she was seventeen, she had received a folded piece of paper that read as:

“I love you, but I need to work on myself before I can get to you. I promise you that when I get back, I will not be as violent.-Tancredi.”

Mary smiled as she put the letter in her jewelry box. While she was happy that he was working on himself, she couldn’t deny that he only wanted to do what she asked and she had asked him to hurt Mike, so there was still work to do on her part.

Whatever would happen, she’d be ready for it, with a more clear, sound mind than before, because life was full of lessons and she was willing to learn them if they made her a better person.