Angst and Death.

Out There.

Jack watched from his attic rooms window, the thirteen year old boy staring down at the snowy roads and other kids running around, kicking some sort of ball while he himself sat, rubbing his sockless and shoeless feet to ensure they didn't freeze, his door creaking open.

"Good afternoon Jack" His uncle Ivan said, coming into the room holding onto a small cloth,

"Good afternoon uncle" the boy mumbled quietly.

"What seems to be the matter?"

"I was invited to join them..." Jack said softly, picking at the black latex gloves he was always made to wear.

"Oh?" Ivan said already his voice growing sharp, "What did you tell them?"

"That I couldn't" he said softly and Ivan walked over, grabbing his nephew by the chin, forcing the boys eyes to meet his,

"Good...and why do we say that?"

"Cause of these" Jack said glumly holding up his hands, Ivan smiled, patting the boys head,

"Good boy Jack"

"I just don't...see why one afternoon will hurt" Jack said weakly, not letting his brown eyes meet his uncles steel grey ones which no doubt had grown hard due to the biting tone his voice held,

"The world is cruel, The world is wicked, It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city, I am your only friend Jack, I always have been"

Jacks shoulders slumped, once again turning to look at the boys playing,

"You're dangerous Jack"

"I'm Dangerous"

"Out there? They'll see you as nothing but a monster, a freak"

"I know"

"And why do you think that is Jack?"

"They're right, I'm a monster, I'm a freak"

"That's right, would I lie to you?"

"No Ivan...."

Ivan nodded, putting the cloth full of food down on Jacks side table and leaving the attic room, leaving Jack alone once more.