Mind Games:

Simone’s Notes:

Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that is psychologically harmful. It involves the willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal and non-verbal conduct. It is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such as situations of abusive relationships and child abuse.

Alex was finally starting to get on with his life. His grades had improved again. The lamb wasn’t avoiding anyone anymore. In fact, he was starting to talk to people a little bit again. Alex even rediscovered his female crush.

Rebecca Cho was a beautiful girl. She was sixteen just like he was. They were the same grade. Her long black hair came down to her waist. Her eyes were a lovely golden-brown. She looked really good in her maroon and silver uniform. Rebecca’s shimmery hair clips completed her looks gracefully. From junior high, Alex was infatuated with her. But he was just too shy to even walk up and say hello. Not today, not this time. The lamb was going to reclaim his life after all of that hell with the Fallen Ones. That was a step that he had to take in order to get on with life again. “Okay,” Alex thought as he walked over to Rebecca at her locker. “Just say hello to her and ask if you can have lunch with her. If she likes you too, then great! If not, oh well! Move onto the next one! What’s the worst that could happen?” He made it over to his crush. Alex stood there waiting. Rebecca looked up to see the boy looking at him. He gave her a little wave.

“Hi…” Alex forced himself to say. Rebecca turned to him from her locker.

“Hello,” she said to him. Alex stood up straighter.

“I’m Alex Shepherd,” he said. “I was wondering if you would like to have lunch with me today.” Rebecca looked him up and down. Alex was a nice-looking guy. Short blackish-brown hair to his ears, slender, normal height, cute-looking face, healthy complexion, and polite-sounding. She figured that she could give Alex a try after all. Rebecca smiled at him warmly.

“Fine,” she said. “Nice to meet you, Alex. I’m Rebecca Cho. I’ll meet you under the big oak tree near the gym. Okay?” Alex smiled at her brightly. His luck was turning around now.

“Great!” he said. “I’ll see you then” Then, the bell rang. Rebecca and Alex both went their classes. The lamb was smiling to himself brightly. He had a lunch date. If all went well today, Alex could have a girlfriend in days. He was moving on today.

The day went on nicely. Alex was focusing in his classes like he used to do. The teachers noticed the improvement. He was recovering very well. They just hoped it stayed. Lunch came like it normally did. Alex went over to the big oak tree. Rebecca sat waiting for him. She looked up smiling. Alex was overjoyed.

“You’re here!” he called.

“Yes,” she said. “Were you excepting otherwise?” Alex shrugged at her.

“A little,” he said.

“Well I’m here now,” Rebecca said. Then she patted the ground next to her. Alex sat down next to her instantly. The two students began eating.

“So,” Alex spoke up. “What all do you like?” Rebecca smiled at him.

“Reading,” she said. “I also like animals, mostly cats. Dogs are good too.”

“Really?” Alex asked. “I like dogs too!”

“You do?” Rebecca asked. “They are so cute as little puppies.”

“I know!” the lamb said. “I always wanted one myself! But we didn’t have the space to raise one.”

“My mother is allergic,” his crush said. “My robot dog doesn’t even come close!”

“Nothing beats the real thing!” Alex called.

“I know,” Rebecca replied. Both laughed a bit.

“So,” Alex went on. “What else do you like?” His crush thought about that for a moment.

“I also like to swim,” she said. “Black, blue, and pink are my favorite colors. I like chocolate and sushi. I want to be a pediatrician when I grow because I like children.” Alex looked at her smiling.

“That’s very nice!” he said. Rebecca turned to him smiling.

“And what about you?” she asked. “What all do you like?” Alex blushed instantly at that question.

“Oh wow!” he said aloud. “Well, I like dogs as I said before. Reading and swimming are good. I also like fishing. I like a movie or two now and then. Just keeping to myself. I like you too. I don’t know what I’ll do yet. But, I might become a father one day.” Rebecca smiled at him sweetly.

“That’s so sweet!” she called. Alex blushed again.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah,” his crush said. The two talked on and ate all while lunch went on. Alex felt himself falling in love with her already. Right then, he that he had to be with her again. Sure, the Fallen Ones would be after him soon. But Alex knew that he couldn’t spend the rest of his life being afraid of them and what they could do to him if he tried to live his life. If he did, the lamb wouldn’t be able to move on as he needed and wanted to. And with that, Alex knew what to do next.

“Hey Rebecca,” he spoke up. His crush turned to him lightly.

“Hm?” she asked him. The lamb swallowed hard at first.

“Can I see you again soon?” he asked boldly. There was a pause for a moment. Alex hoped that his crush would say yes. Rebecca smiled at him kindly. She lightly took his hands into hers. The lamb felt his cheeks turning red. His heart was racing in anticipation. He hoped the answer would be a good one.

“Yes,” she said. “You can see me again. You can even walk me home if you like!” Alex was overjoyed now. He now had a girlfriend.

“Great!” he replied. “I guess I’ll see you after school then!”

“That’s right,” his soon-to-be girlfriend said. Then, the bell rang for them to go back to class. Rebecca turned to him smiling.

“Want to walk with me back to class?” she asked him. Alex had a grin up to his ears.

“Sure!” he called. Then they rose to their feet and walked to class hand in hand.

Above in the trees, Edward was watching his little pet. Jealousy had consumed his soul in seconds. He did not want to share the lamb with anyone else in the world. The alchemist didn’t want his pet to be in love with anyone else. Rebecca was a threat to his work and needed to be destroyed.

“Oh hell no!” he thought. “No one is taking Little Alex away from at all! I’m going to kill that little bitch if she gets too close to my pet!” But he couldn’t act now. Hastening would ruin the progress he had working on Little Alex. Oh no, he was going to wait it out until the time was right. Planning things like this took time and skill. He was lucky that he had both. So the new couple would be able to rest until the night of the kill. But right now, Edward had to visit a pilgrimage to his favorite goddess before he could commit the act. He needed it before and after the murder he was going to commit. He had to think clearly in order to move on with the great plan to build and awaken the Fallen World. Edward stood up and flew straight up into the sky. He began plotting his blood work for Rebecca Cho. May the cruel and brutal mind games begin.