Hello, my people! I am back- Ummm... I'm back! I would like to apologize for my leave of absence. I did not know it would be this long for me to consider publishing again. It's been a period of just reading but hey- the new Tokyo Ghoul spoilers got me to write again so here you go!

Damn Dog: Part III

"Okay, so whenever you are full of emotion... do you ever seem to rampage out of control?" I thought for a moment- nodding to her, "Does it feel like something strange?" She perked her head following my chest.

"Yes… it get fuzzy-" She gave a small giggle,

"Well, it is electricity…" She lifted two hands, "It usually depends on its user. For example- water always makes kids feel deep pressure as if their chest has lost all air." I frowned at the way she laughed at me. "Sorry." I shook my head.

"It's fine...How can I stop it though?" Her eyebrow lifted almost as if I was speaking a different language,

"Nothing we can do to stop it, Alfred." That was not what I was hoping for, "but we can manage it and use it to your advantage!" She lifted up a finger to me. "We have to make sure you are able to control your abilities so that you will always be able to use it!" I nodded,

"What's the secret?" She looked taken back, "You know how do I control it?"

"That's for you to find out!" I pressed my eyes closed,

"What?" I finished with all this goddamn symbolism-

"Joking." She moved her hand forward poking my chest. "It seems to only happen when you're stressed, nervous or anything that can raise your heartbeat?"

"My heart?"

"Your stress levels rise... your heart pumps an abnormal amount of blood- you know? It is anything that can make you feel unusual?" She tilted her head a bit, "The younger children either go through it all day or not at all." She shrugged, "They freak out a lot of weird things like ice cream or comic characters."

"You haven't seen a sixteen-year-old freakout?" She shook her head,

"They all have it under control at that point Alfred." She shrugged, "But we'll get you there!" She could feel the amount of hope I had placed on this, "First let's begin with breathing?" I nodded as she sat back, "Cross your legs for me?" I stared at her, I was in a suit. "No...Nevermind that…." She still rose her hands a bit, "Close your eyes." I did, "Okay, now take in a deep breath," I felt my lungs expand, "Hold it!" I could feel her raise her arms over my shoulder, "Release." This was all I had to do? Breathe?! She pushed my shoulder back a bit, "I am going to ask you to do something for me-"

"Sure."

"Alfred," Her tone changed, "I am going to ask you to think of what causes you to feel scared… what caused the fire." I opened my eyes, shaking my head to her.

"I- I don't want to-" She seemed unsurprised,

"I know it's hard but I need you to remember the amount of stress you felt. I need to see what it is."

"I don't want to feel like that again-"

"You will if we do not solve this. I can guarantee you will." I wasn't up for depression first thing in the morning. "Now close your eyes." I stared at her for a moment, "We have to sort through this Alfred?" "I know." I didn't want to,

"Now please, close your eyes." I gritted my teeth and held my tongue, closing my eyes. "Good." I heard her fingers clasp, "Take a deep breath in-" I felt my stomach sizzle a bit, "Now, out." She repeated herself again. "In…" I heard her move from her chair- circling me, "now remember what happened that day." My memory corrupted of that day, so much happened… Mom. She was the one thing I remember. The blood, the flesh… The smell of something burning… Was it her organs on the stove- No… "Breath out." I let a small scoff out sucking in more almost gasping, Did I burn my mom's torn body? She wouldn't have told me if I was hurting her-! I fumbled with my breath, "Alfred, continue breathing but block out my voice-" It was such a bad day. She was…. Disemboweled… My mom didn't even have eyes- a chance to see me. Her eyes gouged out. My stomach was churning and I was feeling it make its contents making their way back up. I tossed my mother's body… I-I… My head began to hurt and I felt a violent shake come over me. "Al-" I didn't even cry at her funeral. I haven't cried since that day. Was that normal- mom… she wanted me to be normal- was any of this normal?! My fingers tingled and I felt a familiar feeling. I felt a wave pass over me. Was I speaking- I felt two arms grip my shoulders.

"MOM?!" My eyes grew large as I stared forward. It sizzled, the glowing blue ball hovering over me, the size of a basketball. "What-" I looked over myself, "Hey is that nor-?"

Boom!

There was an ice bag over my head, the smell of burning was all over me. I had even changed into some gown thing. How? "Did your nose stop bleeding?" A little old lady came over to me, she smiled taking off a bloody rag over my face.

"Yeah- but -"

"I know…." She looked behind her a bit, "Get some sleep, you can stay here all day with me okay?" She winked, eyeing my feet. I kicked my feet up on the thin bed, moving. She tucked me under a blanket as I fell into a slight slumber.

"Where is he?!" I heard Dr. Bergman's voice.

"He is resting." I clenched my eyes tighter, "He hurt his head over a metal bar and his nose bleed has yet to stop."

"Fix it!" She was pouting like a child,

"Keep your voice low in here, the child tired." The little old lady? "It is your fault as well that he is in this state! You should have given him an older instructor, and a proper room." I could hear her anger. "Get him up!"

"How? I gave him a strong sedative-"

"I know-"

"It is a very strong sedative. I recommend his family come get him. He should go home."

"I need him awake by last period. I am going to test him myself." "He has no idea how to use his ability. What are you going to do if he hurts a student with scary parents instead of a sweet teacher?" "Where is she?"

"I healed her." She sounded bored, "She is speaking with Coach. They want to understand what happened and what they can do to prevent it. What you should be doing instead of being angry at a young man."

"Aggghh!"

"Don't scream in my office." I heard her voice groan,

"You know he's like his mother right- a bit-"

"Are you still angry? Go find a husband or at least run the school ." "You never married-"

"Oh no I didn't but look where I'm at- listening to an unqualified woman scream at me."

"I want him awake. He has to go meet the other children at the very least."

"I'll make sure he's up when he's ready." I heard the woman grunt, and the door slams behind. I laid still, not wanting to let her off I was awake. "I know you are awake." I stayed still, "Are you implying that you haven't woken up yet?"

"..."

"I didn't give you any new drugs." I had to speak up,

"I'm awake."

"How much of that conversation did you hear?"

"Everything."

"Well," I could hear her sit down in her seat- rolling towards me. "What are you going to do?"

"I can't have my family pick me up."

"Do you want to go to last period?"

"No."

"Good." I opened my eyes seeing her lean forward, touching my cheek. "You do look like your mother you know?"

"I know."

"I'm sure she angry because she was expecting for you to be weak."

"I am." I heard her give off a small chuckle.

"No. No- I assure you at the level you are at you are much too strong-"

"Did I hurt Dr-"

"She's fine. I made sure of it- but you did shock her." I moved up,

"I have to apologize-"

"Why?" I stared at her, she looked puzzled.

"I hurt her!"

"You did so out of your of your own knowledge. It was her fault for actually thinking she could teach you."

"Bergman forced her-"

"Do not raise your voice in here young man." She pulled her cardigan tighter,

"How old are you?"

"16."

"She is a new educator and has only taught the youngest children we have received. She should not have tried to please Dr. Bergman- the woman knew what she was doing-"

"How could she?!"

"Again, this is no shouting place. Speak," I loosened my shoulders, "and look at you."

"How could she have known?" I let out a sigh,

"Your mother was a late bloomer."

"What does that have to do with anything?" She moved forward- tracing my nose.

"You look like her."

"She was my mother-"

"You look exactly like her, but I do suppose other may say you look like your father?"

"They're my parents-"

"She hates your parents." I felt a lump in my throat. "She knew your mother Alfred... she put three experienced teachers in my office when they were testing her abilities." She crossed her arms, "She was only twelve."

"Twelve?!" She nodded,

"I'm four years-"

"We had all thought it had passed you up- we all should have known better." She sighed. "After ten it seems that the children's abilities double in strength... Yet your mother seemed to have quadrupled in power."

"Wha-"

"It means Dr. Bergman knew better but wanted you to hurt someone." She shrugged, "To be honest you did more damage to yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"You broke two ribs- they pierced your lungs. Blood everywhere."

"I'm fine-"

"Of course you are, I healed you!" She smacked my chin, "You'll feel it after the drugs leave your system."

"But-"

"You lost seven fingers, tore a chunk of flesh from your cheek." She pocked my chest, "You are now missing a kidney and a foot of your small intestine."

"How-"

"Water started to seep in the room- not a room anymore- more of a hole in the school." She pushed her seat back. "They seemed to lose it in the stress of getting you here without completely letting you bleed out." I moved my hand to my side. "I worked and managed to stop the ruptured lung but you'll be coughing up blood for a while." I didn't feel different. "I am a good doctor. I can bring back someone at the edge of death but let me tell you, your heart stopped six times." Why is it this bad? I felt fine.

"I do want you to go home." I placed my hand on stomach,

"You want to vomit?" I nodded, as she looked down- she already had a trash can. I took it up, letting what remained in my stomach leave me. "I can remove the scars on your stomach in a week or so- but right now I want you to know the pain will be setting in soon."

"Pain?" She couldn't heal me.

"Everyone thinks I ease the pain." She shook her head, "I saved your life, but cannot stop the agony you are going to feel."

"Give me something-"

"The only thing that can help you get through the pain would be to induce a coma."

"A coma?"

"It'll be the only thing to keep you away from what will come."

"How-" I felt a strip of blood leave my nose. She shook her head,

"It's been bleeding since the first surgery." I lifted my sleeve- and spread it over my skin. I looked down to it. "You are in a gown. You didn't have clothes after what happened." I shook my head, pushing my feet to the ground. What the hell is wrong with this lady?! I am fine- I placed weight over my feet-

"AHHHHHHHHH!" I fell forward, my face colliding with the ground. I felt a chill run through me,

"It's leaving your system faster than anticipated."

"Ahh!" It was piercing pain. This agony was horrific. Needles piercing through me- I was sure of it. I heard her lower herself next to me, as something shoved into my mouth. It eased the pain. I was numb but not in pain. "What?"

"This medicine leaves your system every thirty minutes." I was on the ground,

"Give me something stronger."

"This is more than enough to kill a herd of elephants." It was so small, how could it kill anything. "Alfred, your body is not accepting anything foreign. It gets rid of everything. It's repairing itself, to be honest."

"Then-"

"The reason the sedative worked so fast was because of this, it's protecting you, Alfred." What? I looked up to her, "Don't tell anyone that bit." She lowered herself, pulling me up and setting me down on the bed. "It'll scare more people here."

"What am I going to do-" A knock on the door scared me.

"Excuse me?" I looked back to the door, stepping in I saw a blonde boy. His hair next to white- he peeled in.

"I didn't call for you Tino?"

"I heard someone scream-" His accent I was sure I heard it before. His eyes met mine. "Who is he?"

"His name's Alfred." The older woman placed her hand on my head. "Soon he will be in your class." "What?" "He is the new student all the rumors were behind." "Is he the one who hurt our seniors?" "That is him." He stepped in, moving to the bed. The room was white- it smelled like a hospital. Where was I? "He sounds like a

"What?"

"He is the new student all the rumors were behind."

"Is he the one who hurt our 3rd years?"

"That is him." He stepped in, moving to the bed. The room was white- it smelled like a hospital. Where was I?

"He sounds like a babe."

"He does."

"Was he also behind the explosions this morning?"

"Correct." He quirked his head to me,

"How old are you Alfred?"

"16." He moved his hand to my forehead.

"He should be fine-"

"He broke his neck over a metal beam?" I looked over to the old lady. "Right you are." The room was silent. "I will take him home." I tilted my head.

"Good." Wait. Who was he? My mind cluttered at any thought. He ducked down to my face.

"Moi!" What? "I will be taking you home!"

He slid me into my car. He was strong, I weigh like- a lot. "Who are you?" He buckled me, pulling his face up a bit.

"You are not very smart huh?" He was laughing?! I opened my mouth to say something only for him to move his hand up playing pill in my mouth. "Swallow." I did as instructed. He pulled back, "Good. Not too stupid." He closed my door, walking around and going in the opposite way. Wrong. Not right. I wasn't driving. Wrong country I whispered to myself. He sat down and paused. "I am Tino. Finnish."

"You finished what?" He pressed his mouth closed.

"I mean I am from finland." Oh.

"Oh."

"Where is your home, Alfred?"

"I moved in-"

"You have no clue?"

"It's gated community?"

"Is it far?"

"It took like seven right turns." He smiled at me,

"That is what I needed to know." He pulled up my keys, "Tell me, what is your ability-"

"I can't tell you." He smiled at me. "You are new!" He smiled a bit before throwing the car into reverse without looking back. "Are you insane."

"You could say that?" He spun my car to first and flew forward. I held my seat. "Anyways, I manipulated weapons."

"Is that an ability?" He looked at me straight at my face as he took to the street.

"No. It is not."

"What is it then?" He smiled.

"You haven't told me and you are bold enough to ask me?" He was speeding when he took his first right, "Let's play a game, guess okay" I nodded. "Peek, soldier, expert marksmanship, or adaptation?" I froze. Only one of those sounded like a power. "What is an adaptation?" It didn't sound correct.

"I can confirm."He didn't look like much- but he did manage to bring me to my car something a peek soldier perhaps?

"Peek soldier?"

"Correct!"

"Really?"

"No." He sniffled a bit, swerving again another right. That feeling was back. "If it feels hard you can lay back and sleep."

"I-" I paused, how did he know what I was feeling? "Can you read-"

"Not minds. Well not completely?" I pulled my neck up, hearing a horrific crack. Toni looked back at me, "Your neck broke. Don't look so shocked that it is making those sounds."

"Wha-"

"I cannot read minds…" He took another right, "I read emotions." That sounded sappy, "You don't have to be so irritated." I turned to him, another crack loud in the air.

"It doesn't sound all that cool." He smiled looking forward,

"It is not." He gripped the steering wheel. "It is annoying to know what other people feel."

"I bet."

"Not everyone has dangerous powers that are lethal-"

"Really?!"

"Yes." He took another right. "Everyone whose powers is not as desirable as others... are usually subjected to learn other things, Alfred."

"What kinds?"

"I didn't lie when I said I was an expert marksman."

"They let you shoot?" He nodded,

"My friends don't want to risk having me get in the way." He seemed to swallow hard, "I usually watch outside." My eyes widened, I pressed my mouth closed. He told me what his powers were.

"I sort of have- what they told me was electricity manipulation?" He didn't react,

"You sound unsure."

"I don't know what it is- or even how to use it-"

"There is no rush for you to figure this all out, Alfred." I did have a time limit. I was going to be tested soon, I have to finish this school and try to take up what left of my normal life. He moved his hand over touching my arm. "Alfred, can we speak about your mother?" Everyone already did speak of her. "I meant her death." I coughed, feeling a squirt of blood leave my mouth.

"Let's not."

"Alfred. I am not a student you know." He offered me a smile. "My ability allows for me to know what you are feeling even when you are unsure of what it all means." He's the therapist- shit! "I am the school's therapist."

"You're a student?"

"I know it's confusing. I am not supposed to be working." Why were these rules placed if they were not going to follow them? "I'm not doing it for pay, it's more of a need for me- it helps me receive my doctorate in psychology."

"I get it." He took another right. "You know we have to speak for a while right?"

"I know."

"It would help if you could start, I can interpret what will happen." I smiled a bit, "My mom was murdered. Did you hear the details?" He shook his head,

"I want to hear it from you."

"She didn't look like my mom- she was just in pieces." I didn't feel like crying- even thinking about it now. "I haven't cried." I looked to him for what it meant. "Not all people shed tears at the moment-"

"I haven't cried since that day- at all. I've been in pain and hurt but for some reason… I don't have tears? Why?"

"You are in trauma Alfred." He took another right, slowly shifting into place. "It's not uncommon for you to be confused. The woman who was always in your life-"

"She was never in my life." I sighed, "I saw her once a month when I was lucky- she only took care of-" I felt my temper grow.

"Breath." I did so, holding the seat below me. "I spoke with your brother… Matthew."

"I don't live with him." "He told me. You left home, Alfred?"

"I had to."

"Why?" I looked to him, "You're not a real doctor right?" He pressed his lips, "I will not disclose our conversation. This is a patient and Doctor relationship."

"Good." I was not going to tell him. "I don't want to live in that house. There is still a blood stain on the ground. Eating there makes me think of what they did to her, I don't need to deal with that." He eyed me.

"Is that what you want to say?" I nodded. "I will not force you to open up to me, I will not do that. You may feel as if all this change is unnecessary-"

"It is." He nodded, "I will prescribe you medicine-"

"Don't need it." He took another right, easing slowly as I saw we were in my neighborhood. "How does that work?" He shrugged,

"I wouldn't know." We stopped at the gate, seeing a cop move from his position. He looked in my car.

"Mr. Alfred?" I lifted my hand up to him, "You are home early from school?" Toni looked up,

"He felt nauseous. Doctor Suzy said he'll be out most of the week." The man eyed me,

"I am," I responded at this he went back to his post and opened the gate for us. Tino reached under me, carrying me bridal style. God this was embarrassing-

"Alfred!"

"Mrs. Martha-"

"Bring him in-"

They led me into the house,"His room is the fifth on the first floor. He nodded taking me into my room. He moved me to my bed, softly letting me down.

"Martha!" I could hear her make her way to my room, just for Toni to look back at her. "Could you make him something eat?"

"Of course… Will you be staying as well?" He looked back to me,

"No. I have school to get back to- but I have something in the car for him."

"I will go get it-"

"Don't bother. I will go get it and we may discuss what action will be taken on him."

"Actions?" I was dizzy from all this,

"Your recovery. He should be fine in three to four days."

"Wha-"

"Alfred shush." Next, to me, my fat cat laid down, Meow! Everyone's pissing me off. Even the cat.

"Alfred?" My door was opened by Martha, her hands holding a tray with steak and potatoes.

"Is that for me?" She nodded, "Toni told me to inform you that he will be here tomorrow after four." I sighed,

"Did he leave pills?"

"He did." She sat next to me, placing the tray on me. "He gave it to me in a gallon jug."

"I don't like him."

"Classmates?"

"Yes." She smiled,

"He seemed concerned about your face?" I moved my hand over my cheek. "It will scar."

"I know." Martha leaned back, "What would you like for dinner?" I stared at the tray over my stomach,

"I think this is enough-"

"I will prepare us chicken soup, is that alright?"

"It's fine. I'm not hungry at all-"

"Have you lost your appetite?"

"Yes-"

"I never said eating was an option." She sat up, "I will be staying here until you fully heal."

"I can manage."

"You may be able to manage but who will feed the cat?" I looked at her, she wasn't leaving me.

"If it's not too much of a problem." She smiled,

"Alright. I will go make us dinner, you should finish that-"

"I am fine."

"Finish it." I nodded lightly, pulling up my fork. I dug into the meat, satisfying her only when I began to chew. Martha left my room door open, only for the cat to peek over the door edge. Meow! I chewed slowly, Meow! He moved around my room, peeking in. I watched him, pushing back my plate at the edge I saw three pills under the plate. I took them into my hands and quickly into my mouth. Three pills. Not too long, how many of these pills would I have to take before I am fully healed? Ring! Ring! I heard Martha's shoe tap, rushing to answer the phone in the kitchen. "Hello?" I heard her listen just as the cat came into my room. Meow! I felt tired, really tired. "Alfred?" My eyes were heavy and just as I brought my head back up, I saw Martha at the door. "It's your Grandfather." I nodded moving my arm up taking the phone from her hands.

"Hello?"

"Alfred- are you alright?!" I was feeling worse with him screaming into my ears.

"Fine. Did the school call you?"

"Yes, they said-"

"I sprained my ankle, I can get through it no time."

"I will go back to England to check-"

"I'm fine. They made a big deal of nothing- and don't come back on my part. Ms. Martha is taking care of me."

"I'll call your grandmother-"

"Don't bug her.. I swear I'll call you when I'm not tired Pappy." He continued speaking. "I'm really tired. I'll call you when I'm better." The phone slowly slid from my shoulder to my stomach and finally, my head fell back.

"Ugh…" I pulled my head forward, hearing nothing. My neck sounded better, "Alfred?" I looked up to see Martha the television booming. When did I have a tv in my room?"Are you awake?"

"I am." I sat up, my eyes opening. "How long was I out?"

"Several hours."

"Hours?"

"Eight hours to be precise." I was out for so long?

"Eight?" My mouth was dry- and my stomach empty. I moved my hand to my throat holding it.

"There is a cup of water on the bedside table next to you." I moved my hand to it, taking it up and drinking- I tapped the back of the cup it was empty already? "Oh my! I will serve you dinner!" Her feet tapped away, leaving me in my room. I stared at the tv- seeing a familiar movie. The Godfather?

"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." I curled back, hearing my stomach churn. I am starving,

"Alfred." Martha held my tray, a bowl, and crackers. I felt my mouth water- why was I so hungry. "Tino told me those pills would put you out for the entire day. I was scared- he told me to give you three- and I have never seen anyone take so many pills at once."

"Those weren't the ones they gave me earlier." She placed the tray over me, I started eating the moment I took up the spoon quickly taking up the bowl. "He said you would get your appetite back when you woke up-" I held it in my hand for a moment, "looks like you have!" I set my bowl down taking up a cracker slowly chewing it.

"When did I get a Tv in here?"

"The television?" She took her seat next to me, "I had one placed in every room when you were asleep. Thought it would be great when a guest comes over." She seemed to be quiet, "Is something wrong?" I shook my head,

"Mom never lets me have a tv in my room- said it will only give me an excuse not to study."

"Are you going to have problems studying? If so we can have it removed-"

"No! No… it's fine… I like it." She smiled only to give me a displeasing look,

"You hung up on your Grandfather- he threatened to turn his entire flight back if you did not call him back."

"Is he coming back?"

"No, I told him I have you a good sedative. He did ask for me to ask you to call him when you woke up-" Her eyes drew to my bowl, "Dear me- you are a growing boy are you not?!" She reached out taking the bowl, "I will go refill this."

"Please." Again I was left alone. The room was dark- with no natural light, did I not have windows in my room? Martha walked in,

"Are you feeling better?"

"Tons." She set down my bowl full, going back to the seat next to me.

"Someone came around earlier- she was very worried for you."

"Was she?"

"She is your neighbor-"

"She came over?"

"She did." She sighed, "She said her son looked for you- and you were not in school so she was worried. She left a note, and asked for you to get back to her as soon as possible."

"I'm so popular here."

"Ay." I felt my head move to the pills set next to my tray. "Are these?"

"No." She shook her head, "The one he gave me to give to you one more than last time- it'll last another hour." I nodded. "An hour?"

"More or less..." I took them without another word, swallowing them dry. "I fed Americat."

"Some kids in the neighborhood named him." She gave me a cheeky look,

"I should go to bed-"

"Mrs. Martha have a nice night at home-"

"What do you mean? I'm sleeping in the room next door."

"You aren't going home."

"No…. You are hurt- why would I leave a child who can not move alone in a large mansion?" The way she said this made me realize I was an idiot. "You don't mind staying with me?"

"Of course not." She shook her head, "I am going to go to the store tomorrow morning, Do you want anything specific for breakfast?"

"Waffles?"

"Homemade waffles-"

"No! No… Eggo waffles are fine."She gave me a light smile.

"Okay."

To be continued...

Heyo! I am back. You thought I forgot about this aye? No. I did not. So here ya go. Oh.. this is the end. You probably read it. Sorry! Bye!