Victor was exuberant. He grabbed Ghosti's hands and twirled her around.
The Shadow had vanished the second before she arrived on the scene.
Why was he like this? Victor couldn't answer; he was alive, no longer in pain. . .and was with a friend? Was he happy? Victor didn't think he had ever been truly happy in all his life.
Victor leaned very close to Ghosti and whispered in her ear "You are beautiful, you know."
Then he turned quickly around and ran toward the lake. Why was he being this stupid? Maybe a cold soak would help him think!
As he got close to the lake, he slid out of his jacket and shirt before he dove into the icy water. He heard a gasp; turning quickly he saw Ghosti, her eyes were wide open in horror. She had seen it, his body, his scarred body.
Victor looked away. Hating himself. He didn't want to scare anyone! This was why he. . .but no. No one could ever feel comfortable after they saw his lacerated body. The scars that were delicately scrolled and carved into his flesh. Hell! Even he couldn't stand them.
"Are you surprised?" He called after a little while. . .no answer. He smiled sourly. This is what comes, after happiness comes an empty void; Ghosti would no longer want to be around him. Every time he happened to be next to her, she'd look away or get up. This was how it always was.
"If you ever tell anyone about this. . .I'm afraid I'll have to do something about it." Victor's voice had an edge to it, how he hated this! Just when he started getting close to people!