Benji

Descent into Darkness

"Hey! My name's Alex. Alex Young. Nice to meet you! So, we'll be rooming together? Great! I'm sure we'll have an awesome time together.

"What are you majoring in? English? Hah, I always hated English class. I could never understand why everything connected back to some theme or central message or something. Sucked at writing essays, too. Well, lucky you, then. I'm here for chemistry. Science was pretty much the only thing I was good at, so that's what I'm here for. Math, too, I guess.

"So, Benji, you want to do something tonight? Got some board games, if you feel like inviting a bunch of people over. Risk, if you've ever heard of it. Really fun game, especially when you've got a lot of people playing. You should've heard some of the crazier things that happened because of that game. One night, one of my friends tried to choke another guy. Had a really bad day, I guess. In the end, it was all laughs, so it was okay. All's well that ends well, right?"

"So, do you want to go to the ice cream place today? I heard that they've got a great deal on chocolate on Tuesdays. Well, then, why not? Got any other plans?

"Ahh! I think I see where you're going, there! Don't bother trying to deny it; I know that you've got yourself a girl. Lucky you! Got yourself a girl already. Oh. Makes sense, then. Though, I'm surprised that a guy like you got a girl in the first place.

"Ow! C'mon, you know I was just joking. Of course I was. And what do you mean by that?

"Do you mind bringing me along, then? I'm always in the mood for some ice cream. Aww, c'mon. A favor for a friend? Great! It's just an ice cream parlor, anyways; my intrusion shouldn't ruin anything for you. You can always just get a fancy dinner, later.

"I'll shut up. I'll shut up. You've got to learn to take a joke.

"Hey, Benji, could you get my sweatshirt for me? Thanks. So, where are we going? That sounds good. So, your lady friend: what's she like? Really? That's nice to hear. And you'd think all the pretty ones wouldn't go for the geeks and the nerds.

"God! I was joking! Lighten up!

"I guess, it's a good thing that the ice cream place's so close by. Not too long of a walk, and it's readily available ice cream. Yeah. I agree. Looks like the perfect place for that."

"Hello, Zephyr! Benji's said a lot about you. Really? Is that true? Well, that says a lot for him, then. Wow, Congrats, Benji, you just took a joke. I'm proud of you. That was a joke, too! Of course I'm not expecting you to catch all of them. At least, most of them. A grand majority of them. So, Zephyr, mind ditching him and teaming up with me?

"Ow! Okay, I'll give you that one. But…"

"Dammit, Benji! I've know you for what, a month and a half, now? You're a cool guy. I respect that. You've just got to get a hold of yourself! You take life far too seriously, you know that? I know that! That's why you've got to accept that well over half the jabs I make at you are jokes. I swear, you've got no sense of humor!

"I'm sorry for saying that. No, I shouldn't have joked about that. No, no, I understand that it's a touchy subject. Look here, it's my fault on that one. And I'm not joking.

"Yes, it was. If it makes you feel any better, we'll just call it even. Deal? I'm good to hear that we're on the same page again. I can't even bear the thought of living with a roomie that hates me. Aww, c'mon, I know you don't hate me. Who can hate a loveable guy like me?

"Okay, okay, shutting up now. But seriously, I'm happy to know that we're on even terms, now. I'll just accept the fact that she's yours and we'll go on our merry ways. Yeah, I know that."

"You've started getting real quiet, lately. Y'know that? No, everyone's got to have at least something to say. That isn't healthy, man. So what are you going to do about it, then? Just let it destroy your life? I bet it will. One of these days, you're just going to snap. Go crazy like that guy in a bunch of Stephen King's stories.

"I was kidding. Of course, you did. I seriously think you've got to talk more. Let other people know what you're thinking, y'know? Zephyr's told me a lot that you tend to be a bit reclusive. Not hea—

"Dude. Calm down. Nothing says I can't talk to her in the hallways, right? On campus, between buildings? I see her a lot, actually. No, and it's not what you think. Besides, if I were, why would I tell you? You'd probably punch my face in and feed me my own arm. I wouldn't want that, would I?"

"Dude! You really have to calm down. I understand the yelling, but that's a bit harsh, y'know? Look, I know what I said, and I'm sorry—

"Ow! Dude! Cut that out! I don't want to hurt you! I hoped that feeling was mutual. I know! I've seen enough of it already. Look, I'll stop if you stop. Hurting people. You've got to learn to control yourself. It means, you're a cool guy, but you get violent sometimes. No, and I didn't expect you would.

"Look, if I stop, you won't have to do anything to either of us, right? So we both win. Me, maybe, but I hate seeing things done to innocent people. I don't know, but just don't do anything to her. Please.

"Good. Can we make this up? I know; I'll take you for some ice cream as an apology. So? How's that going to stop us? We can get some ice cream whenever we damn well please.

"C'mon, let's go get us some ice cream.

"Nah, I didn’t. Of course! The real question is…"

"…Do you love her? If you really loved her, you wouldn't really do that. Really? I've seen how mad you get sometimes, and, well, I don't know. Uh-huh. Dude! Benji! Careful out there! No, you weren't. Wait for the damn light, next time! I swear; you're going to die like that, someday!

"Crazy. Just crazy. Nothing! That's what I said. What? I will tell you that this isn't a— So what? I'm not seeing what you're trying to get at, here. Get back here! I don't need this. Whatever happened to getting some ice cream? You dragged me all the way out here for nothing? I hardly see that as a reward. Now let's get us something to eat. You liar! You're terrible at it, anyhow. That's because I don't lie. Not often, anyways."

"What are you talking about? Of course that didn't happen. What 'last time'? Oh, that. But do you think I'd really want you to hurt her? So why would I?

"It wouldn't be so grievous if you'd also— What? No, repeat that again. So you mean to tell me— So… Never? What—

"Ow! God damn! Cut that out! I told you that I would stop! Yes, I did! I swear— God damn! You can be so god damn violent and it's really starting to bug me. I mean, really. So what about that last time you didn't like what I told you? Yes, you did! Ice cream, ice cream, and more god damn ice cream. I'm being serious. Well, then, it's your fault. In fact, I recall that you were…"

"Insane. That was just insane. How do you do stuff like that? So, master magician, will you reveal your secrets? Aww, c'mon, what about to help a friend? You know why! I'm losing so badly, it's not even funny! I can even tell you that…"

"Salsa is on the counter. Not my fault if they're too spicy for you. Aww, c'mon, Zephyr, you know I was joking. Just like the last…"

"Three in a row? Those dice have got to be…"

"Loaded? Is that really— No, it can't be. You're just kidding me, right? Like that joke ring you gave me for Christmas. The one that shocks you when you touch the…"

"Zephyr! Get out of here! I'll—"

"Crap! Don't tell me that—"

"The damn thing is really loaded! What the hell is wrong with you?! I—"

"Run! He's right there! He—"

"Shoot! Door's locked. Benji…"

"The sound of my voice! It's…"

"…going to be the last thing you hear…"

"Benji! If you hurt her…"

"…I'm going to make sure…"

"…the last thing you remember…"

"…my words…"

"…kill…"

"…your sanity…"

"Benji! God damn, he's here! We've got to…"

"…get across the street, and then…"

"…a car! Benji, watch out…"

"…going to die like that…"

"…someday, I…"

"…Benji! Are you…"

"…dead…"

"…dead."