It Started With A Wrong Number ✯

4. I Know Who You Are

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Aaron look up and sigh. He looks out the window, outside at the snowy scene. As if waiting for something. My eyes narrow suspiciously. I type my reply to Pedo Bear and send it, before looking back at Aaron.

Me: Cool. Now I'm not the only rainbow I know. 🏳️‍🌈 (　＾∇＾)

Aaron looks at his phone, and I see a small smile cross his lips. He starts typing, and I see the little bubble on my phone that tells me Pedo Bear is typing.

Now I'm almost certain I'm texting him. I feel shock running through me. If I really am texting my biggest bully, then what does that mean? If it really is him I've been texting, what if he finds out who I am? Will he abandon me? Make his bullying even harsher?

Make me want to kill myself sooner?

Aaron Mitchell would never stand beside me. He would never help me, or be nice to me. But what if he is Pedo Bear, and he does use a mask? I could be completely wrong about him. He could be fighting his own battles, with no one to help him, like me.

Maybe... No. That would never work. I don't believe we could ever help each other. Our situations are completely different. He's doesn't want to be rejected for being gay. I've already been rejected by everyone, and now I'm just trying to find peace.

Well, when you put it like that, maybe it's possible we would help each other, Vengeance says softly.

I don't know, I think.

Vengeance smirks. First sign of madness, talking to yourself.

I'm having a conversation with myself. Imagining that I'm talking with someone who isn't there. Vengeance is just a figment of my imagination, I'm consciously adding what I think he would say. But he's... I'm right. I'm gonna go mad.

Maybe I could become a crazy killer creepypasta. I feel a tiny smile cross my lips as I think of how I picture Vengeance as a psycho killer. Black hoodie, jeans, sneakers and hair; pale skin decorated with scars; flaming, sunset orange eyes complete with a vertical scar going over the center of both eyes.

All the characters I imagine Vengeance as have those two scars. I don't know why, it's... like a signature, one that makes him, him. I've thought a few times of making those scars over my own eyes. I've refrained though, because then people would know I'm not OK.

Wait, how did I get to thinking of this? First it was Pedo Bear coming out. Right, Pedo Bear, he should've texted back by now. I look at my phone, and see he has indeed texted back.

Pedo Bear: Really? My favourite helicopter is gay?

Me: I prefer the term rainbow, thanks.

Pedo Bear: ( ◠‿◠ )

Pedo Bear: Have you come out?

I hesitate, thinking if I should answer honestly or not. What if he guesses it's me? I'm not ready to have my only friend abandon me. So, lie it is, I guess. Or at least not the whole truth.

Me: Yeah

Pedo Bear: Really? How'd it go? Who'd you tell first?

Me: My mom. She didn't take it too well at first. She's alright now.

No, she's not. She got worse, and started taking everything out on me.

Pedo Bear: What about your dad?

Me: He left before I came out.

Pedo Bear: Oh.

Pedo Bear: I'm surprised you told me that.

My eyes widen slightly. I'm actually surprised too. I'm getting comfortable with him. Barely thought about what I'd sent.

Pedo Bear: But thank you, for trusting me enough to tell me.

Pedo Bear: At least, I hope you trust me.

Pedo Bear: What trust level am I at? I wanna know why you don't have anyone else to talk to.

I smile slightly.

Me: Uh... Level 10?

Pedo Bear: Wait, if your mum's alright with you being rainbow, why don't you have anyone to talk to?

My body tenses. How do I respond to that?

Pedo Bear: AH, are you lying to me? ಠ_ಠ

Me: No

Of course you're not lying, Vengeance says.

Pedo Bear: I don't believe you. Have you really come out? Is your mom really OK with your sexuality? Or are you not even gay, you just said that?

He can't know, I think, glancing at Aaron. He's still looking at his phone, eyebrows furrowed, a look that I think is suspicion on his face. If it's Aaron and he figures out it's me, everything will get worse.

Vengeance grins. So find out if it's him or not.

Me: Tell me your initials.

Pedo Bear: Why?

Me: I'm having suspicions on who you are. I want to know if I'm right or not before I tell you.

Pedo Bear: I'll tell my initials if you promise to answer everything I ask with 100% honesty and not leave anything out. And that includes anything I ask in the future, not just now. I promise I'll always tell the truth.

I hesitate.

Me: ... OK, I promise I'll always answer honestly. Now, initials.

Pedo Bear: Middle name included? Or just first and last?

I think for a few seconds. Meh, why not.

Me: Middle too

Pedo Bear: A.C.M.

My breathing hitches. I've overheard a few conversations in the past, and caught wind of the fact that Aaron Mitchell's middle name is Conner.

It's him it has to be. I'm texting my biggest bully.

So what does this mean for me? For the weak friendship we have through texting?

What do I do?