Suddenly, Zack snapped at him, which made Max jump. "Enough, Max! You're not the only one who has lost someone! He was my friend too!"

  Max was taken aback. He lowered his head in shame.

  Zack looked at the ground, his hands on his hips. "You know what? Forget it....." He then walked away, but Max caught up to him and put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

  He sighed. "Zack....I'm sorry." The blond shoved him off.

  "No Max, you're not." Zack grumbled. "I don't think you ever cared about him, really. You're slipping back into your old self. Don't you get that?"

  Max then began to shout. "You knew DAMN well what was going on with me, and you gave me a chance!"

  Zack scoffed. "But I had to keep you at a far enough length from us! Mostly HIM!"

  "I'VE CHANGED FOR HIM!" Max shouted as his voice cracked. He then spoke in a lighter tone. "He's a good friend that I could have conversations with.....even if he IS an annoying little shitball that talks my fucking ears off." He instantly regretted saying that, because Zack threw his fist at him. Max was appalled by this, as he looked at Zack in surprise. He then noticed that his blond friend was crying. Max couldn't tell which stung worse, the hot pain left on his cheekbone, or his heart wrench at his friend's reaction.

  "Zack...."

  The blond then pushed him. "How can you be so SELFISH? Matthew was right.....you're not the same!"

  Max growled. "I DON'T WANT TO FUCKING TALK ABOUT HIM ANYMORE!" He then found himself crying.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "YOU'VE CHANGED MAX! I - I don't even KNOW you anymore!" Zack said with disbelief in his eyes. His friend then took off, leaving Max speechless.

  He found himself screaming at the top of his lungs with anger, regret and grief. He kicked a big rock into the pool, and watched as it sunk to the bottom; he watched the ripples disappear until he can see his reflection. Max knelt down. He noticed the area that Zack punched him, was turning a deep red. He then looked a the eye patch. He took it off, and looked at the scar created by Azazel's claws. When he slowly touched the wound, it stung, making him wince.

  He then noticed his scarred iris. It lost its color. The blue that was once in his iris, was replaced by a discolored, cloudy gray. He sighed. He took one more look at the monster he has become, then closed his eyes in shame.

  He HAS changed.....

  Shadow was right.

  Zack was right.

  Matthew was right.

  He turned around and saw Zack standing behind him. Max shook his head as tears welled up. He felt a huge wave of guilt hit him in the core. "Zack......I'm sorry...I'm sorry I've been so selfish. You guys were right......I - " Max found himself at a loss for any more words.

  Zack looked at him with sadness. Max went up to him and embraced, they patted each other on the back.

  "I pushed you all away...." Max realized. "Even him...."

  Zack hugged him tightly and let go. "Do you need a minute?"

  Max nodded.

  Zack smiled as he left him, once again. Max slowly turned to him. "Zack?"

  The blond stopped and turned around to face him. Max looked at the ground, then at him. "I will never forget that day I met you guys....I'm not proud of the person I was back then. I will never forgive myself for the way I treated you both."

  Zack nodded his head as he took a breath. "I know....and I didn't mean to lash out. I know you're not that kid we met. Some parts of that still lingers within you....but I know you're trying to be a better person. I'm proud of you for that." Max nodded and smiled at Zack. He pulled out the silver necklace he always kept in his pocket and slung it over his head. The blond then noticed the necklace. "You still have that? After all this time? I thought you threw it into the forest long ago!"

  Max shook his head. "I've always kept it close."

  Zack smiled, then walked back to the others.

  Max then turned to the reflection of what he had become.