Vivian couldn’t comprehend what exactly was going on. His teacher knew his step-father? He had also mentioned something to the fact that Theodore had returned here. Theodore had moved them back to his hometown?

Philip seemed to pick up on Vivian’s overly confused state of mind and quickly tugged on his sleeve. “Come on Viv, we still need to change into our full out costumes before the masquerade ball starts. Plus I have a surprise for you afterwards.”

The nickname did it’s usual job of quickly anchoring Vivian’s emotions and inner voices. How long it would last was still up in the air though. “Oh, ok.” Vivian let himself get dragged away by Philip. Noticing on the way out a nervous but thankful nod come from Philip’s aunt. Was she involved in this as well? Was he the only one who didn’t know anything?

How much had Theodore kept from him? Vivian tried to think of what he even knew about his step-father in the first place. The more he tried, the more he realized he didn’t know anything about Theo from before he became his surrogate father. The only thing he had picked up was that it was possible that Theo had problems with his own parents. Theodore dedicated so much to Vivian’s life and had thrown his own past away just for him. The voices saw the cracks in Vivian’s mental state that they hadn’t been able to go through in a while.

You not only ruined your mother’s life, you ruined the life of the only person that took care of you. You tied him to you so that he could never return to the place where he belonged. You forced him to take you with him when he divorced your mother. He’s not even related to you. Why do you assume he would want you? Why would he care about someone that he has no blood ties with? You are just the son of his ex-wife. Why would he tell you anything? Of course he had a life before you. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Are you such a narcissist that you insist that others take care of you? Everyone has a life that they want to actually live. You don’t belong in their lives. No one really wants you. You should just disappear. Why are you still here? You are just polluting your step-father’s life.

Vivian could feel the blood rushing out of his body. He needed to sit down and curl up. Why had he left the hoodie at home? He had to find somewhere to ride out his mental breakdown. Yet he had no control. His eyes were glazed over and he couldn’t focus on anything. He could tell that his body was moving, but he couldn’t remember why. He thought he felt something warm holding his hand. It was comforting, but he couldn’t remember what it was. The voices were so overwhelming and unending. He just had to believe that wherever the warmth was bringing him, he would be safe. It was so warm and nice.

Soon he felt more warmth envelop him. There was also a little bit of pressure behind it. Not bad pressure, but good pressure. Yet his face still felt cold and somehow wet as well, that was also new. He wanted his face to be warm too. Quick spread to my face Comforting Warmth. His anxious but hopeful inner voice pleaded. Maybe You can burn up all of the bad voices. You seem to be here to rescue me. Vivian didn’t say anything out loud, but the warmth somehow knew and complied. His left cheek suddenly could feel the warmth. Vivian unconsciously leaned his head further into the warmth. His eyes drooped close and his exhaustion took over.

He had never done that before, falling asleep amidst a sudden mental breakdown. Actually relaxing enough to let his consciousness slip away. He was grateful to that warmth that held him.