It felt like all he did was sleep, but was that a bad thing? It kept him in check. It kept him from pointing guns at his father. Kept him from taking a knife to his siblings in crazed mania and episodes. It kept everyone safe, so was it really that bad for him to sleep? Maybe it would be better for him to be comatose or even dead.

Not only that, but how could he get up after hearing about his most recent actions. Apparently giving someone cigarettes and trying to assault someone else. How could he live with the things he did? He’d use the syringe on himself, the one he found under his pillow, but they’d already confiscated it. How it would kill him though, he wasn’t sure, but he didn’t have the option, nor the knowledge of where it came from when they asked.

He didn’t get up. He didn’t fight his meds to stay awake. He didn’t try anything. Not even to meet any of the others. He’d just put them at risk so he locked himself away in his room, talking only to those workers that came to him to check in on him and see how he was doing. It was always the same hopeless answer of wanting death though. Either curled up in a ball against his headboard, crying to himself, or crying hidden in a ball under the covers. Maybe if he shrunk himself enough, he’d disappear.

Ven didn’t even greet his family when they visited on the weekends. He was told they arrived, but all he could do was cry harder and burrow deeper into his piss poor excuse for blankets. He didn’t leave his room so they never saw him, and even if it was his own fault for not coming out, it still hurt immensely that they left without seeing him. They really didn’t care after all.

By the first failed visit, Ven stopped paying attention to everyone. He’d taken his hearing aid out, and miraculously refrained from breaking it. The thought to choke on it came to mind, but he doubted it was big enough to do any damage. Maybe cause for discomfort for a moment, but nothing much he was sure so no real point in trying. That left him placing it on the nightstand to completely disregard it. The only thing he’d use it for is to hear himself sing after all, but apparently his singing scared some people there so he was banned from doing it for their safety. It aggravated him that they took everything away from him. He shouldn’t allow himself to get too angry though, that’s lead to those devastating black outs.

Did it matter now though? It’s not like he had anything to lose. He no longer had a family, friends, anything. So really, what was stopping him from letting Jack free again?

Maybe he could try to die again. But what else could he do? Sooner or later, he’d end up in a padded room in a straight jacket with all his attempts. They already posted an orderly outside his door to listen for thumping as he tried bashing his head in against the wall. They also trimmed his nails so he couldn’t claw into his flesh and imitate anime in clawing out his own throat, though he wasn’t entirely sure that was even possible in the first place.

That left nothing, much unlike the mind that raced and raced and raced for something to believe in only to come up with nothing every twist and turn. Maybe it was the same after all then.

The only thing he managed to get right was eating. They’d brought him his food three times a day with his medicine, and he without fail devoured the entire thing. It helped. Eating that is. There was something to it so those were the only times to revel. It reminded him of his gluttonous ways when he was younger. Always eating to soothe the pain of isolation. It was comforting, and he found it again. The only times of day to really wait for. He practically lived for it, though it was disappointing when they forced him to take a shower before offering his meal for the time. That really was the only way to get him to do it though, hold his precious food hostage.

All that laying around and pigging out brought forth two nuisances though, one bear and one leopard. How annoying.

“You’re going to be upset if you gain weight again.” Gula insisted.

“Oh yeah? And who’s going to bully me in this empty room?” He spat back rather dismally. His speech was nearly devoid of emotion, only a hint of it remained.

“That doesn’t mean you should be giving up.” Aced huffed, arms crossed as he glared down at Ventus’ pathetically curled form. He was against the headboard of his bed, curled in a ball again and merely glancing at those that spoke to him. Try as he might, he couldn’t help but to revel in the company. He did miss it, but everyone was afraid of him so there was no point in trying to mingle with those that were actually real.

“My family just puts up with me, they don’t actually want me and I’m nothing more than a monster anyway apparently so why does it matter?” His voice cracked towards the end as tears stung at his eyes. He sniffled, wiping sleeved hands at them.

“Think about it. Who’s fault is this really?” Gula brought up. Ven kept his head down however, leading for Aced to speak in his stead.

“It’s that barbarian’s fault for kicking you out for just trying to keep them safe. You’re really going to let them get away with that? They took your life away from you.”

“They did not, it was just a misunderstanding. They didn’t mean it.”

“Then talk to them about it.” A new voice. Feminine, soft. One he loved. Ava. “It’s going to continue upsetting you if you do nothing about it.”

“And how am I supposed to do that when I’m barred from school? It’ll be weird if I tried to talk to them outside. Too pushy and annoying. They’d just get mad at me.”

“Then show your dad that you’re more than capable of going back to school.” The bear again, so high and mighty he was, but Ven couldn’t blame him.

“How am I going to do that here?”

“Well would you rather off yourself pathetically or actually try to fix things?” Gula.

“I-” He lifted his head up.

“We know you’re afraid to die, Ven, so maybe it’s time to start trying again.” Ava moved to his side, extending an arm to cup her hand against his cheek. She might not have been real, but he could swear he could feel her touch against him.

“I’m scared to be rejected again…” The boy lifted his head and cried to her.

“And that’s okay, but you’ll keep rejecting yourself for them until you get up to try and face them yourself. You never know, it might turn out well if you just explain yourself.”

Sniffling again, he wiped away further tears and nodded. Ven leaned over after unfolding himself and grabbed for his hearing aid, bringing it up to put it back in finally. How long had he been without it? Felt like forever. He’d try to gauge by how many meals he’d had or how many times he heard about his family coming, but it all blurred together so it wasn’t of much use. He’d just have to ask then.

For once in god knows how long, Ven got out of the bed and hesitantly snuck out of the bedroom. It was a bit pointless thanks to the guard posted outside his room though. The blond offered a nervous smile to them whereas they offered a bright one back. It was a bit infectious, leading his own to brighten a bit, though it was still rather wary.

“Ready to come out?”

“How long was I locked away?”

“About a month.” He visibly cringed at the notion. He’d been doing nothing but eating and sleeping that long? He almost felt heavier just hearing that. It lead to clear panic, but there were more important things to attend to so he tried to bite it back.

“How many times did I miss my family?” He was a bit hesitant in asking that, but he felt he needed to know. He needed to know how often he blatantly ignored them.

“They were here every weekend, waiting from open session to closed.”

“Everytime?” Ven breathed out in disbelief. “So they did care then?”

“One of them actually made a scene about wanting to see you. We had to stop him from leaving the designated area and wandering.” The guard chuckled at that, but Ven didn’t find it very funny. Instead he felt tears well in his eyes as he looked back up at her.

“They must hate me for ignoring them so long.”

“Trust me, they don’t hate you.” The orderly gave a knowing smirk. “They’ll do anything for you.”

“Then why did they leave me in here for a month?”

“You were refusing treatment and trying to kill yourself everyday, kid, they were concerned for your safety.”

“If they’d just let me go to school I’d be fine!”

“So all this is a temper tantrum?” Well when she put it like that, it sounded childish. It was more than that though, he just didn’t know how to explain.

Ven huffed with offense, puffing out his cheeks and pouting a bit. “Can I just know when my family can visit again, I’m ready to go home.”

“That’ll be up to your dad to let you go home.”

“Right, because he’s been the one keeping me here.” Ven stuck his tongue for a quick “bleh” before quickly pulling it back in. “So when’s the next time they can come, please be today.”

“It is today, but you’ll have to wait for the time to come. It’s time for lunch now after all so why don’t you interact with people and eat.”

“Can I skip my meal actually.” Looking down at himself, he brought a hand up to feel at his stomach and squish it with disgust. It was obvious, but he still looked back up to shine a bright smile. “I’m already full.”

“”You come here several times a year, kid, we know all about you.”

He deflated then only to perk back up and shrug. “That’s fine. I’m sure I could find a way to choke on my food anyway.”

The orderly crossed their arms, giving quite the disapproving look.

“Relax, I’m not going to kill myself.” Ven smiled. “I have things to do.” He seemed so proud and determined. At least before he quickly remarked “But if it falls through, expect me in either here again or the obituary.” Before she had a chance to give a statement on the matter, Ven scurried off towards the general meeting area which also happened to be for lunch and activities. Everything but gym and movies really.

Aww man, I missed out on all the movies.

That’s okay though, he supposed he could just watch movies with Terra, Aqua, and his dad. Oh and Matir and everyone else too! He missed them all so much. But mainly his cat. She was so snuggly. God, he just wanted to hug her and squish her against his face and nuzzle into her soft, black fur.

Squish the cat!

For later though! For now he had to skip out on lunch to make up for being a slob for a month. Maybe work out a bit after talking with some people and waiting for his family to come save him. He supposed he could hide from lunch and skip out on talking too, but what’s the point in other people if they weren’t there to talk and befriend him? A selfish outlook maybe, but it’s just how he worked. If they didn’t want to befriend him, then they were nothing more than npcs to take advantage of or ignore. Why should he stick around people that didn’t like him for no reason? He was great.

Actually, that was a little irritating to think about.

“Sorry, but the guys I tormented are already gone. You’ll have to find someone else now.”

“I’m not tormenting people just because they won’t befriend me!” Ventus hissed back to who wasn’t real.

“Gee, I’m not telling you to, I’m just stating a fact in case you wanna be pissed off without your memories.”

“Sorry, but unlike you, I solve my problems sanely.”

“I’m not insane! I’m the only sane person on the planet!”

He hadn’t even realized it, but his own anger boiled to an overflowing point. His hands were balled to tight fists, and his teeth gritted painfully. Ven even got a few weird looks from those in the cafeteria. Perhaps for coming in after being overall absent and being pissy to top it off. What a great introduction to him, not that his first was apparently anything but the worst already.

Ven took in the many faces having lunch and otherwise interacting and even playing games with eachother. They looked at him with concern. It was infuriating even, but also saddening so he dimmed, looking to a place where no one sat to isolate himself from the rest. Maybe he should just go back to his room and await his family there. Maybe talking to people was a mistake. It had been before after all.

Not even moments after he sat down to tear at his blond hair in frustration for his ineptitude, someone came up to him. A little boy in a light blue sun dress, head topped with brown locks and a brimming smile on his face. Or wait, was he a guy then if he was wearing a dress? Should he say she?

“Hi! My name’s Isaac!” The child reached a hand out for Ven to shake. The blond eyed those watching over them however and shook his head at the other as he loosened his grip on his golden hair.

“We’re not supposed to touch each other.” He informed. That appeared to sadden the young child. Wait, why was he here? He looked much too young to be in their age group. Definitely nowhere near a teenager, but maybe looks were deceiving?

“Oh.” The boy faltered though not for long as his smile came back, shining bright as ever. He kept to himself this time, fiddling with his sun dress. “Well I’m Isaac.” The child stated once again. He titled his small head to the side. “Are you the one that we’re told to be wary of?”

That stung enough to wet his eyes and leave a pang to his chest.

I see, so I’ve been warned about.

Maybe he should eat after all. Now he felt particularly hungry. The most he could do while he waited was chew on his fingers as usual. That was too odd though, so he halted himself before anyone could say anything on the matter. Claim him insane and incapable of leaving this place.

Would they be wrong though?

His head hung and eyes glistened with tears that fell to his lap and on the table before him. “Well, Isaac” Ven breathed out a bit harshly yet pathetically. “Why are you here if you were told against it?”

“Because, we wanna know what the fuss is all about.” Another person. This one a girl. She had brown hair that went to her shoulders and wore a white sleeved top with a black undershirt lain over it. The rest of her attire consisted of a black checkered skirt with black leggings underneath and coal combat boots. She had another with her, a boy...why the hell was he wearing a burgundy suit in a mental hospital. Or well it was just the jacket of one anyway, the rest of his look was more understandable with wearing a grey t-shirt underneath, brown bangs rivaling Leon Scott Kennedy, a true hero that man, and then blue jeans and regular white tennis shoes.

“Are you checking out my girlfriend?” The boy asked.

“Was I staring at you both too long?” Ven asked, a bit red in the face. He wiped his tears away, but failed to be any less distressed.

“Isn’t she great?!” The suit-wearing boy bolstered, gripping either side of the girl and shaking her. They were promptly told to keep their hands off one another, as Ven expected, to which they obeyed but rather smugly.

“So...what do you all want exactly? Also who are you two?”

“Phoebe.” The girl motioned to herself then to the boy behind and beside her. “And Cole.” She leaned forward, hand on the table to keep her balance as she just about studied Ven’s crying face. “So crying boy, who do you think’ll win the election this year?”

Oh god, did he even know anything about politics? He was a nerd that never left home and stayed up way too late playing video games and dancing to k-pop.

“I think I’d rather talk about how I’m crazy actually.” At least then he’d actually have some input.

“Nonsense.” The brunette waved off. “Take your pick. Ted Bundy, Elizabeth Bathory, The Zodiac Killer, or Jeffery Dahmer.” She held up a finger for each as she counted them out.

Did he hear that right though?

“I’m sorry, but what?”

“You heard me, small fry, now pick your candidate to represent.”

“Represent what though?”

“Just pick and provide your case for why you should win the election for president? Roleplaying.”

“I’ve roleplayed, but I don’t think I’ve ever played real people, let alone serial killers before.” Narrowing his eyes, he sighed and rolled them. “Not that the true crime community or whatever isn’t a thing, thinking killers are hot and all. I think that’s the right fandom anyway.”

”I’m part of the true crime community.” Phoebe remarked. Oh crap, she looked pretty disappointed in him. “I’d let Jeffery Dahmer wring my neck while whispering sweet nothings in my ear.” And this is why the true crime community was weird.

“Now I’m not an expert, but did Dahmer do that to people? I really don’t know because I don’t research murderers and stuff. I don’t really live in the real world much.”

“Oh I have no idea either. And I wouldn’t let that happen either. I’d kick him in the nuts if he came after me.” She excused with a small laugh. Oh thank god, she was kidding. “Cole would blow him up for me though, wouldn’t you?” She gave the boy a quick kiss for him to hum against. Again, they were yelled at for touching. They didn’t pay much mind to the nurse though. It wasn’t Maria so what was the point in trying. Probably the bitch that told people to be wary of him, he knew Maria wouldn’t have done that.

“I wouldn’t be proud of it, but if it was necessary to stop another bloodthirsty murderer, then I might. I’d definitely defend you against them though.”

“Another one?” Ven chuckled. “How many bloodthirsty murderers have you gone against?”

“A whole cult of them.” The two replied together. Ven’s carefree demeanor ceased as they didn’t look to be making that up. Were they delusional. Shit, did they actually kill people?

“They were a blood cult for the devil. Mix the blood of the sacrificed with the blood of an innocent, and they’d get whatever life they wished for.” Cole proceeded on to explain. “Try mentioning that and not getting committed though.”

“It’s all true though, I saw the whole thing, and I’m sound of mind.” The brunette again.

“Are...are you two okay?” Ven asked hesitantly. Actually that made him wonder, what was Isaac’s deal? He turned to the kid after the two teenagers nodded in confirmation to his question. “What are you in for then?”

“Oh I ran away from my home after I almost suffocated in my toybox with my dead cat, Guppy. My mom tried to kill me because angels told her I was tainted by the devil and full of sin.” Isaac explained. “I try not to play with toys or wear clothes because those are sinful and I’m a bad person.”

“Shit, kid. I thought we had it tough getting hunted down by demons.” Phoebe remarked. And she was completely right too. Ven was blown away with all of their stories.

“Wait, I got stuck with rape girl and smoker chick and just normal depression and you get the antichrist and demons? That’s just not even fair.”

And thank god Jack didn’t get access to these kids. God knows what he would have done to them if he offered cigarettes to a smoker in rehab and tried to rape a rape victim. How he did either without getting caught for so long, Ven hadn’t the slightest idea. He managed it though, which was unnerving to say the least.

“Actually, if the demons are real, then we have a serious problem on our hands and have to reboot the world again.”

“I’m not even going to pretend that I know what that means.”

“It means I have to tell Constantin to destroy the world to get rid of them.”

Ven blinked, trying hard to process what he was hearing. It sounded insane even to him leaving him to admit, “I’m just kinda insane I guess. A voice is telling me to tell my school counselor to apparently destroy the world and reboot it because you said demons existed so.”

“I’m not a voice! Or not just one! I’m your memories!”

“I’d take my hearing aid out, but that won’t stop me from hearing them unfortunately.”

“I dunno, you guys seem like you have us beat.” Cole mused. “Our ordeal is over, but it seems like yours never ends and Isaac’s is just starting.” Turning to the small child, he gave a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, buddy, but I’m sure you’ll be outta here and back to your new family soon.”

“Oh, I never found a new family. I just snuck in here so I’m not actually supposed to be here. I’ve been hiding from everyone and staying in spare rooms and eating from the garbage when the nurses aren’t watching.

“But the nurses have been scolding me and Cole all day, and you’ve been around us.”

“Yes, you guys are good at keeping attention on yourselves by touching each other all the time. Plus your fun to listen to.”

The three teens just stared a moment at the child of the group before Ven slammed a hand on the table. “I knew you weren’t supposed to be here!” It made a ruckus, but Cole and Phoebe moved to cover Isaac. As for the nurse looking at them. Ven waved a hand high above the two to show the nurse “Sorry, just crazy again. Should probably tranq me I guess.” He laughed nervously.

Toning himself down significantly, Ventus hissed through gritted teeth at Isaac “What are you doing here?! Why aren’t you telling anyone that you’re a run away?!”

“I like it here, and if they catch me, I’ll be sent back to my mom where she’ll then stab me with a knife to sacrifice me to god.” As if he wasn’t already creepy enough, he looked up towards the ceiling with awe as he mentioned the last bit.

“Yeah, your god’s a dumbfuck that got poisoned millenia ago and sought a cure only to end up a god. So he’s pretty inexperienced. He doesn’t take sacrifices though. I would for the lols, but that’s uncouth for him.”

Thanks, Constantin, now I have a god complex thanks to what you told me. Probably read my file and decided to tease me. What a jerk.

His failing mental health aside. “Isaac, you can’t stay here.”

“He’s right,” Phoebe chimed “You’re going to get caught and killed. You need to escape from authorities.” Looking him up and down, she added “I’d adopt you, but I doubt my aunt’ll allow it.”

“My parents definitely wouldn’t ever let me adopt anyone. They already have their hands full with pumping me full of meds for my apparent delusions.” Cole held up his hands for air quotes. “It’s a little exhausting that only Phoebe will believe me, but seeing is believing I guess.” He sighed.

Ven opened his mouth to say his condolences only for Jack to speak.

“I like these guys, I’m keeping them.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Touch your forehead.”

“Umm why?”

“Just do it.”

“God, so pushy.”

“Who’s so pushy?” Cole asked.

“The voice in my head wants me to touch my forehead for some reason.” Ven stuck his tongue out for another small “bleh.”

“It might be an angel speaking to you. You should do it.” Isaac insisted, hopping up and down against the table.

“What’s the worst that could happen. You look crazy in a mental hospital?”

The two had a point. He supposed he had nothing to lose, but last time he listened to Jack, he nearly raped someone. Was this really a good idea? Then again, what could him touching his forehead do? That doesn’t change people’s personalities right? Could be handy if he ever needed a nutjob to beat up a school bully or something so might as well try it now while he had witnesses.

Prodding at his forehead left him looking stupider than he’d hoped, but everyone around him seemed to have high expectations. It didn’t do anything though so he went to move.

“Hold it there and think about how soothing healing in games would feel.”

“This is stupid.”

“Just think about it. Imagine thinking clearly. Hell imagine getting rid of a headache.”

“Oh please, Ventus, this isn’t going to work. You can’t visualize memories that you can’t access.” Another one. Matir!

“Well then you do it. Unlock my memories.”

“Why? So you can torment people again?”

“I’m not tormenting, I’m making friends, now unlock my memories, mom. You want me to get better anyway don’t you so c’mon.”

Ven heard a groan then and oh, it was the feathery looking lady with antlers. Pretty as always but kinda spooky honestly. She moved to him as he stared at her, hand still pressed to his head as he tried in vain to think of what Jack told him. It wasn’t doing anything so he was probably just crazy. He sighed and just as he was about to move his hand, the robed woman slapped his hand off of his head and placed her own against his forehead instead.

“Wait, how can you interact with me? You’re not real.”

She merely looked at him through her fox skull mask but ignored him. It wasn’t long before he felt a soothing sensation in his mind. It was warm and cool at the same time. It even reminded him of a few, very infuriating things. Those weren’t the topic for now though. He wasn’t here to be angry and resentful, he was looking to fix it. He had to fix it before he messed up further.

Ava stepped away from him then, gaining thanks from her son. She rolled her eyes but smiled.

“I love you, Ven. Get better soon.”

“I know, mom. I will.”

Looking back to the rest, Ven grinned. “Wanna see a magic trick, Isaac? It involves getting adopted too.”

“I love magic tricks!”

Cupping his hands together and spreading them apart for the width of the object, Ven moved his hands up together to start materializing a snowglobe. The audience watched with awe as it formed. “What do you want in your temporary snowglobe home, Isaac?” Looking back up to Cole and Phoebe, he added “You guys too if you wanna come over.” They were pretty dumbstruck though. Isaac on the other hand was beyond thrilled and clappy enthusiastically over it.

“Can I have a carnival?!”

“A carnival in the snow? Sounds risky on the metal, but I guess the rides are tame enough. I might actually join you after I get home. Consider it done though.” Running his hand over the glass globe, the interior changed to that of a carnival as requested. He looked back to Isaac then. “You ready?” The young boy nodded and Ven placed a hand on his head and one on the globe. Ven closed his eyes to concentrate and a moment later, Isaac had vanished.

The two teens looked on with awe and amazement, and maybe a bit of concern. “What did you do with him?!” They weren’t mad, so Ven managed to stay calm.

“He’s in the snow globe. Oh but, he’s too small for us to see since to him, it’s an entire park.” He explained easily.

Cole opened his mouth to express skepticism and concern, but Phoebe went on ahead to demand “Me next.”

“Really? You want to come with?” Even if that was the plan, he expected to have to take them by force.

“Beats being in a place where everyone gaslights you and thinks you’re crazy right?”

Cole seemed a bit taken aback by his girlfriend’s insistence. Still, he shrunk a bit and said “I guess.” He looked back to Ven. “If she’s going, I’m going too. As long as it’s not more devil worshippers I guess… And it would be better than being where no one believes us.”

Ven smiled, wider than he had in a long time. “I’ll meet you back at my house then. Shouldn’t be too long since my dad should be picking me up today if I whine enough.” Bringing his hand up, he placed one on Phoebe’s hand and the other back on the glass. “I hope you enjoy the little world I managed to make.” And just like that, she was gone as well. It frightened Cole a bit, but Ven assured him as he placed his hand on Cole this time. “It’ll be alright. I’m benevolent. I just have to remember that.” And then he was alone. Would look odd had he not not used illusions to make it look like the crowd dispersed.

And now to wait. Oh, and keep the snowglobe safe of course. Would be really bad if it broke with people in it. He’s not quite supposed to have something that he could kill himself on though so...huh he didn’t think that far ahead.

“Too busy showing off to new friends that you forgot you were in a mental hospital?” Avarisia scoffed, arms crossed with disappointment.

Scoffing back with disappointment of his own, Ven remarked “Just help me keep it safe until I can get home.”

“Just use magic, you seem to be great at flaunting it for someone that’s afraid to use it.”

“I’m not going to fear using it in front of people that are deemed crazy. I’m homefree there, no one’ll believe them, but that’s besides the point!

“Fine, if you’re going to be a brat, I’ll use magic and keep it hidden, that way you don’t undo it by accident, and if your dumbass loses your memories again, I can either retrieve them for you or heal you again to get them yourself.”

“Aww c’mon, I thought it was a good plan.”

“Then just teleport them to your room!”

He paused a moment before muttering “Oh yeah.” Easy peasy then, just tap the glass and whoosh, gone to Terra’s room. Terra actually keeps his door closed so the cat won’t get in and knock it over.

Since all was done and ready, Ven leaned back in his chair, proud of himself.

“You look happy.” The nurse mused with a food tray in her hands. She looked around the table then back to Ven. “Did your friends leave?”

“Uh...yeah, all went back to their rooms I guess.” He shrugged, sitting up then to look over the meal she’d set down for him. Same stuff as he’d been having every afternoon, but it’s not bad, just low quality. And no longer being depressed, he wasn’t much in the mood to eat honestly. He was more in the mood to hear about his family coming. Speaking of.

“Do you know when I’ll get to go home? When my family’s coming to get me?”

The nurse smiled, looked at the clock, then back to him. “Well since you’re eating late, should be soon. Eat up though alright.”

She left then, left him all to his lonesome because his dumbass jumped the gun in shrinking his new friends to a winter wonderland. He really had to get better about planning ahead. At least he had his mom to keep him company, to which he smiled expectantly at her.

“Why don’t you show yourself when I don’t have my memories?”

“Oh and risk you getting them and being homicidal or thinking you’re even crazier because I can touch you? Great idea, Ven.” She remarked sarcastically.

“Ya don’t gotta be mean about it, it was a simple question.”

“Simple questions are for clueless renaigse.”

“They’re not that bad.”

“Says the kid that’s been trying to kill them all for years.”

“I was just mad alright, I’m sorry.”

“Tell that to the innocent people you’ve killed and their families.”

Again, tears stung at his eyes. He looked away from his mother and down towards the food instead. Now he was hungry, and it was slow but steadier and more efficient in intaking than he would have done prior.

“You’re a murderer, Ven, you can’t act sad.”

He tried to ignore it. All it did was make him sadder after all, and even just a bit wrathful. If he was already judged a murderer and there was no going back, then why should he stop? Why shouldn’t he take his anger out on others? He was doomed anyway.

As practically shoveled more food into his mouth to ignore his hostile mother. She moved to place both of her hands on his cheeks however, moving one to cup over his forehead as if checking for a fever. There was that familiar soothing sensation again and things felt a bit clearer. She didn’t look hostile anymore, she looked solemn behind her fox skull.

“You’re sicker than you ever were before. And no amount of healing seems to be keeping it back.”

He paused in his feasting by then. He wasn’t afraid of it. It felt normal to do even, but he paused to speak. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re incomplete, Ven. It’s the toll of carrying abilities and memories over after being reincarnated. Your mind’s destroyed and it only seems to be getting worse.”

“What does that mean for Tya then? She also died and was reincarnated.”

“Shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself?”

“She’s my friend, I mean she doesn’t know me in this life which sucks so I guess we’re not dating anymore, but…” He paused, losing his train of thought. Ven shook his head then. “When I do lose my mind completely, can you watch over everyone else for me? There won’t be much for you to do if I’m in a padded room anyway.”

“You know I can’t separate from you, our souls are bound together.”

“Then have Connie unbind us.”

Ava opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off.

“Haven’t seen you in a while, Ven.” He looked up to the cheery tone of Aqua. She gave him a small wave and hesitant smile. It was bittersweet, but he gave one of uncertainty back to his family looming over him.

He couldn’t help but cry at the sight of them.