I Love You but You're Real

fourteen

The metal table beneath my back is cold as I lay back down.

The cold engulfs me, making the throbbing in my head dull.

The pain in my head isn't the worst part, though. In fact, it feels like a small pinch compared to the aching in my chest.

Me: What am I supposed to do now?

Dug chuckles softly. Kindly.

Dug: That's just what I was going to ask you. What do you want to do now?

Me: I just want to...

What do I want to do? Other than hear your voice? Or meet you?

Honestly?

Nothing.

Dug: Rhys?

Me: Just let me live in the city for a while. I want to be alone. I want to be a normal character. Or at least as normal as I can be.

Dug: Are you su-

Me: Please, Dug.

Dug nods slowly.

Me: Wait. Please- just don't make me look at Ike or Noel again.

Dug laughs.

Dug: Deal.

Then Dug walks out of the room. And leaves me alone.

With you.

You, my Voice. You, who can't talk back to me like you're supposed to. You, who have never been there for me when I needed you.

You, who have caused me all of this pain.

All of this hurt.

It's your fault.

And I want you out of my head.

Dug comes back into the room in just seconds.

Dug: How about this: I'll take you to your new FicCity home myself, and I'll help you get settled.

No, I'm sorry.

Dug helps me to my feet.

Dug: Just follow me, Rhys. Everything will be fine.

I didn't mean it.

Dug leads me out of the room. Ike and Noel are nowhere to be seen.

We get into the teleportation box.

Please don't leave.

We step out of the gray box and pass through the big room.

I'm so sorry.

We step out of the yellow building and onto the street.

I need you.

I'm sorry.