Puppet Strings

Chapter Six

Over the next few days, Kyo's focus was unwavering. He was meticulous about keeping Tohru on her recovery plan, preparing meals that were not only nutritious but also carefully tailored to meet her needs. Despite his dedication and the care he put into each meal, Tohru found herself battling a relentless inner turmoil. The voices in her head seemed to grow louder with every bite she took, each meal becoming a new battleground.

One evening, Kyo made a dinner that he hoped would bring her some comfort. He prepared a well-balanced meal with colorful vegetables, lean proteins, and wholesome grains, each ingredient chosen to nourish both body and soul. As he placed the steaming plates in front

of them, he offered Tohru a warm smile, trying to ease her anxiety.

Tohru, however, was struggling. She picked at her plate, managing only a few small bites.

Each mouthful seemed to bring her more distress. Kyo noticed the tension in her shoulders and the way her eyes flitted nervously around the room. He tried to engage her in light conversation, offering gentle words of encouragement, but Tohru's responses were

subdued, her focus clearly elsewhere.

After dinner, they went through their evening routine. Kyo sensed Tohru's growing agitation but chose to give her space, hoping that time would help her process her feelings. They climbed into bed, and Kyo soon fell asleep beside her, his breathing steady and calming.

Tohru, however, found it impossible to quiet her racing thoughts.

As the minutes ticked by, the voices in her head grew louder and more insistent. They screamed at her, attacking her self-worth and fueling her guilt. Every attempt to focus on the soothing presence of Kyo beside her seemed to be in vain. The inner turmoil was consuming, and despite her best efforts to push it away, the voices became unbearable.

Around 3 a.m., driven by an overpowering compulsion, Tohru slipped out of bed. She moved with a mechanical precision, her actions dictated by the relentless voices in her mind. She made her way to the bathroom, her steps heavy with dread. Once inside, she stood in front

of the toilet, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

The toilet seemed to mock her with its emptiness. The voices in her head continued their ceaseless chant: erase, erase, erase. They were cruel and insistent, urging her to undo the small progress she had made. Despite knowing she shouldn't, her body responded to the command, and she found herself succumbing to the urge to throw up the very little she had

eaten.

The violent, harsh sounds of her retching echoed through the quiet house. Kyo, disturbed by the unsettling noises, woke abruptly. His heart sank as he realized the distressing sounds were coming from the bathroom. With a sense of urgency, he followed the noise, fear

gripping him with each step.

When he reached the bathroom door, he hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

The sight that greeted him was heart-wrenching. Tohru was sitting on the floor, her head resting on the rim of the toilet, her body shaking with sobs. Her face was pale, her eyes

swollen from crying, and her hair was disheveled.

Kyo's heart ached as he saw her in such a vulnerable state. Without a word, he knelt beside her, wrapping his arms around her with a tenderness that spoke volumes. Tohru clung to

him, her sobs coming in ragged, desperate gasps.

"I'm so sorry," she mumbled between her cries. "I can't make it stop. The voice... it won't

stop."

Kyo held her close, his own eyes brimming with tears as he tried to offer comfort. The helplessness he felt was overwhelming; he wished he could take away her pain, erase the torment she was enduring. He gently stroked her hair, his touch soothing despite the

gravity of the situation.

"What does the voice say to you, Tohru?" Kyo asked softly, his voice trembling with concern.

"What does it tell you?"

Tohru's sobs intensified at the question, her face buried against his shoulder. "It tells me I'm worthless," she whispered, her voice choked with anguish. "It says I need to erase everything, that I'm not good enough, that I have to make it right."

Kyo's heart broke as he listened to her words. He pulled her tighter into his embrace, feeling the weight of her pain. The realization of how deeply she was suffering hit him with a profound sadness. He wanted to take away her torment, to silence the cruel voices that plagued her, but he knew that this was a battle she needed to fight with his support.

"Tohru," he said softly, his voice filled with empathy and resolve, "I'm not mad at you. We have a lot of work to do, but I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."

Tohru continued to cry, her words barely coherent as she repeated, "The voice... I can't

make it stop."

Kyo's heart ached with each sob, and he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from the pain. He stayed with her, holding her close as the minutes ticked by. His presence was a steady reminder that she was not alone, that he was committed to helping her through this

dark time.

As Tohru's sobs began to subside, Kyo helped her to her feet. He guided her gently back to bed, his actions tender and reassuring. He stayed with her, offering a comforting silence that spoke volumes. The first light of dawn began to filter through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. Kyo vowed to continue his unwavering support, determined to

stand by her side through every challenge they faced.