George was thrilled to have Clay come over since he had never had friends outside of his online circle.
As he spotted Clay in the hallway, George could sense his friend's anxiety. He wished he could read Clay's mind because he always seemed either upset or nervous.
What was hidden behind Clay's bright smile?
Clay jumped when George said his name. "Clay, are you alright?" George could see the emotions in Clay's eyes as he looked over to him. Clay smiled slightly and replied, "Yeah, I just need to get my computer, and then we can go to your house."
What had gotten into him? He is so scared of everything, jumping to the slightest noise. Flinching every time I tried to touch him like I was going to hurt him.
"You sure you're alright?" George asked again, hoping he would tell him something... anything, so George would know he is okay.
"Uh, yeah! I just... yeah," Clay smiled but it was clearly fake.
George could see that something was clearly troubling Clay, and he desperately wanted to help him feel better. "Clay, I can tell that something is really bothering you. Please, if there's anything you need to talk about, I'm here for you. You don't have to go through this alone," George said with a compassionate tone.
Clay looked up at him, tears welling up in his eyes. "I just... I can't talk about it right now, please, can we just go now?" he pleaded. "Okay, we can talk more once at my house," he suggested.
They drove to Dream's house in silence, with George keeping a close eye on his friend. When they arrived, Clay quickly jumped out of the car and ran inside.
George didn't wait long when Clay came rushing towards the car in a panic, jumping in and closing the door. George could see that Clay was visibly shaking and looking around anxiously. "Clay, please tell me what's going on. I want to help you," he said softly.
"Not now, George," Clay spoke softly, eyes peeking through the windows, surveying the land outside George's car.
"Clay, please! Just tell me what's going on!" George spoke back to Clay being as calm as possible, but by the looks on his face he was terrified.
"GEORGE!"
"PLEASE!"
Clay shrieked as someone stepped out of the house. They were twice the size of Clay. They were dirty like they haven't bathed in several months, years even. They had the same dirty blond hair as Clay. They wore a tool belt around their waist.
"Shit!" Clay pushed George to the ground out of nowhere. George responded by screaming at him. "What the hell, Clay!"
"Shh!" Clay whispered to George, he wanted to continue to talk but Clay covered his mouth not allowing George to speak. "Clay!"
George tried to scream, until he heard yelling come from outside the car. George could hear Clay's panicked heartbeat against him. "Clay! Where the hell are you hiding?!"
The same man yelled; George had no clue what to do.
Who the hell is this guy and why is Clay so frightened of him?
"Clay!" The yelling started to fade away.
Clay turned to George with a look of terror in his eyes. "We need to get out of here, now," he said urgently. George nodded and quickly got up to look around, but the man had vanished.
They sped off.
George couldn't help but ask, "Who was that guy?" He hoped Clay would tell him the truth, but he could tell his friend's hushed voice that he was scared.
"I... I don't know," Clay stuttered. George could hear the fear in his voice and knew that something serious had happened between him and that man.
They drove around in silence, lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at George's house, Clay suddenly realized he forgot his computer at his own house. "Oh no, I left my computer," he said, his voice trembling.
George could see the fear on Clay's face and knew that something was seriously wrong. He decided to try and comfort his friend. "Don't worry, I should have an old computer you can use," he said, putting a reassuring hand on Clay's shoulder. "We better get inside."
Clay followed George inside but was constantly looking behind them tensely, "Well did you bring anything?"
How the heck am I just now noticing this?
"Oh uh. not really. I was kind of rushed..." Clay frowned. Whatever good feelings he had now gone, "Um. okay well I guess you can just use what I have then."
George laughed trying to lighten the mood, but it just made the boy slouch nervously in the chair.
"I'm sorry that I forgot my stuff." He frowned, trying not to look into George's eyes as if he would be killed just by looking at George.
Clay was speechless.
Maybe it was because of what happened previously or something else?
George tried to enjoy himself, but Clay got snappy.
George decided it was better if he left him alone.
When it was dark, George touched Clay lightly, but Clay recoiled from the touch and suddenly got up. "Please, don't do that..." George frowned, realizing that he had gone beyond Clay's comfort zone. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't like to be touched."
Everything was starting to make sense to George now; he understood why Clay flinched every time he touched him. The air was heavy with unease, and no one wanted to break the silence.
George sensed Clay's discomfort with the topic, and decided to change the subject. "Where would you like me to sleep?" Clay nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Oh, I have an air mattress. Hold on," George got up and went to grab it.
As he left, George leaned against the door with a deep sigh. He didn't want to make things worse between them. He found the air mattress in a closet, inflated it, and brought it back to his room.
When it was all blown up, George threw some pillows at Clay along with a blanket. "Goodnight Clay." George looked over at him, he held his gaze for a moment before turning away, George heard a sigh from Clay as he fell asleep.
George was awoken abruptly by screaming. He got up looking over at Clay, his breath was shaky, and he was rocking himself back and forth in bed, he seemed to be in a haze.
"Clay?" George asked, refusing to touch him after what happened the night before. "Are you alright?"
George asked again, Still nothing. George got out of his bed and sat down in front of Clay who was still rocking himself back and forth as he breathed heavily. "Clay it's alright." George hesitated before putting his hand on Clay's shoulder. Clay backed away quickly looking up at him now broken out of the haze.
"George... I'm sorry," He gasped and cried. "It's alright. Shh," George brought Clay into a tight hug. Clay flinched to the touch before giving in. George held him for who knows how long until Clay pulled away.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Clay was used to these when he slept, "Just a nightmare, they happen all the time," Clay sighed, George looked into his eyes sparkling with tears, "I'm sorry."
George contemplated hugging him again, but decided against it, he didn't want to make Clay anymore uncomfortable than he already was.
"It's alright I should have told you," Clay looked down when he spoke.
"Don't worry about it," George smiled, thinking of what else he could possibly do to help him.
It didn't take long for him to get an idea, "If you want.... I mean if it makes you feel any better you could sleep with me?"
Clay thought about the answer before replying, "Yeah. that sounds alright." Clay smiled wiping, the tears away.
George led him to his bed, and they climbed in, getting safely under the covers.
"Goodnight," George spoke, looking over. Clay was already asleep, cuddled up against George.
George just smiled...
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My guess author notes weren't a thing when I started writing this crusty ass book.
Stay calm, Stay alive
Onyx