Knights and Days CHAPTER ONE (The stranger)
Virgil hated this place. He hated all the social works, doctors, and therapists trying to fix him. ‘THERE’S NOTHING FUCKING WRONG!’ He wanted to scream each time he was forced into another session or test. It’s not his fault that disaster seems to follow him like a stray dog looking for scraps. Whether it was fires starting mysteriously, glass shattering, even animals attacking his foster family (Though they always deserved that one in Virgil’s opinion.). Unfortunately, no one believed him when he said that the fires, glass, and animal attacks weren’t his fault.
It didn’t matter now. 4 years of the constant abuse and being ignored made him numb to it. This was Virgil’s norm. The little 11 years old was far too mature for his age now because of all the things he’s had to endure. Panic attacks were also commonplace for him now. Severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD are what the doctors had diagnosed him with. Virgil learned not to tell them about the strange things that happened anymore. Not the locked doors that suddenly unlocked, things levitating, and DEFINITELY NOT the animals talking to him. No one could EVER know about that. Virgil REFUSED to go back to the institute…
Unfortunately, it seems that he may not have a choice this time. For once again disaster had struck. Virgil sits on the floor, leaning against the wall with his hood hiding his face. He didn’t make the dog attack Hank, his foster father. The dog was just protecting him. Not that anyone really cared here.
His last foster father was an abusive alcoholic. Virgil shuddered, memories of the last few months making his breath quicken. Virgil tries to calm down, but they just keep flashing in his head.
‘ Hate. Screaming. Fists. Blood. Hunger. Darkness. Alcohol. Weight on top of him. Crying. Stop. No. Pain. Pain. Pain. PAI-’
“Hey… Hey… can you hear me?” A gentle voice pierces through the cascade of thoughts. Virgil lifts his head up from his knees, peering through his bangs. A pair of gentle brown eyes met his. Virgil forced himself to nod slightly through his panic. The man in front of him nodded in acknowledgment.
“Ok. That’s good.” He says gently. “Try this ok? Breathe in for 4 seconds. Can you do that for me?” Virgil, his whole body shaking, does as the man in front of him says, taking a rattling breath in for 4 seconds.
“Very good. Now hold it for six. That’s it.” The man encourages Virgil as he complies, feeling his panic attack starting to lessen slightly.
“Now breathe out for 7 seconds. Keep doing this ok. That’s it. You’re doing a great job there.” The man continues to coach Virgil through his panic attack until he can breathe normally. The man smiles at Virgil softly.
“All better kiddo?” Virgil nods.
“Yeah…um.. Thanks.. for that…” Virgil says softly. The man runs a hand through his brown and light purple hair, sitting beside him on the floor even though he was getting many strange looks from the people who worked there.
“I know what it’s like having panic attacks.” The adult tells him. Virgil feels calm, even though this stranger was sitting right beside him, talking to him. Virgil wanted to talk to this man some more but his Social Worker came up to them.
“Virgil, I’ve found someone who wants to be your new guar-“ She pauses when she finally looks up from her files.
“-Dian. Oh.Well… It seems you already met them.” Virgil looks at her confused, glancing at the man beside him.
“What?” Virgil can’t believe what she said. The man who just helped him through a panic attack was his new guardian? He’s gonna end up ruining this man’s life?!! The man just smiles softly, kindness practically radiating from him. The man sticks his hand out to Virgil.
“Hello, Virgil. I’m Thomas.”
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‘So this is Virgil… Should’ve figured that out sooner. He looks so much like his mother.’ I think to myself as hold my hand out towards the extremely pale, underweight pre-teen, worry gnawing at me. I watch as his silver eyes scan me, a look of fear in them. This makes me a bit sad that an eleven-year-old would feel the need to fear someone who is supposed to be their new guardian. I must admit that I feel a bit of happiness when Virgil finally reaches out and takes my hand, shaking it softly.
“Hey.” Is all he says before withdrawing his hand, placing it inside his black hoodie’s pocket once more. Virgil hangs his head at an angle so that his ink black bangs obscure his face. I send him another small smile.
“I have to finish the paperwork right now, but you’ll probably be brought inside the office in a little bit okay?” Virgil just nods his head softly, pulling out an old mp3 play and earphones, putting them in. I look at him one more time before following the social worker into the office. I’m not really paying attention to what’s going on. Thankfully I finish the paperwork and now she is just talking to me and Virgil (he had entered almost immediately after I signed the last paper.) as she got the files in order. My mind is focused on the one standing beside me, thinking of how to tell Virgil the truth about who and what he is. That is till the woman says something that makes me bristle with anger.
“Now Virgil is known to start fires and break things, so strict discipline is probably the best way to go.” She rambles, not paying attention to either of us. But I see the way Virgil flinches at her words, slowly sinking into himself as she continues.
“You know how teens can be. So rebellious. Though Virgil should probably be placed back into a behavioral and mental institute in my opinion.” Virgil begins to shake after she mentions the institute. I feel my rage burn so quickly that I dont realize I am snapping till I open my mouth.
“He’s pretty much nothing but troub-”
“Thanks,” I say sharply, trying hard not to go off on this woman. “But I didn’t ask for your opinion.” My voice is emotionless and cold. “We’ll be leaving now. Have a good day.” I all but snarl, taking hold of Virgil’s wrist gentle so not to startle him and leave the room, the door slamming behind us. I let go of Virgil’s wrist and grab the two bags beside the door and practically march out the building.
“The nerve of that woman!” I mutter to myself, hearing Virgil’s footsteps behind me so I continue on to my van. “She’s supposed to have his best interest in mind. No wonder it took me so long to find him.”
“Find me?” I pause, looking behind me at the teen. I flinch at the fear and suspicion in Virgil’s face. I sigh, glad we are only a few feet from my van.
“I’m an old friend of your mother’s,” I tell him softly, the anger at the woman melting away per norm. I never could hold a grudge for long.
“I’ll explain everything when we get to our house.” I open the trunk of the van with my keys, placing his bags down before turning towards him once more.
“I promise.” Thankfully Virgil’s shoulders finally relax as he sighs.
“Okay.” Is all he says before getting into the backseat of the van. I smile, glad I could finally fulfill my promise to Marie.
“They’re all safe now Marie. Just like I promised.” I whisper softly before getting into the van and begin to drive home.
A/N: So here is Chapter One. the next chapter will be mostly a flashback to what Virgil went through as he grew up. Need some background for our lovable storm cloud. I hope you all liked this. Feedback totally welcomed. I’m trying to make them longer, but this is where my creativity decided to ditch me for now and I wanna post this before I chicken out lol. hopefully Creativity with work with me later tonight and let me get a chapter out that’s more than 2000 works. Love you all!!!!
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