My Dearest Friend [Chapter 7]
Trigger Warning: Implication of Mental Illness, Implication of Child Trauma, Child Trauma, Rage, Implication of Trauma
After Sam seemingly appearing out of nowhere, Gabriel and Riley decide to ask him a few questions.
This chapter is VERY long and it is mostly dialogue. The next chapter should focus more on love and relationships, or at least that is what I'm planning on.
Riley and Gabriel could only stare at Sam.
Sam randomly appeared, with no one to accompany him.
…With different clothes than he usually wears.
Gabriel sputtered in confusion. “Wha- Sam, why in the world are you here?!”
Riley agreed. “Um, yeah.”
Sam stuttered, sweating nervously as his eyes darted in different directions. “Um… Well, you see…!”
His expression grew solemn as he remembered something.
Riley raised an eyebrow. “Um, I would still like to know.”
Sam looked away, fidgeting with his fingers, clearly hesitating.
Riley scoffed, clearly not buying it.
After thinking for a few seconds, she decided to not push further on the matter.
“...Fine.” She turned her whole body in a different direction, looking over her shoulder and gesturing with her hand. “C’mon. We need to continue searching.”
Gabriel and Sam began to follow Riley as she led, Sam still looking nervous.
As they walked, Gabriel looked down at Sam.
His expression became one that showed concern as he saw Sam’s nervousness.
Gabriel’s voice was gentle. “Sam, are you sure you’re okay?”
Sam turned his head, his ear facing a different direction.
…As if he was listening to someone.
After another few seconds of silence, Sam turned his head back to face Gabriel.
His expression was frustrated, his lip sticking out as he pouted.
“Okay, I lied to you guys…”
Riley side-eyed him. “Yeah. We know.”
Gabriel’s head spun around as he annoyingly looked at Riley. “Riley…!” His voice was shrill. “You can continue, Sam.”
Gabriel looked at Sam with gentle eyes, ready to listen.
Sam grimaced as he hesitated.
“I…I just wanted to find Da- Drake, but I knew I shouldn’t go alone, so…” After a quick pause, he continued. “I tried to get my friend to help…”
“Yeah. Her name is Abigail, and she’s… human.”
As Sam spoke the last part, he grew more nervous.
Riley’s ears perked up, turning her head in Sam’s direction and staring at him.
A face appeared in Gabriel’s head.
Gabriel remembered how the gods would repeatedly visit Thomas.
…And no matter how many times they visited, Thomas would continue to greet them with a smile.
Gabriel missed those times.
He missed visiting Fantasia.
Again, he wished that Drake allowed them to visit.
Is that why Sam didn’t listen to Drake?
Maybe he just wanted to have fun, just like they once did.
History was repeating itself.
Sam had a human friend, just like how they had Thomas as a human friend.
Gabriel smiled warmly at that thought.
Sam quickly explained himself. “She’s a nice human! But…”
Tears began to form in Sam’s eyes.
“She said I should’ve listened, and that she would’ve been in danger…” The tears began to fall down his cheeks. “So, I went home and cried…”
“...And I guess I fell asleep, because then, I woke up as a superhuman…”
Gabriel’s mouth hung open as he stared at Sam.
Riley stared as well, squinting at Sam in confusion.
“Okay, none of that made sense.”
Gabriel agreed. “It is certainly confusing.”
Gabriel gave a sigh before clearing his throat.
“Well, first… I don’t think you should have asked her for help, Sam.”
Sam’s eyes grew wide in confusion.
Gabriel continued to speak to Sam in a gentle tone. “She is only a child, Sam. The situation we are in needs adults. Children shouldn’t carry responsibilities like that, and that includes you!”
Riley agreed, speaking in a stern, yet gentle tone. “Yeah, Sam. You shouldn’t be dealing with this. Unfortunately, we are stuck with you, now.”
More tears began to form in Sam’s eyes.
“I just wanted to find him…”
“I know, Sam. We all do.” He paused. “...But you should worry about having fun.”
Sam became quiet, nodding as he looked at the ground.
Gabriel smiled before he moved onto his next point.
“Second, what do you mean you woke up and you were a superhuman?”
Riley crossed her arms. “Yeah. I’ve been trying to figure out that one myself.”
Sam responded immediately without doubt. “I woke up and I was a superhuman!”
Riley grew a little annoyed. “Okay, but how did you know you were a superhuman?”
Sam went silent, not wanting to tell the truth.
Gabriel grew worried. “Sam…?”
Riley became stern. “Sam, tell us.”
Sam was nervous as he grimaced. “C-Conscious told me…”
“Who the hell is Conscious?”
“He is another version of me… t-that only I can see…”
Gabriel and Riley stared at him, their eyebrows furrowed.
Gabriel proceeded to give Riley an annoyed look.
He turned back to face Sam, his expression filled with confusion and concern.
“What do you mean? Does he do anything?”
“I mean, he has helped me! But, he can be annoying sometimes…”
After a few seconds of silence, Sam randomly rolled his eyes at an empty space.
“‘Annoying’ how…? Riley responded in a questioning tone.
Despite seeming annoyed, Sam spoke with innocence.
“He was the one who turned me into a superhuman! He said he did it to teach me a lesson…”
Gabriel and Riley once again looked at each other in concern.
Gabriel’s voice was quiet. “A lesson…?”
“Sam, what kind of lesson?” Riley spoke sternly and quietly.
Sam quietly responded with sadness.
“He said it was my fault Drake ran away…”
Once Sam said that, Gabriel’s heart ached with sympathy.
He slowly leaned in as he wrapped his arms around Sam…
Until now, Gabriel never realized how much Sam had been going through.
He’s been going through so much.
…Was let down by his best friend…
…Began to see a person that no one else could see except him…
…And on top of that, he thought all of it was his fault.
…And he has been going through it ALONE.
But, Gabriel would make sure he wouldn’t…
He wasn’t going to make the same mistake he made with Drake.
Gabriel spoke with a comforting voice. “It isn’t your fault, Sam. I promise.”
Riley gave an understanding, yet solemn expression. “Yeah, Sam. Drake made the decision to run away by himself.”
Tears began to heavily flow down Sam’s cheeks as he stuttered.
“But… But I betrayed Drake! I went down below, even though he said no!” He began to breathe erratically. “I told him I was scared of him! I’m a terrible son!”
Gabriel ignored that part.
Gabriel became extremely concerned, shouting at Sam. “Sam… Sam! You need to calm down!”
Sam was still breathing heavily. “But-”
Despite being comforting, Gabriel spoke sternly. “Sam. There is nothing wrong with sharing your feelings. That wasn’t your fault.”
Sam sniffled and then grew silent.
Gabriel’s voice had a questioning tone in it. “But… I want to understand something, Sam. Why do you keep going down below, despite being told not to?”
Sam’s voice was quiet and sad.
“I… I wanted a friend…” Sam paused for a second before continuing. “...And, well… Fantasia is very pretty!”
He loves the sunshine that spills down from the sky.
He loves the smell in the air from the nature around him.
He loves the sound of crickets.
He loves the night sky, as well as the light from the moon.
Sam continued. “N-Not all humans are bad.” He paused, looking away as he cringed, growing quiet. “But, some have bullied me…”
Riley yelled in anger. “They have bullied you?!”
Gabriel finally understood.
He understood why Sam didn’t listen to Drake.
Because of the rules that Drake made, Sam didn’t have friends.
He just wanted to have friends.
Gabriel was lonely, as well.
Because of his responsibilities, Gabriel isn’t able to spend that much time with Willow.
…And the fact that Willow has grown distant towards him doesn’t make it better.
Because of the rules, Gabriel wasn’t able to have that many guests at his wedding.
He truly wished he had more people at his wedding.
Sam just wanted to have friends.
He has been through so much…
On the other hand, Sam was right.
Thomas was a human. He was their friend.
They can’t keep avoiding them.
They need to face their fears.
His voice came out understanding and slightly quiet. “I believe you, Sam. I don’t think all humans are bad, either.”
Riley spun around and faced Gabriel, yelling. “Gabe! Didn’t you just hear that they bully him?!”
Gabriel spun around as well, yelling at her back. “Yes, I did, but aren’t you forgetting Thomas? Thomas was a nice human!”
“Okay, and? Humans are still assholes. They are always causing problems.”
Gabriel’s voice became stern. “Riley, there are billions of humans on the planet. Not every one of them is bad.”
Riley grumbled in response, not wanting to admit he was right.
“We have never visited Fantasia, until now.”
Riley only grew more annoyed.
“So, what? What have they ever done for us?”
“They worship us, only for us to abandon them in return.”
Riley screamed in anger. “They treated us horribly!”
Gabriel’s voice grew quieter.
“I know, but… abandoning them only makes us cowards.”
It was silent for what felt like forever.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet with rage.
Sam watched the two argue, pulling his arms close to himself in fear.
Gabriel continued to yell, guilt in his voice.
“Yes, Riley! We are cowards… You are a coward. I’m a coward, and… even Drake.”
Gabriel hated calling Drake that.
It felt like he broke every promise he made for him.
It felt like he betrayed him.
…As much as he cares for his friend, Drake was in the wrong.
Gabriel looked at Riley with sadness in his eyes.
“We have to face them eventually, Riley.”
Riley’s voice was now quiet.
“Sam just wants friends, but he has none. Is he really in the wrong for wanting friends?”
Riley paused, and then reluctantly sighed.
Gabriel sighed from relief.
From behind him, Sam paused and looked around him.
His eyes widened in realization.
Gabriel turned to face Sam, relief in his voice and on his face.
“I think… Conscious is gone!”
Riley’s ears perked up, her expression and voice becoming confused.
Sam was just as confused. “I don’t know… He just went… poof!”
Gabriel and Riley looked at each other, before shrugging.
“At least one issue is solved.” Riley gave a small smile. “Now, c’mon. We need to hurry and find Drake.”
As Sam looked at Gabriel, he felt…
He was able to tell someone how he felt, and they DIDN’T react negatively at all!
Maybe Gabriel is someone he can tell his feelings to?
Riley began to walk, Sam and Gabriel following.
As the three walked, Sam looked at Gabriel, making the decision to walk by his side.
Gabriel turned his head towards Sam in surprise, before giving him a warm smile.
Sam gave him a bright smile in return.
He continued to smile as he walked, looking down at his feet.
But, as he looked down at them, he noticed something.
The grass was beginning to die around him.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Suddenly, a large shadow loomed over him.
Before Sam could react in fear, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
In response, he screamed at the top of his lungs in both surprise and fear.
Both Gabriel and Riley spun their heads at the sound.
Gabriel’s face was filled with horror.
Sam stared back with the same amount of horror Gabriel had.
He looked up at the person who snatched him.
His face was contorted, a sinister smile impossibly stretched across it.
The white of his eyes were black, and his irises glowed a bright red.
Sam remembered that face.
He watched as Drake whispered something, his voice so deep that it shook Sam’s body.
A key plopped into Drake’s palm.
After using the key to trace the shape of a door in the air, a door appeared.
Once the door appeared, Drake swung his arm back, preparing to throw Sam through it.
Suddenly, Riley appeared behind him and shoved him to the ground, anger in her face.
She grabbed Sam’s arm and stepped away from Drake, breathing heavily.
“What the HELL is wrong with you, Drake?!” She yelled.
Drake slowly picked himself up from the ground and stared at her, his back hunched in an unnatural position.
As Sam looked up at her face, he could see a hint of fear.
Riley re-positioned her lips, trying not to show it.
She was growing impatient as she waited for Drake’s answer, the fear only making it worse.
She screamed. “ANSWER ME!”
Drake finally spoke, his voice deep.
“Why should I listen to someone who helps traitors?”
Riley became silent, the anger in her face disappeared.
Drake continued. “Sam broke the rules. He went down to Fantasia. Gabriel did the same, and he doesn’t care about his responsibilities! They. Are. Traitors.”
He stared at Drake’s horrific expression.
He remembered Abigail pulling the curtain back…
…And seeing that horrific expression through the window.
He saw Sam staring, a horrified expression on his face.
He knew that he needed help.
He began to walk forward.
He spoke calmly, yet with urgency. “Drake, Sam only wanted friends! He can’t live in the Kloud forever.”
Gabriel practically began to plead. “DRAKE! Not all humans are bad!”
Despite what Drake was saying, his tone was calm.
“Then, why did they humiliate me by calling me names?”
Is that the reason his self-esteem was bad?
Is that the reason he has depression?
Drake HAS gone through a lot.
Is that the reason he made rules?
He wanted to avoid being called names.
He wanted to avoid Sam being called names.
A memory echoed in Gabriel’s mind.
“But… He won’t listen, even though I’m trying to… protect… him.”
Gabriel spoke carefully. “Drake, I know you want to protect Sam, but you can’t do that forever.”
Drake’s tone didn’t change. “Yes, I can-” He paused.
He realized what he was saying.
Slowly, his smile faded and the white of his eyes returned to normal.
Tears began to well up in his eyes.
His voice was shaky. “I… I don’t want him to turn out like me…”
Gabriel stared into Drake’s eyes with understanding.
Despite Drake’s eyes glowing a burning red in reaction to his sadness…
…Gabriel still thought his eyes were beautiful.
“How would he turn out, Drake?”
That made Gabriel smile more.
He chuckled. “I don’t think he would turn out like that, Drake. Besides… I don’t think you are a monster!”
At those last words, Drake went silent.
His voice was quiet, filled with betrayal.
“But you think I’m a coward…?”
Gabriel’s heart dropped, as well as his smile.
Gabriel immediately tried to explain himself, his heart quickening.
Drake’s expression was filled with anger, but there was some sadness to it.
“Then, what did you mean? Because it sounded like you thought I was a coward.”
Gabriel began to beg. “D-Drake, I’m sorry!”
“Do you even know what you are apologizing for? I can’t trust anything you say! I can’t trust you at all!”
Drake’s voice became quiet as he grew more sad.
“I… I thought I finally found someone… But, I guess I didn’t.”
Tears were beginning to form in Gabriel’s eyes.
“Drake, you still have me!” He pleaded.
“THEN WHY DID YOU CALL ME A COWARD?!” Drake screamed.
As he screamed, tears went down his cheeks.
Suddenly, Gabriel felt weak.
His legs gave out beneath him.
He groaned from the pain.
At the sight of Gabriel in pain, Drake’s heart dropped.
His eyes widened in horror.
Suddenly, a door appeared before Gabriel’s eyes.
From the door, Alice stepped out.
She looked at Drake, her hands folded.
“Drake, you need to calm down. It’s okay.”
Drake could only stare at her in horror.
He looked at her, looked at Gabriel, then looked at her again.
Without a second thought, he ran off into the forest.
Alice immediately ran after him, reaching out with her hand.
“Drake! WAIT! If you keep running away-”
Alice sighed, and then began to walk back.
Meanwhile, Gabriel held onto himself as he stared at the ground, sobbing.
…And he broke that trust.
Seeing Gabriel alone, Sam yanked his hand away from Riley’s and ran to him.
From the tone of Sam’s voice, Gabriel could tell he was shaken up.
Gabriel sniffled. “I-I will be fine, Sam.”
Riley began to walk over to the two, her hands close together.
Her face was full of worry and fear.
“I-I’ve never seen Drake like that before…”
Alice finally reached the three, looking over them with concern in her eyes.
The three solemnly nodded.
“Okay. Tell me what happened.”