"Your name is Scott isn't it?"
The older man smiled down at him. "Scott, we're here to help you. But you've got to speak. Can you speak Scott?"
Scott looked away.
"You were a genius. Years ahead. You were in 6th grade at 8 years old. And now...not a word. But you used to speak."
Scott swallowed.
"Are you scared?" The man smiled. "You wanted to be doctor didn't you? I'm a doctor. You can talk to me."
Scott said nothing.
The doctor sighed. "Alright. Then I'll speak. And you listen."
Scott thought he'd like the doctor. But slowly, as the years went by, the doctors eyes began to fill with something disgusting.
And Scott knew he was no longer safe.
"Scott," the doctor pulled off his shirt. "I have to do an examination now."
Scott knew he want that kind of doctor. Scott stayed quiet.
The doctor touched the scar his mother left on his chest tenderly.
He looked away.
"God help me. But I see. I see why she wanted to destroy you. It's you. It's something about you Scott."
Scott Said nothing, but he thought if he were the way he used to be, he would cry right now.
But he closed his eyes. He closed his eyes and imagined he was somewhere else. The motion brought him back, making him feel ill.
He opened his eyes, looking at the wall instead.
He wished he could see something other than white. He wished he could be somewhere other than here. And even though, he hated his mother for what she did, he missed her.
He wished she would pick him up and take him home. Slowly, he stopped wishing for anything.
• • •
Scott painted the walls, the red paint on his face.
Ana stretched, as she walked into the hallway. It was 2 am.
Scott turned around with a grin the paint roller in his hand. "Good morning!"
She cocked her head. "What's this?" She looked around finding every wall haphazardly painted red.
"It's-remodeling," he chuckled, putting his paint stained in his hair. "Our walls were white. I didn't see that," he laughed, "I had to-I had to change it. It had to-so red."
She nodded softly. "Oh...okay."
Scott slid down the wall, the paint smearing on his shirt.
"I don't like white walls, I just realized I don't like white walls. They don't have to be red. They just can't be white. They can't be white. No white. No
More white walls."
He stared at the ground.
Ana sat next to him. "I'll call the painters. We'll get rid of the white. It's...basic anyway."
He smiled at her. "Sorry I...I don't know what came over me,"
She smiled softly, cupping his face. It was best not to point out the tears she knew.
"It's okay," she grinned. "White walls are tacky. How about yellow. For living room? It'll be like it's sunny everyday."
He nodded. "I like that," he laughed, his laughter dissolving into sobs.
"What's happening," he laid his head on the wall, looking at her. "What's happening to me?"
"...I think you're feeling."
"Make it stop. Ana please make it stop. It hurts."
She pulled him into her arms. A door opened making her look up.
Annika took in the scene fearfully. Ana just shook her head.
"You're alright, Scott. It's all gone now. The walls are
Red. And you don't have to feel anything," she whispered, running her hands through his hair.
"I'll never...be clean again," he whispered,
digging his nails onto his skin. "I'll never be clean again. I feel so dirty Ana. I don't want to be in this skin anymore."
Ana helped him up. "Come here. I have a special soap. It'll get rid of all the dirt,"
"Do you swear?" He peered up at him.
She smiled. "I swear. Come on."
He followed her back into their bedroom, into the bathroom.
"Take tour clothes off and get in the tub," she told him. "I'll get the special soap."
He did so silently, watching her go into her drawer. She came into the bathroom.
"Here," she put a pill into his mouth, handing him a bottle of water. He drunk it quietly.
"Here's the special soap," she held up the bar. "You want me to get in with you?"
He nodded. She turned on the water, taking off her clothes, getting into the tub with him.
She dragged the bar against his skin, lathering him up with soap.
He stared at the bubbles in silence.
"See," she scrubbed him. "It's washing away all the dirt. You're clean now, Scott. It's all gone."
His eyes slowly closed. She rinsed him off. "There, come on, let's go back to sleep."
She tucked him in, laying down next to him. "Good night Scott."
He said nothing, fatigued over taking him from the pill she'd given him. Though he was silent, he reached out for her hand.
She held it tightly.
