Luminescent Alliums.

Chapter 3- moving on, moving out

Fear is only false evidence, appearing real. But the nightmares were real, they had just happened before, they were just memories, so Tommy had every reason to be afraid, Right?

The pain he felt, that was real and it had a lasting effect on him. He could still feel the pain, he could see Dream's face.

He could feel the pain,

He was in pain.

He was in pain now, as he struggled to regulate his breathing. His breath came out in loud noisy gasps. It was like he was looking through clouded glass. His vision blurred by lack of oxygen and tears that were streaming down his face, hot and salty.

He tried to do the breathing exercise Puffy taught him, but his nose was so clogged up. His vision went from blurred to spotty. Someone burst through his door, a blur of brown and white.

Whoever was there called out to him, it was warbled and incoherent, but familiar all the less. He was wrapped in his blankets, the warmth was multiplied by a hug, smelling of jasmines and an abundance of other flowers.

Puffy,

Tommy sobbed out, trying to explain himself, all that came out was shuddering gasp

"Shh shh, it's okay duckling" she cooed, gently playing with his hair. Tommy's breath hitched as he hiccupped.

"Puffy" he mumbled through loud gasping breaths, although he was calmer than before. Puffy didn't move, not even an inch until Tommy's breathing slowed and she felt him relax onto her. She looked down to find Tommy asleep. Puffy looked around Tommy's house, her eyes landing on the aggressive spider in a glass cage. Gently she laid Tommy down.

"You and your gang really have been through far too much for someone your age." she said.

Tommy's eyes fluttered open, the light of a mid morning streaming down. Shroud hissed. Tommy bolted up and straight to his pet. "Sorry buddy" he said, going to let Shroud out. As soon as the spider was released it pounced onto Tommy, a note between his fangs. "Woah, wait how long have you been holding onto that?" he asked gently, taking the note.

"Tommy, I came by earlier last night. Because I felt something was up. Call it a gut feeling, those nightmares you are having haven't gotten any easier. You can't keep spending these alone, I'd offer for you to stay with me. But the Kinoko kingdom has certain.... Laws, I could try to talk to the others about an exception, but if you would like I can lend you my house by Snowchester, I know you've got some friends over there, please don't stay by yourself"

Tommy paused.

"But I have you buddy" he said looking at Shroud with a joking smile before continuing to read

"Shroud does not count, as much as I know you adore him, he is a wild mob. Being alone in your situation is not healthy, especially with those night terrors and panic attacks"

Tommy rolled his eyes, "she can't make me do this"

"I hate to do this Tommy, but from what I've learnt about you. You will not listen unless you are forced to, so this is an order from your therapist in concern for your health.

I will be here after midday to come help you make your decision"

Tommy groaned "oh come on Puffy"

"P.s. there is one more option but i doubt you'll want this, even though you will have to talk to him at some point, they're as close to family as you'll ever have and i'm sure they'll at least accept you making amends"

Tommy sighed. "Nope I am not going there" Not yet.

Tommy looked up at Shroud. "I guess you're going on a vacation to your parents for a bit, hey?" Shroud hissed, scuttling around the house. He opened the door, letting the spider out. He gave a teary smile and waved. "You won't get far. Not with that name tag." he said with a wobbly voice, his voice thick with tears he refused to shed again.

He watched as his beloved spider disappeared out of view. "See ya buddy" he said heading inside. To look at the empty cage then at his stuff.

Puffy watched a name tagged spider scuttled away from Tommy's house.

"Jeez Tommy, right on time" she said as the boy's house came into view. Tommy was standing outside waiting for her.

"Hey Puffy," he said. She smiled encouragingly.

"Hey Tommy, you made your decision?" she asked. Tommy looked out to his bench

"Yeah"

"Where to?"

"Can I stay with you?"