In-Between the Shadows

6. Trip

I told Dr. Glass of my plans. He did not approve, but let me go anyway. I was never going to get a 'proper' education anyway and it was better if I got used to doing nothing.

He never did like holidays.

We would be gone for about a week, Daniel and I. Our train left tomorrow, but I was already packed with clothes left out for the morning to change into.

Daniel finished packing while I was at work that day, and we went to dinner afterward. I told him of my family and how clingy they could be.

"From the sound of it, they love you quite a lot, Isaac."

"Almost too much! It can be suffocating!" I laughed at that as I drowned my drink, but stopped when I noticed Daniel's face. He didn't even have a smile on him.

"Is something wrong?" I asked him.

"Why do you do that? Why do you treat them like that?"

"Who, Daniel?"

"Your parents."

I raised my brow. "I don't understand."

Daniel clenched the glass in his hand, looking at it intensely. It was like he was hoping it would break and he could cut himself.

"Your parents love you. They give you a monthly allowance. They send their darling son a letter every week about all that is going on at home. They invite you to a charity event that you don't even have to go to, but you complain about it anyway."

Maybe it was the drink, but I got defensive then. "I don't complain about it!"

"Then tell me what you mean when you said that it's suffocating for them to love you."

I took another sip from my glass. "I love my parents, Daniel. Can't I complain that they love me once in a while? So much so that I can't get a break to be by myself? To be myself?"

Daniel got very quiet then. From squeezing the glass so tight, he managed to turn his hand white. I was counting the seconds for the glass to break.

One.

Two.

Three.

Daniel's chair squeaked and he stood up. I was startled. My heart stopped for a second.

He wouldn't look at me as he walked away. He didn't pay the bill this time. I said his name, but he didn't turn around. I said it again louder, but he still wouldn't look at me. He was heading for the exit.

"Daniel!" The whole restaurant looked at me. Daniel walked out, the door closing shut just as I fished for my wallet. I threw money on the table, before running after him, tripping on my feet as I did so. Everyone was looking. I moved faster.

I ran away from the building before I looked for Daniel. I saw a tall figure. I caught up to it.

"Daniel. I-"

"Who?" The figure turned around. It wasn't Daniel.

"I'm sorry."

I turned around and then turned around again. I could not find him. I did not know where he went. I shouted his name. I got no answer. I shouted it again. I looked crazy. Everyone on the street was looking at me.

My head hurt and I walked down a random street. I pulled my Daniel coat closer. It was too cold.

I found myself at the park. I sat down on a bench and held myself as I looked out onto the night. The lamppost only helped so much. There wasn't much to see but an open field that children played around in.