Statues In Time-DNF

Pt 1 Ch 5

A year had passed since their meeting. The months they spent together had been the only thing keeping Clay from going insane alone in his home. He tossed his violin on his bed with force he didn't mean to put, flinching at the loud thud. He shuffled his way to his small kitchen, pouring himself a glass of wine, then shaking his head before taking the whole bottle in his hand and swinging it back, chugging down half of it. It was often the only thing he would consume for days at a time. It made everything feel slower...

better.

George grabbed his sandals and slid them on as he slowly made his way out the door, feeling his friend Wilbur's hand on his shoulder. Nick was talking about a man he had been having rendezvous with, his voice full of affection as he described the man named Karl, who had seemingly mesmerized him. Wilbur chuckled teasingly "Nick we get it, his ass is nice, you can just leave it at that." Nick gasped, offended, "You know that's rich coming from the man who refuses to stay out too late in case his dear Alexxx would worry for him." George felt Wilbur bend over laughing next to him and smiled at the two boys' light teasing. They were heading out into the annual town festival. He heard children singing nursery rhymes and their mothers scolding them for being so loud. He heard young lovers giggle around them. He swiveled his head at the sound of two pair of footsteps heading towards them. Alex and Karl were chattering as they complimented George's outfit. "George we brought you some bread, it's delicious, have some" George brought the bread to his mouth and reveled in the fluffiness. He followed his friends absentmindedly but slowly came to the realization that he had been separated from them. He stumbled through the crowd "Wilbur? Nick?!" He started to panic, his breath catching and his fingers getting cold.

Clay stumbled around his house, his mind spinning from the wine as he sang loudly and hysterically. Tears rushed down his face as he choked out lyrics. Before he realized what he was doing he was running through the woods towards the town.

George was shaking uncontrollably as he crouched in the middle of the crowd, putting his head in his hands and trying to count to calm himself down. He couldn't stop the tears and panic from crashing over him. Clay would have known what to do. Clay wouldn't have let him get lost. But Clay left. He left and he took a part of George with him.