Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 35: Virgil's the Best Brother

Virgil sat on the bed numbly, his suitcase right next to him. Logan and Patton had bought it for him, it was a simple black one. All of his clothes were folded up and put in there, except for what he was going to put on tomorrow. All of his items were in there and his school backpack. Everything but Purp. Who was in his hands.

It is Saturday now. Tomorrow was Sunday, and he was going to move into Logan and Patton's house. The beginning of the new month, in a new house.

"Are you excited?" Roman asked.

"I... don't know. I feel... overwhelmed," Virgil answered honestly. "Is this really happening?"

The demon smiled warmly. "It is. Tomorrow, Logan and Patton will pick you up and drive you to their house. Where you will hopefully stay for years to come."

Virgil hugged Purp closer, feeling warm tears build up in his eyes. "I'm scared. What if they change their mind before the end of three weeks? Or... if they change their mind after they sign the adoption papers. What if they don't want me?"

Roman's smile dropped and he sighed, sitting next to Virgil. "With the way you three interacted earlier today, I can tell they do want to adopt you. They want to make memories of you, with you as their child. You don't need to worry about them not wanting you, since it's not true."

"What if... after a few weeks of living with them, they don't like me? They could kick me out and I..." Virgil curled up, shutting his eyes closed as a tear slipped down. "No one wants me."

""That's not true," Roman told him, reaching a hand out before hesitating. "May I hold you?" Virgil looked up and hesitantly nodded. The demon wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a hug. "You're a good kid, Virgil. You're kind, smart, and you make people happy. You might not see it, but it's true."

"What if I don't make Logan and Patton happy?"

"Those two are smart, they wouldn't have chosen to adopt you if they didn't want to."

Virgil took a deep breath, letting out a shuddering sigh. "I'm scared of leaving this place."

"You can always visit when you need to."

"I don't know if I'm ready."

"Maybe not, but will you ever be? This will be a big change... But it'll be for the best. You'll have a permanent home."

"I just don't want to lose anyone else."

"Who are you losing?"

Virgil stayed quiet for a while, thinking about everyone in the orphanage. All the kids... Delores... This room... And if it was possible, there was no doubt Roman would leave him too. "I don't know..." he finally answered.

"If you ever miss this place, you can always visit. I'll be by your side for everything you need." Roman pulled away from the hug, but kept a hand on Virgil's shoulder. "So I need you to take a deep breath, and remember, that whatever happens I'll make sure we come out on top."

Virgil nodded, taking another deep breath just as Roman said. "You won't leave me?"

"Never," Roman promised, and for some reason it sent a chill up Virgil's spin. Not necessarily bad... Part of him truly believed it. A small part of him told him it was a lie but... it was much smaller now.

"Thank you..."

There was a small knock and they both turned to the door as it opened. Kayden stood behind it, leaving the door cracked open. Virgil gave him a smile, though it was sad, as he waved him in.

"You're going to leave tomorrow?" Kayden shyly asked as he opened the door wider, taking a few steps inside.

"Yeah little bud, today is my last day."

The little boy mumbled, something, and Virgil frowned lightly and tilted his head.

"I'm afraid I didn't hear that."

"I don't want you to leave," Kayden said louder, tears coming to his eyes.

Virgil's heart softened and he stood up, walking over. "Hey, it's going to be okay. I can come and visit you." He kneeled down in front of him, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"I'm gonna miss you." Kayden fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. "You... you're my brother..."

Tears sprung to Virgil's eyes again and he smiled wider. He leaned down and pulled Kayden into a hug, holding him tightly. "I'm happy you feel that way, you're an awesome little brother. I'm going to miss you, but only on the days that I don't come to visit. There's no way I can leave this place behind and just forget about it. This place will always be a home to me."

Kayden hugged him back tightly as some tears fell from his eyes. "You promise you'll visit?"

"Of course. I will visit you, and everyone else here whenever I can. I want to be able to see you grow, and hear when you get adopted."

"I'm happy you found good parents. I hope you're gonna be happy with them."

Virgil leaned his chin on Kayden's shoulder. "I hope so too." He pulled back with a smile and wiped away one of Kayden's tears. "You're a strong kid, take care of Delores and the others for me?"

Kayden nodded. "I will."

"Thank you. Now remember, this won't be good bye because I'm going to come and visit you. So this will be a see you later, 'kay?"

"Okay... I'm still gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you too, little bud."

Kayden was quiet for a little bit before saying. "Are you gonna be happy? With your new parents?"

"I... I think so. They're very nice, and they're fun to talk to. I think I'll be happy." Hopefully... it wasn't a lie. Logan and Patton were nice to talk to, they were fun to be with and seemed genuine with him. Plus Roman seemed to trust them, and so does everyone else. But will he be happy with them? To live with them?

"Can... Can I sleep in here tonight?" Kayden quietly asked.

"Only if you brush your teeth." Virgil booped his nose. "I can still smell that chocolate ice cream on your breath."

That seemed to put a smile on Kayden's face, and he nodded. "Okay!"

Virgil stood up as he ran out of the room. He turned to the bed, where Roman was still sitting with a huge smile on his face, his tail slowly going back and forth like a cats.

"What?" Virgil asked.

"That kid thinks you're pretty cool, I wish you could see it yourself," Roman answered. "I think you're cool too."

The human's face turned red and he went to move his suitcase off of his bed. "It- I'm not like that. I-I'm just like an older brother to him, and everyone else here."

"You're still really cool, and kind. I don't think I could serve a better person in this town."

Virgil pushed him slightly, making Roman laugh. "Oh shut it."