Game Over ~AntiAverage

12. Chase

I helped him up to the once vacant room and he sighed as I opened the door. He just stood there waiting. I sat down on the bed and looked up at him patiently waiting for him to follow. He did... eventually. He sat down beside me with a frown. I couldn't help but feel a little on edge. After all, this is Anti and it wasn't that long ago he was trying to kill us all. That is... If that was his actual intent. I frowned picking my self up and Anti looked over slightly anxious.

"I'm gonna go. I'm sure you don't need me here..."

"N-No, please..." His voice cracked a little and I frowned as he looked away. "Can you stay... I don't... I don't want to..." He shuddered a bit and I freaked.

"Hey, it's ok." I sat back down and wrapped my arm around him rubbing his back reassuringly. "I'll stay if you want me too." He nodded as he sat back against the headboard staring at his hands. I frowned as he started to shake. How am I supposed to help him? I... I want to help him. I am scared though. Henrik said his memories might still be there. That his consciousness can't... wait... Does that mean his subconscious can? Like... Like when he's dreaming. Was that what was happening? But... How... My eyes went wide as a thought came to mind and I cursed myself for not asking Henrik more. But maybe... Maybe if Henrik is right, I might be able to ask Anti himself. Jesus Christ... The doctor is so gonna kill me. That is if Anti doesn't first. "Hey, bud?" He looked up at me and I smiled. "I would really like to get to know you better." He narrowed his eye in confusion. Honestly, he was giving me the 'your a total idiot' look I tend to get a lot.

"But I don't even know myself. How am I..." I shook my head and he sighed looking away.

"Henrik said you don't have amnesia." The response was instant. He started shaking as this look of horror filled his features and I frowned. He was reminding me so much of an ego I met so long ago. He suffered from anxiety and would have all these attacks... I wonder is Anx is doing ok now that I... Wait, no is not the time to be worrying about Virge. I have another friend to worry about.

"I w-wasn't lying. I swear. I'm not... I can't..." He started to clutch his shirt tightly and I pulled him in cautiously.

"It's ok, Anti. Henrik know... We ALL know you aren't lying." He looked up at me a little through the tears in his eyes and I smiled sadly. He looked so... vulnerable. It's so unlike him. But yet... I think this is the most we've ever seen of the real him.

"B-But you j-just said..." I shook my head and held him tighter feeling him slightly relax.

"Henrik thinks you still have your memories but your consciousness can't access them." I felt him push away and I frowned. He was sitting there staring at the bed with narrowed eyes. "And I was wondering if you would be ok trying something with me?" His eyes narrowed even more in confusion and I sighed. He wasn't going to answer me. "Anti..."

"Try what?" I smiled a little a he looked up at me. "What is it you want to do?"

"Henrik said you consciousness couldn't access it. Maybe you subconscious can." His eyes went wide a bit and I laughed. "I know but... It isn't as hard as you might think. I've done it many time myself and..."

"You've been hypnotized?" I tensed up a bit. I've never told anyone that and yet it was so easy to let it slip with him. Anti... Why is that?

"Self-hypnosis... I... I use it to help calm my depressive episodes." His eyes darkened and I sighed remembering all those nights I would just lay in bed with my own thoughts. Those nights... I still do. "I've done it before so... I know what to do to help you." He looked away and I frowned. He narrowed his eye as if listening to someone... He was listening to someone, wasn't he? He was hearing the voices in his head. "Anti..."

"Ok..." I froze. He looked back over at me with a slight smile. "Just... tell me what to do."

"A-Are you sure about this?" Anti nodded and I smiled brightly. "O-Ok then. You'll need to comfortable so... lay down with your head on the pillow." He listened and I just sat back watching. When he finally positioned himself right he glanced over at me expectantly and I nodded. "Now you have to close your eyes." His eyes went wide as he glanced around a bit and I frowned. "Anti, it's going to be ok. But for this to work you... you have to trust me."

"I do trust you." His voice was soft and I looked back to see this reassuring smile on his face. I could feel my cheeks warm up and I just sat there stunned. I don't know what I expected but... for him to so confidently say that it took me by surprise.

"So close your eyes. I won't go anywhere." He sighed and slowly closed his eyes. I could see it his face scrunch up a bit showing he was anxious and I frowned. I took his hand absentmindedly and watched as he started to relax. "You're ok, Anti. I'm right here and I'm not leaving you any time soon."

"P-Promise?" His voice was barely above a whisper but I could hear the emotion in it. I held his hand tighter and took a deep breath.

"I promise. Now I want you to take a deep breath and focus only on me ok?" He narrowed his eye and I smiled sadly. "I know it will be hard with all that in your head but imagine they're a tv someone else has on a bit to loud." He took a deep breath and I watched as his features softened if only a little bit. "Ok, Anti... I need you to focus on me and only me. The only thing that matters right now... Is the sound of my voice and the relaxed feeling I'm going to help you to find."