Alden's Broken Mind Kotlc

Guilt

I watched as the prodigies finished up their dances, and Dame Alina gave her speech, and the confetti rained down, I was talking to Grady and Edaline with Della by my side.

Then Sophie came running to me and gave me a strangling hug, I laughed as I hugged her back.

"It's good to see you too, Sophie," I said.

She dried her tears on my orange cape as I smiled at her. Sophie then pulled away, she stared at the scar on my forehead.

I reached up and touched the scar. "It'll be gone in a couple of days," I reassured her. "Some wounds need a little more time. But, there's no reason to worry. How about you? You look different since the last time I saw you."

I grinned as I tugged on the floppy ears of her costume.

She smiled. "Can I take this stupid thing off yet?"

"I wish," Biana grumbled as she and Fitz joined us.

I smiled as my children joined us.

"We still have to do the elite dedication" Biana stated.

"That's my favorite part," Della said as she reached for my hand, I smiled and took her hand, but deep down I was nervous...If I had to see Wylie there knowing...No. I shoved the thought in the back of my mind.

Sophie and my children talked for a little bit as all of my attention was focused on the silver tower, there was a loud chime indicating the ceremony starting, I looked at the sky as the flickerwings were drawn to the towers, then a melody started playing and the elite prodigies started to dip and twirl, my attention was drawn to Wylie among the prodigies, a million thoughts raced through my head.

"That's Wylie, isn't it?" Sophie whispered to me.

I tensed at his name and my voice cracked. "Yes, I believe it is."

"Do you think he blames me for what happened to his father?" Sophie asked quietly.

I stayed silent as thoughts rushed through my head...It's my fault.... It's all my fault...

"No, Sophie, he blames me." The sorrow in my voice was visible.

The thoughts in my head came flowing back...He is left all alone because of me.

My fault

My fault

My fault

I started to shake ever so slightly as the elite prodigies finished up, my head was pounding where the scar was.

"What's wrong?" Della asked worriedly.

I reached up pressing the area where the scar is. "My head..." My words trailed off into a moan of pain.

The same thought kept repeating, I felt myself break.

My fault.

My fault!

MY FAULT!

"What's wrong Dad?" Fitz asked trying to steady me as I felt myself lose balance.

"I-I can't- "I tried to speak but everything turned hazy and black, darkness surrounding me I felt my thoughts shattering as my mind taunted me.

Your fault

Your fault

Your fault

I heard commotion around me and voices shouting, I couldn't make out any of them though, some sounded familiar some not.

I clung to my thoughts every last one that wasn't shattering and buried myself in the back of my mind with them as I felt myself drift away.