Hollow | BxBxBxB

-31- Strangled Tension

The rest of the day was tense and uncomfortable, Alex hardly left his room refusing to come out for meals, Liam continuously ripped into Doctor Mercury for any minor inconvenience and they fought practically the whole day, Riccardo seemed quieter than normal and spent most of his time cooped up in a corner of the courtyard staring at the ground, Doctor Mercury was awfully impatient throughout the day and the boys had to practically walk on eggshells around him.

Overall it was just a shitty day which Connor was glad to be done with, he sat on his windowsill glancing out at Riccardo as he began to collect his things together to head back inside, the brunette spotted him at the window giving Connor a friendly wave and a forced but genuine smile before disappearing from view.

Sighing Connor pressed his face against the cold, mucky glass gazing out at the big fenced in courtyard, the maple trees leaves shivered in the wind rustling about. Last night had felt so hopeful, so peaceful and optimistic. Where as tonight was the complete opposite.

Deciding he'd rather just sleep his woes away Connor settled down for bed getting changed into some comfy, fluffy cat pyjamas. It had recently been too hot to wear them but now that the nights had cooled down he felt safe enough to adorn them without overheating.

Lying down on his soft bed Connor shut his eyes hoping sleep would come swiftly to send him to a better place, and it did. At least for a few hours. He dreamt of a place happier than this where the sun never stopped shining, the birds never ceased their cheerful songs and where places like Golden Eagle didn't need to exist. A fantasy land at it's finest.

Despite his initial success Connor awoke suddenly to a weird scratching noise, he sat up in bed groggily wondering what was making that noise, was there a rat somewhere? If that was the case Connor was about to run a mile to get away from it. Maybe it was just a bird on the roof?

The sound persisted as Connor gazed upwards not able to hear anything past it at this point, then suddenly a sharp sob joined it cutting through the air like a helicopters blades in motion.

Shooting abruptly upwards Connor stared around his room wildly, now that his eyes had adjusted to the light he could make out a person hunched over in the corner, sighing in relief Connor recognised the figure as Alex, the brightness of the pink streaks in his hair once again gave him away. He must be having an episode again.

Looking up desperately at Connor Alex's eyes widened. "I don't know what I'm doing Connor, they won't shut up!" Alex choked out rocking too and fro. Connor settled down beside Alex gently taking his hand in his own making sure Alex could see all his movements so he wouldn't get scared. Connor was extremely tired but his was way more important than sleep.

"Listen to me instead" Connor insisted. "You're okay"

"I'm not, don't lie to me" Alex answered quietly not looking up at Connor. "They chased me in here, they're making me think things I don't want to think. I HATE THEM!" He then cried out cupping his hands over his face in fear.

"Breathe" Connor whispered softly, he was never sure how to comfort people, he was always better situated at being comforted rather than giving it out, so repeating what other people had said to him previously was his only real idea of how to help his boyfriend at this point. If it had worked with him maybe it'd work for Alex too?

"They hate you so much! I love you, they hate you, why can't they love you? They want to burn Liam, stab Riccardo, shoot Simon, Strangle you, it's detailed Connor. Their plans for you and everyone else, I hate it. I can't control it! They want me back to my parents to get beaten every waking hour, anyone who loves me or tries to help me deserves hell to them, I'm constantly having to fight the urge not to hurt the people I love" Alex seethed clutching strands of his hair and beginning to pull it making Connor worried he'd hurt himself.