ORGÁNOSI I: Broken Mask

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 19

ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 19

MIDNIGHT felt like he had been in and out of consciousness. He felt like he was falling into an abyss, struggling to breathe while being enclosed by flashing lights and disordered background, confused by the ever-changing chaotic scenery around him and the numbing silence screaming into his ears. However, just before he would drown, his consciousness would come back, fiercely pulled back from that chaotic memory.

It felt like he was having a very long, chaotic dream that he couldn't remember every time his consciousness comes back.

Different memories flash through his mind. Some were crystal clear, and a lot were blurred, as if a veil was deliberately put over it so he wouldn't see it. And that veil became thicker and thicker until he couldn't see those memories again, slowly forgotten in his sea of consciousness.

Other memories covered the forgotten once. They weren't happy memories. Some were horrible and heartbreaking, but he was able to bear it because of the happy memories that would resurface from time to time.

Many times, Midnight felt like he was talking to someone he was remarkably familiar with. It felt therapeutic in a way, baring his thoughts and showing his vulnerable self.

Outside, Silvanus let out a breath of relief when he saw a smile forming on Midnight's lips. It was a good indication that the treatment had a positive effect on Midnight. But he couldn't let his guard down yet.

After two and a half weeks of treatment, this was the first time Midnight reacted physically. Yes, Midnight would speak to him—it was due to this that the treatment was able to push through after the controlled chemical slowly entered his body. However, Midnight never showed any sign of relief or happiness, until today. It seems that it was finally working.

Finally, after exhausting his voice to the point of becoming hoarse and his throat becoming sore, the result was finally showing.

Silvanus reached for the folder containing Midnight's recent brain scan and test results. The results were very promising. But he couldn't be sure if the treatment was indeed a success until Midnight wakes up.

He had done his best to treat Midnight to the point of losing his voice. Silvanus had to talk to Midnight every day for hours to tweak Midnight's bad memories, put a veil over them and plant 'normal' memories that coincide with Midnight's real memories, so he wouldn't question them.

This was the most challenging part for Silvanus. He had to listen to Midnight's psychotherapy records again and again to figure out which memory to tweak, which part of his memory needed to be hidden, and which part of his memory has gaps so he could plant false memories in them to help the whole narrative of the changed memories.

It wasn't an easy to fate. He had to be careful over every little memory because of how delicate and vulnerable Midnight's mind was.

"How is he?" From behind, Silvanus heard Dominick's voice.

Dominick hadn't gone home since they started the treatment. He stayed, looking out for Midnight and checking on Midnight a few times every day.

"The results are all positive." He handed the medical documents to Dominick. "I think you can go home and rest now. I'll immediately call you if something came up."

"No. I'm staying." Dominick promised to himself that as long as Midnight hadn't opened his eyes, he would not leave. "I always video chat with my princess, so it's okay. And Klaus is with her. He'll keep her safe for the time being."

"Alright." Silvanus sighed. "But go to sleep, at least. You lack sleep more than I do and I am Midnight's doctor."

Dominick just shrugged and went back to his seat at the corner of the room.