Castaway || mgc

30

castaway

i am authentically surprised. out of all the people here, the last person i expect to see would be him—but here he is.

"ashton?" i croak, feeling my eyebrows pull into a frown at the sight of the boy. "what...what are you doing here?"

he hesitates before replying, "i, uh, heard you screaming..."

          funny, i heard him chuckling in my head the other day.

          "20 minutes, irwin. then you're out." the nurse at the door demands and ashton slowly nods before she closes the door.

          we sit in silence, our backs against the wall as we stare into the distance.

          "why did you come for me?" i ask, curiosity building up inside me and i can't decipher the situation. "and how?"

          "they took me to the therapist in the psychology wing and on my way back i...i heard screams down the hallway. so i ran over and saw you with...with your friend."

          "she's not my friend!" i shout, and he doesn't seem taken aback at all. i sigh, "i'm sorry. i didn't—"

          "no, it's fine." he sends me a timid smile and i sigh once more. "i have no idea how i can see her, and luke's friend. actually, there are more people here who...who're like you two."

          he turns to face me and i realize that he has a toy kitten in his hands, "i-i can see everyone's friend, michael. it creeps me out, how scary they look like. but yours like to change appearances."

          "you don't say," i scoff before motioning towards the toy kitten in his hands. "what's that for?"

          his grip around the toy tightens as he presses his lips into a thin line, "it was my brother's. i couldn't leave it."

          my heart aches at the thought of his family being taken away from him all at once and i turn to face him as well, "what's his name?"

          "harry. i had a sister named lauren, too. they, well, i-i miss them so much." his eyes are brimming with tears and i know that he's lonely.

          he laughs at nothing and cries at nothing. when maybe, he's remembering all the memories in his head and he keeps them to himself. maybe he likes to reminisce.

          "i miss my parents as well. they kicked me out and i just became this castaway, you know?" and for once, i admit it.

          he nods, "me, too. you should really consult a therapist. they are all nice here. they can help."

          "i'll consider it." i manage a smile and he does, too.

          i watch him intently, those sad eyes staring at the toy kitten longingly with sadness.

          2. ashton irwin. cause of insanity: dead family.