Insanity (Sequel To Madness)

I Always Do

Shane takes me back to the house once he is stable enough to walk. He has been wiping away tears the entire time, but they seem to be slowing now.
"Are you okay?" I ask as we enter the main living room and see Mark pacing while holding a com to his lips.
"Yes, I'm fine." He states quietly while he let's go of me and goes towards the bedrooms.
"Where have you been?" Mark asks in shock, dropping the com to the ground.
"It's a long story. My childhood friend who I thought was dead came back and now I have a new stalker." I say, crossing my arms.
"Sounds pretty eventful." Mark chuckles as he hugs me softly.
"It was, but I have to go talk to Shane real quick. I'll catch up when I'm done." I say, slightly pushing Mark back and allowing myself a path towards the bedrooms.
"Shane." I call as I enter his bedroom and find him on his bed with his fave in his hands. He wipes his nose and attempts to hide himself from me when I enter. I sit next to him and wrap my arm around him while I lean on his shoulder.
"My apologies, just... When I think of her..." Shane's voice trembles when he speaks, and I've never heard that before.
"I know... I get it. I just have to tell you something, and then you can grieve and I'll support you. Okay?" I question calmly. Shane nods in his hands. I sigh and place my hand in one of his, and he squeezes it tightly.
"Josh knows me from our childhood, and he told me that he's been looking for me for years. You told me that he was looking for a woman, and I think that it was me. He said he wouldn't let me go again, but I don't want to go with him. Shane, I don't know what he will do, but whatever I say out there, just know that I want to stay with you and my friends, and even if I'm taken away from you, I'll always come back. I've always found my way back before, and no matter where you all go, I'm going to come back and find you again. If you need someone while I'm gone, talk to Wade. He will help you and accept you, I promise." I whisper as I kiss Shane's cheek softly. I attempt to gt up from the bed to leave Shane to grieve on his own, like he probably wants anyways. However, he grabs me and pulls me back towards him.
"Don't leave." He whispers in a demanding way. I nod and sit next to him once more.
"Of course... I'll stay with you." I respond while I lay my head on his shoulder like before.
"Thank you." He whispers back while his hand keeps its strong grip on mine.

***

After a long while of Shane crying and then dressing himself in a different button up shirt and matching tie, we decide to go back to speak to Josh. I put my hair up in a ponytail, I don't know why, but it has been a very long time, so I just decided to do it. My hair sways when I walk, which is a bit strange since I'm not used to it, but it's fine. Shane and I walk back into the living room and instantly Maddie jumps on me, wrapping her legs and arms around me.
"V! Where in the world did you go?" She squeals into my ear. I stumble backward at her actions and wrap my arms on her to try to keep balance. Mark catches me slightly and helps me to regain my balance.
"Next time a little warning maybe?" I chuckle at her while her hair falls into my face.
"Sorry, I just got excited to see you." Maddie whispers while she slowly lowers herself back onto the ground.
"It's okay, Shane and I were going to go talk to someone real quick." I say, slightly pulling Shane closer to me.
"Oh, who are you going to talk to?" Mark asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
"That's not important. What's important is that you guys start making an amazing dinner that we can eat when I get back." I say playfully with a slight chuckle. I smile brightly at Maddie and then hug Mark happily.
"What's this for?" Mark chuckles at me while his strong arms are wrapped around me.
"I just missed you." I whisper to him, suddenly loosing my previous cheery mood.
"I missed you too, but you're not leaving again are you? You always do this when you plan to leave." Mark whispers, moving me so I stare into his eyes. I stare into his chocolate brown eyes for a moment and then smile to myself and then look at the ground.
"I always come back." I whisper as I release him form my grasp, but his grip doesn't allow me to leave so easily.
"No, you're not leaving." Mark whispers.
"Shane and I have to go talk to someone, you should go start dinner." I say, loud enough for everyone to hear me this time.
"I'm not letting go so easily." Mark tells me.
"You don't have to, I'll be back." I respond and pull my arm away strongly. I grab Shane and pull him out the door, putting on a smile before I leave.
"Come back soon." Mark calls to me before I can close the door.
"I always do, don't worry and have some fun while cooking." I say with a smile. I close the front door and drag Shane out with me.
"What was that about?" Shane whispers while we walk back towards the front wall.
"Nothing, just if I have to do something, I wanted to be able to say goodbye for the time being." I explain in a hushed voice.
"I understand now... You think that Joshua will try to take you when we try to speak with him." Shane replies quietly.
"Yeah... And I'm not going to make anyone mad, so I'll just go if that's what will solve it. Don't try to stop me either, like I told you before, I'll always come back." I whisper.