Duality Doesn't Exist [Set It Off] [[DISCONTINUED]]

On The Way Back Home.

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Right Side Up

Omniscient
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Maxx was probably going ten miles over the speed limit by the time they entered Alabama the next day. With each passing hour, his heart rate quickened, and he grew more stressed. His mirror kept trying to comfort him telepathically.

'Don't worry, we'll get Rayne back. You need to calm down, you're gonna get us in trouble.'

Maxx just sighed in response to him, not slowing up unless he saw red hair. Everyone was quiet, keeping an eye out of the windows they were beside. He followed Cody's directions on where to go, not listening to anything else, barely even that. His head was swimming in static noise.

"Maxx, slow up," Cody ordered. "There's a turn coming up, and so are cops."

Maxx practically stomped on the brake, jerking everyone forward. Mirror Maxx fell down, hitting his head on the back seat.

"Hey man, easy on the brakes," Austin called, clearing Maxx's head a bit.

"Hey, I think someone else should take over driving for a bit," Zach proposed. "Maxx, you need to let off some steam."

"There's no steam to let off," Maxx replied curtly, "I'm fine."

"Hey, Zach's right," Dan said. He leaned forward in his seat. "Maxx, you should really let someone else take over driving for a bit."

"I said I'm fine," Maxx replied again, annoyance tinging his voice. He made the turn Cody directed, keeping his wary eye on the cop car. Two police officers sat inside, just waiting to see who would speed by them.

'Maxx, you should really calm down now. You're gonna crash.'

I'm not gonna crash, shut up so I can concentrate.

The whole ride through was quiet except when someone would propose once more that Maxx trade spots with someone, which he always declined, and sped up. The only time he stopped was at a red light. His breathing steadily grew more shaky and haphazard, his hands knuckle white against the wheel.

What I they're already dead and we're doing this for nothing?

'They're not dead. They're out there and they might die if you don't get yourself together. Maxx, seriously,' Mirror Maxx whispered in his mind. 'Just slow down for a moment, come back here and let Cody drive for a bit.'

Make me. I'm not gonna just sit and wait while Rayne is out there probably dying.

'you're in no shape to be driving, you're gonna crash if you don't calm down.'

I'm going to actually do something instead of staring out the window. Shut up so I can concentrate. Maxx breathed in shaky breaths, ignoring everyone's voices asking if he was okay.

'You're not concentrating either way.'

Maybe I could if you would shut the fuck up. Leave me alone. His head began to pound, blurring his vision. Thank God it was a red light.

'We can afford to let someone else drive. Someone that won't get the cops on us.'

Maxx just shut up. Please. Please, shut up. I'm not going to sit here and do nothing.

His headache worsened, spreading all over his head and coating it in a layer of pain. He winced and rubbed his hair, but still refused to give up his seat.