Split

Letter

Instead of Dennis returning home, it was Kevin that stormed through the door half an hour later. I stood up as he stomped past me, "Kevin?"
He didn't reply and went to his room, slamming the door behind him.
I wouldn't usually follow him but I was freaking out, so I knocked on his door. When there was no response, I opened it anyway, "Kevin? Are you okay?"

"What do you think?" He was sitting on his bed and looking up at me, "Dennis is blaming me for what happened, he won't let me talk to him. What did you say?"

"I just told him what happened, I didn't say anything else."

"Well he's pretty fucking mad! Isn't that something you could have kept to yourself? You know, if you hadn't suggested it in the first place, I wouldn't have tried it!"

"Excuse me, Barry suggested it, and if you really didn't want to do it then why were you so forward?"

"Because I wanted Dennis back too! But now I'm right back to how it was before, and he's probably never going to talk to me again!" His furious face smoothed and he closed his eyes, the anger seeming to switch off, and it was quickly replaced with something calm.
"Shh, nothing will come of anger."

"Patricia?" I blinked, startled by her voice.

She smiled softly, "hello, Casey, how are you feeling?"

"I'm not going to lie, I'm a little confused... I didn't realise you were back."

"It seems I've just returned. Kevin always did have a bad temper... I help him relax."

"I hope he's okay."

"He will be. Are you okay?"

"I don't know, it's complicated."

She chuckled, "isn't everything?"

"Not that I'm not pleased to see you but... do you think you could give Barry the light?"

"Of course, my dear." She closed her eyes and smiled thinly, exhaling softly through her nose. I didn't think I'd be as happy as I was to see her again... but I was glad she was back, especially as she was only trying to help Kevin.

Barry quickly took her place, "hey, honey. How ya feeling?"

"Crap. Is he okay?"

He tilted his head, "he's getting there. He's listening to what I have to say, but he'll need a little time to think. It'll be okay. He knows you didn't do it to be spiteful but he needs to be on his own for a while."

"I've only just got him back..." I hid my face in my hands.

"I know, but it shouldn't take too long. He was a lot less upset when I'd finished talking to him. He'll be okay."

I hoped Barry was right, "can't I talk to him?"

"Its best you don't right now... I think the same goes for Kevin. Patricia is talking to him... who would have guessed that she was actually useful."

"You all are... that's why she needs to be able to live like the rest of you," Barry rolled his eyes in amusement, "I'm serious, you shouldn't be deciding who's good enough to have the light, you should all get a chance."

"Maybe if she behaves herself I'll let her out to play. But only if she proves that she's not a danger to us anymore."

"I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that."

"Yeah, I bet she will, she's probably plotting to murder some innocent school kids as we speak."

"Stop it, she's not that bad. She proved herself when she slit her own wrists to kill the beast. If that doesn't prove her worth, I don't know what will."