In Hell We Dance

Whole

-Connor-

My god, Aiden is so adorably innocent! He still sits gingerly, like he's afraid he'll scratch something. The first few months I had this car, I was like a mother in my own right. A car clipped me and I had a mini panic attack, going all out to fix the poor baby. Now I don't mind so much. It's still a fucking expensive car, but I don't think I need to worry about mini Aiden here doing much damage.

Not like Isaac in the backseat currently, kicking his leg into the back of the seat because he's bored. I give him my most withering glare and he stops, turning to face out the window. Anyway, back to Aiden.

He's shy, and I can relate. Wouldn't even let us pick him up at his house. It had to be at the same bus stop. Every time. He's got a set of rules, and I can see his O.C.D. kicking in. Dude's got the drive when he's spitting out orders. Then you ask him one small, tiny little question, and he shrinks back into his shell. I tried broaching the subject of school, but that made him uber uncomfortable, and he rubbed absently at his eye, recalling the bruise. Shit, he's probably got bully issues. Maybe we should send Isaac in to do a little intimidating.

I'm kidding. Relax!

Onto safer horizons then. Things he likes. His hobbies, obsessions. Anything.

"Uh, not much. I collect butterflies and other dead insects and keep them in jars, 'cause they're life, captured in a moment." He flushes, and I can tell its a personal confession. Guess I better lighten things up, ease the burden.

"You know, I have a wardrobe that's probably the size of your bedroom."

Isaac chuckles. "It's ridiculous!"

"I'm a fashion diva," I say, matter-of-fact. I wish I had a scarf to toss over my shoulder.

I've got Aiden smiling, and that's brilliant. Let him know he can be himself around us. Others might make fun of him, but I see a wonderfully unique guy who views the world in a way most never would.

"From collecting butterflies," I say. "to sneaking into Hell. That's quite a leap."

Aiden bats his eyelids.

"Not... I mean Hell isn't something I ever would have found on my own. I like abandoned places, not... not—"

"I get you," I say, sighing. "Abandoned places though? What, like houses?"

"No." He shakes his head firmly, like that's a silly idea. "You don't know who could be there. I like to explore old parks, graveyards, that kind of thing. The more moss, the better."

"Cheery."

"I think it's really beautiful," he says with a smile that is very... cheery. Still, I nod, picturing it now: the mossy cobblestone, shattered bricks and tufts of grass that make up a lot of the flooded districts around Hell.

"And you said you wouldn't have found Hell on your own?"

"Hell is as far out as I've gone, and that's only because Ryder took me."

I narrow my eyes. "He took you to Hell? As a... like, what? A date?"

"Fucking sexy," Isaac purrs. I ignore him.

Aiden blushes. "He wanted to show me the Neon Sea."

I go blank.

"Y'know, the rainbow tunnel down the hole, with the cool ball pit you land in."

"Oh. Right." God. I'm already letting that place slip from memory. Of course, a lot of shit happened, so it's no so easy, but my head is awash with the future, a white marble villa, gorgeous aesthetics: terracotta plants and minimalist furniture. I find comfort in picturing a sleek-ass house.