Confidence

The Game

*Trigger warning: panic attack/ abuse*

When the traits all woke up the next morning they found themselves in a pure white room with no exits. Two of them panicked, two of them strategized, and one was missing.

After arriving and panicking, Virgil realized where they were. He also realized that this was it. This is when the traits would learn his secret. Immediately another panic attack started.

This can't be happening.
Not again.
OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh
I
Can't
Breath

"Virgil!" Some one yelled.
"You have to breath with me Virgil," Roman said, putting my hand on his rising and falling chest. Eventually, when I had calmed down, I was pulled into a hug by Princey.

Suddenly the missing personality appeared in the room. With a devilish grin, he walked toward us, towering over our sitting forms. Quickly, he ran over and snapped a collar around my neck. In a state of shock I was not able to stop him. I gasped as my hands went to grab the collar. He looked me in the eye and snapped, causing the others to receive the same type collar.

It's cause I'm weak. Now he's gonna hurt my friends. All because I was to weak to save them.

"Alright let's begin our game. This is a game I like to call "Truth or consequence".
Here are the rules:
1. Nobody gets to leave the room. Easy enough considering there is no door.
2. All questions must be answered truthfully or you will be punished.
It's all very simple. Just don't lie.
There are two teams: team 1 with Patton, Logan, and Roman. Team 2 with Virgil."
The others gave him a puzzled look while I avoided eye contact. He was going to make me tell them everything. This is a sick and twisted game to him. Soon they would know my secrets and I couldn't bare the thought of them leaving me. Seeing the love vanish from their eyes, filling with hatred and disgust.

"First question is for team 1. What is your specialized room in the mind palace?"
Although they they thought this was strange they answered.

Patton was first,"Mine is a Candy Land; like the game Thomas always played as a kid! It's filled with memory's and items from his life."

Then Logan, "Mine is a grand library brimming with a multitude of books and knowledge. It also contains a stage for debate cessions."

Lastly was Roman, "Mine is a large kingdom in which I fight dragon witches and save those in distress!" Andy smirked, turning to me.

"Same question to you Virgil."

"Um mine is kinda a forest of nightmares." I answer pulling my sleeves down gently. The other core trait gave me a sympathetic look.

"Question 2. What is your worst fear? Team 1?"

"Letting down my children."

"Failing Thomas."

"Not being able to save the ones I love."

"Team 2?"

"Being alone." I whisper. More sadness and sympathy from the others. Just wait, I thought, it's about to get worse.

"Question three. This ones for team 2 only. Do you trust them?"

"Yes." true collar sends a searing hot pain through me leaving pain in every limb.

"Try again. Do you trust every single one of them fully heartedly with no doubts in your mind?"

"yes." The pain comes again.

"Try again."

"y-yes,"Another shock, "n-no." I whimper out through unshed tears.

"Question 4. What is your name?"

"What kind of dumb question is that?!" A previously silent Roman yelled. "His name is Virgil! He is Thomas' anxiety and we all love him. Sure he has a few trust issues but we'll work through them." Before he could continue another shock was sent through my body.

"Alright I'll ask a different question then. How do you help Thomas? Go on, tell them, they deserve to know Anx," he spat my name as if it were fire that had burned him. They others looked confused and expectant.

"I take e-everyone's anxiety so they don't have t-to feel it. It results in horrible panic attacks," I whimper through grunts of pain, "that's why I spend so long in my room sometimes." I whispered the last part. After avoiding their gazes and states I finally looked up. They're all heartbroken. Romans hands were covering his mouth and slow tears dripped down his face. Dad was hugging Logan and looking away, shaking as the sobs escaped his body. Logan had the same expression as Roman.

They just pity you.

"What's your real name?"

"Please let them go," I pleaded. He looked at me like I was stupid.

"That didn't sound like an answer to me. Would you like to try again or should I just shock you now? All I'm asking for is you name. Is that too much to ask?"

"Conner."