Unstable || Prinxiety

Chapter 2

Virgil didn't wake up until the next day, caught in an uncomfortable loop of recurring dreams - or should he say nightmares. Considering it had been months since he'd actually gotten any sleep, he felt good. Better than he had in a long time. The embarrassing event of yesterday still burned bright in his mind, and he told himself that he would never go outside again. Ever.  

His phone buzzed, forcing him to roll over and fumble for the object, his fingers brushing the razor that he'd left on the dresser after he last... 'used' it. Sighing, he flicked his phone open, taking a few seconds to adjust to the piercing brightness of the screen. He had gotten an email from Logan, 'Oh God...'  It must be about something he'd done wrong, maybe not helping with a video..? Fingers reluctantly entering his password, he rolled onto his stomach and gazed at the screen before hesitating and looking away. Maybe if he ignored it, they would forget about whatever he'd done wrong. 

Looking back on the past few weeks however, Virgil couldn't think of a single error he'd made. He'd been working on keeping Thomas motivated: even staying up all night by helping him with work last week. He'd helped some of the lesser sides decorate Prank's room for his birthday - all this was innocent enough, wasn't it? 

His eyes drifted to the clock, as they often did when he was stressed or worried. He liked watching the second-hand tick, listening to the sounds. It calmed him. His eyes widened as he noticed the time, he was meant to be in the Control Room looking over Thomas! As one of the more important sides, he had more responsibilities than most and would definitely be expected to be there.

After hastily applying his makeup, he stepped outside, shivering from the cold air in the hallway. His room was kept far away from most other sides, a rule decided by Logan, so it took a few minutes to get to the main hall. It was still early so there were only a few sides around, but it was still enough to make him uncomfortable. He ran his hand through his hair again, walking with his side pressed against the wall as he navigated into a more isolated chamber. 

His movements stopped as he heard footsteps coming in his direction, followed by distant taunts and the heavy sounds of sobbing. He peered around the hall, his curiosity replacing his anxiety briefly. Virgil looked back down the hallway, hoping someone was approaching who could help. Seeing no one, he sighed and continued down the hall to where the crying was coming from. Turning the corner, he saw someone, obviously a kid, crouched on the floor holding his hands to his bleeding nose. The kid gasped and stood up quickly as his eyes locked with Virgil's, and injury forgotten, he turned and began sprinting down the hall. Before he could get too far away, Virgil grabbed his arm and brought him back. 

"Are you alright?" he asked, examining the boys face.

The kid nodded quickly, fear radiating through his features.

Virgil looked doubtfully at the boy's bleeding nose but decided not to press the issue. "What's your name?"

"Are you Virgil?" the boy replied, ignoring Virgil's question entirely.

"Uh... yes. Why? Have you heard rumors about me or something?"

"Well... people tell me that's you're Unstable," the boy whispered the last line and looked around as if he'd done something wrong. He looked back at Virgil with wide eyes, his fear slowly disappearing.

The feeling of ominous dread infused his body.

"What? Who said th-" suddenly they were interrupted by Arrogance, who was leaving his room. 

"Uncomfortable! Step away from that... thing right this second." Arrogance warned, gesturing to Virgil.

"Oops!" the bo- Uncomfortable squeaked as he backed away, mouthing a quick goodbye at Virgil before scampering down the hall.

"And you," Arrogance sneered at Virgil, "stay away from everyone. No one wants you manipulating the children, you... mistake." and with that, he was gone, his words remaining as echoes in Virgil's mind.

Virgil tried to shake the words from his head as he continued walking to the control room, but he couldn't get them to leave. What did the kid mean, 'Unstable?' What were the people saying about him? Before he knew it, he was in the Control Room, alone with only his thoughts.

His eyes locked with another side walking out of the control room, obviously having just finished his shift. It was Loneliness. Virgil began to apologize for being late, but the other side stopped him by raising his finger in the 'shush' sign. Loneliness nodded to Virgil, for they were friends, at least as much friends as someone the embodiment of 'Lonely' could be. 

"Meet me after your shift," Loneliness muttered, flashing a rare smile that only Virgil ever saw. Seeing his friend lifted his mood, and he sat down on the chair, preparing himself for the hours of boredom that would follow.

His quiet contemplation was broken and his heart sank as he heard an announcement echo through the speakers, "Virgil, please meet Logan in the Meeting Room."

Oh God...