A Third Of A Pie

Chapter 11

They felt the car slowly pull to a stop.
The trio had arrived at their destination.
Unfortunately, their other partner could've be there, upon request by his family to spend the day with them.
Some kind of foreign celebration.

Their group leader left the car first, not even uttering a word.
The other two gave eachother worried glances, before hesitantly exiting the car.
Their leader hadn't said a word since their missing member left, completely silent.

The two recalled the earlier events.

-

"We have a case. Venture Psychiatric Asylum. Tale Avenue," Ghost stated simply, everyone but Toast nodding.

"Now?" Toast asked, biting his lip.

"Yes. Now," Ghost rolled his eyes, giving his older friend a smile.

"Umm... sir, t- that may c- cause issues..."

"Why do you say that, Johnny?"

".... m- my family w- want me to visit them.... t- to celebrate St George's Day..."

Ghost twitched, looking at Toast anxiously.

"Well then, go," Colon responded, quickly taking note of the expression left on Ghost's face by Toast's stammered words.

"W- well... i- I..." Toast tried to speak, unable to find any words, "... S- sir...?"

"I'm sure Ghost wants you to go. Family's the most important thing," Colon interjected, before turning to Ghost, "right?"

Ghost remained still and quiet.
Toast remained still and quiet.

"Go and have fun!" Colon encouraged, "we'll handle the case!"

Toast gave a shaky smile, ".... ok."

Toast stood up, before quickly whispering to Colon, "look after him, ok? He doesn't like hospitals," then going upstairs to get ready.

'"Doesn't like hospitals".... why? Is Toast in on Ghost's.... whatever it was?"

Ghost still hadn't really moved, simply sitting down, same lost, worried face.

A while later, Toast had arrived back downstairs.
Colon and Spooker had taken to chatting, trying to involve Ghost, but their efforts had fallen short.

Finally Ghost moved, meeting Toast's eyes.
The both of them had an air of anxiety.

Forcing his face to be an as it usually did, he hugged Ghost, who was swift to wrap his arms around Toast, clutching the fabric.

'Why do they seem so scared?'

"I'll be back before you know it, sir," Toast assured, having to subtly pry  Ghost from himself.

"... right..." Ghost mumbled in response, tone containing fear, sadness and..... anger?

Toast bid the rest of them fairwell before opening the door and leaving.

As soon as the door clicked close, Ghost got to his feet, gathering his equipment, and entering the kitchen.

-

Ghost shut the door behind himself, tears pricking in his eyes.

'"I'll be back before you know it."'

Ghost raised his head, trusting Toast's word.
His best friend wouldn't lie to him.

He knew it....
He.... believed it.....
..... he..... thought it....

Tears trickled down.
Why would Toast leave him?
Toast.... no. Toast didn't leave.
He simply....

Ghost fell down against the door, curling up.
An overwhelming, crushing presence surrounded him.
Crushing his head, crushing his lungs, crushing his heart.

'He hates you. You know it.'

'He loves me.'

'Lies.'

'Y- you're lying!'

'You're lying.'

'No!'

'Yes. You're lying. You know he's leading you on.'

'... he wouldn't leave me...'

'He did before, didn't he?'

Ghost couldn't argue with Ghost anymore.
What was he doing?
Arguing with himself?
He was right.
He was wrong.

Arguing with himself wouldn't solve anything.

Finally opening his eyes, he jumped at what he saw.
E- everything was closing in!
T- the walls!
They were gonna crush him!

No!
Stop!
It's not real!
Ignore it!
You're insane!
You need your meds.

Ghost looked at the medicine cabinet. Locked.
He cringed.
Toast would've kept the key.
God's sake! Why now!?

Deep breaths.
The voices aren't real.
The visions aren't real.
Those thoughts weren't real.

Ghost got up, taking deep breaths.
Ignore it.
Keep calm.

That's when Ghost noticed his hand was clutched around something.
Looking down, he nearly screamed at what he saw.

Tightly grasped in his hand...

.... was a knife.