No Clue

Fading Home

Michael sat staring at the wall of the white room around him, taking in a vibrant blue picture that portrayed an abstract image of the ocean within an eye. It reminded him so much about the boy he loved, Luke.

After countless tests and court hearings, Michael Clifford was deemed mentally insane. They had once believed the boy has autism, but after closer inspection and relentless tests, they diagnosed him with a schizoaffective disorder, which helped them understand why he believed Luke was in love with them.

"Mike," someone said, snapping him out of his trance. He looked over and saw the man he knew so well sitting beside him. His dark hair was slicked back and his sunglasses hung from the neck of his t-shirt that was mostly hidden by his leather jacket. Michael smiled and tried to hide his childlike excitement.

"G... you came for me," he said softly."

"What in the hell are you still doing in here, huh?" He asked, leaning forward in his seat and resting his elbows on his knees. "You've got to break out of here, baby brother," he whispered, pointing his finger in the boy's face. "You've got to finish what we started."

"H-how do I get out?" He asked quietly, looking around to be sure they weren't being overheard. "They're watching me, G..."

"You need to get the fuck out!" He shouted. The sudden rise in his voice cause Michael to jump and hide his face in his hands as tears threated to fall. "Hey... Hey, Mikey, I'm sorry," he whispered, kneeling down infront of the helpless boy and pulling him in a hug, resting his hand on the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to yell, I'm sorry. Hey, I love you, alright? I'm sorry... don't be upset..." Michael looked up at his brother as a sudden thought crossed his mind.

"H-how'd you get in?" He asked breathlessly as G stood up and turned away. He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck as he always did whenever he was stressed.

"Ah man, Mikey... I was hoping you wouldn't ask that question..." he turned back around to face his baby brother, but something had changed completely. Michael jumped up and backed away when he saw the trail of blood making its way down his forehead from the bullet hole. "I didn't get in," he said softly, walking towards the boy who was now muttering no. "Don't you remember? I died..."

"No, no, no... you can't be dead... he can't be dead," he muttered, backing himself up against a wall.

"Michael? What is it?" One of his nurses asked, coming up beside him with his hands out infront of him.

"You can't be dead! He can't be dead! My brother isn't dead!" He shouted.

"Michael, you need to calm dow-"

"He isn't dead!" He shouted, slapping her by accident and sending her falling to the floor. She pulled the emergency cord on her name badge and three orderlies ran into the room, restraining the frantic boy as he shouted. "What's happening?! Where's Luke?!" He shouted, kicking and screaming as he was pulled away to a solitary room.

"Don't you remember?" G asked, following closely behind. "He's dead too... you killed him."

"No! No! Where's Luke? I need him! I need him!" The orderlies put him into the solid white, padded room before locking him inside. Michael continued screaming and trying to get out of the confinement as his visions tormented him. He fell to the ground sobbing beside an image of Luke convulsing on the floor as he was overdosed on a makeshift drug. "No... no, Luke. I'm sorry," he sobbed as tthe image dispersed.

"It's okay, Mikey," a sweet voice said as someone sat beside him. He looked over quickly and saw a set of crystal blue eyes staring at him. Michael reached over and brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead, making sure his hallucination was real.