Maybe {Logicality}

Flashback (Virgil's POV)

(Early update cause I wanna get this book finished on Christmas and I love this chapter)

14 years ago

"Hey hey, it's alright, please stop crying," I gently shushed the one-year-old Pranks in my arms.

Why did I think it was a good idea to raise a kid by myself!? Oh that's right, the others hate me and would take him away. They would never let me see him again...

Oh no. Oh no no no. I'm never letting them take him. What if they think he's a dark side? I mean, he's Pranks, what if they think his pranks are gonna go wrong or be too mean.

I sat down in a corner by my bed, holding the little kid close and whispered, "I'll never let them take you away."

Pranks was quiet now, giving a little yawn before falling asleep. I stroked the soft baby hairs on his head. I've hidden him for a year, but he's getting bigger now. And louder. I don't know what I'm gonna do when he's able to walk and talk.

I sighed. I can't hide him forever. Getting up carefully, I set Pranks in the crib I summoned. The baby huffed a little, but didn't wake up.

I walked out to the kitchen, intending to get a snack and get back to my room. Unfortunately, Princy was there. Great.

"Ah, Marilyn Morose, what brings you out of your tragic kingdom?" He asked, way too cheerfully.

I glared at him and scrounged around in the fridge. Finding a purple Gatorade and some applesauce, I stood up. I grabbed a bag of crisps, a spoon, and a plastic wine glass, acutely aware that Princy was watching me.

"Hey, Anxiety, why don't you talk?" He asked, "Are you mute?"

I paused and shrugged.

Princy hummed, "I know! What if you wrote down what you wanted to say!"

I wrinkled my nose and shook my head. Pranks could wake up any moment and I needed to get back.

"Oh, come on Dr. Gloom, please?" Princy begged.

I rolled my eyes. It'll be easier to just write 'fuck off' and be in my merry way. I set my food on the table and held out my hand.

The prince-like trait squealed and summoned a pen and pad. He practically shoved them into my hands and started asking questions. Too many questions.

"What's your favorite colour? Why do you spend so much time in your room? Why do you wear make-up? What's your room like? Do you like animals? What's your favorite musical? What's your name!?"

I felt my hands starting to shake as he got louder and louder and louder. Eventually, the shaking was so bad I dropped the pen and pad.

"Wha-! Anxiety? Are you alright?" Princy asked.

I shook my head, quickly gathering all my stuff and rushing to my room. Locking the door behind me, I dumped all the food onto my bed. Hopefully Princy wouldn't come after me...

Like that would ever happen.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and walked over to the sleeping kid. He was snuggled up to his light purple blanket and his little lion stuffy. His mouth was slightly open and little snores were coming out.

Someone pounded on my door. I flinched. Pranks stirred, but, thankfully, didn't wake up.

"Anxiety! If you didn't want to write you could have said so!" Princy's loud voice yelled through my door.

Pranks scrunched up his face and let out a huff. He was waking up. I quickly scooped him up, shushing him gently and hoping he'd fall asleep again.

Princy pounded on my door again, this time trying to turn the doorknob as well, "Ugh, typical. Anxiety, open up!"

I flinched. Pranks let out a small cry.

"No, no, no, shh, it's okay Pranksie, its alright." I whispered, hoping Princy wouldn't hear me.

"Anxiety!? What was that noise?!" Princy shouted.

I gulped, then Patton's voice came through.

"Hey kiddo, what's going on?" He asked.

Princy sighed, "Anxiety locked himself in his room after I asked him a bunch of question, which he didn't answer! And I was knocking on his door and I thought I heard a child crying?"

It was quiet for a moment, then Patton spoke again, "I'll get Logan, he can help."

That's when I started panicking. All three of them? Trying to get in my room?! No way.

I took Pranks and quickly hid in the closet. I tried to control my breathing and not freak out the kid. Soon I heard their voices again.

"So, Anxiety has locked himself in his room?" Logic asked.

"Yeah," Patton said, "he won't unlock it or anything and I'm worried..."

"He's done this before." Logic sighed, "What makes this time any different?"

"I heard a child crying." Princy chimed in.

Logic sighed, "Alright."

I froze. What were they doing? I heard the lock click and my breathing stopped. I heard my door hit the wall hard and flinched.

"Anx?! Anxiety?!" Patton yelled, seemingly frantic.

I shrunk back. No no no. I don't want them here. My entire body was shaking. Then Pranks started crying again.

It went quiet outside.

"It appears to be coming from the closet." Logic stated.

A few seconds later, the door opened. I hugged Pranks as close as I could. His crying had gone down to a few sniffles.

"Anx?" Patton said, kneeling next to me, "who's this?"

I looked up at him slowly. Princy and Logic were standing at the door, waiting for me to say something. To talk. I shrunk back into my hoodie.

"Can I hold him?" Patton asked.

I shook my head.

Patton seemed shocked, then a little disappointed, "oh, uh, o-okay..."

I immediately felt bad. He went to stand up, but I grabbed his wrist. He sat back down and I placed Pranks slowly and carefully, and a little anxiously, into his arms. Patton's face immediately brightened.

I fidgeted with my sleeves as he held the kid. Patton laughed as Pranks grabbed the sleeves of his cardigan.

"So, what's his name?" I jumped at Princy's voice.

"And where did you find him?" Logic asked.

"And how long gave you had him?!" Princy said.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Patton asked.

I didn't say anything for a while. They were all looking at me expecting me to say something.

Then Logic sighed and summoned a pen and pad, "here, if you insist on not talking, then write the answers... please."

I took the pen and pad and cast Logic a grateful look. I scribbled down what I knew and handed it back to Logic.

"His name is Pranks," He read, "I found him a year ago when I slept outside, he was sitting on the doorstep. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd take him away... please don't take him away..."

"Oh kiddo, we won't take him away," Patton said, "But we will help raise him, it's not fair to him or to to have to raise him by yourself."

I nodded. Maybe it would be okay...

Maybe...