An hour later, the boys took off and left the house. Mikey help their bag full of items for exploring, including snacks, flashlights, weapons and Mikey's medication. A couple water bottles and bags of chips.
"What's that?" Frank asked, pointing at a house in the distance. "A house, I wanna look at it up close. Maybe that can be our new hangout." Mikey said, walking in that direction. The others ran, Mikey sighed. Why couldn't I be as excited as them? Mikey's mind pondered. Mikey bumped into a tree, a boy with black hair and a look of intimidating was sitting on a branch.
"Hey," he called out, climbing down. Another boy with blonde hair sucked his teeth, he climbing down as well and took a glance at Mikey. "I'm Brendon, this is my best friend, Patrick. That house over there is old, and some say haunted. Be careful." Brendon said, biting into an apple he had in his bag. Mikey nodded and took off running, scared for his life. Mikey is afraid of talking to strangers, yes. But he wouldn't admit it.
The doors to the house were opened, "Finally you're here! Look at all this stuff!" Frank exclaimed, jumping onto the couch. "Sure is nice." Mikey said, looking around at the huge white house. Gee raided drawers and closets. Mikey went into the upstairs, he looked around several rooms. His hand against the wallpaper and his eyes on one door. The door was brown and had a pink sign on it, saying a girls name across it. Once Mikey got close enough, he read it aloud.
"Melanie. Huh.." Mikey said, twisting the door knob and entering the room. He was caught by surprise, the room was very pastel but soft themed. Stuffed animals lined across the bed and Legos on the floor. Mikey looked along the walls, photos of a young multi-hair colored girl were there. Her with two other boys, Mikey didn't feel empty for once. He felt the smallest bit of empathy, hugging himself gently.
Mikey closed the door and walked closer inside the room, closing the door. A full body mirror at the other side caused him to jump, the floor creaked when he caught his feet on the floor again. "The house is fragile, I see." Mikey whispered to himself. He got on two knees and scooted in front of the dollhouse, opening up both sides and crossing his legs. Taking one of the four dolls out of a box near him. It was again, a multi-hair colored girl, he grabbed a brush and started to brush through her hair.
"Oh, uhm, hi." A female voice spoke across the room. Mikey then looked up, looking over to her. He scoot towards the wall, afraid. "I'm sorry, ma'am! I'll go right now! I mean no harm." He said, standing up. The girl giggled softly and shook her head, sitting next to where Mikey was sitting. "It's fine, sweetheart. Come on, let's play!" She said, sounding excited.
"Alright.." Mikey said, sitting down once again. "I'm Melanie, by the way. What's your name?" She asked. "I'm Michael.. but everyone calls me Mikey." He said softly. Melanie gave him a warm smile, sparking a safe feeling in Mikey's heart. "The character you have? Her name is Crybaby.. I got her at the carnival." Melanie said. "Oh, really? I don't usually have toys." Mikey said, sitting up straight.
"Yeah! She's bisexual and her family is homophobic. She's sensitive, but really nice." Melanie said, sighing and looking down at the doll. "What are some things she likes?" Mikey asked, trying to lighten up the conversation. Melanie then looked up, happily and giggly. All Mikey could do was smile, genuinely.
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"Mikey, time for your medicine!" Gee said, looking around for Mikey. He walked into the pastel room, to be seen playing with both dolls, holding them. "Mikey, time for your medicine." Gee said, walking over to him. "Oh, okay. What about Melanie? She has depression, too." Mikey said, pointing at what seems to be nothing.
"I uh.. yeah, sure." Gerard said, helping Mikey walk out the room. "Bye, Mel!" Mikey waved to the multi-hair coloured female. Gee ignored it, he won't interfere as long as it makes Mikey happy.
Towards the end of the day, Mikey and Gee started walking home. "Who is Melanie, again?" Gee asked. "She's so funny and sweet! She's just like me." Mikey giggled, stepping over branches. Gerard smiled and almost shed a tear, his brother was genuinely happy. And for a different reason, he sighed and smiled at Mikey.
As they returned home, there was only silence. Gerard and Mikey looked around for Donna, their mother. Mikey sat on the counter of the kitchen, reading a note placed on the stove with a full pizza box. "Donna is gone." Mikey sighed, crumbling the paper up and throwing it onto the floor.
"What? Mama wouldn't leave us." Gee panicked, picking up the paper. Anger and guilt ran through his body, he tore the paper apart and hyperventilated. "It's okay, Gerard. We still have each other. We're not going anywhere that's not on earth anytime soon." Mikey went over and hugged onto Gerard tightly. Gerard had tears running down his face, drying them when Mikey's arms wrapped around him.
"We're gonna be okay, brother." Mikey whispered.
"You're right. We will." Gee smiled, hugging back.
