Outer Space | Spruceworth 6.3

Chapter 56: The Not-So Awaited Return

Chapter 56: The Not So-Awaited Return

~Grant~

       Ollie hasn't said a single word since he started throwing away his investigation board. I tried asking if he was okay but he didn't reply. He just ignored me and continued to take down the pictures, newspaper clippings, and notes from the wall.

       At one point, he just stopped and stared at one of the newspaper clippings still on the wall. I walked over to him to see which one it was. It was the one about Hugh being arrested for the school explosion two years ago.

       "You know, all this wouldn't have happened if I just never went inside the school," Ollie said.

       I hesitated, not sure if I should tell Ollie what was on my mind. It was a horrible truth, but it was the truth. I didn't want him to blame himself for going in the school when it wasn't his fault.

       "I hate to say this but..." I said slowly, second guessing my decision to tell him. In the end, he had to know. He shouldn't be blaming himself for going into the school. "Ollie, I really don't think it would have made a difference if you went into the school or not."

       Ollie furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

       "Well... It was targeted," I said. "Hugh specifically went after you. And I highly doubt that you would have known that you were going to go into the school."

       "So... You think he set the bomb up after I went into the school?" Ollie asked.

       "Yeah," I said. "I do."

       "Great," Ollie muttered as he ripped the newspaper article off of the wall and shoved it into the garbage bag. "So my life is basically ruined all because Shaw is like a big brother to me and helped me through my addiction?"

       "You're life isn't ruined, Ollie," I said.

       "Seriously?" Ollie asked. "How isn't it ruined? I have to live with hearing and seeing things that aren't there."

       "But that's not who you are," I said. "You're still the most amazingly sweet, talented, smart person that I have ever met. Your mental illness doesn't define who you are."

       Ollie didn't reply as he continued throwing out his investigation board. Even though I didn't like seeing him obsess over this investigation because it was only a delusion he was going through and Hugh was still in prison, it was hard seeing him throw away something he had been working so hard on for nearly two weeks.

       "How about you take a break from that?" I asked. "Get some fresh air? You haven't left the house in a while."

       "And you think I will now because I'm no longer delusional and thinking it's dangerous for me to go outside?" Ollie asked.

       I sighed. "I didn't mean it like that. You know that. I just think you should get some fresh air. We can go get some frozen yogurt. Or hot chocolate. Or even just go for a walk and go to the walkway. Take a look at the scenery."

       "No, thanks," Ollie said. 

       "Ollie, come on," I said. "You need to get some fresh air. Please."

       "I don't have to do anything," Ollie said, shoving more paper into the garbage bag, this time with a bit more force than necessary. "Just back off, alright?!"

       I was a bit taken aback with Ollie's raised voice, even though I tried telling myself that he was already so irritated and overwhelmed with all the news he had received. For the past two weeks, he was thinking everything that was happening to him was real. To be told that none of it was and that he also had a mental illness was taking a huge toll on him.