A Distorted Reflection | Virgil Sanders

ADR: _.|6|._: chapter six

a/n: I'm sorry this is so short, I'm just trying to compensate so I have a good amount of chapters in this story.

-

Virgil and Anxiety popped up on with the wind blowing into their faces, lifting Anxiety's bangs up and Virgil's over his eyes. The sky was a dull maroon, dark, grey outlined clouds hanging low. The sun et in an artistic blend of gold and yellow in the far distance over rows and rows of mountains that never seemed to dissipate across the landscape. Virgil took in a deep breath, smiling at the crisp, fresh air. Anxiety smiled at Virgil's intimacy with the environment, looking down at the stone at their feet. A point soon came mere inches away, and below it, a steep mountain that would have the same effect as a cliff if they weren't careful. Virgil let out a peaceful sigh before looking down and jumping back on the cliff, Anxiety going over to him and holding out a hand. Virgil grabbed onto it, Anxiety catching him as he pulled off the ground.

"Great, now where are we?" Anxiety asked in annoyed monotone. Virgil shrugged, turning around.

"The only way to go seems to be through that cave." He said, pointing towards the large, gaping hole on the side of the ledge they stood on. Anxiety shrugged.

"Huh, would ya look at that." He said. Virgil raised an eyebrow and stood by his side, glaring at him with confusion.

"What?" He asked.

"It's a cave." Anxiety said. Virgil looked back and forth, waving a hand in front of Anxiety's face.

"I literally just said that." Virgil said. Anxiety shrugged, walking towards its entrance.

Virgil rolled his eyes, following as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his open jacket, looking behind him at the sun once more.

The cave didn't have drippings of moist moss hanging from the ceiling, nor did it have mysterious crystals along the walls, or bats hanging from the walls sleeping. There was no gravel to kick from under their feet, nor were there a scary set of bright eyes coming from the back of the cave.

This cave had camping lanterns keeping it visible. There were vinyls and memorabilia from the alternative rock era of the 2000s lying all around the cave. A black parade jacket was draped over a large rock, and on one wall, many records were hung while more were on the ground in a pile underneath. There was a warm feeling in the air, one Virgil knew existed yet had never truly felt with true intentions or honesty. He breathed it in like the smell of freshly baked cookies on Christmas morning. Anxiety had an annoyed yet menacing smirk as he looked around.

"Hey, Look at this!" Virgil said with excitement. Anxiety whipped around to see Virgil pointing to the large tricycle from the "Stressed Out" music video by twenty-one pilots.

"How neat," Anxiety said, turning his head to look up at the wall at the records.

"Riot by Paramore, Pretty Odd by Panic! At the Disco, Pretty Handsome Awkward by The Used? This is like 2006 gave birth to itself inward." Anxiety said. Virgil looked disgusted over to his counterpart.

"Ew," He said. Anxiety shrugged, picking up a record from the pile at his feet that reached his knees. Virgil caressed the Pretty Odd microphone stand that Brendon and Ryan sang into. He smiled to himself, it was all he didn't know he wanted to see.

"What's that?" He asked himself, seeing a glare of dark platinum in the back of the cave. He approached the metal with caution.

In front of Virgil stood a one-ton weight that was nearly as tall as he was, just almost a head under him. There was a translucent screen found within the platinum, displaying depictions of scenes Virgil never visualized but created in his subconscious over the years. What he wanted more than anything, the thing that would satisfy his hunger. He put a hand on the metal, looking intently into the visions as if they were happening in real life.

"Virge, it was never true. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm telling the truth."

"It was because of Deceit, I'm sorry I never said that I loved you."

"Virgil, what do you think? Oh come on, don't be scared, you can't hurt me, trust me! You can't do that anymore, Everything is okay."

"WHat's that?'

Virgil snapped out of his trance, looking over to Anxiety worryingly.

"Why do I feel queasy?" He asked. Anxiety looked at the ton.

"It's just a weight." He said. Virgil rolled his eyes.

"It's not 'just a weight,' its a screen." Virgil said, pointing his finger onto the ton. Anxiety squinted annoyingly in to the weight, his eyes locking on the scene in front of him.

"Come here, let us listen." Deceit said. Virgil smiled.

"I think that Thomas would better..."

"What the heck?" Anxiety asked.

"I know, right?!" Virgil asked.

"W-Why do they know that?" Anxiety asked. Virgil shrugged.

"How am I supposed to know? It's your side of the mirror." Virgil blamed nervously. Anxiety stuttered with the blame. Soon enough, they heard a cackle come from further into the darkness of the cave.

"Oh you silly sides, what truly is a side anyway? Besides a classification for someone to better understand themselves. You wouldn't even exist without Thomas' need for clarity anyway, which is actually stemmed from you. So good job Virgil! Oops, never mind. You're just as selflessly selfish as the rest of them!"