Chained Puppet

Surprise Visit

Anti looked around but all he saw was darkness. An empty void and the sound of white noise filling the air around him. Normally the sound would comfort him but not this time.

He could hear someone's voice talking to someone else. They sounded happy. Content.

Laughing with others without a care.

Without him.

He felt an anger rise up in him but it didn't even feel like his own. He could feel resentment swallowing him whole. They sounded so happy without him.

He felt so trapped and useless. Thrown away like a worthless scrap of an idea. Nothing.

The white noise blared in his head and he felt as if he'd go insane from it. It practically vibrated in his brain.

Until a different voice rang out.

To him.

"It's not fair, is it? Poor thing, lost and forgotten . . . .  just like I used to be."

He saw glowing green and blue eyes in the darkness like neon lights. Green hair just as vibrant. Anti shuddered. He felt as if a predator was staring into his soul. The man smiled, his teeth glinting in the dark.

"Tell me, do you want out of your prison, little puppet?"

Anti jumped up in his bed, heart pounding. But he wasn't as frightened as he wouldn't have been before. He was either getting used to the nightmares or regaining his de-sensitivity along with the pieces of memories.

'The voice before . . .  it was Sean. I remember that. I was trapped in his mind before that man found me. Ripped me out'

Anti took a breathe. It was all he could remember though so far. That little piece. That and the sign language.

Jameson hadn't told anyone, though, thankfully and Anti thought he must have believed him when he said he was such a good teacher.

But Anti knew better, himself. He was regaining his memories just as the man had said he would.

He wasn't ready. He didn't want to remember! 

Already he could feel something in him spurring. Shaking his head, he tried to forget it but it wouldn't leave his head. Anti flopped back on the bed, hitting his head on the pillow with a sigh. He stared up at the ceiling to wait until his stomach would start growling.

Chase was humming a little tune to himself, preparing himself to go see his kids at Stacey's place. He knew it would probably bit a little awkward but he was prepared for that. He'd focus on his kids today and if that Brady bastard was there again he'd deal with him. He was tempted on asking Jackie to come with him at first but decided against it. He didn't want to look weak to Stacey. He could always call the police if it came down to it.

As he sipped on some tea and ate a honeybun for breakfast, Anti moped on in. Chase snickered at his tired face, "Someone didn't get much sleep last night"

Anti just shrugged and poured himself some cereal.

"Another nightmare? Want to talk about it?"

He glitched a little, stiffening at the mention of it and just shook his head.

"Okay, okay." Chase eased him, "I'm guessing it was a memory?"

Anti stilled again, looking nervous but Chase just smiled, "It's okay. I won't think any less of you. Like you said, you're not the same. The past doesn't define you"