Strength in Numbers

Chapter 2

Narrator-

Virgil hadn't always had the best role model when it came soulmates. Virgil was always told it was impossible to ever hate or even kill your soulmate, but he knew for a fact that was a lie. Virgil's family always seemed perfect to outside family and friends, his parents always told everyone how happy they were with each other. The reality was horrible, Virgil's father hated his soulmate and treated his son like an object to display to the outside world. One day, Virgil's father finally broke and shot his mother right in front of the ten year old. Virgil's father promised his son that he would never hurt him, luckily for ten year old Virgil, the neighbors heard the gunshot and called the police. Virgil's father was sentenced with 30 years in prison and 20 years of rehab. Virgil had a restraining order placed on his father, by the court, until the age of 18. Where, if Virgil wanted, he could make sure he would never have to see his father again. The custody battle, that started a few days after receiving the news of what happened to Virgil's mom, lasted a year. In that year, Virgil was given to an amazing foster family who housed kids and teens with similar situations as Virgil. Finally, Virgil's uncle, Dr. Emily Picani, won guardianship over his young nephew. Virgil felt safe living with his therapist uncle, and even now, five years later. All has changed again as a new thing has flipped Virgil's life completely.

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Virgil-

I sat at our new table, in our new home, in this new ducking city, with my soulmate's names upon my right wrist in black ink. The three names we elegant and beautiful but scary and way to new. One soulmate would have been enough, but three was too much.... far too much. I sat panicked in my chair just staring at the names as my mind fell into a small downhill spiral.

"Breath Virgil," my uncle instructed while rubbing circles into my back to reassure her. I did my breathing exercise; breath in for four, hold for eight, out for seven. A minute or so later, I was able to breath normal again.

"Why three?" I whispered.

"I don't know," my uncle admits," but you will soon find out for yourself."

"I guess," I sigh with a bit of a grumble at the end. My uncle pats my back sympathetically, I in turn give him a reassuring smile.

"Do you have everyone packed for tomorrow?" My uncle asks, trying to change the conversation.

"Ya," is all I could say in return.

"Well then," my uncle smiles," Happy Birthday Virgil!" I give him a thumbs up and he walks away with a huge smile upon his lips. Once he leaves the room, I slump into my chair and pitch the bridge of my nose in frustration. It's only the beginning of the day and I already felt done with life.