Aiden

Drip-drop…drip-drop…

I watched as each raindrop hit the pavement.

I’m not supposed to leave the house, but I needed some air.

I sat on the park bench, letting the rain fall onto my face and soak my faded, maroon hoodie.

Drip-drop…drip-drop…

I closed my eyes.

It’s cold. It feels nice.
It’s calming.

‘Aiden. Talk to us…listen to us…we’re the only ones you can trust…’

My eyes shot open.

“No…not now! Not here!”

I stood up from the bench and ran towards the house.

‘You can’t run from us, Aiden.’

I started to panic as I burst through the front door.

‘Aiden…no one understands you like we do…’

I tossed everything around, trying to keep myself calm enough to find the pills.

“Where are they…?! Where are they?!”

Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Breathe in…breathe out…breathe in…breathe—

‘Don’t take the pills, Aiden. We don’t like the pills, Aiden. Listen to us! Listen to us!’

“SHUT UP!!! SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!”
I screamed and collapsed to the floor, covering my ears with my hands.

‘Listen…Listen…’

I tightly gripped my hair and gritted my teeth together.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!”

I curled up on the floor and hugged my knees to my chest.

‘It’s okay, Aiden…’

‘We won’t hurt you, Aiden…’

‘We love you, Aiden…’