“Abraham.” a soothing male voice calls out to him. He sounds gruff, like he smokes for a living, but it makes him sound appealing and calm.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac5lm4m1QS
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This soothes the young man’s rapidly beating heart, feeling a familiar hand slide onto his thumping chest, the man is feeling his heartbeat, and clicks his tongue.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBMHh9tyaT
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The schizophrenic cracks open an eye, then the other to make sure who exactly is touching him. This calms his paranoia and heart a little more, just by seeing that gentle face. He’s no taller than him, maybe an inch or two above his height, and has this short, dark sex-hair style; it is messy, like bed hair, but it seems that the women among the facility faint at the sight of him. It is true that his man is attractive beyond anything that Abraham has seen, despite this man’s alcohol problem and smoking habit, causing the fact that he always smells like ash. He always tries to cover it up with Old Spice® deodorant , but the other man can always tell. Also ignoring his lazy-shaven scruff and sunken eyes, the man has a prominent jaw line and heavy, sinewy body. His auburn eyes can be very warm, but they slant downwards from the outside corners, and cause him to look like a sad puppy. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw7FU1Rkk1
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“So, kid, can you tell what pack brand and year?” He chuckles heartily, and holds up a cigarette to his lips.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgdBSwQCOt
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Abraham thinks for a moment, “Well, based on the number seventy-eight orange-tan color, and the fact that it’s Thursday, I would say that it’s Marlboro,” He thinks harder, and then answers the year in a sort of uneasy question, “1924…?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUufXWsxIi5
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The older man tilts his head back, laughing deeply into his chest, then turns and looks at him, ruffling the already messy mop that sits on Abraham’s head, “That’s right, kid!”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3PsOjUZiT
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Marlboro is his favorite brand, no less, and believes it’s not a brand of cigarette, it’s a lifestyle. Really the best he can get at the local stores or anywhere around himself. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbESVlSE28
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Other than his smoking habits and drinking problems, he entertains Abraham and makes sure that he steers away from self harm and watches intently when the other downs each of the 32 different pills that is mandatory he takes.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5nheEAOqa
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“N...Norman….you’re my counselor, right?” the young man hugs his knees to his chest on the bed.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA5UvXgCB2
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Norman turns to him again, “Yeah, why?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRf5SevXGG
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“Why do you break the rules for me then? Like getting candy from outside the facility and bringing it here?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyTFuAD36R
538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLn4qEZaPG
Norman scratches the back of his head and thinks, tugging on the hairs of his chin, “Well, it’s ‘cause you always look depressed and in the books I’m reading, it says that kids eat candy or play outside to feel happier.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfL3culM9X
538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrmJXKZpTS
Abraham makes a funny face, “But, I'm not a child- are you reading parenting books?” he laughs a little.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzU5rD8KTi
Norman doesn't make eye contact with him, but nods. The older man was not one to do that sort of thing, and looked rather embarrassed that he let something like that slip his tongue. He takes the cigarette back up to his mouth, lips curling around it, and sucked on it to get that bitter tang of the intoxication swirling around in his lungs, breathing in something along the lines of death. The cancer stick is held between his lithe, tan fingers; the pointer and middle digits. Norman exhaled, and Abraham watched the smoke leak out from his lips and rise up into the vent at the top corner of the room. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWYwpUG8aY
Norman looked at his watch, and turned to Abraham, who was shaking, like a large chihuahua. This was normal for him, he never stops shivering, really. And although this is true, and seemingly normal, the psychiatrist knew it was because of his constant paranoia and the lingering whispers at the back of his head, nagging and insulting. The poor guy is so used to insults, that he’s quite unpredictable when it comes to certain throwbacks. Although, Norman has noticed that he’s highly more likely to become irrationally furious when the other patients scream or comment negatively on his mumbling or murmuring, like he’s talking to himself. When it comes to his appearance or his intelligence level, Abraham quickly brushes it off and throws something back at them. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNkqPUDKPL
It is good that he’s less sensitive, and he’s opened himself to at least the person that’s taking care of him, but…538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf61AmGbK6
“Norman…”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCAZEx4mQ6
“Ah, yeah?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOerW3Q0yM
“How…” he begins, but sighs and waves a hand, gesturing that he forget about it.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezPAwmvQ1T
“No, what is it?” Norman’s eyebrows knit together, “I hate it when you keep things from me.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3cXeYcpH6
This pressed a button on the lanky young man. His head flew up and towards him, as a guilty expression painted his pale face, “I… it’s just…”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD4IsKzbmm
He’s quiet, and the psychiatrist before him waits patiently for him to answer.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3eKE05gwK
Abraham sighs, “I...I’ve just forgotten the times when everything could be quiet.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fsf9zVTJz
It’s a stab to the heart when his face drops to sadness. Norman watched the muscles in his face shift from curiosity to pain to misery, and those expression in a row created a heartache in the psychiatrist’s cold heart. It swelled up and got stuck in his throat and made painful desolation, or emptiness, in his chest. He always felt guilty and horrible after watching the boy tense up into stress seizures or bang his head against the walls until he passes out from blood loss. When he was examining him, white streaks laid upon the inside of Abraham’s thighs and the inside of his wrists. His eyes are always sunken and sleep deprived, and his posture is due to staying up all night with his knees to his chest and rocking back and forth. Abraham twitches a lot and sometimes he’ll close his eyes like someone is yelling at him. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb95G2YB3TY
Norman hesitates before pressing his palm against Abraham’s back. The young man twitches, but calms some into his hand, Abraham continues, “I used to play my violin or the piano in the library at my parent's house to override what I heard.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrBZ420mZl
Knowing that this might be too much for the guy to talk about, Norman frowned and sighed, “Hey, you really scared us yesterday night so you have one more day until you're back in the straight jacket.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq35x0jMII7
“Please, don't…” he hits his head with his fist, “Shut up! I'm talking!”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxvAmIc6M7
Norman grabs his wrist when he goes to hit his head again, “Hey, stop that. Did you take your medication?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8UJ4c6uhx
“No… I… I forgot about it…” Abraham hangs his head, the psychiatrist takes hold of both his wrists, and he’s leaning into his hands against his wrists. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh16fW4sNo
Norman furrows his brows once more, the crease between them looked permanent, but this time, he wasn’t angry or irritated, but mournful. His hand releases from one of the other’s wrists and slides it over his back. He brings him close, letting Abraham lean into him and cry into his shirt, like he always does. The young lad likes to cry, or at least in front of Norman. It makes him feel safer, to cry out in despair and let all of his worries go. Norman likes that he’s crying, that means he’s getting better. When he first came here, the kid was as emotionless as a rock. Norman appreciated that he was somewhat special, honestly this kid was the only thing that got him up in the morning. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dVIaoyYrK
He wraps his arms around the shaking, sobbing, broken man and pulls him in closer. Norman pats his head, taking note of his matted, wavy hair, unbrushed, but clean. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TaPheEYXs
“Hey…” he whispers.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7kJ8L1xrp
Abraham is too caught up into his thoughts and hiccupping, that he doesn’t hear him. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLGTXFbNfS
“Abraham, hey-”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGxlkCnNQf
The kid suddenly gets up off him, hands pushing his shoulders away, “Ah! I-I’m sorry!”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7D1YyAbyD
“What’re you talking about? You know it’s okay to do that, right? That I don’t care?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGNiWRnlyW
“Yeah, but, isn’t it disgusting?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwG3CZReVQ
Norman chuckles until it gradually turns into a hearty laugh, deep down into his gut, “Abraham, I have a neice much younger than you- she’s 3- and it seems like every five minutes she’s spilt something, spit up, thrown up, shit, or pissed. She drools a lot, too, by the way. You’re nothing compared to her, please, continue if you need it.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgBDjdO9gD
Abraham doesn’t know what to think, until he smiles and stifles a little laugh. It’s not long before he spits it out, but it sounds hoarse and dry, like he hasn’t laughed in a long time, “I’m sorry! It just…” he laughs a little more, “I can’t see you taking care of a child!”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGMDTtKD5W
Norman laughs a little, taking no offence, but rather agreeing, liking his laugh, “Yeah, but I’m taking care of you, aren’t I?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenlbPx9gwt
“I’m not a child, I’m a mentally disturbed young adult.” He laughs again, “Ahh...anyway, I need my meds.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHikBafYQ7F
He gets up, hunched over and compressed in, like someone is pressing the sides of his body. His shaky hand grabs the first bottle, the other rubs his eye. The psychiatrist can hear the pills rattle, and it takes the other a little while to only have two pills in his hand. Norman watches him with distaste, like this scene in front of him is making him upset. He stands up and stuffs his hands into the pockets of his lab coat. He watches him intently, making the other more tense and nervous. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANUCtD6TNu
“Stop shaking your hands.” he flatly states.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U3hXDIQt9
“You know that I can’t.” the kid retorts curtly.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLodtHXwiJ
“Stop thinking then. Why’re you so afraid? They’re just voices.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfpSlaNfUb
“Actually, from my point of view, this room is crowded.” It’s silent, “Delusions, remember? Hallucinations?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTwsyCDMzN
“They’re just standing aren’t they? Why’re you shaking?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWiIQc3lf4
Abraham shakes a little harder, eyes wide and he clamps his teeth shut, “They’re always…” He shuts his eyes, “…staring…”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmUkNFwAAD
“That’s why you can’t ever calm down?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i5QdKpE9p
Abraham nods, “B...but the pills make it all go away, for only some hours though.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuDPVgLxRS
“Yeah, I know.” He stands shoulder to shoulder with him. Norman feels a burning sensation at the back of his head, like someone is intensely staring at him.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRE6f0Pcyn
“Whenever you’re here they always look at you.” Abraham whispers when Norman scratches the back of his head.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hP2yhoCqn
“Really?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEOTJMBQpR
The kid nods and swallows his first pills. Norman suddenly grabs all of the pills and sets them on the floor by the bed. He sits the 19 year old in front of the bed and behind the bottles and boxes. The psychiatrist sits on the bed directly behind him, He takes out a glittery pink hand brush in one hand and a chunk of Abraham’s hair in the other. He gently begins to brush against the hair in his hand. The teenager leans back, liking the feeling of his hair being played with. Norman brushes and brushes until Abraham’s hair is completely unmatted and untangled. The raven mop on his head was silky and smooth. His grandparents send him shampoos and conditioners that appeal to him because he doesn’t like the ones in the showers. It’s almost perfect, but the hair the falls over his right eye looks annoying. Abraham had just finish taking all of his pills.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0K6LgU9rR
He's like a little kid, the psychiatrist thinks, the way he looks like purring kitten when he messes with his hair. This feels nice, the other thinks. He’s calm, the room is silent, and the people are fading away. One by one, men and women, emotionless, scarring, and faceless. He’s insane, he knows that, but he doesn’t like to admit it all the time. Sometimes he pretends he’s just in an adoption center waiting for his parents, his happiness. He tells himself, it’ll be here soon enough, he just has to be good and wait for it. Although, it’s been several months and he’s starting to realize that he might be here forever. He won’t admit it, he doesn’t want to, so he keeps pretending. 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiofBDBKqT
“Are they still staring at me?” Norman leans down to Abraham’s ear.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv1oz6pnbi
“Yeah…” he points to the opposite corners of the small room, “there’s only a little left though.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4hiWAVdTf
“That means the medicine is kicking in right?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKazwX7w5AN
Abraham stares down at the antipsychotic and anti-tremor medication in front of him and nods. He thinks for a long time, and he's noticed how Norman never comes along with a girl. It's mostly other patients or staff members. Abraham frowns at that, “Norman,”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0maD1zUmB
“Hm?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapGaeTbqYY
“Why don't you have a girlfriend? Are you gay?”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjDxzh1JYH
Its silent, the psychiatrist is thinking on how to reply. It's funny that he asks him that- he's not gay, but rather not interested in dating people.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7TarC80se
The man chuckles, “I'm not gay, I'm just not ready for dating people. They're disgusting and are only interested in sex.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgX85Pw5oj
The boy turns to him, “I don't believe that. There are plenty of girls here at the facility that are interested in you. They're nice people.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5v8eZ9vGj
“Nice doesn't necessarily mean that they're not interested in the way you appeal to them sexually.” Norman states, flatly, and coldly.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBgNN0srVJ
“Jesus, I bet I could get a date faster than you.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreEufIvVVR
The man laughs, “Says the one wearing a chastity belt.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0zuS0kJzv
“Shut up! They did that for safety reasons, even though I didn't rape anyone.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eDWCbEX9Q
“Actually, they'll be taking it off you in a couple of months.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9l3YVuYAU
“Really? Thank god. Even for a metal piece of underwear, it sure somehow manages to give me wedgies.”538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfCEimZrPx
“Yeah, well, you've got an appointment with your brother and sisters in a couple of minutes, so I gotta get ready for that.” 538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojG8Li4fND
Abraham sighed regretfully, forgetting about that. His siblings always make something emotional out of nothing. He'll be sitting across the table quietly, and then he'll start trembling or twitch, and his sisters will start crying. It's embarrassing, really.538Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKgZKlpVL5
But, they're family, so he'll get over it.
