When Crickets Cry...

"But the voices don't like either of us...." He frowned deeply, flinching as they roared at him. "So Shhhh...."
Higgy blinked, surprised.
He never opened up to only like this...

Brayden wanted to touch him so bad... take his hand... get him through this but he didn't want to upset him.
"Well you seem so sweet Angel. Maybe you can get them to like you..."

Angel shook his head, giving an almost inaudible whisper.
"Wanna know a secret?"
His eyes were hurt but soft as he leaned a bit close.
"No one likes me...." He leaned back and curled up.

Brayden frowned at him a minute before nodding.
"You're right. No one likes you. I love you. Our parents love you and I'm pretty sure all of our siblings love you too. I bet Higgy loves you." He nodded.

Angel frowned at him. leaning in again.
"I think momma thinks im weird, im just funny to you since your bored and most of our siblings havent met me. The voices say your lying." He muttered as he screwed his face up in pain.

"No, momma is worried about you, so am I. But we do love you. We've always loved you even though we never met you. I think the voices are lying."

"Shhh!!!" Angel shook his head.
"Your upsetting them..." He hisses as the voices screamed.

"Oh I'm sorry. Shhhhh...." Brayden cooed softly.

Angel was silent now, curled up and shaking violently.
They were screaming...
They wanted Brayden to go away.....
He was interfering.....
"Stop...Shhhh ...please..."

"O-okay." Brayden sat back, still near Angel but he gave him his space., waiting for the ovices to be quiet.

But they voices only got worse.
"He is going to hurt you."
"He is lying to you."
"They pity you, you freak!!"
"See they way he is looking at you? Insane."
"Pathetic."
"You a disgrace."
"Your momma didnt ever want you, he knew you were weird."
Angel screamed, a hot tear rolling down his cheek as he lashed out, but not at his mother, Brayden or Higgy.
He hit himself.
Over and over again.
"STOP IT!!!"
Higgy was quick to look at everyone.
"Don't touch him!" He cautioned, pulling Brayden over to his mother and away from the distraught Angel.

Brayden pulled away though. He wouldn't touch Angel but he wanted to be near him. He continued to watch him.

Angel was hitting himself in his head, over and over, striking his temple as the voices grew louder. A few tears even fell from his eyes before Higgy took both hands, getting behind him and pressing Angel's back to his chest, holding the boys hands to his ears.
"Shhhhh...."
"STOP IT!" Angel thrashed.
"Shhhh..."

Brayden frowned as he watched, hoping the boy had not hurt himself too badly...

Angel was silent for a while. Higgy sat with him until he seemed to calm down before letting him go and taking his seat again.
Angel's body was rigid and tense, the whole air about him changed.

Brayden stayed silent as he watched Angel.
"You okay?" He whispered gently.

Angel glared at him.
"Like you give a fuck. Leave me alone." He growled.
He was bipolar....
He was having one of his cruel fits.

"Alright.." Brayden sat back. He wasn't one to get hurt so easily by words. He shrugged it off.

Higgy watched him as he glared hatefully at everything in the room.
Angel was insane.

"Well it was nice meeting you." He nodded, standing and stretching. "But I have a nap callin my name. See ya."

Angel rolled his eyes and growled as if he had been offended.
Higgy smiled at Zac.
"So, you want us to stay here or go home?"

"Well you're always welcome to stay but if he's... upset you two can head on home." He nodded.

"Wanna try and get him to stay the night? We can sleep on the couch if you want, he is used to not having a bed."

"Sure." Zac smiled. "And no, course not. I'll take the couch, I'm sure Quincy won't mind either." He nodded.

Higgy smiled but shook his head.
"Nah, he probably wont sleep anyways. We are fine." He sat on the other end of the couch with Angel.