When Crickets Cry...

"Well.....I left Higgy's number for you if you want it so...I love yo, happy birthday, night night." He kissed his cheek and took Alex home.

Zac sighed as he sat down on the couch, head in his hands. Why did his baby have to be insane...?

Mike didn't worry with Angel and Higgy anymore. Almost a week went by and he was not asking about them.

Zac had debated calling Higgy's number but he wasn't sure. Now he finally got the courage up to do so.

Higgy was asleep, he would not have heard it if it hadn't scared Angel so bad he screamed and hid under his bed. Higgy shook his head and picked up the phone.
"Hello, Higgy here whats up, whats happening?"

"Um, hey, it's Zac.... sometime tomorrow, you think Angel could coem over...?"

"Hmmm Sure, But right now I gotta get him out from under the bed."
He could hear him screaming in the back ground.

"Okay.... why's he under there?" Zac questioned curiously.

"Well, he is in one of his paranoid, anxious moods so...The phone rang and it was loud so he jumps ships and runs away. He is fucking funny as hell sometimes."

"Oh I'm sorry for scaring him then...." Zac nodded

"Don't worry about it, he is just skiddish. Gotta get him used to you like you do an animal. He will be fine." Higgy laughed as he peeked under the bed.

Zac nodded.
"Alright, well.... thank you Higgy. For taking care of my baby..."

"Don't mention it, he is good friend and I seem to be the only one who can handle him so what time tomorrow?" He Hissed as Angel popped his hand away.

"Um, maybe around noon would be best? Only me, Quincy and Brayden will be home. It'll probably be better to have him only around a few of us at a time."

"Alright. See you then. I gotta go, Angel is throwing a fit."
"STOP TOUCHING ME!!! MAKE IT STOP!!"
Higgy hung up and pulled Angel out from under the bed.

Zac sighed as he hung up the phone.
"Brayden!" He called.
Brayden had his earphones in, music up to full blast.He didn't hear.
"BRAYDEN!" Zac repeated.
Still no answer. He groaned as he walked over, tugging out the earphone.
"HEY!" Brayden glared up at him.
"Angel's coming back tomorrow at noon. Just you me and daddy are gonna be here. I want you to behave."
"What are you saying? That I don't behave other times?" He chuckled.
"That is exactly what I'm saying."
"ALright then. I'll see what I can do."

Higgy was there a noon, Angel beside him in a long sleeved shirt even though it was burning up outside. He patted Angel's back.
"You ready for this Precious?"
"No...."
He was muttering quietly, chewing on his finger as the voices tried to fill his head with horrible thoughts of what this would turn out to be.

Zac opened the door with a small smile.
"Hey Angel, Higgy." He nodded

Higgy nodded to him.
Angel looked up and him and nodded.
"Hey....mommy...."
Higgy laughed and patted his back again.
The voices grew louder...

Zac smiled softly.
"You can come on in now." He reached for Angel's hand but stopped, not knowing if he could touch. Brayden jogged over.

Higgy nudged the small boy in. Angel looked around and simply stood there, his eyes darting around nervously as he held himself tightly.
Higgy smiled at Zac.
"Im sure you can sit down Angel."
Angel looked at Zac, asking if he could.

"Oh of course Angel." He nodded, giving him an encouraging smile as he gestured to the couch where he had been sitting previously.

Angel stepped forward, stopping and clenching his eyes shut as the voices screamed at him not to do it.
Higgy sighed and pushed him to the couch, sitting him down.

Zac tentatively sat on the other chair, across from Angel. Brayden sat on the same couch but on the other cushion, giving Angel space.

Angel pulled his nees to his chest, his eyes darting around the room as if he was panicking.