When Crickets Cry...

Brayden frowned lighlty at them. He wished he could do that with Angel... not have to ask to hold him..

Angel hiccuped, tears streaming down his face as he held on tight to Higgy. Even while crying, he was eerily silent.

Brayden sat down beside them but didn't touch Angel yet.

Higgy was still singing softly, rocking Angel like you would a distraught newborn baby.

Brayden hummed along with Higgy, frowning at him.

Higgy finished his song, smiling as Angel sniffled. He took Angel's cheeks on on hand, squeezing them.
"Say Im a Guppy." He ordered gently.
"Im a Guppy." Angel whispered back hoarsely.
"Guppys don't smile." He nodded.
"Guppys don't smile." Angel mimicked.
"But I do." He got a bit closer to his face.
"But I do."
"Im A Guppy..." Higgy smiled.
"Im a Guppy...."
"And I love you." Higgy's smile turned into a grin, his nose touching Angels.
"And I love you." Angel gave a soft grin through his tears, kissing Higgy;'s cheek.

Brayden smiled softly at them, chuckling lightly.

Higgy patted him back, taking Angel where ever he went, if not the boy would run back into hiding.

"Well I'm gonna go home for a bit. Tell momma where I've been before he sends out a search party. Love ya both." He nodded.

Higgy raised a brow as Angel wiggled around a bit, looking over his shoulder like he was about to lose something precious....
Like Brayden wouldnt come back.
He looked like he was going to start bawling.

Brayden saw the look Angel had on. He frowned.
"Sweetness, I promise, I'll be back soon." He nodded.

Angel's eyes misted, he whimpered and hid his face into Higgy's shoulder.
This was another personality, the unreasonable scared one.

He sighed softly but he had to go...
"Love you.." He whispered and walked out

Immediately Angel gave a muffled cry, keeping quiet as he bolted from Higgy's arms to watch Brayden walk away...
Watch Brayden abandon him.

But Brayden was going to come back, he just needed to talk to his parents. Sure enough, when he arrived at the house, he was practically tackled in a hug.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Zac exclaimed.
"At Higgy's place."
"Why?"
"To spend time with Angel."
"And you didnt tell me because?!"
He shrugged.
"But I'm goin back now. So love ya."
"I don't think so. You are... grounded mister!"

Higgy watched worriedly, Angel not leaving his spot, waiting for Brayden to come back like he promised.

"But! Momma! I promised Angel I'd be back! I'll upset him!"
"And he'll get over it. He's lived without you for almost fifteen years, he can go for a week."
"A WEEK?!"
"You heard me."
Brayden was fuming.
"Now go up to your room."
"MAKE ME!" He struck his mother across the face.

Quincy saw red, striking Brayden much like Brayden had hit Zac.
"A month!!! You do NOT hit your mother!!!" He hollered, holding Zac protectively.

Zac rubbed his cheek, frowning deeply. It hurt like a bitch but he was good with pain. It was just the fact that his baby hit him...
Brayden hissed, eyes narrowing.
"Fuck you both!" He stormed upstairs to his bedroom.

Quincy popped him on the ass once more, looking at Zac.
"Baby, are you okay?" He examined the small man's cheek.

"I'm good..." Zac muttered, massaging his jaw.

"He will be lucky if I ever let him out of that room. Im putting bars on the window and locking his door."
He was not kidding. By eleven, his windows were barred and the door to his room was bolted.

Brayden was pissed the fuck off. He was banging on the window and his door was only opened when Vikki brought him up food.

Angel waited.... He didn't eat....He didn't sleep.....He waited.....
Higgy tried to get him to but refused.

Vikki brought up Brayden's lunch one afternoon and he grabbed her wrist.
"Vikki, I need you to do me a HUGE favor."
"What?" She raised an eyebrow.
"You know where Higgy lives?"
"Yes..." Higgy scared her. She knew he used to hurt her uncle Biddy..
"I need you to go over there for me. I need you to go there and tell Higgy and Angel why I'm not back yet."
"Brayden..."
"Please Vikki?"
"Fine..."