"Friends don't have to get it. They just have to listen and not judge."

☆

Adam returns to the table of the small cafe they had stopped at, just before their visit to the client. He places the black coffee in front of Isaac before sitting opposite him with his flat white. He sees Isaac starting out of the window as if he were trying to avoid him. The revelation of Adam's internal torture had clearly made an impact on the other male. Adam tilts his head to the side, trying to catch Isaac's gaze. "I promise you. I'm not dangerous." He emits a small chuckle, and it at least causes Isaac to turn his stare towards the other male.

"I know." Isaac forces a grin. "But screams in your head?" Isaac studies Adam's face in wonder. "Have you ever wanted to seek help?"

Adam looks down at the coffee art feather on the top of his cup. "Of course, many times. They would probably have a field day testing my stupid brain to tell me they can do nothing, other than label me with some condition which I would have to wear for the rest of my life. I'd rather just deal with it myself."

The comment causes Isaac to smile. That question of being on the constant edge of insanity was all too familiar to him. He, too, had his own reasons for not seeking help. Isaac had seen first hand how people had refused to listen to the truth, if it seemed unbelievable.  Ian had been proof of that. Labelled as having non bizarre delusions, and maybe Isaac would have thought it of his brother too if he didn't question his own existence. "Well, maybe we can be each other's council." He looks up at Adam.

Adam looks up at Isaac and matches the grin. He gives a slow nod. "As long as we both agree that we are totally normal people."

"Totally normal." Isaac nods in agreement. "It will give Zander a break from me talking about it. I don't think he really gets it."

"Friends don't have to get it. They just have to listen and not judge." Adam says as he finally takes the cup of coffee to his lips, the artistic feather getting lost in the process. He watches as Isaac pulls his coat towards him, rummaging for something in the inner pocket. He pulls out a plastic container, segmented into small sections, with days written on each tiny compartment lid.

Isaac looks up to see Adam watching him, feeling the need to explain as he puts the small box on the table. "I have a condition." He begins. "This one is not in my head."

"You don't have to explain." Adam shakes his head.

"It's just my heart. I have to go easy on it. Another reason why I don't have any excitement in my life." Isaac pops open the required lid, tipping up the container. Three small pills of varying sizes and colours fall onto his palm. He takes the black coffee and uses it to wash away the pills on his tongue.

It causes Adam to touch his own throat. "Shouldn't you use water?"

"I don't like water." Isaac says as the cup makes a clatter sound on its return to the saucer. "And I know you will probably have something to say about this too." He pulls the vape from his jacket in exchange for the pills. "But I'm no angel." He gets up from the table and heads to the door. He pushes his way outside into the open air. Adam watches through the glass at the man, the only man who knows about his fears, those terrible screams. He had never planned on telling him, but the moment had felt right. There in that car. Like they were in their own bubble. The keepers of each other's deepest thoughts.

"""

"Jojo was right when she said this was in the middle of nowhere." Both Adam and Isaac stare at a small stone built, single story property. The small chimney in the pitched roof billowed whitish grey smoke, with the small garden around one side showcasing a line of drying washing. Around the other side, a greenhouse could be seen with a vegetable patch just outside next to it, and in the far corner, there was a small pen housing chickens.

"Have we just gone back in time?" Isaac utters as he can not take his eyes from the scene, as if he were watching it on the big screen.

"Please tell me you brought a pen." Adam looks across to Isaac, half smiling.

Isaac chooses not to answer the question as he exits his side of the vehicle, briefcase in hand. Adam soon follows suit as now they both look at the bright yellow front door. "After you." Isaac gestures as Adam reluctantly takes the first step. He approaches the heavily painted wooden door and proceeds to tap the worn brass knocker set within.

Both males stand and wait. Eyes transfixed on the bright yellow, waiting for the door to open. "I don't think anyone's home." Adam says as he turns to Isaac.

"There is, there has to be." Isaac replies, eyes still staring at the door as finally the brass handle slowly turns and the door opens.