"i'm still waking up, but it's not to the sound of birds"

EJ sat Edan back down.

"i can't. it's not a dream. here, i'll show you."

the man pinched Edan, causing Edan to wince and shuffle away from EJ, his skin broke. drips of blood linned the upper arm.

"was that really nesscary?" he looked away and narrowed his eyes, bitting his upper lip as held his arms to his chest.

he was right. it wasn't a fantasy, it wasn't a fever dream. it wasn't something his mind contorted and he couldn't let go of it this time. he had to face it: this existed.

Edan started to cry again and let his hands cover his eyes and his nose was running. his body shook as he looked back up at EJ.

the taller man tried to calm him down with no avail. he wept. he cried and cried and nothing could make this situation calmer nor better. he was a monster now. he wasn't human.

than, he heard a loud knock. he looked over to the wooden door.

"hey! i heard there was some new guys! who are they?!"

"Toby, it's not the time-"

before he could have finished his complaint, a small axe came through the door, a loud crack filled the air as the blade charred through the wood. a black gloved hand reached through the hole and it couldn't get past a couple inches. it was stuck.

edan, first startled from the large weapon, now gave a soft chuckle. it didn't seem he meant harm--he was goofy. of course you never knew, but right now he pretended he was nice. he needed something nice.

EJ stood up--like a father trying to coax a small child--walked over to the door and unlocked it. it swung open and the boy followed it.

his lanky legs were trying to push it out, his feet placing as much pressure as he could. EJ held his waist and yanked him out, noises filling the air. The pop! of a joint sickingly filled it alongside the splinters of wood being unhinged from the door following. EJ held Toby in his arms and placed him down on the ground.

he seemed so unphase by his arm, now popped from the socket, and the wood that were pressed deep into his arm. EJ noted the arm and quickly took it and jammed it back in place, Toby jumping.

he didn't yell nor cry from the pain, but just looked up at EJ. "hey! warn me before you do that"

"well, you fucking idiot, it got dislocated."

"yeah! but does that give you permission to touch me?"

"you're acting like i kissed you, tickboy."

Toby huffed and looked over at a giggling Edan. he couldn't help it---the whole ordeal didn't cure what happened to him, but it made him feel much more relaxed and not as nervous as he could've been.

"hello!" Toby ran away from EJ and hopped on the bed, crossing his legs as his butt hit the sheets and Edan bounced up a bit, squeaking. Toby chuckled.

the small teen now got a good look of Toby. his skin was a soft tone, very pale, tinging to a grey. he wore a mouth guard that was grey and black, stripped to form a cage. goggles laid atop of his bird's nest for hair and his eyes showed Edan he hasn't slept for days.

he rested his hand on his cheek, looking back at Edan. "howya end up here? i heard you we-"

EJ looked at Toby, somehow giving him a warrent to shut up as he looked back at Edan who now had a forced smile on him.

Toby coughed into his hand to clear his throat comically, standing up on the bed.

"have no fear!", he said and extended a hand for Edan to supposedly grab. "the great Toby is here!"

and with that, Edan grabbed Toby's hand, looking at his ash grey hand with a heart drop. he pushed the feeling aside and stood up beside Toby.

"and I never let a pal down!"