It's been a few weeks since he was terminated from the military. His mind was so loud- he could barely think straight.

Lately he's been paranoid- though he's not entirely sure what he's afraid of. He swore the shadows around him were dancing. Sometimes it felt like there was someone else with him, but each time he checked around the desolate home there was no one. He was alone.

His resentment for Henry grew stronger with each passing day. Sometimes he'd find himself wondering what the thief was doing- was he content with what he'd done? Did he get a kick out of seeing his former best friend lose everything meaningful to him? Each thought only fueled the burning rage within the ex-pilot.

He lay sprawled out on his tattered couch, staring up at the ceiling with dull blue eyes. He'd been lying there for a few hours, just thinking about everything that had happened. He could still hear Henry's voice. He could recall all of the silly things he used to say and all of the times they both joked around on missions. The memories didn't bring joy- they sparked hate.

Charles hadn't felt happy in ages- nor had he felt sad. Just angry, spiteful and restless. He missed flying in his helicopter. He missed being up in the sky with the clouds and birds to keep him company. He'd always felt safe and at ease when flying- it was like a safe-haven for him.

Now it was gone. He couldn't do that anymore.

"All thanks to Henry." Charles chuckled dryly, closing his eyes.

--

It's been almost a month now. Somehow his thoughts had become louder and somewhat deranged. Yesterday he daydreamed about strangling Henry to death. The thought had made him shudder. Sure he was mad, but he didn't want to kill anyone.

Strangely, he didn't feel as lonely as he had at first. There was something keeping him company, he just didn't know what- or maybe he was just going insane. It wouldn't come as a surprise.

Charles sighed, slamming the fridge door shut. He needed to buy more milk.

--

It's been three months. Or was it four? He couldn't remember. His thoughts were deafening. He'd been having more psychotic dreams and twisted fantasies of severely hurting and killing the thief. They used to make him feel sick to his stomach, but now he just feels indifferent.

--

Five months have passed, he thinks. There's something wrong with his right eye, it keeps twitching.

--

Charles doesn't know how long it's been anymore. He's running out of money to live comfortably. He can still hear the echoes of past conversations with Henry, while everything else is nothing more than a dull buzzing sound. The shadows around his house are comforting.

--

He can hear whispering. It's not in his mind- he truly can hear someone whispering, maybe even multiple people. He's tried calling out for whoever's there, but he never receives an answer. He can't make out what they're saying most of the time, but it sounds condescending. How'd they get in his house? Where are they?

"Hello?" Charles once again called out, his voice lost in the echo.

--

He could understand the whispering now. He still didn't know where they were coming from- they seemed to follow him wherever he went, even when he left the house. Maybe it is all in his head.

--

The whispers are telling him to do bad things. They talk about Henry a lot and how he betrayed them. Charles wants the whispers to go away and leave him alone. They say the only way they'll leave is if he kills Henry.

--

He swore he saw Henry today. Charles had gone to a nearby store to get some bread and maple syrup. when he was paying he saw him entering the store, but when he blinked it was someone else entirely. It didn't make sense, was he hallucinating?

The whispering had grown louder.

--

He saw him again- he keeps seeing Henry everywhere he goes yet he blinks and then he's gone. It's driving him insane, if he's not insane already.

His eye won't stop twitching.

--

Charles' eyes sprung open and he sat up so quickly it made him feel dizzy. Where was he? Oh right, he's in his bed. He thinks he had a nightmare, but he can't recall anything he dreampt about. He's frightened. His mind is all fuzzy and the shadows in his room are taunting him.

The ex-pilot fumbled with the bed cover, tossing it aside and frantically stumbling out of bed. The whispering sounded more like static today. He supposed that was better than actual voices but it still made him feel agitated. Sometimes there wasn't any whispering and it was dead silent throughout his house- not even the shadows wanted to play with him on those days. He wished it would stay that way. The whispering was breaking him.

Charles let out a shaky breath, shambling over towards the bathroom and grabbing his toothbrush. He plucked up the toothpaste and squirted a blob onto the bristles of his toothbrush with jittery hands. Tossing the tube aside carelessly, he lifted the toothbrush to his teeth and began brushing. As soon as his eyes locked onto the mirror before him he jumped, dropping the brush into the sink.

There was something behind him- Henry?

Charles hastily spun around with wide, fearful eyes. There was nothing there. He's imagining things. He whimpered, turning around to stare into his reflection once more. It was there still, standing behind him.

"What..?" Charles trailed off, bewildered.

The apparition of Henry grinned, raising it's finger to it's lips and making a quiet, eerie hushing sound. The ex-pilot's fear was soon replaced with rage. He clenched his fists.

"You ruined my life!" He yelled, pointing accusingly at the mirror image of Henry. "Not a day goes by where I don't think about what you've done to me- I'm going to kill you for what you've done to me!"

The apparition blankly stared forwards. Charles released a strangled cry of frustration, tugging on his hair so hard it sent a searing pain through his scalp.

"I'm going to rip you to pieces- I'm going to do it slowly so you feel every stab of pain!" He laughed maniacally, completely unhinged.

The apparition made no reaction, continuing to blankly stare forwards.

This only angered the ex-pilot further. He snarled and without hesitance raised his fist and swung a violent punch at the mirror. The reflective glass shattered instantly, shards raining down onto the ground and piercing into his pale hands. He didn't care.

He remained stoic for a moment, the apparition finally gone. Then, he began to chuckle. His laughter grew louder and louder until he was in hysterics. Tears flowed down from his icy eyes and gradually the laughter became hiccups and violent sobbing. He collapsed onto the ground with the shards of glass, hugging himself and crying. He didn't know what was happening, why wouldn't it stop? He wanted everything to go back to how it used to be.

"I hate you, Henry." Charles choked out between sobs. "I hate you."

--

He'd made a scene today at the local supermarket, shouting and cursing at the whispering that followed him. What were they even saying? They were just spitting out nonsense! He had to be escorted out of the store.

--