"You have to." The second voice was deeper, cold and hard, not at all holding the comfort the first wanted to hear.
The boy looked up at the reflection before him, so similar, yet so different. "Can't I just stay here...?"
"No." The word was firm and unbending, like the one who had spoken it.
The boy looked back down at his feet, where shadowy images moved slowly. Were they calling his name? Everything was so soft, so muted, he couldn't tell. He could pretend they were worried, make himself believe that they were begging him. That they wanted him.
"Nothing will change if you continue to hide away." The voice had softened slightly, becoming as comforting as it knew how.
The boy was silent, watching the forms below. They were around him now, some kneeling by while others gently lifted him to be sitting. "They'll forget about me again once this is all over," he finally said, voice barely a whisper.
"They'll forget about you if you stay here."
The boy closed his eyes. "But then I wouldn't have to feel it.."
"Coward."
The boy's eyes shot back open. His reflection was smirking at him now. "You don't want to be alone, but you do nothing to stop it. You cut yourself off from the world because you don't want to be hurt, and then mope about how no one notices you."
The boy flinched slightly at the arrogant and harsh tone. "But I--"
"You can't have it all." The voice was firm. "You have to chose."
There was silence for a long moment as the boy again watched the soundless images at his feet.
"You have to risk being hurt if you want to ever feel anything." There was a soft touch on the boy's shoulder as his reflection stood beside him, his tone soothing once more. "Now go."
The boy bowed his head, giving an almost imperceptible nod. Slowly, voices began filtering into the soundless echo, the pleasant numbness melting into a pain that was dull, throbbing and sharp at the same time. Light began to pierce the darkness as he slowly opened his eyes.