A/N: This doesn't follow canon events in the slightest. Rated M for violence.
1999
Will Horton was four when he realized there was something wrong with him. It took another three months for everyone else to realize it too.
It was gradual. Will's once carefree smiles became reserved. Often spending more time staring into space, eyes clouded. Will turned quiet, shy. His endless questions tapered off. Silence looming over his once bright disposition.
His parents, Sami Brady and Lucas Horton, had their own troubles. It took them a long time to notice anything was wrong. Will's preschool teacher was the one to bring the changes in Will to their attention.
When Sami arrived to pick Will up, the teacher asked Sami if they could talk. She invited Sami into the classroom. The teacher, Ms. Sylvia, told Will to sit on the carpet while she talked to his mommy. Will followed her directions. He sat in his assigned green square with his legs crossed and his arms folded. He didn't move, sitting too still for a four-year-old.
"What's this about?" Sami asked, flipping her long blonde hair over a shoulder as she sat in a small toddler chair. "I have somewhere I need to be."
"Well," Ms. Sylvia said, not sure where to begin. "I have some concerns about Will's recent behavior. I'm sure you've noticed." At Sami's frown, the woman swallowed. "See, this week we've been learning past, present, future. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow to be precise. I had the kids draw three pictures. Something that happened yesterday, what happened today, and what they want to happen tomorrow."
Sami, impatience coloring her face, nodded.
"This is Will's picture. At first, I thought it had something to do with Halloween but I'm not sure," Ms. Sylvia said. She pushed an orange construction paper forward. It had three uneven lines separating three pictures. "Yesterday's picture concerns me. I-I'm not sure what to make of it."
Sami lifted the paper in front of her face. At first glance, it didn't look like anything was wrong. The first section of Will's paper showed a girl lying on the ground. Sami would have thought the girl was asleep if it wasn't for the blood. Great pools of blood surrounded the girl, covering her stomach and arms. Beside the girl was a large knife. Sami knew the location. It was crude but Sami recognized the dock downtown.
The picture, alarming enough, was an exact replica of a murder that took place three days ago on Halloween.
"Oh my God," Sami whispered, hand covering her mouth.
"That was my reaction too," Ms. Sylvia adjusted her glasses. She glanced at Will sitting too still on the rug. "I asked him about it and he said he saw it. That that was what he saw yesterday."
"My-my-uh-my father watched him for a few hours yesterday," Sami mumbled. "At the police station, he must have seen a crime scene photo. I can't believe this happened."
"That isn't the only thing," Ms. Sylvia revealed. "The past month, he's changed. He never raises his hand anymore to answer questions. He never plays at recess. He just sits there and stares. Is he like that at home?"
Sami, ashamed to admit she hadn't noticed, shook her head. "His father and I have been arguing. That must be it."
"I see," Ms. Sylvia responded. "I just wanted you to know."
"Can I keep this?" Sami asked, holding the drawing up.
"Yes," Ms. Sylvia agreed. "I think that's best."
Sami held Will's hand as they took a long walk home. She didn't have any idea how to broach the topic with him. How could she talk to her little boy about what he'd seen or what he'd heard when she and Lucas fought?
The walk showed her the changes Ms. Sylvia mentioned. Before, Will would lead her on the walk. Pulling her arm forward, wanting to run instead of walk. He prattled out question after question to the point of annoyance.
Now, Will was calm and still and silent.
"Sweetheart," Sami said after a time. "I want to talk to you about something."
Will batted his eyes up at Sami but said nothing.
"Have-um-have you heard me arguing with your father?" Sami asked. "Have you heard Mommy and Daddy yelling?"
Will nodded before looking away.
"Oh," Sami floundered, licking her lips. "Well, you know that isn't your fault. Right, baby?"
"You yell 'bout me," Will mumbled. "I hear you."
"That's-no we don't," Sami sighed. "We just disagree on how to take care of you. We both want what's best for you. I'm sorry if that scared you."
"Didn't scare me," Will whispered. "Used to it, Mommy."
Sami's heart broke, face crumpling. She stopped their walk and kneeled in front of Will. She yanked him into a full-bodied hug. "Oh, baby. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize."
Will's hands hung at his sides. He didn't hug her back.
"Is that why you drew that picture today?" Sami asked, sniffling. "The one you saw at Grandpa's work."
"Didn't see a picture," Will shook his head. "Took a nap on Grandpa's couch."
"Then," Sami pushed Will away by the shoulders, "How did you see that picture? The girl with the blood? You shouldn't draw things like that, Will. It scares people."
"I saw her," Will said, looking Sami straight in the eyes.
"What do you mean?" Sami asked. "When?"
"When Grandma took me home yesterday," Will said.
"Will, you couldn't have seen that," Sami insisted.
"I did," Will argued, inflection interjecting into his tone. "We went to the dock to look at the water. Grandma held my hand so I wouldn't fall in again. I saw her. The girl in the red."
"Will," Sami swallowed. "There wasn't anything there. I know they moved her after it happened. You couldn't have seen anything. It's okay if you looked at pictures in Grandpa's office. No one will get mad at you. I promise."
"I didn't," Will said. His eyes glistened, tears wetting his lashes. "I saw her at the dock. I did."
"That isn't possible," Sami argued. "You're confused but it's alright. Your dad and I will work on getting along and everything will be fine.
"Now," Sami stood up and brushed off her knees. "Let's get home. You can help me make dinner."
"Mommy," Will yanked on her hand, forcing her to look down at him. "Why don't you believe me?"
"Of course I believe you," Sami dismissed. "Now, let's go."
"Lucas, he isn't okay," Sami hissed in a sharp whisper. "Look at him."
Sami pointed to the couch where Will had slumped over, asleep. When they got home, Will refused to play with his toys. He didn't want to color or read a book. He sat on the couch, back ramrod straight. After twenty minutes, his eyes closed and he slept.
Sami noticed the dark rings under his eyes. Will looked as if he hadn't slept in ages. She didn't know how she could have missed it before.
"We'll just make sure to keep him away from the station," Lucas said. "And put him on a better sleep schedule."
"That is not going to help," Sami insisted, dragging Lucas back into the hallway. "He drew a picture of a murdered woman."
"He's a boy. They like that kind of stuff," Lucas said with an eye roll. "His parents are arguing and he feels neglected. He's got his attention now. Things will settle down."
Sami looked at Lucas like he was something disgusting she found on the bottom of her shoe. "That's it," Sami shook her head and headed for the phone hanging on the kitchen wall. "I'm calling Austin. Maybe he'll care."
"Oh, that is low, even for you," Lucas called, throwing his arms up. "What are you gonna say, huh? Think up some new lies about how I hurt Will?"
Sami, phone held against her ear, sneered at Lucas. "Don't you dare wake Will up! He needs his rest."
"Hello?" a deep voice called through the phone.
"Austin, I'm having a problem with Will," Sami said over Lucas' loud protests. "He drew a terrifying picture at school, Austin. It's a replica of that murder from the other day. No, an exact replica. He's not sleeping. His performance at school's gone down. Lucas doesn't think there's a problem but I know there is."
"Are you at your apartment?" Austin asked, dropping everything. "I'm on my way."
"He's my son!" Lucas shouted. "I get a voice in this."
"Maybe you should try lowering your voice," Carrie Brady said under her breath, eyes locked on Will.
"Oh, shut up!" Sami yelled. "No one invited you here."
"Everyone, time out," Austin held his hands up, "We can't argue. We all care about Will. We need to focus on him. Now, Sami, tell me again."
"Just look at it!" Sami thrust Will's drawing in Austin's face. "How could he know the details?"
"He said he saw this at the dock?" Austin frowned as he held the picture out for Carrie to look at too. "How?"
"I don't know," Sami sighed. "I think he must have snooped at Dad's office yesterday. He had to watch Will for a few hours. Will denied it but it has to be true. There's no way otherwise, right?"
"Did he say anything else?" Austin wondered, thumb brushing over the crayon marks.
"About what?" Sami tilted her head.
"About what he saw," Austin clarified.
"No," Sami admitted. "What else is there to say?"
"Well-I-no, it's nothing," Austin looked over his shoulder at Will. "It has to be nothing."
Before anyone could question him, Austin moved toward the couch.
Will turned over in his sleep, whimpering. His hands pressed against his head as he cried out in a small voice.
"Hey, buddy," Austin kneeled in front of the couch, rubbing Will's back. "It's okay."
When Will continued in obvious pain, Austin scooped him into his arms. He rocked Will back and forth murmuring into Will's ear.
Will woke with a strangled cry, latching onto Austin. Thin arms wrapped around his neck.
"Hey, it's okay," Austin promised as Will cried. "I'm here. We're all here for you, buddy."
After Will calmed down and managed to eat something, Austin took him out for ice cream, just the two of them. The two always had a special bond. Maybe Austin could get to the bottom of Will's problem.
"How's the rocky road?" Austin asked, nodding at Will's small cup of ice cream.
"S'good," Will admitted, taking a tiny bite.
"Now, I know something's wrong," Austin said. He put down his own spoon and sighed. "Ice cream always puts a smile on your face."
Will looked down at his bowl, avoiding Austin's eyes.
"You can tell me, buddy," Austin encouraged. "You know I'll believe you."
"No, you won't," Will replied. "Mommy didn't."
"I'm not Sami," Austin smiled. "I always believe you."
Will shook his head, refusing to answer.
When it became obvious Will had no intention of finishing, Austin threw both their bowls away. He held Will's hand as they left the ice cream shop and headed home. Wanting to go the long way, Austin turned down a side street.
So consumed in his worry, Austin almost didn't notice the crowd gathering at the end of the street. Several policemen and women gathered around a huddled figure on the floor. In the yellow haze from a streetlight, the liquid stain around the figure looked black. As they got closer, Austin realized it was blood.
"Let's get out of here," Austin whispered. He squeezed Will's hand, desperate to get Will out of there. This was the last thing Will needed.
Will became limp in Austin's grip. His small hand felt like ice.
"Will, let's go," Austin said. When Austin pulled, Will didn't move. "Will?"
Austin looked down to see Will frozen in place. His eyes wide and unblinking.
"Will?" Austin bent over, ready to toss Will over his shoulder and get the hell out of there.
Will looked wrong. Face pale, brown eyes milky.
It took Austin a moment to remember. Will didn't have brown eyes. Will's eyes were blue. Austin knew that. He did. He'd never forget the first moment he saw Will's eyes. Austin had never believed in love at first sight until that moment. But it was real. One look in Will's beautiful blue eyes and Austin fell in love.
Will's eyes were blue. They weren't brown.
"Will?" Austin shook him but it made no difference. Will moved with the motion but didn't react. "Will?" Austin held Will's cheeks. His skin was icy and hurt to touch.
Palms red and aching, Austin yanked his hands away. Will's skin froze Austin's hands.
Rubbing feeling back into his palms, Austin called Will's name over and over. By that time, they had drawn attention from most of the officers.
Roman Brady, Abe Carver, and Bo Brady stood next to Austin.
Before any of them could say a word, Will's mouth fell open. He screamed.
No one reacted at first. Too stunned by the force and desperation behind Will's scream. It sounded as if his skin was getting ripped apart.
Will grabbed his stomach with one hand, the other batting at an invisible assailant. Will's cries intensified as the hand on his stomach changed position. It moved from the center of his stomach to his side then just under his ribs.
Will fell to the ground, shrieking. His cries turned wet and weak. With one last gurgling shout, Will's head fell to the side and he stilled.
No one moved for a moment, terrified by what they'd seen.
After a few breaths, Austin dropped to his knees. He ignored the pain in his hands to touch Will. The skin felt normal. It didn't burn Austin again.
"What the hell was that?" Roman questioned. "What's going on?"
Abe shook his head. "I don't know. It must be shock."
"Guys," Bo said, eyes drifting from Will's prone form to the woman's body lying a few feet away.
"What?" Roman said as Abe called an ambulance for Will.
"Look," Bo pointed at the dead body.
The woman and Will were laying in the exact same position.
Roman and Bo stared. Neither knew what to say. Austin's loud exclamation startled them.
"Will!" Austin yelled in relief. "Thank God. Oh, thank God."
Austin cradled Will to his chest. When he pulled away, Will looked up at him through clear eyes.
They were blue.
Austin sat next to Will's hospital bed. Carrie bandaged his burned hands. Sami and Lucas paced back and forth while subdued silence surrounded them.
"Tell me again what happened," Sami requested, tears streaming down her face.
"I told you," Austin said. He didn't want to discuss this anymore especially in front of Will. "His eyes turned brown and he just started screaming."
"But that's not possible," Lucas kept repeating. "Things like that don't happen."
Bo knocked at the door and came inside.
"Uncle Bo," Sami greeted, rushing to his side. "What happened to my son?"
"I'm not sure, Sami," Bo said with a strained smile. "But I have my suspicions. Can I talk to Will?"
"About what?" Lucas asked at the same time Sami said, "Yes."
The two turned to glare at each other. While they argued, Bo walked to Will's side. "Hey, kiddo. You gave us one heck of a scare earlier."
"Sorry," Will mumbled. He looked so pale against the drab hospital bedsheets. His skin almost looked transparent.
"It's not your fault," Bo reassured. "I just wanted to ask what you saw. I know you saw something, right?"
Will's eyes flashed to Sami and Lucas before he turned to Bo. He nodded.
"What was it? You aren't gonna get in trouble," Bo promised. He stuck out his pinky and said, "Promise."
When Will didn't react, Bo grabbed Will's tiny little pinky and hooked it with his own. "When someone does that, it means they can't take it back. So, you know I'll protect you. Now, can you tell me?"
Will shifted on the bed, small fists bunching his sheets. "It hurt."
"What hurt?" Bo asked.
The room became quiet. Everyone focused on Will.
"He was hurting me and I tried to stop him. But he wouldn't stop. He kept yelling and hurting me. He said I was a liar," Will confessed. "Why didn't he stop?"
"I-I don't know," Bo faltered. "Who-um-who hurt you, Will?"
"Boyfriend," Will said, face smooshing together in concentration. "Followed me. I tried to stop him. I did. But he wouldn't. He laughed when I fell. Then he walked away. He laughed."
"Whose boyfriend?" Bo pressed.
"That's enough," Lucas said, moving to Will's side. He lowered the bedrail so he could pull Will into his lap. "Bo, enough."
"I don't want him to babysit me anymore," Will shook his head, tears streaming down his face. He pressed into Lucas' shirt, muffling his voice. "I don't want him over anymore, Daddy. No more. Tell him no."
"Who is he talking about?" Bo took a step away from Will.
"Baby," Sami put her hand on Will's back. "You don't mean, Tyler do you?"
Will let out a high pitched squeal and burrowed into Lucas' side.
Austin had his arm around Carrie. The two watched Will tremble and cry.
"Who's Tyler?" Bo asked in a quiet tone.
"He lives on the floor below us," Sami revealed. "He watches Will sometimes."
"Is he dating Hayley Foster?" Bo questioned.
"Yes," Sami whispered.
"I-I have to call the station," Bo said in a daze. "I can't- if this is true- if he saw. I-I don't even know."
"What?" Austin asked before Bo could leave. "What are you talking about?"
"I can't tell you until I know for sure," Bo said. "But Hayley Foster was the woman who died tonight. I'll be back."
A few hours later, Bo returned with Roman.
"We went to Tyler's apartment," Bo revealed, mindful of a sleeping Will. "We arrested him."
"Because of what Will said?" Lucas frowned.
"The evidence was there," Roman sighed. "The weapon and the clothes he wore when it happened. He hadn't gotten around to destroying them yet."
"I don't understand," Sami admitted. "How could Will know that?"
"I don't know," Bo looked over Will, watching the way his chest rose and fell. In a scared tone, he said, "Hayley Foster's eyes were brown."
The next morning the hospital ran every test they could think of. Blood panels, CT scans, anything and everything. Sami feared that her plotting scarred Will's psyche. Lucas feared it was a side effect from the brain injury Will suffered from his car accident. Carrie feared her negligence when Will drowned at the docks was the culprit. Even when Marlena arrived, she had her suspicions. Marlena feared Satan infected Sami when she was pregnant four years ago. That this was the devil's final plan to torture Marlena.
Austin alone kept a level head. He had his own preternatural suspicions and alerted Lexie Carver. A few hours later, Lexie's mother Celeste appeared in Will's room.
"What is she doing here?" Marlena demanded, arms crossed.
"I invited her," Austin informed everyone. "I think she's the only one that can help."
"That is not your call," Lucas hissed causing Austin to sigh.
"Look, I just want to help Will, that's it," Austin held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Let's hear her out."
Will, coming out of the bathroom, paused when he saw the new addition to his room. He didn't have many dealings with Celeste. In fact, he only knew her as the scary lady that everyone stayed away from. She worked for a bad, bad man.
"William," Celeste said through a heavy accent. She held out her hand toward him.
With a frightened look towards his parents and Austin, Will extended his arm. The moment their skin touched, they both gasped.
"Yes," Celeste said, fingers running over Will's hand, following the path of his veins. "I can feel it thriving inside of him."
"Feel what?" Sami wondered. Without her thinking, she clutched Lucas' arm.
"He has a gift," Celeste revealed. "A wonderful, horrible gift."
"No, I don't," Will said. He tried to pull his arm away but Celeste was too strong.
Celeste grabbed Will's face, looking straight into his eyes. She turned Will this way and that, examining every inch of him. All the while she mumbled strange words under her breath, frightening Will.
When Celeste let go, Will scrambled back into bed. He threw his sheets over his head, hiding.
"What is it?" Austin asked. Sami attempted to lure Will out from the sheets.
"He can see things," Celeste explained.
"What like ghosts or something?" Lucas wondered.
"No, no ghosts," Celeste paused for a moment to think. "William, I believe, is psychic. His particular gift lies in a person's final moments."
"What?" Carrie asked. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Celeste added, "That William can see how someone died. If taken to the scene of the crime, he will experience a person's final moments. He will live it as if it happened to him."
"Is it-is it dangerous?" Marlena questioned, hand over her chest.
"Oh, yes," Celeste warned. "He's much too young to master the technique. With time, he'll learn to control the attacks, focus on what he wants to see. But for now, his mind is too young, too precious. It could lead to terrible results."
"Like what?" Sami wondered, voice shaking.
"I don't know," Celeste shivered. "I don't know the specifics. I only know what I can sense. I would do all I could to protect him now. Too much concentration, too much immersion could damage him, body, mind, and soul."
"Why didn't we know about this before?" Lucas asked. He kneeled at the side of the bed, hand under the sheets clasped to Will's. "Even the other day, he never reacted that way before?"
Marlena explained her and Will's trip to the docks the other day. Will grew cold and tired when they passed the scene of the crime but that was all. No fits, his eyes didn't change colors.
Celeste sat in silence, fingertips pressed to her chin. Everyone left her to her thoughts, afraid of what she would say.
"It must be due to the freshness of the crime," Celeste stated. "The murder at the dock was several days old. William must have only seen and felt flashes. Whereas last night, moments after it happened, he could see more."
"So, he has to be there in person for it to work?" Austin wondered.
"It might be a form of psychometry," Celeste realized. At everyone's blank looks, she cleared her throat. "All this is a form of Extrasensory Perception, ESP. The ability to gain information outside of the normal physical senses, only with the mind. There are several outcroppings, of course. I believe William must use psychometry. It claims that a person can figure out an object's history by touching it. That it emits an energy field, so to speak. In William's case, it seems that there is some retrocognition occurring too. Discovering knowledge about a past event he couldn't have known by any normal means.
"If William comes into contact with a location he can discern events that happened in the past. He can get information about a person by channeling the energy surrounding it."
"Is-is that what you can do?" Carrie asked in a small voice.
"My field is scrying, seeing into the future. With a touch of clairvoyance," Celeste answered. She stared at Will's trembling form under his sheet.
"Can you see anything about Will?" Sami asked in a desperate tone.
"My gift comes and goes," Celeste said. "I sense that William is in danger. You must not let this continue. No matter what the police say. William cannot control it now. It will destroy him."
A heavy silence infected the room at the grim announcement.
Over the next few days, Will stayed home from school. No one was certain the best way to handle the situation. They couldn't keep Will hidden away. While it would keep him away from stumbling onto a crime scene, it wasn't healthy.
Celeste proved her own gift true. The day after Will checked out of the hospital, Roman, Abe, and Bo showed up at Sami's apartment. The Salem PD wanted to discuss Will and sent the three of them to do it. They all expanded upon the good Will could do. The invaluable help he could bring the police. The peace of mind and closure he could bring families if only he used his gift.
Sami kicked them out.
No one was using her little boy. The police had a job to do and it was not fit for a four-year-old. They were not to go anywhere near Will. Besides, Sami knew the truth. The current mayor and police chief were only interested in political gain. Neither of them cared about helping Salem at all.
Within time, Will turned back into a regular boy the longer he stayed home. He giggled and played. He'd even ramble on the way he would before. Not for long periods of time but the flashes of the old Will returned.
It all went to hell when Sami took Will to play at the park. At first, it was nice. Sami's heart warmed to see Will's cheeks flushed with exertion, hear his sweet laugh on the wind.
"Mommy," Will ran to Sami's side, yanking on her shirt. "I'm thirsty."
"There's a fountain over there," Sami pointed to the rather gross public drinking fountain.
"Yuck," Will put out his tongue and shook his head. "Nu-uh, 'm'thirsty, Mommy."
"Thirsty for what?" Sami narrowed her eyes but kept a wide smile on her face.
"A shake!" Will shouted, bouncing up and down. "Please, Mommy? Please!"
"Oh, you know I can't say no to that face," Sami mock complained as Will cheered. He bounced up and down the sidewalk as they walked in the direction of The Brady Pub.
Sami hadn't seen Will so happy in so long. Sami would do anything, give anything to keep her son that happy for all time.
As they walked, Will half-dragging Sami behind him, neither paid attention to their surroundings. Not until they bumped into an elderly gentleman standing in the middle of the sidewalk. The man had a hand to his chest, hunched over.
"Sir? Are you alright?" Sami asked, reeling Will toward her side so he wouldn't run off.
"N-n-need," the man tried to say. "H-help."
"Okay," Sami thought back to her days as a candy striper at the hospital. "Here, let's sit down."
Sami led the old man to a nearby bench. The few steps seemed to do the man in. By the time he sat, the man's breathing slowed. With a pained grunt, the man slumped to the side, eyes closed.
Sami screamed out for help, hoping someone could get to a phone and call for an ambulance. A group of boys playing soccer behind them heard Sami's screams. The team rushed forward to help as a few ran off to a payphone.
In the chaos, Sami didn't notice when Will let go of her hand.
"I think he's dead," one of the soccer players mumbled.
"Try CPR," another suggested.
Sami, a hand on her head, turned to the side and noticed Will. He had his tiny hand to his chest, breathing erratic and labored.
"Will?" Sami paled, dropping to her knees. She pulled her hands back with a hiss when she touched Will's face. "Baby?"
Will, eyes a milky green, stumbled backward until he fell, head slumped to the side.
When the paramedics arrived, half surrounded the elderly man while half worked on Will.
"Don't touch him!" Sami warned just as one paramedic burned the tip of her finger on Will's throat.
Everyone stayed back until Will opened his eyes, clear and blue again. He curled his knobby knees to his chest and sobbed.
Sami smothered Will with her arms. Fighting with the paramedics who demanded they take Will to the hospital. All the while Will cried and cried repeating that his heart hurt.
Before long, Bo and Roman showed up. They urged the paramedics to leave Sami and Will alone. They'd get through to Sami by themselves.
"Come on, Sami," Roman ordered. He heaved her into a standing position as Bo picked up Will. "We'll get you out of here."
Getting into the back of a police car, Sami didn't think to ask where they were going. When they pulled onto a road that led to the forest, Sami voiced her concern.
"Where are we going?" Sami asked, holding Will tight to her chest.
"We wouldn't do this unless we had to," Roman said, tone firm but apologetic.
"What are you talking about?" Sami narrowed her eyes, looking through the window at the pine trees passing them.
The car traveled the dirt road, hitting bumps and rocks. Bo and Roman didn't answer Sami, couldn't answer her. They didn't want to do this but it was necessary. As policemen, it was their duty to do whatever they could to protect Salem. If that meant making one small child uncomfortable, it was a price the Salem PD were willing to pay. It didn't matter if Roman and Bo objected; the decision was above their pay grade.
As the car came to a stop, Sami said, "No."
Through the window, she could see police tape. Several officers stood around, Abe and Hope Brady among them.
"No, you stay away," Sami warned as Roman and Bo got out of the car. In the back seat, Sami had no way of escaping.
Roman opened Sami's door, Bo at his side.
"I'm sorry, Sami," Roman said and he meant it. "But we have our orders."
"No," Sami argued. Will started shivering in her arms, clinging harder than ever. "Get away from him!"
Sami crawled to the other side of the car. She held onto Will as tight as she could.
With a sigh, Bo reached into the car and yanked Sami out. With her thrashing and screaming, it took both Roman and Bo to pry Will out of her arms.
Sami snarled and scream, scratching them both. It took three other officers rushing to their side to subdue her. Once they shoved Sami back into the car, Roman, nursing a bloody lip, carried Will toward a camping site.
Will reached out his hands for Sami. He could just see her over Roman's shoulder. "Mommy!"
"No, shhh, it's okay," Roman promised. "We just need your help. You want to be a good boy, don't you?"
"Yeah, you love helping us investigate at the station," Bo reminded Will. He wiped at a scratch to his forearm. "You discovered who stole the donuts, remember?"
Will nodded, eyes and nose running. "It was you, Uncle Bo. I found the sprinkles under your desk."
"But you found me," Bo praised. "That's what we need you to do now. You're the only one that can do this."
"I don't want to," Will said. "Grandpa, please. I don't want to. Don't make me. No."
"Just be brave," Roman said. He glanced over his shoulder. The police car was rocking back and forth and he could still hear Sami screaming. He caught the eye of the police chief and the mayor before sighing. He took Will toward a single tent that stood in the distance, ominous.
Will held tight to Roman's neck with his eyes shut tight. The closer they got to the tent, the harder Will trembled.
Roman felt it the moment Will went under. Will's body became rigid, his skin icy even through the layers of clothes.
Roman placed Will on his feet. He shared a look with Bo and waited.
This crime scene was different than the ones Will had seen before. There were no blood stains and no obvious signs of a struggle. The body already moved. Roman had been adamant about that.
For a moment, Will didn't react. Just walked forward a few steps. When his feet hit the ground, right where the victim had been, he collapsed to the ground.
There was no screaming, no thrashing. Will lay on the ground, milky eye wide open.
Roman and Bo rushed to Will's side. Roman noted that Will's eyes were blue still but a different shade. Much darker than Will's crystal clear ones.
It took only a few moments for Will's eyes to clear. He sat up with a hand to his right temple, shattered look in his eyes.
Bo picked Will up, placing him on his hip. "What happened?"
Will, head drooping to Bo's shoulder, whispered, "Friend, the one with the scar on his face, he hurt me. I don't want it to hurt anymore."
Other police officers came forward, eager to listen.
"What else?" the gruff voice of the police commissioner said. "That's not enough, Brady. We need more."
"I don't think-," Roman started to say when the commissioner charged forward.
"Who was it? What did you see?" the man demanded of Will.
Will cringed, curling towards Bo's strength. He shook his head, "I don't know. I don't know."
"Yes, you do," the man argued. "Tell me!"
"Sir," Bo glared at the man. "He's a little boy. Don't you think he's done enough?"
Will, eyes clenched closed, shivered. In a strained voice, he said, "There was a fight. He-he wanted me to do something and I wouldn't. There was a gun. I tried to fight him but I couldn't. He shot me in the head."
"Who is he?" the commissioner urged. "Who?"
"I-I-," Will tried to think, tried to focus as hard as he could. "S-Skip," Will opened his eyes, "His name is Skip."
Will didn't understand why everyone stared at him with wide eyes. He didn't understand until Bo wiped at Will's face.
His nose started bleeding.
The same continued for months despite Sami and Lucas' objections. Whenever a murder occurred, the Salem PD brought in Will. Only three murders happened during that time but the strain on Will was obvious. The bags remained under his eyes. He never slept through the night.
He dreaded going to school too. Somehow Will's involvement with the police got leaked. Rumors spread and the kids at school shunned Will. They were afraid that if they got too close to Will, they'd die. No matter what Ms. Sylvia said or did it wouldn't change the other children's behavior.
The mayor impressed upon Sami and Lucas how important Will was to the town. For a while, Sami considered leaving. She even packed up their bags only to get stopped by the mayor himself. He made it clear it didn't matter where Sami took Will, someone would find them. That taking Will out of Salem wouldn't take away his powers. They'd follow Will everywhere. In the end, Sami conceded that it was better to stay in Salem where she knew the police and town officials. Roman, Bo, Abe, and Hope all did their best to protect Will as it was. Trying to solve the murders before anyone could think to bring in Will.
Each time they needed Will's help, the police gave his parents a consulting fee. The money did not make up for the pain and hardship everyone went through. But at least they got something.
Sami, Lucas, Austin, and Carrie spent more time together throughout the months. Bonding over their worries and doing all they could to ease Will's suffering. Their bitter pasts put aside in favor of protecting Will. Marlena and even Kate came by to see Will almost every day. Everyone learned the hard way Kate had to come to Will. The last time Will went to the Kiriakis mansion he walked into the room where Franco Kelly died. He turned deathly pale and shied away from both parents.
The only person outside of his family that Will spent time with was Celeste. She researched as much as she could into Will's condition. After every episode, Celeste would visit with Will. Asking for as much information as she could get. Something about her presence soothed Will. Bringing a sense of understanding no one else could offer.
Lucas and Sami feared that this would continue on forever. That Will would never be more than a tool for the police. Or, even worse, that someone unscrupulous would find a way to use Will for an agenda. Stefano came to the forefront of everyone's mind. Even if Stefano couldn't find a way to use Will, he could dispose of Will, afraid that Will could foil his plans.
There was no end in sight. No one knew how to comfort Will. No one knew how to answer his questions about what he did wrong. Or why no one at school liked him. Sami didn't think she could hand Will over to the police one more time. She couldn't hear Will begging, pleading to stay at home. She couldn't watch as Roman or Bo dragged her son, kicking and screaming, away.
Then Roman came to the apartment, face green. Sami answered the door and let him in with a large amount of reluctance. Will lay on the floor burrowed against Austin's side. Pillows and blankets littered the floor. A bowl of popcorn sat next to them. They rented the Iron Giant from Blockbuster.
Today had been a good day for Will. It was the weekend so he didn't have school. Austin spent the entire day with him. Whenever a shadow would pass over Will's eyes, Austin was there to pull him back. Neither Sami nor Austin had seen Will smile so much over the past weeks.
Seeing Roman now ruined everyone's mood.
"What is it?" Sami asked, long hair covering most of her face.
Roman shook his head. "I-I just want to get this over with, if that's alright with you."
Will trembled against Austin as Roman stepped closer to him. He shook his head, fists curling over Austin's shirt.
Austin sighed, adjusting his hold on Will as he stood up. "I'm coming with you."
"I don't think you want to," Roman said. "It's bad."
"All the more reason to go," Austin insisted. He tried to sound light-hearted to keep up Will's spirits. "Come on, buddy. Let's do this and then we can get some ice cream."
Will hid his face in Austin's chest, refusing to say anything.
Austin and Sami knew this crime was different than any of the others. This time there wasn't one victim. There were three.
Three victims, all women, found in an abandoned warehouse on the docks. When Roman's police cruiser came to a stop in front of the building, the fire department pulled away. Whoever the murderer was set fire to the women. None of their bodies were recognizable. The police hoped Will could discover the murderer as well as the identity of the victims.
Will had never relived more than one death at a time before. No one knew what to expect. Sami didn't want to let Will anywhere near the building. Too terrified over what Will would feel and experience. She didn't want her son knowing what it felt like getting set on fire.
Will, less than a step into the warehouse, slumped to the ground. His eyes changed colors from brown to green to hazel faster than Sami or Austin could distinguish. He twitched, body thrashing this way and thought. His arms stuck close to his side as if they were bound.
Will cried louder and harsher than he ever had before. His face turned bright red, absolute terror enveloping his entire being.
It lasted longer than ever before. He wasn't experiencing one death but three.
Sami clung to Austin's arm, tears streaming down her face. Austin staved off his own tears but almost bit a hole through his lip.
Will's cries cut off with a screech. He remained still for a few moments. During a normal episode, Will would open his eyes, crying in earnest.
That didn't happen.
Instead, Will's body convulsed. First, losing consciousness, body going rigid before his arms and legs jerked at a rapid pace. As Sami and Austin rushed to Will's side, they saw a wet patch spread across Will's crotch.
Sami and Austin were unable to help as Will seized before their eyes.
Will woke the next morning in a hospital bed, head fuzzy and limbs weak. Throughout the night, Will's nose continued to bleed off and on. His heart rate beating faster than was healthy.
Everyone feared the worst. Seeing Will's bright blue eyes peeking at them from his blond fringe left everyone with a sigh of relief.
"Oh, baby," Sami gushed, climbing into his bed with him and rocking him back and forth.
"Mommy," Will mumbled, "I don't feel good."
"I know, baby," Sami cooed, holding him tight. "I know."
"Hey, little man," Lucas placed his hand on the back of Will's head. "You're never going to do that again, ever."
"I'm not?" Will questioned. He looked so sad and pitiful, head resting against Sami's chest.
"Never," Sami promised.
"We found something we want to try," Austin said. "Celeste thinks it will work well to block your visions."
Celeste, standing off to the side, stepped closer. "Yes, I believe this will help. During my research, I've found a few cases like this. Never in someone as young as William, of course, but I believe it will work the same."
Lexie prescribed Will two prescriptions, an antipsychotic and an anticonvulsant drug. The antipsychotics blocked pathways to Will's brain. The anticonvulsants enhanced certain brain functions. The hope was one drug would prevent visions and one block physical reactions.
Will began taking the medication when he was four years old. He was twenty when they stopped working.
TBC