Chapter 11.

Rocky is sitting in the corner of a dark and sufficating room. His eyes are squeezed shut and he's crying. He can see himself as though from the second or third person in a movie. His young self curled into a ball in a strange room, crying.

"You're leaving, right now!" He hears a male voice say to him.

Opening his eyes, he doesn't get the chance to catch a glimpse of who is speaking to him because he turns his face away from his view; but his hair is blond, shiny and pulled into a tight bundle of curls atop his head looking strangly out of place on him.

"I'm scared." He hears his self say. "I'm scared! I don't wanna go!" He then shouted only to have a hand brush the side of his face.

"I know you're scared," just as he turned to face him he hides his face back in his small hands. "But Sam we have to get out of here, and you'll be fine after this. I promise."

"Do you really promise?" He removes his hands just in time to be jerked from the floor and down the hall of the home.

That music? Thinks the unconscious sleeping form of the boy. Its that same song from the video; lost butterfly.

Young Rocky and this strange boy run down the hall at warp speed. He banged his shoulder painfully on the rim of one of the doorways.

I remember my arm hurting me one morning. I had no clue what happened... Did I sleep walk and hurt myself?

A door is shoved open and he's pushed almost violently to the streets.

"Now go home! Go home!" His face blurred away from his memory just as his mental camera was about to give him an eyefull of the mysterious child.

"I don't wanna leave you! I don't want too!!!" He shouted to him.

Rocky threw himself from his sleep as everything began to tear away, becoming blackened over he knew he had to get out of there or he would fade just as his dream has. Panting, he looks about the dark room for signs of recognition. He could be anywhere right now, with all the horrible dreams he's been having lately. These past three or so months could have been a lie altogether and he could very well be dead! Or in a comma! Wouldn't that be horrible. Now that he thought of it; when the house began to burn down all around him back then in Maria's cabin, all he could think about was going home to be with his family and friends that might have stopped by. It would be nice to die with such warm thoughts in your mind, if only the reality of it wasn't such a miserable case. He's not happy, and things aren't comfortable. If anything they're very awkward and clumpsy to the point of wanting to-...

Jumping out of his skin, Rocky just now noticed that someone was rubbing his back. Robbie held his hands back in defense. Rocky is a ninja after all and unwanted touching would no doubt bring out the fight in him, especially after what happened.

"Ssshhh... Rocky, it's just me." Says Robbie quietly.

"I know, I just... don't want you touching me." He runs a hand through his bangs that are stuck to his face from sweat. His heart is pounding so hard in his chest, how can a simple dream envoke that much fear? Especially one that isn't true! He doesn't remember being in such a dark, sufficating place, he certainly doesn't remember any boy... Anytime Rocky's ever had a nightmare, it didn't cause this much panic in him because even in the dream he knew he was dreaming, which meant he couldn't possibly get hurt but this dream... it felt so real. He could feel the strength in the boys grip keeping him from falling even as he tugged him along, he could sense the danger and frantic atmosphere gathering all around them right before he was shoved out into the city.

That area is so familiar but... I can't recall ever being there; not at night anyway. Rocky turned his head when something hard and cool lightly hit his shoulder. Turning his head, he takes the offered mug from his roommate, drinking whatever is in it.

I wonder if I should ask him if he's alright? Thinks Robbie, taking a seat on Rocky's bed incase the male doesn't want him too close.

"I'm fine." Replies Rocky abruptly. "I just had a nightmare."

"About my aunt?" He can't help calling her that, she is after all his aunt and has been nothing but loving to him. But Robbie is beyond guilty everytime, and there have been many, Rocky has a nightmare.

Shaking his head, he looks down into the darkness of the cup that made his normally clear drink black. It actually made him think about himself and Sin. How he can be so normal, so... well he can't say untainted with all that's happened to him but, he feels like he wants to live in nothing but peace and purity while Sin wishes to darken his crystal clear mind with his taint of... well... sin's. Staring now, almost, Rocky frowns and thinks. How easily water loses the battle... Will I end up the same way? Darkened... Tainted.

Robbie, watching Rocky as he gazes into his drink, asks. "Do-... do you wanna maybe talk about it... I hear that it helps."

Rocky looked at the other boy, blue eyes blinking with thought. "I... I was dreaming that I was running. I was running with someone, a boy... he seemed familiar somehow." He places the cup onto the side table. "Like his presence is embedded in me somehow, like we've actually met and he wasn't just... a dream."

Robbie took that in. "..What does he look like?"

Rocky shakes his head. "I don't know... He sounded kind of young though; I was young. Maybe he's a friend from school? I've known a lot of people and forgot about half of them when they moved away."

"Hmm... Do you have any old year books at home? Maybe you could spot him in one of the pictures."

"I told you I didn't see him, and just when I was about to- I woke up."

"But maybe by chance you noticed his clothes or shoes... If he's in a lot of pictures from school the kid may be wearing one of the items in them."

"I could ask my mom to send some over... or maybe I could check when I go home this weekend." He seemed in a better mood now. "That's really smart thinking; thank you."

"No problem." Standing, he walks over to the bed and sighs. "But, you soaked my bed, so looks like I'll be bunking with you tonight."

Blinking, Rocky smiled. "Do whatever you want. I'm gonna go for a walk."

Robbie shivered hearing those words; so close to what he said before the day he was taken. "You know what... how about I go with you? We can even get something to eat if you're hungry- my treat."

Rocky wasn't an idiot, he knew what the boy was up to. "Robbie I'll be fine, Dad has a cop on me and he won't let me out of his sites... Besides, I'm not gonna let myself get distracted in anyway, my guard will be waaay up."

"Yeah but... I feel like such a jackass for not going with you that day when you asked me." He swallowed back tears. "If I had gone with you, this whole thing could have been avoided."

Rocky shook his head and stood up. "I doubt it. Maria was very strong, she could have easily tricked you or made you sleep for a while." Walking over to Robbie he placed a hand on the boys cheeks, smiling faintly when his roommate leaned into it. "The mind is so easily tricked, after all, she got me didn't she." Nuzzling their noses together, Rocky smiled again. "Robbie," he removed his hand from the boys face and shoved him, hard, to the bed knocking the wind from him. "I want to be alone for a while. So let me." Rocky's voice was cold and so distant he almost didn't think it was Rocky he was talking to.

Blushing from how easily he had fallen for the boys kindness, he coughs out. "Sorry. I will, respect your decision, as foolish as it is."

"Thank you." Going to the closet to find something to wear, he mentions over his shoulder. "Besides, Trent is looking after me and I trust him to do that. No one is gonna lay a hand on me with a cop on my tail."

Tch. Wasn't a cop following you the night you were taken? Grouches the brunet.

Balling up his fist in mock anger, Rocky says. "I heard that."

"Sorry." Watching him dress, Robbie had to turn his eyes away. "Just be careful."

"I promise you, I will. Besides, I won't even leave campus." He pulls on a jacket incase its cool out. "Everything is gonna be fine." With that said, he was out the door.

Silence grew in the room in Rocky's absence. He'll be fine. The boy assures his self. I know he will.

Rocky could sense Trent's presence just a few steps behind him; he could tell when the man stopped behind a tree to watch him to when he scratched his nose due to allergies. It's actually kind of nice to be this in tune with life now that Rocky thought about it. He could still do without the mental eaves dropping but, everything could be a plus if he worked it right. He would never feel alone because he can feel the world all around him. The night swam around his exsistance like an old friend as he paced himself through the courtyard of the college. He didn't realize how much he missed this place. Any place really. Touching a tree that sits to the far left of the building, he smiles at the memory of touching it many times before, he then walked over to a bench that he loved to sit at and eat his lunch. It was almost like being a kid again the way he's feeling right now. Familiar sites and smells, see why couldn't he feel this at home? Everyone's aura is just too forced and withheld all at the same time. He just can't relax there- around his own family!

"Rocky?" A female voice said somewhere behind him.

Looking over his shoulder, he turns to face her. "Hi Mia."

"I thought that was you, but, what are you doing out here?" She walked closer. "Aren't you afraid at all?"

"Why should I be?"

The girl shrugged. "I mean, it's pretty obvious..." She leaned over to whisper. "You were taken from here."

Leaning over and whispering as well, Rocky counters. "I was taken off the road when I left from here. The campus had nothing to do with my kidnapping."

"Yeah but, they kind of go hand and hand." There was an awkward silence before the girl asked. "Are you-..."

"Yes. I'm ok. I'm here aren't I?"

"Yeah."

Silence.

"What has the news been telling everyone that you're all so worried about me?"

The girl grabbed her arm giving it a light rub. "Well... They had some pictures of the woman and... she was just so freaky looking... They even said there was a chance that..." she whispered. "That you were raped."

Rocky was mortyfied hearing that. Where did the media get off sharing such private information with the world. Is this just a damned circus to them? Can't they see how much he and Noelie are hurting because of this?

"That's why all the kids at school are mad at Robbie. We heard what he did to you to make you leave school."

Wetting his mouth he asks. "...You all know about what went down between Robbie and me?"

The girl snapped to attention from the question. "Um... sort of. We know that he tried to rape you and that's why-..." She stopped talking when Rocky began to laugh. "What?"

"Mia, Robbie didn't try to rape me that night; he didn't even force himself on me." He looked down at his sneakers, the large lights that line the campus for prowlers, made them look brand new under their beams. "Actually, it was just a kiss. Sure he provoked it but he never once made me feel like he was gonna do anything more than that."

"Is that why you didn't tell him to switch rooms? Because you guys are-..." She blushed. "I mean, not to pry, but... Rocky I just don't see you that way. It's almost... I don't know, sad."

"I don't know what you mean." Though he knew very well what she was getting at.

"What I mean is... Are you guys gay?"

Shaking his head, he stuffs his hands into his pockets. "Mia I'm not gay. And Robbie... well, he's bi but I'm okay with that. And like I said when I first got back, you all should be thanking him for helping in my rescue."

"But we found out that it was his aunt that took you. Aren't you mad at him for that?"

"I am, but I can see past all of that to the guy I know. And Mia gay doesn't rub off on people because you spend time with them; he's my friend and has been since he moved here."

"Oh... So then, you're not... sad or... or gay?"

Rolling his eyes, the boy reached out to take the girls hand. "I'll gladly lay your fears to rest if that's what you want. Because it seems to me that everyone is doubting my character because of all of this."

Blushing because her hand is in Rocky's, she pulls it away. "No. I'm not... I was just curious." Lifting a hand as a wave, she backs away. "I'm sorry for bothering you. Good night, Rocky."

"Good night, Mia." He watched her walk away.

"Glad to finally have you here, Mr. Douglas." Maxim says to Rocky when he steps, unsure, into the mans office. "Please, have a seat."

Looking down at the long couch, he sighs then takes a seat. He hates this. Counselors have never been the best people to talk to when it comes to keeping secrets and anything he says might get out to the media or to his parents which would be much worse. Maybe he could just lie about how he feels, tell the man that everything is fine and his being here is just taking out of his day. Yeah.

"Please state your full name and then start from anywhere you like about how you're feeling." He leans forward and presses the record button on the tape player.

"Um," he feels like such an idiot. "My name is Samuel Eli, Renji Douglas. I sometimes go by Rocky."

"Okay." Says the man. It's remarkable how much he looks like my son. He could almost be his twin.

Rocky's mental twitched hearing the mans words. His son? What could he mean? Shaking it off, he says. "I guess I'll start with... my favorite things."

"Excuse me?"

Taking a breath he said all in one shot. "I really liked ninja turtles when I was a kid; I watched the movies and had the toys but... secretly I was never happy with my toys, mom always got me Leonardo- he's the one with the blue bandana, when I really wanted Donatello- the one with the purple."

"Whoa, whoa" he waves a hand. "Rocky, what are you talking about?"

"You told me to talk about whatever I wanted. So I just assumed that-..."

Maxim laughed a bit, then shook his head. "You've actually been assigned a discussion by your parents. They would like for you to talk about your feelings dealing with what happened to you."

"You mean the abduction?"

"Yes."

Cracking his knuckles he exhales. "I had some troubles, my troubles are over, I'm back at school now and every thing is fine." He put on a smile to show just how fine.

"If you're fine then talking about it won't be too much of a trouble for you then, will it."

Rocky was silent.

"Hm? That to me seems like someone who is not over it."

"I am, I just... don't want you to tell my parents anything I might tell you or ask."

"Ask?"

"...I have questions." He shrugged. "I'm not used to being so... well listened to. It's just kind of weird."

"I understand. How 'bout we just start fresh then. Tell me about when you first came into contact with the woman and go from there."

"Okay. But... it's a long story. Are you sure you wouldn't rather just hear the shortened version?"

"No. I believe I need a full understanding of this from your eyes, please."

Nodding, he gestures a hand to the chair. "May I?"

"What, lie down? Of course."

"Thanks." Laying down on the comfortable long chair, he closes his eyes. "It started at when I was eight; me and my mother went out for new clothes to wear at school. I spoke to a woman when we got in the store and at the time I didn't know that it was Marissa. She was very nice to me and told me that she thought I was a sweet and brave kid or something like that." He swallowed hard for what he was about to say next but instead switched it to something else. "I didn't see her after that until I was fifteen when a girl came into my life named Maria. I hung out with her because I felt bad that other kids picked on her, I didn't see what was so bad about her. But then weird things started happening, like when she spoke to me without moving her lips."

"Like throwing her voice?"

Rocky shook his head. "No. I mean like... Do you believe in mental abilities Dr. Maxim?"

The man smiled then shook his head. "Not really."

"...You should because its very real." Rocky says in all seriousness.

Raising a hand in defense the doctor shrugs. "I have no way of proof of such a thing, and I myself just don't believe in that sort of thing."

"Out of religion?"

"Yes, somewhat."

"Well listen to me because everything I tell you about her is the truth."

"All right. Continue."

Narrowing his eyes knowing that the man wasn't going to take him seriously now, he sighed. "Maria was born a mute, my brothers and I broke into her home and found a diary she planted for me to see. It was her way of... I don't know, awakening something inside of me." The more Rocky spoke the more he himself was beginning to think it sounded a little crazy and farfetched. But living it he knows its all true. "I was getting into a lot of trouble for just about everything then. Breaking and entering, nearly drowning my ex-girlfriend, and lying to my parents and the police when I wasn't!" Calming his rage a moment, he closes his eyes and breathes evenly. "So then one day she was at home and that's when I saw Marissa again, I had no clue who she was because I was very young and forgot all about that day we met."

"So then Marissa was Maria's mother? Or guardian?"

"No! Marissa is Maria! She tricked me with her abilities... She had the power to manipulate peoples minds with just one thought. She had me believe that there were two people roaming around when it was her all the time. Anyhow she managed to get me alone with her and she tried to... She forced herself on me but I managed to escape by breaking her down, she was always unstable, a loner, thought no one liked her because of her gift. She told me that she and I are alike and should stick together."

"Alike?"

Rocky shook his head. Continuing on, he told the man about his days before he was taken by her. How he was receiving phone calls from a girl named Amari, who again was just Maria in diguise; how it got to the point where he was just angry so he shut the girl out. But that pissed her off and that's when she made her move. The night he left he got a headache and almost crashed his car. As he spoke Maxim listened carefully, nodding and understanding, though, he could tell there were a lot of gaps in the story from where Rocky didn't want to tell him what happened.

"All I could think about was getting out, at first, because after a while I knew that it was futile for me to try anymore." His eyes watered. "I was stupid. I couldn't hit a girl, it goes against who I am! So..." He stopped speaking, his eyes spilling the tears.

Maxim frowned; getting up from his desk he walked over to the boy and hugged him, at that point Rocky didn't hold back and he just cried.

"It was all so hard... It was all so very hard and I cried." He sniffles. "I cried a lot and doctor Maxim I don't cry. I face my problems, head on but... I was just so scared. Scared that if I fought back or disobeyed her then that poor little girl would suffer in my mistakes."

"That's a lot of responsibility for one person." He rubs his back, making hushing sounds.

Moving away when he realized he was hugging someone, he ran a hand across his eyes. "I'm sorry. I just got over whelmed."

"No. It's good to show emotion."

"Not for me, I have to be strong and solid. I have to keep a level head to protect people that are important to me."

"One person can't do that on their own."

"Can't they?" He sighs. "I have to try. For my mom, whom I hurt so much since I got back, and my brothers who have suffered because of my stupidity. Tum Tum took on my role as the stable and I can tell it broke him inside and my brother has a lot of spirit and now because of me he's so serious and sad but he hides it because he's glad that I'm back. I know that when no one is looking he cries, I know he does I can smell the tears on him."

"I'm starting to understand this now."

"You are?" Rocky had to laugh at that. "Because I've never felt more confused."

"I'm gonna go over this all and get back to you." Says Maxim regretedly.

"Okay." Standing, he brushes a hand down his shirt to compose his self.

"You said you had questions though; do you still want to ask them?"

Rocky thought it over. He knew what he had to do to get his answers. "I need to know if you know how to hypnotize a person?"

"Why?"

"...I keep seeing these images in my dreams, normally I wouldn't think anything of it but they feel so real. Just last night I had this horrible dream about a boy and me. I didn't see his face but I felt like I knew him."

"Dreams are often windows into locked away memories." He walks over to his desk, switching off the recorder. "I don't know the bases of hypnotism but I can hire someone to assist me in doing it."

Rocky nods to that. "I'm gonna go now." He walks to the door, pulling it open but he turns around to say. "I hope your son is alright." Leaving the room, he pulls the door closed after him.

Maxim looked stunned by those words. How could he have-...? Unless? Getting on the phone, he grabs the phone book. He wanted some answers as well and hypnotizing this boy might be the key to those answers.