Rachel's P.O.V.

"Caesar, go grab Umbreon's leash" I whispered at him. He looked at me like if he wanted to argue, but I put my best 'I'm older than you and now I'm in charge of you' look and the complain died in his lips "And, bring something to eat to your brother" I added at the end, still being able to look at Octavian.

Let me set the record straight: I don't hate him. I don't despise him. I'm not afraid of him. I'm just sad that he didn't trust me enough. I was frustrated because I couldn't help him.

Octavian wasn't even acknowledging our presence so, we left him alone. Since it was Friday, I could use the excuse and go to work earlier, though that would begin an interrogation by my bosses. Nice people, but a little noisy.

I decided to take a shower, because I was smelling off desperation and concern. I understood why showers were sacred to Octavian: nothing else matter except than the water hitting your skin. I let out some strangle noises and sobs, hoping the water would hide them. After a few minutes, all that was left was frustration. How could he be so reckless?! I gave a dam if I had to work 24/7! His health and Caesar's and Umbreon's were all I care about! Couldn't he understand that?!

Then, I came up with a solution. It wasn't perfect, but it was something that could make him think. I quickly got out of the shower and got dress, and sat down by the improvised desk in 'his' room, writing down:

Ian,

This feels awfully familiar, doesn't it? Don't worry, this isn't a goodbye letter. I don't think I could ever write one of those again.

I feel like I need to explain to you about this, but actually this is the only way I found to show you my feelings and for you to see how much you care. This way, I assured myself that you wouldn't interrupt me or even have to see my tears of frustration.

Ian, one thing I want you to remember is that I love you and I'm not writing this because I'm afraid of you. Actually, I'm not afraid of your old version. I'm not afraid of 'the' monster that you think you're thinking you're turning back into. I don't fear him, and I'll never leave him, because I know that under all the vindictive and the anger and the cruelty, you'll always look after me.

Baby, I'm sure to know why you're having those panic attacks. You're struggling to know who you are, but you're taking the wrong way... Finding yourself is not something that can happen overnight and people sometimes are learning all their lives. I never asked you to be perfect for me, because I know perfection doesn't exist. Take it from an artist, perfection lives in the tiniest and normal things. Like when you kiss my nose when you're joking around. Or when you hug my waist while walking Umbreon. Or how peaceful and safe you make me feel everytime I wake up next to you...

Because I don't wanna lose those moments, that perfection, I've decided to apply the 'silent treatment' to you. I won't look at you. I won't talk to you. I won't think about you. And not because I want to see you suffer. Or because I want to be really bad to you. I'll do it because I believe that you need to put your ideas and thoughts together before you can face your reality.

I love you so much, Ian... and the last thing I want to do is see you suffer because of me. But I know you wouldn't want to see me suffer because of you... I'd keep living with you. I'd keep helping you with Caesar. I'd keep looking after Umbreon with you. We just won't have interaction until you feel ready.

And, if that day comes and you decide that you don't want me in your life, I'll fight against everything and everyone I know to be with you.

Love you so much, don't you ever forget it.

Rachel xoxoxo

I finished the letter, content with my revelations and discoveries and put it inside and envelope, where I wrote 'To read when you feel ready, Rachel'. I didn't want to push him into reading it. I grabbed my coat and my purse, leaving the room. I saw Caesar waiting with Umbreon at his feet and his leash in his mouth. Octavian was still in the same position he was before I walked into the shower. I left my letter next to him, silently and walked to Caesar.

"Let's go out..." I told him, taking Umbreon outside with us. We walked in silence, one next to the other.

"I was thinking in joining the school play..." Caesar tried to distract me during our walk to work. I smiled at him, appreciating the effort he was doing on distracting me "It's about Caesar and Cleopatra" I chuckled at him.

"Please, tell me you want to try out as Caesar..." I joked with him, feeling a little tension from Umbreon, who wanted to chase a pidgeon.

"As if! I'm gonna try out as a messenger!" Caesar continued, smiling with me "And I'm gonna try for the nurse's office!"

"Caesar, that's great!" I beamed at him, a little bit sad because Octavian couldn't hear this news "I won't talk to your brother..." I blurted out to him, because of guilt "I feel like he has a lot to think about and he needs to focus on himself before someone else..."

"I understand what you say... I don't like it, but I understand it" he agreed with me. I wrapped an arm around his shoulders before getting to the gallery.

"You don't have to do it... It was just a warning..."

"I know... I don't think I can't be without talking to him... I didn't know him for 13 years..." I nodded, understanding.

"Use this time... Make memories for him and you..."

"You're the best thing that ever happened to Octavian, sis..."

"He's the best thing that ever happened to me, little bro..."

Do you think what Rachel did was OK? What would you do in her place?