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Chapter 26

Mother Knows Best

"Phil."

Huh? Who's there?

"Darling, wake up."

I can see light on my eyelids, but I can't seem to open them.

"Oh, I'm so happy you've finally decided to come home."

And then it all came pouring back.

.x.x.x.

"Phil, you really ought to know something important, though." Chris said.

"What is it?"

"Dan has been–"

And then everything went dark.

But, I still remember his voice–the apology. Made barely under his breath, I still heard it. He was here; he had found me again! Only to tear me down. Only to leave me again, just like I had left him back in Fayetteville. Oh, but that felt like it was forever ago. Could it be possible that he was angry at me for it? No. He'd never hold a grudge like that.

Then, why?

x.x.x.

I opened my eyes to see my Mother before me. Though I had only departed months ago, the worry was evident on her face. Wrinkles riddled her once youthful, radiant face. Deep bags under her eyes reminded me of the ones under my father's.

Should I even consider him my father anymore? The reason I had left was because of him, after all. And, of course, Dan. I hadn't a choice.

"Oh, you're finally awake," her thin lips tugged into a smile. "Philip–"

"Phil," I said.

"Right. I, well, I just couldn't wait to talk to you. To see you had come home to sleep in your own bed after all of these months, it makes my heart happy, dear. Now how about I get you some tea and you tell me all about yourself lately? Just like the old times, hm?"

"No."

"…I'm sorry?"

This woman was not my mother. Technically, yes. But, guilt consumed her.

"Actually, tea would be nice. I'll meet you in the lounge, Mother."

Her hesitant smile and nod was all that I needed from her.

Moments later, I did just as I said I would. We sat across from each other in the lounge. She held her teacup timidly as I held mine as I imagined he would; this would all be in honor of him, after all.

"So, Philip, tell me all about…where you've been. I'm just dying to hear all about it." Her voice was just as sweet as it had always been, but her blue eyes stayed focused on the tea before her.

"Oh, there's plenty of time for that," I said, sipping the tea. "You always did make the best tea, Mother."

"Why, thank yo-"

"A shame that Dan had to grow up without such a thing as tea in his life." My eyes met hers and from the look on her face, I could tell she knew where this was going. "You know why i'm really here."

"I can't–"

"Why? Why the hell would you and…him…create such a place! Why does Handley's exist; for what purpose?"

She set her teacup down. "I will not have you take that tone with me, Philip."

"The tone in my voice?! That's what you're worried about? What about all the people you have locked up beyond the forest? Huh? Are their lives just toys to you? Who gave you the right to play god, Mother!?"

"You stop this–"

"Think about how many lives you and father have ruined. It's unbearable for me to think about, but for you, I'm sure it's just another everyday thought. Oh well, right?"

"Philip Michael Handley!"

"You're killing people!"

And just like that, the tea cup was thrown and shattered onto the silver tray. Glass erupted everywhere as she began screaming; I had not once in my life seen my Mother in such a state.

Now on her feet, her hands pulled at her hair–the same hair that was always straightened so perfectly. Tears brimmed over her eyes and flowed down in cheeks, painted rosy with the perfect shade for Winter, and trickled off of her chin. Her screams and sobs did not halt. She stumbled back into the wall and held herself there for a while; I think I heard a few prayers under her breath here and there and that's what really got me.

"You can pray for yourself in your time of need," I began, "but you're playing god. I don't think anyone is listening, Mother."

"S-stop it," she sunk further down. "You don't know the h-half of it. You're going around, p-pointing fingers–oh so quick to pin point the blame, are you! I pity you. Really, I d-do."

"Harsh words from a harsh woman; could I expect any differently?"

She shook her head. "Your father was right. He really did ch-change you… What happened to my dear, sweet Philip? Why couldn't you stay away from the forest like we had told you. We were so close…s-so unbelievably close."

"…Close?"

She sniffled a bit and wiped her tears. There was a long pause before she spoke. "I only ever wanted to see your father happy. This was all in action before we wed, this I promise you. Handley's was a plan of your father's since he was a young boy, for reasons he refused to explain to me. But it is important to him, so I suppose it must be important to me, as well.

The construction was done a few weeks before you were born. Your father was always back and forth, back and forth…but it was what needed to be done. What he's after…it's life-changing. I hope you can understand that. Did I approve of such harsh conditions inside of Handley's? Of course not…but there was no arguing with your father. And after all those years of different tests and all, what he had been after was created inside of a young boy. The same boy you took away from us.

Daniel is vital to the experiment. Why in the world he was allowed outside of his cell is beyond me. But, you just managed to find him, didn't you?"

"Why is he so important. Is it true…? Immortality…does he contain it?"

She looked away, only to hesitantly look back. "Yes. He serves as the vessel in all of this. He is the key to what has taken years to build. Think of it, Philip, to be able to live forever. Time would never be an issue; think of what you could accomplish! The world would be at your fingertips. To be granted eternal youth…how absolutely–"

"Disgusting. You really are something, you know that?" I stood up. "I hope your precious plan shatters right before you–and trust me–it will. Dan, Pj…before I didn't understand why things had to be this way. But, now I do."

Her lips curved upwards, almost as if she was amused. "You think you're going to stop all of this? To destroy everything your father and I have worked for!? Years and years of moving and stress and not knowing what tomorrow would look like and living without friends for the sake of the project and then don't even get me started on raising you! Playing god, me, hm? You were stubborn and arrogant from the start! You didn't giving a fuck about anyone but yourself; listen to yourself talk all high and mighty now that you think you have it all figured out after only a few months from home! You finally made a few friends and let it get to your head. What the hell would you know? You're just a kid trying to play hero, when in reality, you're a stubborn little brat."

Her eyes met mine with such intensity, that I had to chuckle a bit. "You've lost it."

"Who do you think you-"

"No. It's true. You've officially lost it." I sighed. "Now, where is Chris?"

She stopped a moment. "Chris?"

"Don't play dumb with me. He's the entertainer–the one you're letting stay here. The one with a violin."

Again, silence. "And i'm the one who's lost it? I'm not letting anyone stay here. Now, get out. Don't you ever show your face in this house again. Simon was right in saying that we don't have a son anymore."

.x.x.x.

Love Always,
ThatOneSmoshyPhanGirl