So this is where he had found himself, on a bus to Zuzu city to visit his mother.

He hadn't seen her in three years and with his recent...head space, he thought it might be a good idea to pop in.

Elliott decided to dress simple for this occasion, black slacks, a brown knitted sweater Abigail had gifted him and one of Harvey's black sweaters.

He definitely looked the part of a completely normal son living a completely normal life.

His mother had been surprised when he had called her asking if it was alright to come visit.

But she had said it was fine, so it seemed fine.

Having hailed a cab to his hotel in Zuzu city, he finally walked into his home for the next three days.

A small room with two double beds, a desk, a dresser, a mini fridge stored in the wardrobe, and a tv.

It felt very small but very cozy.

He breathed a sigh of relief, he was set to meet his mother in an hour outside of the hotel for dinner.

'I should call Harvey." He thought sitting down on the double bed closest to the window.

He instead, pulled out his phone and sent "I just got here. Meeting mom in an hours." to Harvey before slipping his phone back into it's pocket.

Laying back and taking another deep breath, getting away would be good for him.

"Is dad coming?" Elliott

"You know how it is, he's busy."

"Alright...So what's new with you?"

"Oh you know, working and taking care of Alyssa. She's top of her class right now."

"That's amazing! Has she decided where she's going to college yet?"

"Zuzu community is what she thinks she wants, but I think she should set her sights higher. A proper university."

He felt a shiver go up his spine and suppressed the urge to twitch.

It was something about how she had said it.

That cold calculating "I have your future planned out for you." tone.

The same one she had had when he told her that he was planning on moving to the valley.

The exact. same. one. she had had when he told her he was going to pursue his writing.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by her tapping on the table with her perfectly manicured nails.

"I asked you how the valley was."

"Oh um, sorry. It's fine. I enjoy it very much. It's quiet." He rambled.

She didn't seem to notice.

"I heard they opened a Joja Mart. Have they only opened the one store or are there going to be more?"

"Just the one. I can't say they do incredibly well, small local business's and all."

"Hmph." A scoff, the woman had the audacity to scoff at him.

And still Elliott kept quiet.

He could have said something, he was an adult now.

He could have argued but he didn't have the energy.

Elliott skipped getting the cab and walked to the nearest supermarket, picking up gin, crackers, cigarettes and one of those rinky little all in one first aid kits.

He paid for his purchase without making eye contact with the cashier and left, fast walking down the street.

Zuzu city was known for it's shady alley ways and dark streets, and he was aware of this.

He knew it was dangerous.

He knew it was stupid.

But he needed something.

Some kind of rush.

Nothing.

No one was out tonight.

"Bummer." He muttered as he entered the lobby to the hotel and went up to his room.

His skin felt angry, prickly and hot and bubbling underneath.

He was upset, of course he was. It was always like this after he visited his mother.

Something about her.

Something about her demeanor.

Something about all of the ways that she just couldn't understand the word no.

"Goddamnit!" Elliott shouted, throwing his bag on the bed and making his way to the bathroom to slam his hands on the basin.

The feeling radiated up his arms with the force of impact.

Almost. It was almost what he needed.

The look in his eyes as he looked in the mirror mirrored a wild animal trapped.

Hurt.

Longing.

Angry.

Manic.

He kept smacking his hands on the basin until they were almost numb with ache.

Then he started on the mirror.

He'd apologize and pay for it when he left.

He "didn't know what happened, but was so very very very sorry."

He would say "Please, charge it to my card and whatever other fees needed to fix this accident."

The mirror shattered after a few blows with his right hand, glass shards falling to the floor.

In his current state, he was only mildly concerned about the glass on his shoes.

Atleast he wasn't barefoot.

He blinked and found himself on the floor, not knowing when he'd made his way over to the wall and let out a shakey sigh.

"It's okay. It's okay. Everything is fine."

He kept pressing his hand into his pants leg, occasionally letting out a small sob.

'Why did I even come here? I should have just stayed in the valley."

But the valley wasn't an option right now.

He needed to get away.

Getting away seemed right right now.

Elliott took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

He'd tell them it was an accident, he'd find something to tell Harvey.

He'd try again tomorrow.