A/N: Hello my lovelys. This chapter is told in Crona's point of view in case you are confused. It takes place the day the Kid met Crona in the middle of his anxiety attack on the balcony in chapter 2. This is just Crona's side.

Also I've got a crap load of symbolism and metaphors so pay attention!

Thank you and please do review.

-Unknown

'I'm the voice inside your head you refuse to hear

I'm the face that you have to face, mirroring your stare

I'm what's left,

I'm what's right,

I'm the enemy

I'm the hand that'll take you down, bring you to your knees

So who are you?'

-Foo Fighters, The Pretender

Chapter 4: The Door

From the mind of the patient in room 14

When I was alone, I began to think of doors. All types of doors. Doors that open and doors that don't. Doors that are locked from the inside and doors that are wide open.

Wood doors, glass doors, panel doors, iron doors

Automatic doors, revolving doors, sliding doors, draw bridge doors

Car doors, emergency exit doors, gate doors, all types of doors.

Doors that you push open and doors that you pull open. Doors that never open at all and just stay shut...Wait, why do you think they even have those kind of doors then? If you can't open them then what's the point of having them?

They're made to keep something in or keep someone out.

That's an interesting theory. Doors that are meant to keep you trapped. Lock you up. Keep you in the dark. What about broken doors? What purpose do they serve?

Broken doors are made to be fixed.

Oh that makes sense. I think I'm a broken door. I just know I can't let anyone in, no matter how hard I try. I think my hinges rusted so I won't open anymore.

You're not a broken door because broken doors can be fixed. You can't be fixed.

Then what door am I?

A locked one.

Can I let someone in?

No.

Why not?

If you let them inside, they can hurt you.

But what if they don't?

Remember what I said? About the widow and the woodpecker?

Yes..but if I never let anyone in then I'll be alone.

You rather be a locked door then a broken one right? Choose the woodpecker.

Please give me the key, I just want to let one person in.

...Who?

I don't know. I heard something. Someone was outside my door. I could hear them!

They're not real. Inside is all that is real.

But what if they are? What if they're lost or stuck outside in the cold. I haven't let anyone in for so long.

Do you hear that? They're here again, outside my door.

Don't talk to them.

It's okay. I just want to see who it is.

Don't look out.

It's a boy, I can see him but he doesn't see me yet.

I told you not to look!

He doesn't look good though. He looks sick.

It doesn't matter. He's not important. Close your eyes. Stop looking out.

He's all alone though, like me.

If you walk out the door now, there's no going back.

What do you mean?

The door only opens from the inside. Once you walk out that door it will lock you out. You can't come back. You won't be safe anymore. Do you understand? I can't protect you if you leave. Stay in here. You'll be safe in here.

But it's so dark in here. I feel cold. I don't want to be alone anymore. I just want to help him. I'll come right back I promise! Please don't lock me out.

It's been so long since I've stepped outside. I want to feel the wind again, to see the angels. I want to hear voices other then the ones in my head. Please, don't go. I'll come back. It's just for a second.

...Once you've had a taste of the wine you'll just end up wanting more.

It won't be like that this time. I promise.

Don't make promises you can't keep.

The boy is on his hands and knees on the concrete floor. He's making this noise, I can't tell if it's a sob or a cough or if he's having trouble breathing. His arms began to shake and he lowered his head down farther. A tremor ran through his body. He looks like he is going to collapse any second. I hope he doesn't collapse. I wouldn't know how to deal with that.

His head slowly comes up again and I get a good look at his eyes for the first time. Gold. Bright sunny golden eyes. I didn't even know eyes came in that color. They're wide open, you can see through his soul when they're like that. He's in pain, no, agony.

But wait, Those eyes.

Something about them almost seems...cozy. No that's not the word. Comforting? Maybe even...safe.

I feel myself being drawn to the eyes. My feet are moving on their own. Do I have control of all of my body yet? It feels like a magnetic pulse pulling me to him. But I can't deal with people yet! I'm not ready! I know I'm not ready! Why won't my feet stop?

I'm right in front of him and he lifts his head to look at me. Suddenly my mind goes blank. All I can see is him. Raven hair with three white lines painted on the right side. Pale skin, pastel hospital wear and those golden eyes. His whole body is covered in white with the exception of his hair.

He's bloodless, colorless, like a specter and he almost seems to glow. His brightness overwhelms me a bit. I'm not used to thinks being so radiant.

He stares at me for a second before abruptly standing up. His pained look from before is gone. It was replaced with confusion and...fear.

Is he afraid of me? Don't be scared, I'm not the monster. The monster is still locked in the room. It's not me!

He backs away.

Don't run. I'm not the monster. I take a step closer and he freezes. Why won't he believe me? I'm not a monster!

I'll prove it to him.

I reach up to his face and place my hand over his cheek. His skin is soft and pure, it feels strange under the fingertips of someone so ridged and tainted. My hand rests there for a moment, gentle cupping his cheek.

See? It's not claws. Just fingers.

I won't hurt you. I promise.

"Crona!"

That's you. They've found you. Get down! GET DOWN!

Me? That's me? I look around to see a woman dressed in white. I think I recognize her voice from somewhere. She's coming closer.

HIDE! YOU HAVE TO HIDE!

But the boy...I look back to him, he looks shocked. Oh no. He's afraid of me isn't he? I can't deal with this!

THEN GET DOWN!

I drop to the floor and hold my knees to my chin. I duck my head down and wait for the darkness to take me back.

I'm sorry! I don't want them to be scared. They'll make me go away. Please don't let them hurt me.

Why don't you ever listen? I told you to stay inside didn't I? Look what you did. Now the door won't close all the way.

I'm sorry I'm sorry!

The world around me is becoming dark again. The boy in the white is starting to fade. He turns to look at me one last time, the side of his face is turns to dust and disappears in the wind. The last I see of him is his bright eyes. Then vanishes along with the woman.

Their voices are muffled and quiet but I can tell that the nurse angry at the boy in white, right before it turns silent.

Then it all goes dark.

And I'm back in my room.

The door is closed.

Just like always.

But...

It's not locked anymore.

'Keep you in the dark, You know they all pretend'