micronation | Five; Action

[Sealand woke up in terror after he died, his consciousness slamming into his head before his body fully woke up, leaving him kicking fruitlessly against his blankets. He ran to the bathroom to make sure he wasn't in pieces--because he was sure something had come out of him, or something--and, once he realized he was alive again, burst into tears and refused to leave his room the entire day, ignoring food in favor of clinging to the stuffed bear he'd gotten from home after Valentine's Day, a solid reminder of home he wanted to go back to.

He woke similarly the next two days as well, although from nightmares. He couldn't sleep much at night, so he would sneak down for food then, trying to avoid everyone, terrified that he would run into those statues in the middle of the night. Eventually, listening in on the phone lines, he became aware they'd gone away. He was still afraid to stray far from his room, though.]

A; 769 Bunker Street
[Sealand hasn't really left his room for a couple days--somehow he has been acquiring food, but aside from that he is the quietest he's been since he's arrived. Still, he heard somewhere you have to go to school every three days or get droned, so he's dragging his feet down the steps this morning. He isn't bringing his backpack, he's just bringing himself.]

B; heading to school
[Sealand isn't really watching here he's going, but he's not straying from the sidewalk. This is actually unusual--normally Sealand's jumping cracks, balancing on the edge of the road, and generally running everywhere. But he just doesn't have the energy right now. He jumps every time he thinks he sees something human-shaped out of the corner of his eye, though.]

C; school
[Sealand is not his usual self. He's quiet and has placed himself in the back corners of the room when possible, spending most of his time staring out the window or drawing spirals on paper he had to borrow with pencils he had to borrow since he didn't bring anything at all.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Tiffany watches him jump as a drone walks by and frowns...that wasn't a good sign. So she walks over, trying to not be too quiet about it, so she wouldn't scare him.]

Hello Sealand.

[Sealand jolts a bit when he first sees the movement, but once he recognizes her, he relaxes.]

Hi.

[She walks next to him, trying to keep the worry from her face.

This was just like the time he'd come back from Westport....]

You didn't get sent to Westport last week did you?

Nah. [His tone has just a hint of "that would probably have been better" in it; it's not like he knows what Westport is.] What's Westport?

Burnt out, wasteland of a town. I heard those statues were sending people there last week.

[Sealand shivers at the mention of the statues, and rubs his eye reflexively.]

They're gone now, right?

Yes they are.

[And this is in a very firm, I know what I'm talking about voice.]

....What happened Sealand?

[Sealand glances up at her a bit desperately before shoving his hands into his pockets, setting his gaze firmly on the ground, and trying to play Brave Country. It just makes his voice sound hollow.]

Nothing.

[She notes the desperate look.]

You can tell me if something has happened you know. It might help.

[Sealand brings his hands to his eyes again, though this time it's to rub away tears.]

I got chased by the statues, but I got away. But my eyes really hurt.

....They got inside you.

[She takes a deep breath and kneels down so they're at eye level.]

Sealand, I know this is hard to say.

...Did you die?

[Sealand bursts into tears, which should be answer enough.]

[And you're now being pulled into a tight hug.]

[Sealand clings to her and buries his face as if hiding his tears means they're not happening at all.]

[She has a little brother back home and has personal experience with the tactic. So she'll just hold him as he cries, knowing full well, that sometimes you just have to break down and let it out.]

[Eventually Sealand's sobs abate and become sniffling, and finally he's not crying anymore. His eyes are red, but he doesn't really tnotice.]

[She gives him a squeeze and let's go.]

They really are gone. I can promise you that much.

And I want you to promise me, if you ever get hurt like that, sore eyes anything, you come over to my house and I'll see what I can do to help. Alright?

[Sealand nods a little.] You can fix stuff like that?

It depends on what the problem is. In many cases yes. And if I can't, then it would be easier for me to find other help. I know a few other people here that are good at healing.

But most importantly, I don't want you to be alone if something happens.

[Sealand nods again. Being alone had made it scarier.] You're really nice.

[She smiles a little sadly and gives him a quick hug.]

I know you're a strong boy, but everyone needs help now and then.

Now then, we should probably get to school so we don't get in trouble. But you should come over after school. I've got something from home I think you'd like to see.