forum Do you really want to trust insanity? (Private with Icefire, it's pretty fooking mature, matey)

Started December 04, 2019 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

Alex nodded a little. "Yes. I…thank you." He said quietly, running a hand through his hair.

"You're welcome." Gabriel gave Alex a kind smile, still staying on his knees by Alex's side.
"My name's Gabriel; it's nice to meet you."

"Alexander Swanson." Alex replied after a moment. "It's, ah…nice to meet you." He said, offering up a small smile in return.

Gabriel nodded one in recognition to Alex, the looked at the entrance of the alleyway; the sidewalks and streets were still crowded. He turned back to Alex.
"So, Mr. Swanson, where were you going before this? I could help you get there without having to deal with the crowds again."

"You can just call me Alex." He replied. "And I uhm…I don't know." He hesitated a moment. "I just got here a few days ago." Here. Back to America. In New York.

"I see. Do you have a place to stay then?" Gabriel knew that a lot of people who came from overseas usually didn't have a permanent place to stay.

Alex shook his head. "No. I-I…no." He had thought he would. Henry. Henry had said he loved him. But…but Alex had come back, had knocked on the door…and Henry was married. Henry had a child. Henry…hated him, now. Hated him. His hands balled into fists again.

Gabriel's eyebrows furrowed a bit when he saw Alex's fists.
"Well, you could come stay with me, at least until you have a place of your own. I live in Brooklyn, though." He tilted his head a bit, not sure if she's would take up his offer or not. He figured it would be better than she'd staying… Wherever he had been. Probably the streets. Contrary to popular belief, those who were challenged mentally shouldn't have to live on the streets or those good forsaken a asylums.

Alex blinked, looking at Gabriel. "But…" He drew his eyebrows together. But he knows about Bedlam. Why would he trust me if…if he knows I've been in Bedlam? For all he knows, I'm a psychopath and murderer.

"But what?" Gabriel asked. He was used to housing those who had just gotten out of asylums; he knew servers nurses who would tell patients to come to his house after they were let it, even. He was one of the few who actually helped.
"I don't care about where you're coming from. You're here now, and it's a tad bit obvious you're gonna need someone around. I don't mind." He gave Alex an inviting smile.

Alex shuddered a little. "I-I…are you sure?" He asked slowly, looking at Gabriel. He tugged on the sleeves of his shirt. His fingers were thin, as was every bit of him. Too thin, really.

"Of course I'm sure. So… Is that a yes?" Alex looked like he hadn't eaten in ages; Gabriel was at least going to buy him something to eat, where he took up his offer or not.

Alex nodded slowly. "Yeah. I-I…yeah." he replied, looking at Gabriel carefully. His green eyes were clearer, now, less distorted and afraid.

Gabriel nodded once. He stood, starting to hold his hand out to help Alex up but remembered how he reacted to touch earlier. He pulled his hand back to his side.
"How about we go get you something to eat first?"

Alex stood up, looking at Gabriel still. He nodded. "Alright." he replied, running a hand through his hair. "Thank you." he adjusted his coat.

"Here, I know a place." Gabriel stated Susan the alley, motioning for Alex to follow. He led Alex through the streets, keeping to the roads and alley ways that didn't have many people on them.

Alex followed him closely, careful not to brush up against anyone. He took a deep breath, reaching inside of his jacket and brushing a finger against the journal tucked inside of it.

Gabriel would glance back occasionally to make sure Alex was still okay, bringing him to a small, indiscrete bar.
"This place doesn't get many customers, but they have good food," Gabe said, holding the door open for Alex to go in.

Alex nodded a little, and went inside, looking around as he did. His arms were tucked close to his body, making him look as small as possible. His brown hair was hanging into his face a little, starting to escape its ponytail.

Gabe walked in as well, letting the door close behind him quietly. He walked over to the counter, speaking with the man there for a moment before coming back over to Alex.
"I have a place we can sit where no one will bother us- sound good?"

Alex nodded a little. "Yeah. Thank you." he said quietly, looking around, then back at Gabriel. "I…thank you." he said again, rubbing the side of his arm with a hand.

"You're welcome!" Gabe smiled, leading Alex to a corner booth. A man came by, dropping off some food, but after that they were alone.
"You doing better?"

Alex nodded a little. "Yeah." he replied, his mouth twitching in a quick, faint smile. He placed his hands on the table. "I just…if you know anything about…about Bedlam, why would you…?"

Gabe shrugged. He liked it when it seemed like Alex was going to smile. He told himself it was because Alex was going through hard times.
"I know a lot of people who've been in asylums, even Bedlam. Just because they aren't the same as me doesn't mean I shouldn't test then like people. And it doesn't make them bad people, anyway."

Alex looked down at his hands for a moment. I killed people. I hurt a child because I was angry. I… He swallowed, and shrugged a little. "But you don't know anything about me." he responded softly.