Author’s note:  This story takes place during the events described in Friendly Terms, written for the Decades Project (WFOL 2025), and before the events depicted in Feelings. Both stories are published here on CABB – New Chambers.

* * * * *

To heal is to touch with love that which was previously touched by fear.

    ~ Stephen Levine

Still adapting, cautious, shy, yet incredibly grateful; only a week had passed since he began his new life in this magical world, detached from life, in the shadow of drugs and the evil lurking in the city’s dark corners…And though anxiety was no longer his constant companion, Ike had not yet regained his inner peace.

During the day, he learned the rules and got to know the people around him, filled with wonder and amazement; at night, drenched in sweat, he fought off nightmares.

It always started the same – the gloomy atmosphere of an abandoned building, the smell of alcohol, smoke, and dust – and there he was, sitting against the wall of a dingy hallway, sent away so he wouldn’t see or hear certain things; that evening, he had heard too much, and it had gone on for too long.  A reflex of revulsion and protest from his body, which was gasping for air, caused him to move away from the ‘safe’ spot where he had been waiting. The image was blurry and gray; he saw everything from above, walking through the room – a mattress, a table, empty bottles, and approaching footsteps…

He jolted awake, gasping for air. He sat up in bed and covered his face with his hands. Will this nightmare haunt me forever? I live in fear that it will happen again, and even here, where I’m safe, I can’t get a good night’s sleep. His heart pounded painfully in his chest.

Heavy breathing filled the room; his new roommates were asleep, and no one noticed his agitation. With his eyes closed, he calmed himself, trying to cover up his chaotic thoughts with hope. From the top of his head, he felt a cold wave of fear wash over him all the way down to his toes. A shiver ran through his body, which was crying out for rest. He took a chance; lying on his back, he stared at the stone ceiling, only to fall into a restless sleep a moment later, tossing and turning, pulling the covers over himself and then throwing them off again; he waited until morning.

During the day, he managed to focus his attention on studying, helping out in the kitchen, and assisting with deliveries from the helpers. All the tunnel dwellers knew where he lived; they looked at him with sympathy, and some of them, with fear. He was from the dark side of the city; chosen, saved. The need to prove that he deserved to live here became the driving force that pushed him to give it his all despite his fatigue.

The nights were a battle, one he kept losing…

He wandered around the room, a sickening smell filling his nostrils; he heard footsteps behind him, and a sudden turn toward the source revealed a stranger with an ominous glint in his dark eyes and a suspicious smirk.

The sharp awakening caused him to lose his balance and fall onto the hard floor; his dazed gaze wandered over the walls, where the candlelight cast shadows, and his mind struggled to stay rational. His ears were ringing, and images from his dream kept returning; the cold from the floor effectively cooled his heated skin. Damn it! When will this end?

* * *

The library, a place with an irresistible pull. Whenever Ike felt an inner urge to escape reality, he thought of that spot.

His gaze fell on the bookshelves; he ran his fingers over the covers, tempted by the vision of transporting himself to another world.

“Hey, looking for something good to read? I can help you.”

Vincent’s words brought a smile to his face. “Sure. I’m open to suggestions.”

“What genre do you like?”

Ike rubbed his chin. “Maybe something adventurous?”

His companion ran a hand through his tousled hair. “I think you’ll like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. We have a few volumes.”

The new resident smiled warmly and a joyous sparkle appeared in his eyes “Awesome! I knew I could count on you.”

“Feel free to ask. If you’d like, we can read together sometimes.”

“Great idea, thanks.”  He rubbed his eyes. “But not today; again, I didn’t sleep very well.”

He gave him a concerned look. “It’s hard to fall asleep in a new place; it’s a big change.”

“Yeah.” I wish I could tell you what’s causing my fears, but now isn’t the time. “I got a chance, but I feel alone.” He blinked a few times, feeling tears welling up.

“I’m sorry about your mom.”

The muscles in his jaw tensed. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat. “Do you know your parents?”

His buddy shook his head. “I was abandoned, so I understand you, at least when it comes to loneliness.”

“I’m sorry, man. How are you holding up?”

“I’m managing.” He shrugged. ”Maybe because I’ve been here since I was a baby. You have recently lost a parent; you have a long time ahead of you to come to terms with this.”

He sighed without a trace of relief. “I know. I feel like we’ll get along.”

“I think so, too.” Something’s bothering you; I sense it. He pulled a copy of Oliver Twist off the shelf. Frowning, he turned toward him. “If you want to talk, you know where to find me.” He walked away, feeling both the joy of this new friend and a shadow of unease, because he didn’t know if he’ll be able to help him.

Ike narrowed his eyes as he watched the figure walk away. You’re special, but it’s not only about your looks – it’s about your empathy and sensitivity toward others. His gaze drifted to the book he was holding, and a spark of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. My eternal escape. Just holding it in his hands brought him comfort.

* * *

Sometimes, when he was engrossed in a novel, he would forget about his second breakfast and lunch. Those were moments free from worry, and he loved that feeling.

“Hey, man? Aren’t you hungry?” Mitch’s voice interrupted the main characters’ pirate adventure.

Ike rubbed his eyes. “No, I’m not accustomed to regular meals.”

“I’ve heard something about that. You won’t go hungry here, but get moving, or the Old Man will come and start examining you for some kind of illness.”

He remained on the bed, unmoved by his words. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

The buddy snorted. “That’s nonsense – you’re reading right now. If you’re bored, come with me later.”

His snide remark went right over Ike’s head. “I like reading; the books are okay.” He gave him a suspicious look. “Where do you want to go?”

“Above, we’ll walk around a bit.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his worn jeans. “I have some cigarettes stashed away; we can smoke them, because there’d be a huge fuss if we did it here.”

“Dude, smoking isn’t fun for me.” He squinted. “And I advise you to quit.”

Mitch snorted. “Sure! Come on, don’t be a bore! We can go for a walk and get some fresh air – Rennie’s coming, too.”

He reluctantly put the book down, sensing some hidden meaning behind it. “And Vincent?”

“Why? He can’t show his face during the day.”

The air began to grow thick…

“But you’re going later, so it’ll already be dark.”

“I don’t want to bring that freak with us – maybe we’ll meet some girls?”

He jumped out of bed; his gaze was thunderous. “Don’t talk about him like that!”

Mitch shrugged. “I’ll say whatever I want.”

A wave of anger crept beneath his skin, threatening to spill over inside him. He clenched his hands into fists. “Don’t insult him, it’s not fair.”

At Ike’s words, Mitch rolled his eyes, but the angry glint in the newcomer’s eyes and his lips pressed into a thin line made him hold back a barrage of abuse. I’ll give you a chance. He raised both hands. “I don’t want to argue; you’re new and you’ve had it rough. If you change your mind, let me know.”

He relaxed his hands, and the pressure in his head and muscles eased. “I’m new and I respect others – remember that, and you can go without us.”

“Yeah, whatever.”  He turned around and walked away…

It was hard to calm his thoughts after such a meeting; he sank heavily onto the bed, his feet resting on the faded carpet. He covered his eyes with his hand. I had a feeling you were quite the character. Did he mention anything about girls? He doesn’t mean the ones waiting in certain places for the clients, does he? He grimaced. I’ve seen enough of that; I couldn’t help it—I was living in my own hell. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing grew heavy. I want to forget about bad things and live in peace. His throat tightened painfully. I’m safe, I am safe; nothing threatens me here. After a moment, his thoughts became clearer and his mind less foggy. A few breaths later, he jumped to his feet and ran out of the room, hoping he was heading toward the kitchen.

In the dimly lit rock corridors, he slowed his pace, mindful of how easy it was to get lost there. The crisp air was soothing;  he was enjoying a pleasant walk until the sound of approaching footsteps stopped him in his tracks. In a split second, the leader of this world emerged from around the bend.

The teenager took his hands out of his pockets. “Father.”

A gentle smile spread across the man’s face, accompanied by a sigh of relief. “I was worried about you, boy.”

At those comforting words, Ike’s eyes widened, expecting a scolding rather than concern. “I got lost in a book. I’m sorry.” He bit his lip.

That explanation was satisfying for a book lover. “I understand. I’m glad you like to read; it’s a good pastime.” He laughed briefly. “Vincent also often forgets the whole world when he gets absorbed in a story.”

“Yeah, he recommended Tom Sawyer to me, and I was hooked.”

He patted him on the shoulder. “I’m happy he’ll have a reading buddy.”

 “Me, too. We recently visited the Chamber of the Falls.”

“What are your impressions?”

“Unforgettable. I think this is my new favorite place, after the library.”

“You still have to see the starry sky in the Mirror Pool.”

“Vincent promised to take me there.”

A pleasant warm feeling spread through Father’s chest as he watched the teenagers’ friendship blossom. My son has recovered from those sad events, and that boy hasn’t had an easy life either. They met at just the right time.

They walked in a pleasant silence, punctuated by the sounds coming from the pipes. When they reached a spot where the light was brighter, Father immediately noticed the red, puffy eyes of his young companion. “How was your night? Did you sleep well?”

A heavy sigh echoed off the walls. “I kept waking up. I have to get used to this new place, the clean bed, and all the care.”

At that answer, a pang of regret squeezed the man’s compassionate heart. What must you have been through? You grew up too fast, you’ve seen too much. He rubbed the back of his neck. “In time, you’ll find your place here and regain your joy. A time of healing has begun for your heart and soul.”

“Thank you for everything,” Shaken to the core, he couldn’t hide the tremor in his voice.

“We’re happy we could help you, and now get to the kitchen – you need to eat.”

As if on cue, his stomach growled. “My belly can’t wait.” He smiled warmly and ran in the indicated direction.

Led by the aromatic smells, he arrived at the dining chamber, Passing the entrance, he nearly bumped into the girl whose name he hadn’t yet remembered.

“Ike, why are you in such a hurry?” A blonde with  blue eyes stared at him curiously.

“I missed two meals. Sorry, I should’ve been more careful.”

“It’s okay. Sit at the table, I’ll get you some food.”

He scratched his head. “What?”

“Sit. Don’t be a baby.” She flashed him a wide smile, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

“Uhm, okay.” There was no one in the place; from the kitchen, he caught the sound of voices, the clinking of cutlery, and the rush of running water.

“Rebecca, grab some bread to go with that.”

He heard the cook’s voice. Rebecca – Yes,I should have remembered. While waiting, his fingers tapped out a gentle rhythm on the tabletop. A few beats later a familiar figure appeared in the entrance. She set a bowl of warm broth and a few slices of bread in front of him.

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly. “Thank you.” He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and leaned forward slightly, inhaling the aroma wafting from the dish.

“Enjoy your meal.” Her hand brushed against his shoulder.

A touch as light as a feather made him feel intimidated. Is this some kind of flirting? “Thanks,” he managed to croak out.

Rebecca hovered over him like a shadow. His gaze was fixed on the bowl, but under her watchful eye, he wouldn’t be able to swallow a single bite.

“Maybe you need some company?”

He looked at her slightly red cheeks and bit his lip, pondering the nicest way to refuse. His gaze drifted toward the exit, and he spotted his fellow reader. “Vincent!” Seeing him was like stepping out of a stuffy room into the fresh air.

“I heard you were in the dining chamber and thought you might need some company during the meal.” His gaze shifted back and forth between his two friends. No amount of camouflage would have helped Rebecca; with rosy cheeks, she leaned over his new friend, while he, cowering and tense, silently begged for his help.

She looked down, feeling a little disappointed. “You won’t be alone anymore, so I’m going back to help in the kitchen.” In the blink of an eye, she left them.

Vincent sat next to his buddy. “I think you caught her eye.” His tone sounded conspiratorial.

“I noticed.” At least, he started eating and took the first spoonful. Delicious, warm. He bit into a slice of bread and was chewing slowly…

“So, what do you think?” His companion raised his eyebrows playfully.

“Man, she’s pretty and nice, but after everything I’ve seen, I’m not thinking about girls. I don’t know if I’m the right person for anyone.”

He frowned at those words. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Just because you lived in a place like that doesn’t mean you’re a bad guy. I saw you earlier in the tunnel before you came back the second time. I felt you were a kind person; you only needed help.”

His eyes widened. “Really? You saw me? I was scared out of my mind back then. I ran away from home because…” A look of immense fear flashed in his eyes, and a lump formed in his throat, making it impossible to swallow.

“Go on..”

He  pressed his lips into a thin line; helplessly, he shook his head. “I can’t.”

His friend squeezed his arm. “It’s okay, you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

“Thanks. I feel like you understand me better than anyone else here.”

I’m trying. He nodded with a look of apprehension in his eyes.

They dropped the heavy topic; a temporary solution postponed. Ike knew he had to face it, had to tell someone about it. Soon…

The meal was finished down to the last spoonful. Satisfied, he stretched out in his chair and ran his hand through his quite long, blond hair. The result looked a bit like a tousled nest, with strands of hair sticking out in every direction.

His companion gave a short laugh. “You should get a haircut.”

“Yeah. And who’s going to do it here?”

“I can cut your hair.” A familiar, girlish voice came from the kitchen and Rebecca  suddenly appeared at the entrance, as if she were just waiting for an excuse to join the conversation.

Vincent opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

His buddy observed his frozen face and decided to react. “Seriously? You can? I don’t want to be a laughingstock.”

“Of course, come to my chamber and I’ll take care of it right away.” She blushed for the third time in half an hour, and he wondered if this was a good idea.

His pleading gaze turned to his friend.

“I’ll go with you, don’t worry.”

He let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, you’re saving my life.” whispered the words.

“I guess so.”

* * *

When they arrived at the place, Olivia was brushing her brown hair. Her eyes widened at the sight of their visitors. “What a surprise. Come in!”  Her brown eyes sparkled with mystery in the candlelight.

“Thanks.” Vincent flopped down on the bed and put his hands behind his head.

Rebecca instinctively began to adjust her ponytail, wishing she had left her hair down to look prettier. “Ike, sit here, and I’ll go look for some scissors.” She started rummaging through a box full of hairpins and bows.

Her close friend eyed her with a furrowed brow. “What are you planning to do?”

“Ike needs a haircut.”

Olivia crossed her arms over her chest. “And you want to do that?”

“Yes.” The reply came out through clenched teeth

The figure lying on the bed covered his face with a pillow, and his shoulders were shaking, but Ike was far from amused; in fact, he was on the verge of a burst of fear and uncertainty. “Uhm,” he scratched his head, “Maybe Mary will do it. Are you sure you know how to cut hair?”

“Don’t worry,” she replied sweetly. “I know what I’m doing. I was recently flipping through a magazine with hairstyles – it’s not hard to cut boys’ hair.”

“I hope so.” He muttered quietly.

In front of the mirrored cabinet he watched her movements. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. First, she brushed his soft hair; he felt comfortable, even a little relaxed. When she picked up the scissors, his eyes  opened immediately and  he stared at her for a moment, filled with apprehension.

Olivia sighed impatiently, the flames of her jealousy almost reaching him; he didn’t like being the object of a rivalry between two girls. A normal guy would have been thrilled, but when I looked at both, I saw nothing but good friends in them.

The self-proclaimed hairdresser began her work. She trimmed his hair first at the back, then above his ears. Her fingers brushed against the back of his neck too often and for too long. He had to remind himself to breathe, even though he was trying to treat the whole thing as a bit of fun.

Finally, she turned her attention to his bangs, cutting them unevenly and sweeping them slightly to the side.  Her fingers brushed his cheeks on both sides, then touched his forehead again. Personally, he considered himself stylish enough.

“Done!” she announced enthusiastically.

He curved his lips into a slight smile. “I was worried, but it turned out pretty cool.” A little crooked, but okay. “Thank you – you’ve got talent.”

“You’re welcome, and thanks.” She blushed again.

Olivia eyed them with narrowed eyes, tapping her foot the whole time. “Well, maybe it’s not Becca’s skill, but your features make you look good in any hairstyle.”

The chamber was filled with a ton of emotions mixed with teenage hormones, just waiting to burst forth.

The girls exchanged glances through half-closed eyes, with minds clouded by infatuation.

“Uhm… Thanks.” Ike jumped up from his chair. “I’m heading out. Vincent, are you coming with me?”

Her friend pressed his trembling lips together and rose lazily from his comfortable lying position.

Rebecca went back to cleaning out the cabinet. “Ike, don’t miss dinner.”

“I’ll do my best. Thanks again,” he said, grabbing Vincent by the arm.

Leaving that place felt like returning from another reality. His breath calmed down and muscles relaxed.  “Don’t even say a word.” He spat out the words, turning to his friend.

Vincent raised his hands. “I’m not going to.”

“You had quite a laugh, didn’t you?”

His eyes sparkled joyfully. “A little, but I was also worried about the consequences of Rebecca’s actions.”

Ike ran his fingers through his new haircut. “I was worried, too, about how it would look, but I was more self-conscious about how the girls would react.”

For a moment, Vincent pondered a clever reply. “It was funny to watch, but I know what you mean. The hairstyle is fine, and if you treat them just like friends, their infatuation will fade quickly.”

“I feel like I’ve only just started breathing properly. I hope you’re right. Thanks for being here with me; otherwise, I would’ve run away before she finished cutting my hair.”

He chuckled softly. “I’m always here to help. Let’s go read something.”

“Oh, yes! That’s what I need now!”

They headed toward Vincent’s chamber to embark on another book-filled adventure there…

* * *

One evening, Ike felt his mind growing foggy and confused; his body craved peaceful rest, but his mind had other plans. He lay exhausted on his bed, dreaming of deep sleep…

Nearby, Mitch was tossing and turning and sighing; finally, he cleared his throat. “I’ve heard about your life. I know what kind of neighborhood it was.”

Snapped out of this blissful state ‘in between’, he rubbed his eyes. What? “Everyone knows that – what are you getting at?”

“Relax.” He curved his lips into a wry smile.

A false sense of friendship hung in the air.  “I’m calm.”

“I thought maybe you had some contacts…”

That sentence made Ike’s stomach clench.  “Contacts? What are you talking about!?

“Maybe you know someone who could get some weed; I’d like to feel that high.”

He jumped out of bed  “Damn it, Mitch!”  I’m burning up inside; frustration and shame are turning my insides to ashes. “Do you really think I’d go back there to get you something? You don’t know what kind of people they are, and you don’t know what addiction does. It’s not fun; it’s a tragedy and a slow decline.”

“Dude, don’t overreact!”

“Stay out of this, Mitch. Don’t even try to get involved, and don’t start messing around with either trying it or dealing it. I can’t believe you would even think of something like that.” I feel sick just thinking about it.

Mitch wiped the sweat from his forehead and bit his lip. “Okay, okay, I was just trying to tease you. I’m not going to be a dealer.”

“That joke didn’t land well; I’m warning you. Just let it go!” He emphasized every word strongly.

“Fine, that’s it,” he turned away, red with anger. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Yeah…” That’s exactly what I needed – this conversation to dwell even more on my old, miserable life.

That night brought him no peace either. The same dingy place, gray and cold, a figure approaching, closer and closer; the smell of alcohol and something he couldn’t identify on its breath; he felt a tightness in his throat and… woke up, gasping for air. His shirt was sticky with sweat; one, two, three... He looked gratefully at the glass of water on the nightstand and drank it in one gulp. I can’t take this anymore.

Anxiety was stronger than fatigue; he lay in bed until he heard the morning commotion. Someone was heading to the kitchen, and Mary’s voice in the distance signaled that the younger children would soon be running down the hallway. He was already sitting up, dressed in a gray sweatshirt and patched pants.

Breakfast was already in his stomach, and during class, as he rubbed his eyes, he managed to muster what little concentration he had left. Yet he was lost in thought, present yet distant. Completely unaware of the keen observation of a close friend.

Dark circles under his eyes, sluggish movements, and slow reactions. It was getting harder and harder to hide his worry.

Wanting to keep up the pretense, Ike agreed to play soccer with his friends. Clumsy, distracted, and lacking energy, he tried to have fun with his buddies; and it wasn’t until the ball hit him in the head again that he stopped his efforts. Mitch mocked him and called ‘loser.’

Determined to avoid a barrage of snide remarks directed at him, he shrugged off the provocation and walked out, leaving his friend standing there in astonishment…

Slowly, he passed through the rocky corridors, staring at the ground, his hands tucked into the pockets of his sweatshirt. The sounds coming from the pipes grew fainter and fainter, and the air became cooler, a light breeze brushing against his face.

There was such a silence that one could lose oneself in thought, lose oneself entirely; finally breathe.

Just around the corner, the wind was playing a loud, ominous tune, and the place was darker; it drew him in; step by step, he descended the stairs…

His gaze wandered toward the precipice just a few paces away. I’d heard about this place. It’s dangerous, and I probably shouldn’t be here. But human curiosity got the better of him, and he moved closer to look down.

And the view was breathtaking; a mystical spectacle – was it smoke or fog? Everything swirled hypnotically, alluringly; shades of gray and white intertwined, nothingness, emptiness. His body leaned dangerously forward. I’m standing on the edge, and the slightest gust of wind is enough to send me falling... .

“Ike, back off!” A familiar voice cut through the gusts of wind.

He gave him an indifferent look. “Bro! Don’t be afraid; I’m just enjoying the view.” To emphasize his words, he stretched his arms wide.

Vincent held his breath. “Please. I can see what’s going on with you – you’re exhausted and bottling everything up inside!”

The words hit him like a bucket of cold water. His eyes widened. You know me better than I thought.  “You’re right, something’s weighing on me, but I wanted to escape into the silence, to think. I ended up here by accident – or maybe on purpose.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t even know myself.”

Vincent felt his knees go weak as he watched him still standing on the verge. “Let’s get out of here and talk.”

“I prefer to talk right here; this place makes me want to get it off my chest. It’s as if I could leave all my secrets and all my torments here.”

“You’re right, it’s pretty intense – whatever you put in there stays in there, forever.” He gave him a serious look. “Let’s sit by the wall, I feel like my heart is going to break my ribs when I see you there.”

Ike smiled at his expression of concern. “You’re worried.”

“Come closer and put an end to my worries.” His muscles were tense and his lips were pressed together.

Ike took a step toward him, and they sat together against the wall, keeping a safe distance.

“Get it off your chest; it’ll make you feel better.”

His companion took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I have nightmares, night after night, and then I sleep restlessly, which is why I walk around so dazed.”

“The same dream every night?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

Ike closed his eyes and swallowed. “I often left the room where I slept when my mom had company. There were drugs, alcohol, and other things that made them disconnect. She didn’t want me to be part of it, so I’d sit in the hallway and read books that nobody wanted or a magazine.”

“She wanted to protect you.”

“In a way, yes, but by then I was old enough to understand what those meetings were about.” He rubbed his forehead, feeling the heat rising.

“Did you peek?”

“Yes, out of simple curiosity.” He grimaced. “It made me feel sick.”

“Is that what the dreams are about?”

Ike pulled his legs up and rested his hands on his knees. “No, but they’re connected to it.” Once again, he took a breath. “One evening, there was a particularly wild party going on there. I couldn’t stand listening to it, so I went for a walk around the building. I guess I’d gone too far.” He ran his hand through his hair.

“I was in an abandoned room – a mattress, empty bottles. I thought I was alone… but..” his voice started to tremble. “Suddenly, some stranger showed up. He started spouting nonsense, saying I must have come for drugs, but I had to pay for them. Of course, I told him I didn’t want drugs and…”

Vincent looked at him with a concerned expression. “Don’t worry, you’re safe here.”

But his friend was somewhere else, reliving the event all over again. “I have to say this. He pushed me against the wall and covered my mouth with one hand. He said I was probably one of those who make money that way. I could smell alcohol and I don’t know what else; his stubble pricked me, his nose brushed against my neck, and I tried to break free, but he was stronger. His hand slammed against my chest, then reached for the button on my pants; I felt sick and wanted to die.”

Vincent shook his head and clenched his fists, feeling his anger rising. “What happened next?”

“A miracle happened. A friend of my mom’s – the one who taught me to read and write – found me and pulled me away from that pervert. He told me to run, and he didn’t have to repeat it. Fueled by adrenaline, I ran all the way to the tunnels – that’s when you saw me for the first time.”

“You went through something terrible.”

“It could have been much worse. I wouldn’t have been able to pull myself together after something like that, which is why I have nightmares – because I’m afraid that something like that might happen to me again and no one will save me.”

“You’re in no danger here. You need to tell Father, and he’ll give you something to calm you down. You told me about it; maybe the burden will feel lighter now that you’ve shared it with me.”

Ike tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “Thank you for listening to me and for being here. I think I’m starting to feel that lightness.”

“You can always count on me. That’s a promise.”

“And you can count on me.”

They sat there in silence for a few more moments, buffeted by the wind, which soothed their senses after the harrowing story. The abyss swallowed Ike’s secret; he felt that some force had brought him here so that he might finally find peace.

For a moment, they looked at each other, sharing the same sense of understanding; that instant when the weight of the secret was finally lifted strengthened their budding friendship.

Ike felt as if a burden had been lifted from his heart; even though he knew that talking to Father would mean revisiting that terrifying event, he felt a sense of ease and strength within himself. “Let’s get out of here;“I’ll let it all out one last time, and maybe then I’ll finally be completely free.”

“I’m sure sharing this will help.”

He put his hand to his heart. The pain of missing his mother would remain, but it can only grow fainter; it will never disappear, but perhaps other memories will fade. He pressed his lips together. “Everything is still bleeding; the wounds are too fresh…”

His friend put a hand on his shoulder. “You need time.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to believe it.”

The moment has come to leave the area around the chasm. They moved slowly, and with each step they got nearer to the tunnels leading home.

Vincent was mulling over their conversation, still shaken by the evil reigning in the world above. He glanced at his companion with admiration – for his inner strength, which he doesn’t even know he possesses, for his sensitivity and understanding. He doesn’t isolate himself from me, doesn’t reject me like a freak, and with all this, he heals my heart that longs for Devin.

The entrance to the library loomed in the distance. Ike took a few deep breaths and turned to his companion. “I’ll always be grateful to you for saving me.”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “That’s what friends do, right?”

He smiled back. “I just haven’t gotten used to a lot of things.” He bowed his head. “I hadn’t made any friends, I didn’t have the comfort of a clean bed or regular meals, and I never imagined that learning could bring me such joy.”

“It’s a life worth living – one you deserve.”

A flood of emotions washed over him in waves; trembling, he gasped for breath; his glance at his friend spoke louder than an ocean of beautiful words – he turned and stepped over the threshold.

With his sleeve, he wiped his eyes, making them even redder and more swollen, and went down the stairs, feeling a surge of courage with every step.

The community leader raised his eyes from the pile of documents and furrowed his brow. He immediately sensed the gravity of the moment. There you are at last: tired, determined. “Is something wrong?”

“I’d like to talk.”

He set aside the documents and moved closer. “Sure, have a seat.”

The boy settled comfortably into his seat and folded his arms across his chest… and after a few seconds, he slowly poured out his troubles.

Father shook his head and pressed his lips together as he listened to the story about the environment in which Ike had grown up. When he recounted the situation with the stranger, Father grabbed his hand. “Good Lord… Ike… tell me, did he…?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“A friend of my mother’s saved me… but if no one had been looking for me, then…”

He was pulled into a fatherly embrace. A wave of relief washed over him. “You don’t have to be afraid here; we’ll take care of you.” He felt his nod.

“I have nightmares about what happened, night after night, and I can’t get any sleep.”

“It’s good that you told me about this. I’ll make you some of my friend’s herbal tea; it’s soothing and helps you sleep… and if you wake up in the night and still can’t sleep, come to me and I’ll give you some medicine.”

“Even though he didn’t do what he set out to do, I feel as if he’s taken something away from me.” He sobbed, nestled against Father’s shoulder.

“Innocence…You see life differently now. You’ve been touched by evil.” He cupped his face in his hands. “It hasn’t taken away who you are: brave, strong, and courageous. Life hasn’t broken you, and now, in your new home, you’ll be able to live with dignity and learn to cope with your memories. We’ll be here to help and support you – don’t keep your problems inside.”

The boy wiped his wet cheeks. The words acted like soothing bandages. “Thank you, I’ll try.”

“Come on, let’s prepare a wonderful mixture.” He ruffled Ike’s hair like a little kid’s. “You’ve got a new haircut!”

Ike waved his hand dismissively. “It was Rebecca’s handiwork.”

Father raised his eyebrows high.

“Please don’t ask.” A slight blush spread across his cheeks

Father smiled slightly at that reaction, sensing there was quite an interesting story behind it, but he didn’t press the issue – the boy had enough confessions for one evening…

***

A month had passed since he had arrived in the underground world.

Sharing his worries was a balm for his inner wounds. Dr. Wong’s soothing infusions worked perfectly; Ike slept like a baby; although he sometimes tossed and turned during the night, the dreams about past events did not return.

The teenager discovered that when he shared a problem, it actually became smaller.

I feel that relief, but I still need time to come to terms with my memories. My childhood wasn’t sweet, without family vacations or a warm hug from my parents when I scraped my knee. For me, it was a dark time, one of stealing food, reading found books, and avoiding looking at things so repulsive they make me feel sick.

“Ike! Come to the library! Father says we’re going to have a new companion.” His  close friend’s voice snapped him out of his quiet contemplation. He looked at him and furrowed his brow. “I don’t know, I feel a little unsure about making friends.”

His buddy patted him on the shoulder. “You’ve got this. So far, everyone likes you and values your honesty, hard work, and sensitivity.”

He exhaled through his nose. “Mitch would say I’m a wimp.”

Vincent raised his eyebrows. “Do you care what he thinks?”

“Not a bit.”

“In that case, let’s go.”

“Let’s race,” he challenged him. In his blue eyes, he saw a spark of rivalry, a quick nod – and then he was gone, leaving behind a cloud of dust…

A smile lit up his face; our friendship is healing us.

“I gave you a head start; I’ll catch up to you in a moment.” He set off after him, but not so as to outrun him.

They bumped into each other at the library entrance and burst out laughing.

“Well, well, there you are.” Father looked at them with amusement and cleared his throat. “Now that we’re all here, I wanted to introduce you to Amy – our newest member of our community. I hope you’ll welcome her warmly into our family.”

The older man turned around, and a girl about Ike’s age stepped out from behind him. She looked around at the crowd. “Nice to meet you.” Her soft voice barely reached Ike’s ears, drowned out by his pounding heart.

Their eyes met, and her lips curved into a shy smile. It was like a shot straight to the muscle that pumped blood through his body.

I immersed myself in her uncertain, frightened gaze and lost my head. My whole life had led up to this very moment; the cage around my heart is breaking apart, and I was overcome by the feeling that I had met someone I might fall in love with, and I can only hope that she will be my strength…