Patrick Trafford is pleased with the simple life he has, spending his time tending a tiny garden accompanied by his best friend, Chad, who just happens to be a cockroach. Nevertheless, he can't hide the excitement bubbling in him when a man suddenly appears in the garden.<br><br>Damien Abner politely welcomes, albeit somewhat at a loss, Patrick's warm offer to spend time with him. To have a coffee, watch some movie, and dance along with the characters in it.<br><br>They begin to date and Patrick has never been happier, though he barely knows who Damien is -- not that it matters to him. For him, being clueless does mean bliss.

Just a Little Unwell

The gate is still there but Patrick prides himself on knowing the small alleys and secret paths that can take him to the world on the other side. He doesn’t wait for Chad. He can find his own way.


After what feels like several hours of walking and sneaking into houses where he thought he could find Damien inside, Patrick comes to a big house with several rooms. In each of those rooms is a desk and chair. Patrick checks through some of the rooms then there he is. Damien is talking to some people, all of them dressed in white shirts and white pants. Patrick ducks when one of them seems to feel his presence and turns, but after a pause they begin to talk again.


“I told you, Damien. You shouldn’t have gotten too close with a patient like that.”


Patrick can’t see the person talking, but he’s definitely not Damien.


“I wasn’t trying to get myself too close with a patient, okay. Just close enough so he’d open up for me.”


Chapter 3