chapter 18: The voice in his head

"Hey Emily, why didn't you answer me last night?" Anthony asked, looking concerned.

I shrugged, feeling a bit guilty. "I was just really overwhelmed, I guess. I needed some time to myself."

Anthony nodded understandingly. "Okay, I get it. But if you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."

I smiled, feeling grateful for his support. "Thanks, Anthony. That means a lot to me."

As I walked into the kitchen, Anthony was already there, sipping on a cup of coffee. He looked up at me with a knowing glance. "Milly, I know Andrew's been asking for you to meet him outside, but I've decided you're going to work from home today."

I raised an eyebrow, curious about the sudden change in plans. "Why's that?"

Anthony's expression turned serious. "Because, to be honest, you looked like you'd been through a war last night. And I'm not about to let Andrew add to your stress levels today."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thanks, Anthony. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Anthony smiled and handed me a cup of coffee. "You'll never have to find out, Milly. Now, let's get started on that project, and I'll make sure Andrew leaves you alone."

As I stood in the kitchen, sipping my coffee and feeling a sense of relief wash over me, Andrew's voice cut through the air like a knife. "So that's your plan, Anthony? You want Emily to stay away from me?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Andrew's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. Anthony stepped forward, his presence a shield between us.

"That's right, Andrew," Anthony said, his voice firm but calm. "Emily needs some space, and I'm not going to let you push her around anymore."

Andrew's sneer twisted his face, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you're protecting her, but you're just keeping us apart. She's mine, Anthony. And she knows it."

I felt a surge of fear at Andrew's words, but Anthony stood his ground. "Back off, Andrew. Emily deserves better than someone who tries to control her every move. She deserves someone who respects her boundaries."

The air was thick with tension as the two men faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. I knew I had to defuse the situation before it escalated further.

"Andrew, stop," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just leave me alone, okay?"

But Andrew's eyes didn't leave mine, his gaze burning with a possessiveness that made my skin crawl. "You're mine, Emily. And I won't let anyone take you away from me."

Andrew's eyes pleaded with mine, his voice cracking with emotion. "You don't know how I feel about you, Emily. I can't stay without you. Every moment apart from you is like a knife twisting in my heart."

He took a step closer, his hands reaching out as if to grasp me. "Please, Emily, stop hurting me. I know I've made mistakes, but I promise to make it right. I'll do anything to be with you again."

His words were like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep me away. I felt my resolve weakening, my heart aching at the pain in his eyes. But I knew I had to be strong, for my own sake.

"Andrew, I need space," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I need time to think, to figure out what I want. Please, don't make this harder than it has to be."

Andrew's face contorted in anguish, his eyes welling up with tears. "You're killing me, Emily. Slowly, surely, you're killing me."

Andrew's voice was laced with hurt and anger, his eyes blazing with a mixture of emotions. "All you say is you need space, Emily. But what you really mean is you prefer staying with Anthony than me. Why is that? What has he got that I haven't?"

He took a step closer, his face inches from mine. "I know I've made mistakes, but I love you, Emily. I love you more than anything in this world. And yet, you're pushing me away, choosing him over me."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to find the right words. "It's not about choosing, Andrew. It's about needing time to think, to figure out what I want. And being around Anthony...it's just easier, okay?"

Andrew's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with venom. "Easier? You find it easier to be with him than me? That's rich, Emily. Really rich."

He turned away, his shoulders shaking with suppressed emotion. "I don't know what to do anymore, Emily. I feel like I'm losing you, and I don't know how to stop it."

Andrew's voice cracked as he spoke, his words barely above a whisper. "And if you keep on pushing me away, Emily...I'm going to break down. I'm going to shatter into a million pieces, and I won't be able to put myself back together again."

He turned to face me, his eyes red-rimmed and pleading. "I'm trying to hold on, Emily. I'm trying to be strong for you, for us. But it's getting harder and harder. Every time you push me away, every time you choose him over me...it's like a little piece of me dies."

He took a step closer, his hands reaching out as if to grasp me. "Please, Emily. Don't do this to me. Don't push me away anymore. I need you, I need your love, your touch...your everything."

His voice broke, and he choked back a sob. "I'm begging you, Emily. Don't break me."

Anthony stepped forward, his eyes locked on Andrew's. "Hey, stop all this," he said, his voice low and even. "You're suffocating her, man. She needs some space to breathe."

Andrew's face reddened with anger, but Anthony stood his ground. "Back off, Andrew. You're not going to bully her into staying with you. That's not love, that's control."

The room seemed to vibrate with tension as the two men faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Emily felt a surge of gratitude towards Anthony, who seemed to be the only one who truly understood her.

Andrew's eyes flashed with anger, but he took a step back, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll leave her alone. For now."

With that, he turned and stalked out of the room, leaving Anthony and Emily alone in the silence. Anthony turned to her, his eyes soft with concern. "You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Emily nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Yeah, thanks to you," she said, smiling weakly. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Anthony."

**************

After the incident,I walked into the room, hoping to catch Andrew's eye, but he was resolute in his silence. He sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on the wall, his jaw clenched in a stubborn line.

"Hey Andrew, do you need anything?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the awkwardness between us.

But he didn't flinch, didn't even blink. It was as if I was a ghost, invisible and insignificant.

I tried again, this time a little softer. "Andrew, please talk to me. What's going on?"

But he remained mute, his eyes fixed on some point beyond me. I felt a pang of frustration, mixed with a dash of fear. What if he never spoke to me again?

I sat down beside him, my heart heavy with emotion. "Andrew, I know I hurt you, but please don't shut me out. I need you."

But he still didn't respond, his silence a deafening roar that echoed through my soul. I realized then that I had to give him space, to let him work through his emotions. But it was hard, oh so hard, to sit there in silence, waiting for him to come back to me.

I walked into the room, and my heart skipped a beat. Andrew was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes wide and unfocused. He was shaking his head, muttering to himself, and his skin was deathly pale.

"Andrew, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

But he didn't respond. He just kept shaking his head, his eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal.

I approached him cautiously, trying not to startle him. "Andrew, please talk to me," I said softly.

But he just kept muttering, his words incoherent. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but it sounded like he was trying to convince himself of something.

Suddenly, he stopped shaking his head and looked at me. His eyes were wild and desperate, and my heart went out to him.

"Emily, I'm losing my mind," he whispered, his voice trembling.

I felt a surge of fear and compassion. What was happening to him?

"Andrew, you're not losing your mind," I said firmly. "You're just stressed and overwhelmed. We can get through this together."

But he just shook his head, his eyes filling with tears.

"You don't understand, Emily. I'm falling apart. And I don't know how to stop it."

Andrew's scream pierced the air, sending shivers down my spine. I was paralyzed with fear, my heart racing like a jackrabbit. I tried to move, to run, but my legs were frozen in terror.

Then, my instincts kicked in. I turned and sprinted out of the room, desperate to escape the chaos. I needed help, and I knew just the person to call.

"Anthony!" I screamed, racing to the phone. "I need to call Anthony!"

But as I reached for the phone, my heart sank. Anthony was nowhere to be found. I frantically dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Anthony, please pick up!" I begged, my voice shaking with fear. "Andrew's losing it! I need your help!"

But there was only silence. Anthony's phone was dead, or he was ignoring me. Panic set in as I realized I was alone, with no one to turn to.

I looked around frantically, hoping to find someone, anyone, who could help me. But the house was empty, and I was alone with Andrew, who was still screaming in the other room.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I needed to think, to come up with a plan. But my mind was a jumble of fear and panic, and I couldn't think straight.

What was I going to do? I was trapped, alone and scared, with no one to turn to. And Andrew's screams were getting louder, more intense...

I walked into the kitchen, and my heart stopped. Andrew was standing by the counter, a knife glinting in his hand. His eyes were wild, his smile twisted and manic.

"Andrew, keep that down, please!" I begged, trying to keep my voice steady.

But he just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "I told you I love you, Emily," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "But you refused. You pushed me away, again and again."

He took a step closer, the knife glinting in the light. "I told you I was sorry, but you refused to listen. You refused to forgive me."

I could see the hurt in his eyes, the pain and the desperation. He was losing it, unraveling before my very eyes.

"Andrew, please," I begged, trying to reason with him. "Put the knife down. Let's talk about this."

But he just laughed again, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Talk?" he repeated. "You want to talk? You've had plenty of chances to talk, Emily. Now it's too late."

He took another step closer, the knife raised. I could see the darkness in his eyes, the abyss of despair that had opened up inside him.

I knew I had to act fast, to do something to stop him. But what? I was frozen with fear, unable to move or speak.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything stopped. Andrew's laughter ceased, the knife clattered to the floor, and he collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

I stood there, frozen in shock, as the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. Andrew was hurt, desperately hurt, and I had no idea how to fix it.

I grasped my phone with trembling hands, my fingers flying across the screen as I dialed Mira's number. She answered on the first ring, her voice a warm and comforting presence in the midst of chaos.

"Mira, I'm scared," I sobbed, my voice cracking with fear. "Andrew is scaring me. I don't know why he's behaving like this. He's hurting himself, Mira. I don't know what to do."

Mira's voice remained calm and soothing, a beacon of hope in the darkness. "Emily, stay calm. I'm on my way. Just stay with him and make sure he doesn't hurt himself anymore. Can you do that for me?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me, my tears falling onto the phone. "Yes, I can do that. But please hurry, Mira. I don't know how much longer I can handle this."

As I waited for Mira to arrive, I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. Andrew's sobs echoed through the room, his body wracked with pain and despair. I knelt beside him, my hand on his shoulder, but he pushed me away, his eyes wild and unfocused.

"Andrew, please," I begged, my voice shaking with fear. "Talk to me. What's going on? Why are you doing this?"

But he just shook his head, his body convulsing with sobs. I felt a surge of fear and helplessness, unsure of how to reach him, how to stop his downward spiral.

Just as I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I heard the doorbell ring. Mira had arrived. I rushed to let her in, relief washing over me as she took charge of the situation.

" Okay Emily call Anthony she said"

I dialed Anthony's number, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty. He picked up on the first ring, his voice calm and reassuring.

"Hey, Emily, what's up?"

"Anthony, I don't know what's wrong with Andrew," I said, my voice shaking. "He's scaring me. He's been acting so strangely, and now he's hurting himself. I don't know what to do."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I wondered if Anthony was still there.

"Emily, I'm on my way," he said finally. "Just stay with him, okay? Try to keep him calm until I get there."

"Okay," I said, feeling a small sense of relief. "But please hurry, Anthony. I don't know how much longer I can handle this."

"I'm hurrying," Anthony said. "Just hang in there, Emily. I'll be there soon."

I hung up the phone and turned back to Andrew, who was still sobbing on the floor. I knelt down beside him, trying to comfort him, but he pushed me away again.

"Andrew, please," I begged. "Let me help you. Let me in."

But he just shook his head, his eyes wild and unfocused. I felt a surge of fear and helplessness, unsure of how to reach him, how to stop his downward spiral.

Just as I was starting to lose hope, I heard the doorbell ring. Anthony had arrived.

Anthony rushed into the room, his eyes scanning the space frantically. "Fuck, his sickness is worse now," he muttered, his voice laced with concern. "Where the hell are his pills?"

Mira and I exchanged a worried glance, watching as Anthony searched the room, his frustration growing by the second.

"I thought you said he was taking his medication," Anthony said, his voice accusatory, as if Mira or I were to blame for Andrew's condition.

Mira shook her head. "He was, but maybe he missed a dose or two. We don't know."

Anthony's face twisted in anger. "This is not good. He needs those pills to stabilize his mood."

I felt a surge of fear as Anthony's words sank in. Andrew's condition was worse than we thought, and he needed help, fast.

"Keep looking," Mira urged, her voice calm and soothing. "We have to find those pills."

Anthony nodded, his eyes scanning the room again. Finally, he spotted the pills on the nightstand, almost hidden behind a stack of books.

"Ah, thank God," he breathed, relief washing over his face. "Now, let's get him to take these."

But as we approached Andrew, we realized that he was beyond reasoning. He was curled up on the floor, his eyes wild and unfocused, his body shaking with sobs.

"Andrew, please," Anthony begged, trying to reason with him. "Take your pills. You need them."

But Andrew just shook his head, his eyes flashing with anger. "No," he growled. "I don't need them. I'm fine."

I felt a surge of fear at the thought of taking Andrew to the hospital, but I knew it was the right decision. He was beyond our control, and we couldn't risk him hurting himself or someone else.

Anthony and Mira carefully approached Andrew, trying to calm him down. "Andrew, buddy, we need to go to the hospital," Anthony said softly. "You need help, and we can't give it to you here."

But Andrew resisted, his eyes flashing with anger. "No!" he shouted, trying to push them away. "I don't need help! I just need Emily!"

I felt a pang of guilt at his words, but I knew I had to be strong. I took a step forward, my voice firm. "Andrew, I'll come with you to the hospital. I won't leave you."

Slowly, Andrew's struggles subsided, his eyes fixed on me with a desperate plea. "Promise?" he whispered.

I nodded, my heart heavy with emotion. "I promise."

With Anthony and Mira's help, we managed to calm Andrew down enough to get him into the car. As we drove to the hospital, I held his hand, trying to reassure him that everything would be okay. But deep down, I knew that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey.

I sat alone with Andrew in the hospital room, feeling scared and worried. Mira and Anthony had gone home, leaving just the two of us.

The doctor had said Andrew was in good hands, but I couldn't shake off the fear. Andrew looked so pale and still, a shadow of his usual self.

I held his hand, whispering, "I'm here, Andrew. I won't leave you."

I thought about how fast things had changed. One minute we were happy, the next Andrew was struggling.

A tear fell down my cheek as I thought about the tough road ahead. But I knew I'd face it with Andrew, no matter what.

As the hours passed, I sat with Andrew, holding his hand and willing him to get better. The hospital room was dark and quiet, but I knew I'd stay with him.