SHIELD Agent Rhapsodos: A Part That Remains

:: Nightmare ::

One night in early November, Robert eventually found out that whatever burden Genesis carried was more serious than he anticipated.

The retired agent never considered himself as a light sleeper, but the loud scuffle that woke him up past midnight was enough to snap his adrenaline on. He soon dismissed any sort of threat and danger when he laid his eyes at the source of the noise. Books were scattered on the floor because somehow the teen who accompanied him had accidentally and violently toppled them to the floor from his bed.

All thoughts to angrily ask the teen ceased when Robert saw Genesis' condition.

The kid sat stiffly straight up, shuddering, doubling over, as his breath exhaled in short and irregular gasps. Cold sweat poured down his temples. His knuckles were turning deathly white as they clenched the blankets tightly. Genesis didn't seem to register anything that was happening around him as his focus was at dead center. If anything, Robert suspected the teen was suffering from a terrible case of tunnel-vision, and his conscious mind towards his direct surroundings non-existent.

In a few moments, Robert was by the teen's side—minding his attachment cables to a heartbeat detector and his speed for his old age —encircling his arms over Genesis' shoulders enveloping him into a hug. Genesis' condition to the experienced agent was that severe that it didn't take a genius to see the teen suffered from PTSD. Genesis' usual poker face was gone, in its place was a face so frightened, horrified, and disturbed Robert had seen on someone so young. Robert couldn't even imagine what Genesis dreamt of, but he knew he needed to know if he wanted to help him.

"Breathe, Genesis, keep breathing," Robert said trying to calm the teen down. "You're going to be OK. You're safe."

To the former SOLDIER, Robert's voice was far away. His senses were entrapped in the fear and horror of the past. Every part of his mind screamed, yet nothing coherent would come out from his mouth. To him, what he blabbered out were merely echoes of what he wanted to shout out. In his awake state, the dream played over and over like loop that showed his most hated, agonizing, fragile, weak, and loneliest stage of his degradation.

When Genesis was starting to make a sound as if he was trying to communicate, Robert made himself useful to get the kid's attention back to reality. The younger man was still hyperventilating.

"Genesis, can you breathe more slowly? Easy breaths, I can't hear what you want to say like this," Robert assured the teen. What Robert heard next was something he had never thought hearing from Genesis his lifetime.

"A-am I a m-monster?" the kid stuttered and trembled, "Why monster– everything– a whole lie–"

Robert had heard enough. "No. You're yourself, Genesis. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," he said in low but clear voice. He didn't stop his encouragements until the dull horrified gaze turned clearer. What seemed like hours, Robert sighed in relief when Genesis started to notice he wasn't alone.

The teen blinked, "Robert?"

Robert welcomed Genesis with a tired smile. "Glad to have you back."

"What did I–," Genesis stiffened when he looked at the toppled books on the floor, "I..."

"Easy, take your time, and rest," Robert said as he let Genesis lean into his shoulder.

The teen wanted to protest his recent convulsions wasn't something important, but his body was stating differently and sagged into Robert's offered support. It was the worst nightmare he had of his degradation on earth it sapped all the strength he had at the present. His heart was beating madly in his ribcage that it physically hurt and made him feel sick. Slowly, thanks to Robert's circling rubs on his back, Genesis calmed down.

Minutes after, the old patient decided he needed to know what haunted Genesis in such a way. Sadly, he pushed too far.

Gone was all Genesis' patience he held back for months. Every angry moment and frustration came out that he snapped at the old man to back off.

Robert with his own pride didn't back off either trying to get Genesis to speak out what was wrong. He reasoned to himself he was doing nothing wrong.

In the end, the former SOLDIER couldn't take it anymore. He gave a glare to Robert and left the room slamming the door behind him without a word.

That particular scene was painfully familiar to Robert. The whole situation was like a replay when his son had left with his back turned to him. He could only place his hands on the bridge of his nose remorsefully as the room became deathly silent.