Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Two, Step Twelve: Touched By Madness

I excuse myself from the dining room, needing some time to digest what I've learned, and while Matthews gaze follows me as I depart, worry brimming in his eyes, they make no effort to stop me. I peer out a passing window as I make my way down the hall, happy to see that the landscapers have finished their work but in no mood to play with my new addition, and enter my lego world. I lean against the door and slide to the floor as it clicks shut behind me, staring up at the ceiling as our conversation replays in my head. I spend quite awhile concentrating on the ground beneath me, demanding that it quiver even the slightest to prove the I am what they say and not simply insane, but nothing happens and by the time I give up I feel like a mad fool.

"What do you think, Simon?" I ask and when I receive no response I reach up to his usual resting place to find him missing.

"Simon?" I call as I look around the empty room before opening the door and glancing around the hall. I don't find Simon but I do see Matthew at the end of the hall and he hurries towards me as he spots me.

"There you are! I've been looking for you for..." he pauses as he approaches, glancing around at my searching look. "Lose something?"

"Simon's run off." I reply with a sigh as I lean against the doorframe.

"I'm sure he didn't go far, he'll be back." He reassures as he closes the remaining distance between us and tries to catch a glimpse of the room behind me. "Is this where you've been this whole time?"

"Yeah, I needed some time to think. Has it really been that long?"

"Over an hour. What do you think about what James and Damien said?" He asks curiously and at the mention of his brothers I can see the conflict hidden in his eyes, seemingly as undecided as I.

"It's a very pretty answer.."

"But..?" He replies, slipping his hand in mine and squeezing comfortingly as I hesitate.

"It feels like too much of a coincidence." I sigh as I turn my gaze to the floor. "This feels too much like a dream and my dreams feel too much like reality." 'A perfect world I've stolen away to.' I don't look back up at Matthew as I speak, knowing how ridiculous I must sound, but he makes no move to contradict me so I continue. "I never would have guessed the figure in the yard wasn't an actual person, if illusions can be that lifelike how can I even tell what's real?"

"I don't know." Matthew replies honestly before resting his hand under my chin and tilting my head up to meet his gaze, a soft smile on his face. "But we'll figure this out, I don't think you're crazy."

'I do.' "Thank you."

"That's what I'm here for." He smiles warmly before casting another curious look into the room behind me and I step aside, ushering him into the room with a laugh, happy for the distraction his company brings.

He looks around as he steps inside, wide eyed and spellbound as he stares in awe. He rushes over to the castle in the corner, his fingers running over the pieces delicately as he examines the intricately built structure, before turning to me in amazement.

"Did you build all of this?" He asks and I nod as I move to his side.

"Yup, helps me take me mind off of things."

He moves back and forth around the room, examining the lego models in wonder, before looking over to the odd closet.

"Can I..?" He asks and I motion for him to go ahead, taking pleasure in his astonished expression as he catches sight of the window. He kneels down to examine the small houses beneath, glancing back at me questioningly.