Delirium

.twelve

"Cyrus, you know mommy loves you don't you"

"Of course mommy."

"And you know that I would do nothing to ever hurt you. You're so precious to me. Please make good decisions in your life."

"I will. I promise."

The woman looked down at the six-year-old with a small smile on her face. "That's good Cyrus, that's really good. I can't wait until you meet James Cyrus, he's going to make everything better." She placed a hand on his head. "I think he even has a surprise for you." The boy's eyes lit up brightly at the words, nodding so hard that it seemed as if his head would fall off. It had been a rough couple of years with his mom, ever since his dad left. From shelters to the street, they really didn't have a home and the scraps of money his mom would manage to get would go to Cyan's food. His mom didn't eat. No matter how much he begged her to.

"You need it more than me Cyrus, I'm fine. Besides, how are you supposed to grow to be tall?" She told him one time when he tried to offer her the carton of milk she had given him. When he thought about it, he couldn't remember the last time she had ate anything and yet she still had energy as if she had. Maybe when he was asleep? It had been the only explanation.

Adjusting the new jacket that his mom had given him, Cyan held onto her, also noticing the new clothes that she wore. "Did James buy us these clothes?"

"Yes he did, and make sure you say thank you when we meet him."

Looking down at the shoes that were slightly too big on him, he nodded. In front of them was a door, white with a golden '52B' engraved into it and red brick surrounding. Beautiful white flowers were growing along the building and so badly did Cyan want to go and pick two. One for his mom and one for him. However, James' apartment complex was very expensive looking which made Cyan refrain from the urge.

"Remember Cyrus to use your manners. Say thank you and don't touch anything inside alright."

"Okay."

Nodding, his mom rapped her knuckles against the door only to have nothing happening for a long time. The wait made Cyan antsy. He was bored, he wanted to go pick the white flowers and he just realized how much he needed to pee. He thought about just letting it go but that wouldn't be polite at all and his mom had told him to use his manners. So he held it in, shifting his weight between his legs.

After his mom knocked a second time, the door had finally opened, showing a man who had been much taller than Cyan had expected. He was about six feet and wore a blue suit that Cyan only seen the rich businessmen wear that sometimes gave them a dollar as they passed. Blue eyes and neat blonde hair, Cyan wanted to tell the man that he was pretty but he decided against it. Pretty was a girl's word anyways and he would probably be insulted by it.

"James," his mom said with a smile, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him. "My son I was telling you about. This is Cyrus."

"Thank you for the clothes and shoes!" Cyan quickly said just in case he forgot later on. His mom seemed to approve of it because she had backed up and ruffled his hair with a smile. Then, James smiled and Cyan beamed.

"Honestly it's no problem. Come inside you two, it looks as if it's gonna rain soon, oh and Cyan?"

Cyan perked up and cocked his head. "Yes?"

James stared at him with his expression turning from happy to bored within seconds.

"Wake up."