Karras

Going Insane

Zeus patted Max on the back. "Congratulations. Thank you all!" Zeus raised his voice so all the witches could hear as well. Zeus had gathered both the Karras men and the entire coven to Olympus to thank them for fending off the underworld creatures. "You all did good work! We don't take this lightly." All the other deities applauded. The applause stared to die down. Zeus leaned in closer to Max. "Where is Melinoe?" Max shook his head, "Sorry?" "Melinoe. She came last time. You two talked, I thought you knew each other." Max shrugged, "Not very well." Zeus glanced at Aphrodite then looked at Max, "You can't marry her." Max didn't respond immediately. He took a moment then opened his mouth, "Sir, I don't know what you're getting at." Zeus forced a smile, "Just kidding with you. I know you already know it's not wise to romance the enemy." Max narrowed his eyes, "Sure." Zeus playfully tapped Max's shoulder, "Job well done. Enjoy yourself."

--

Max walked into his room at the academy. He folded a cream-colored blanket on his bed in half then picked it up. He looked at his desk that had stacks of books and school papers. Max selected a Greek mythology book, then exited the room. He saw Gwen coming up the stairs, "Hey, baby girl." Gwen looked at the items in his hands, "Are you going somewhere?" "Just gathering up some stuff." Gwen was worried her big brother was going to leave Robichaux's. "You're not going to live here anymore?" Max shook his head, "No, it's not that sweetie. You see me go back and forth don't you? I'm not leaving." That made her feel a bit better. Max extended the blanket to Gwen, "Here, you want it?" "But that's your blanket." "I know, but you like it." Gwen looked at the blanket then slowly nodded, "I'll take care of it for you." "Thanks, sweetie." She took the blanket, "Why don't you go to class and help Zoe, huh?" Gwen nodded, "Okay." The two hugged, Gwen noticed her brother's eyes had bags and were bloodshot. "Are you okay? Are you sick?" Max was caught off guard, "What did you say?" He was remembering what Natalie said to him. The little girl repeated herself, "Are you sick, Maxy?" "I'm sorry, Gwen." He rubbed her shoulder, "I'm just a little tired. Don't worry about me, okay?" She nodded, still a bit concerned though. He lightly nudged her, "Go on. I'm fine." She ran off as Max rubbed his eyes.

--

Mel approached Max who was reading a Greek mythology book on the couch. She was four months pregnant now and still did her nightly nightmare duties. Max rubbed his head. He still got headaches every now and then. Mel sat down next to him, "I'm going to leave soon", she caressed his hair, "Promise me you'll sleep." "I will. Shouldn't you sleep?" Mel nodded, "I do get sleep." She touched her round stomach, "Baby sea monkey gets rest when baby doesn't kick the crap out of my kidney." She kissed his head then suddenly put his hand to her stomach, "You feel that?" "Yeah, wow." "Did you want to find out what we're having?" He nodded, "Gives us more time to figure out a name." "I think it's a boy." "Really? I think it's a girl." "Well either way, I'm going to love them." "Yeah, definitely." Mel got up, "Well, I gotta go baby daddy." He chuckled, "Don't be gone too long." "I won't. Go to sleep, please."

Max was fast asleep on the couch in the academy's living room, the paintings of the supremes looking right at him. Gwen poked her head in and saw Max fast asleep. She quietly scurried in and covered him with the cream blanket. She left quietly. Max heard a disembodied breathing and jolted awake. "Kill the witches", he heard. "No", Max said. The breathing got louder. Then there was the sound of crackling flames. He heard a dragon roar. All the sounds got louder and louder. He got off the couch and clasped his hands to his ears. The sounds continued to get louder. He was on the ground in a fetal position. "Leave me alone." Max had tears in his eyes now. The young man slowly got up and made his way to the kitchen. He searched through the cabinets and found a whiskey bottle. Max took a seat on the couch. His face was red, and his head was throbbing now. "Just sleep." He took a drink from the bottle. "Just sleep. Silence, silence." Max took another drink.

--

Max's body was now half on the couch, half off of the couch. He was drunk now. "Zeus...he's terrible." He slurred his words. "So horrible and...judgmental." He fell off the couch, hitting the floor. Max heard a familiar voice, "You're pathetic. Given all that power? And all you do is freak out and get drunk? You always going to be a worthless, weak and nervous little boy?" Max got angry and glared at Fiona's painting. He approached the painting, "You don't get to say anything! You were a lousy mother and a horrible supreme! Who are you to talk?!" "Max?" Cordelia pulled him away from the painting. She was wearing a robe, woken up due to her son's outbursts. "Max, this isn't you." He pulled away from her, "Isn't it?! I didn't know who I was for two decades of my life." He doubled over and started sobbing, "I'm so scared. Still. Even with power." Delia stood him up straight, "Sweetheart..." "My head feels like it's on fire. I'm hearing things. Something evil wants me to kill the coven." Cordelia looked into his eyes, "It's not Fiona is it?" "No." "But you were talking to her?" "Yeah. Never met her but she's right." She shook her head, "No she's not." "I am a weak, nervous child." Cordelia put her hands on his shoulders, "No you're not. She's wrong about you. Just like she was wrong about me." Cordelia nodded and wiped his tears, "It's okay to be scared. But you and I we jump in and fight anyway." She hugged him.

--

Mel entered the academy and noticed Max was out cold on the couch. She got closer to him; he was breathing out through his mouth. She noticed the liquor on his breath. She sat down and put his head in her lap; stroked his hair. "Don't go crazy now", she whispered. "Everybody needs you, Max." Her eyes got droopy looking at Max sleeping. He was very warm. She liked that since she was always cold. Mel kissed him and hoped they'd have a better day tomorrow.