Noah always felt like he was being watched. He had done something terrible. So the punishment that came with his deed was layer upon him. Guilt... The sickening feeling of guilt left him questioning whether he was alone at all times. He was sure Lear knew what he had done, but he hadn't received any word from him... or her or whoever.

He knew the guilt was getting to him physically, and socially, as well as mentally. He had stopped seeing his friends. He had about a hundred texts from each other then, but every time he read them he was filled with the sick knowledge of what he had done to their friend.

His weight had dropped in the past few days. He had refused to eat. He wasn't sleeping either. He hadn't left the house in... What day was it? Noah looked at his calendar. September 1st. It had only been two days since he was at the hospital. Only two days... It felt like a life time.

Noah checked the time. 12:15. Part of him thought he should probably get out of this room, the other part never wanted to leave. Noah forced himself out of bed. Realizing that his hygiene was suffering as well, he took a quick shower and brushed his teeth. He came downstairs. Wilkes was making a sandwich. When he entered the kitchen she looked relieved.

"Noah! I was afraid you'd never come out of that room," she said.

Noah made a slight grunt in response.

"How long has it been since you've eaten?" his mother interrogated.

Once again, Noah provided no verbal response just a shrug.

"Noah, eat something," she demanded.

"Not hungry," Noah said dryly, sitting at the kitchen table. Wilkes said nothing.

Noah stared off into space, squinting in the bright light. Suddenly, a plate was set down in front of him sharply, startling him. His mom had set a grilled cheese sandwich down.

"I'm really not hungry, Mom," Noah said pushing away the plate.

"Do I look like I care?" Wilkes said pushing the plate back.

"Mom, I-" Noah started.

Wilkes interrupted, "Noah Elder, I know you're hurting, and you think this is all your fault, and you think no one understands. But I will not, NOT, let my only son starve himself. I love you too much for that."

Noah sat in shock at her outburst and sighed, "I'm sorry, I love you too," Noah said.

He eat the sandwich mechanically, not tasting anything. He felt like he was being watched more intensely than he'd felt before. He turned to catch Celina's eyes drilling into his back. As she was caught she turned away.

What happened to my life? What had Lear done? His life was so normal.... How long ago had that been? And Celina... She hated him. Why shouldn't she? He deserved to be hated.

The sick feeling in his stomach had returned. Lear was evil... Lear was cruel, but was he any different. Noah stared at the wall so distracted by his own thoughts that he didn't notice the piercing stare that had once again settled on him.