AN: I finally updated.

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Days pass by as things only seem to grow worse for CQ's eldest child.

He kept hearing the same voice commanding him to hurt someone. During those times, he had figured out that only he, for some reason, can hear the voice.

He didn't dare tell his mother the matter for he didn't want to worry her. She already had enough on her plate with her work and month-late comic series. He didn't want to add any more burden to her.

Error wasn't talking to him. Other than ignoring him, the dark boned child would occasionally send resentful glares at his direction whenever he would be caught him staring at him.

Although their mother had already talked to him, Error was still bitter about the whole thing. Especially when his mother disregards the topic of Geno. It made Error feel like his mother didn't believe him.

While Fresh was... well, being insensitive. Thinking everything was alright in his perfect little home.

Geno let out a defeated sigh as he sunk in the couch, knees against his chest and hands clamped over his ears as he tried to block out the voice buzzing inside his head. Under his only eye, there was a dark purple discoloration that indicates his lack of sleep.

The television in front of him turned up to the highest volume setting in futile attempt to distract himself.

But the sound barely reached him. It wasn't enough to keep him grounded in reality.

"It is such a simple task and you can't even do it right. Just take the blade and-"

Geno clenched his eye shut, burying his face onto his knees as he practically clutches his head. Willing the voice to go away.

No more! He begged. Magical tears forming on the brim of his eye socket. He could almost feel the rough textured hilt of the knife in his dominant hand and it frightens him.

He was losing it.

It doesn't help that he was alone. Error and Fresh were in school and hours before they come home. Geno can't wait that long. His mother was busy with her comics and he didn't want to bother her.

"-take the blade-" the words echoed in his head and Geno couldn't bear it any longer.

He pressed the off button on the remote before clambering off the couch. He made his way to his mother's home office.

Carefully opening the door as not to disturb the hardworking mother, but alas, it creaked louder than expected, announcing his presence to the occupant of the room, but she didn't even perk up at the sound. Geno cringed. Maybe she's too focused on her work? "Mom?" Geno quietly called from the doorway, hesitating if he should proceed or not.

"Yes, sweetie?" His mother's loving voice rang in the air. That alone was enough to calm the storm inside Geno's head as he stepped into the room and closing the door behind him.

CQ turned around, momentarily breaking his focus from her work on the table as she addressed her son in need.

Geno, again, hesitated in telling her the problem. His eye darting around the papers strewn across the floor. Maybe she's too busy. Maybe now was not a good time. But most part of him doesn't want to be alone again.

But this place was calming him. His mother's presence calms him.

"Can I stay here?" Geno politely asked with big pleading eye and his mother sweetly smiled before getting up from her chair and scooping her baby in her arms.

"Of course, you sweet little angel." She cooed as she walked back to her seat. Setting his eldest child on her lap before returning to her work. Her one arm cradling him against her chest as the other holding the pencil.

Geno took a quick peek at his mother's work, it was the latest installation of her comics inspired by him and his brothers.

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over him as he let out a big yawn. He made himself comfortable in his mother's lap, squirming a bit to find the perfect position until he settled and curled up against her body.

His body relaxed and his breathing evened out as he slipped into a dreamless much-needed sleep. The voice quieted down to nothing.

For now.

CQ watched her son sleep, carefully holding him as not to fall. A soft smile made its way to her lips seeing the child's peaceful slumber.

But her smile falters when she took notice of the bags under the boy's only eye. He must be really tired. CQ didn't know what was causing her son to be in this bad shape.

He didn't see him doing any exhaustive activity, for she forbids him to, but still her boy still somehow ends up tired all day. She had concluded that it was the lack of sleep.

Was her baby having trouble falling asleep? No. Looking at him now, she could very well tell that he has no trouble falling asleep. Dear, he fell asleep not even a minute after she picked him up.

Maybe something's keeping him up? She wouldn't know until her baby speaks up.

CQ sighed, holding her child closer before leaning down and planting a soft kiss on her child's slightly cold forehead.

It may not be the right time but the sight of her child so tired gave her more inspiration for the upcoming plot in her comics and she picked up the pencil and began taking down notes about the scenario.

Hours passed and her arm, the one that's holding the sleeping Geno, was starting to go numb. But thanks to her baby, she was able to finish the latest installment of her comics ahead of time.

She exhales exhaustedly and stretches her one arm up in the air. She stands up from her seat with her aching legs and carefully maneuvers her child in her arms as not to wake him.

She exited her office and proceeded to the living room, the setting sun casting everything in orange and red light. She was proud of herself of being able to work for long hours without losing her focus. It had been a long time since she'd done that.

Maybe because she wasn't constantly worrying about her baby anymore.

A surge of happiness filled her heart at the reminder and she couldn't help but let out a teary smile, gazing down at her peacefully sleeping boy before gently setting him down on the couch.

Maybe she could prepare her sons' favorite food for dinner tonight.

~~~~~

The moment Geno stirred awake, the voice boomed from all direction. Startling him awake as his body jolted as if he struck with a shock of electricity.

"Stop lazying around and do something worth the while!" It was as if it was waiting for him to regain his consciousness.

His soul pounded against his chest as he panted to get enough air in his system. Once he regains his bearing, he looked around and found that he was lying back on the couch. The bright bulb on the ceiling momentarily blinding him.

Why was the light on? Was it already night time? Looking out the window, Geno saw the sky was already dark. It was, indeed, night time.

How long has he'd been asleep? He tried to remember the specific hour but his head throbbed in mild pain. He still felt tired. He wanted to sleep more, but...

"Get up, you worthless piece-!"

"Shut up." Geno whispered to himself, digging the heel of his palm over his eye.

"You are such a disappointment in the family-"

"Shut up." he countered again, a little louder this time. Willing the voice to go away. He can already feel the hot tears threatening to spill from his only eye.

"You are the weakest! An embarrassment in the name of our family!"

"I'm sorry."

"Geno?"

Geno stiffened upon hearing that voice. It was of a woman. And there's only one woman in the house.

Lifting his hand off his eye, he saw his mother's worried face looming over him. Geno was struck with a sudden dread. Did she heard him? Before he could speak, his mother spoke.

"Are you alright? Are you having a bad dream?" She asked, her voice ever so sweet and gentle in his ears that it soothes away the tension in his small body. He found himself nodding dumbly.

CQ wasn't satisfied with the answer but she didn't press on. Her baby looked so tired and she didn't want to cause any more stress in his small fragile body. She bends down and scooped her child in her arms before walking towards the kitchen.

Geno saw his brother seated apart at the dining table and already digging in on their meal, which Geno noticed was their favorite! "It's dinner time." She announced to her eldest boy and set him down on the empty seat between the younger ones.

Geno eyed the meal he was served with. Homemade burgers and fries with lots of ketchup!

Without any further ado, Geno happily eats his meal along with his equally delighted brothers. Savoring the salty taste of the grilled meat and mouth-watering condiments mixed with the freshness of the vegetables in it.

It was rare for their mother to allow them to eat junk foods, but since it was homemade, she probably did a bit of tweaking on it to make it healthier for her babies.

At that moment, Geno had forgotten all of his worries; the voice and all the things it had said to him. At that moment, that wasn't important. All he cares about right now was how happy he felt and how delicious the food their mother made.

For now, the voice was nothing more than a faint whisper in the dark. Distant and faded. So small and far away.

And Geno was thrilled to know that maybe this was the way to fight the invisible enemy. By spending time with his family! He's not entirely sure yet, but it has something to do with their presence.

After dinner, Geno executed a few experiments to test his theory. He stayed within his family member's proximity.

He helped his mother washed the dishes; with much protest from CQ, he helped Error and Fresh with their homework and they bathe together to get ready for bed.

It works! The voice quieted down! Or maybe he was distracted that he couldn't hear it anymore? But nonetheless, it was nearly gone. It was still there in soft whispers but not as loud and disturbing as before. Geno couldn't even make sense of what it was saying anymore.

Finally, he has a solution to his problem!

At bedtime, Geno was afraid to be alone again. So he asked his mother to stay with him until he falls asleep. With his mother's comforting presence, Geno felt safe and for the first time in a while, he fell into a deep slumber with peace in his mind.

In his sleep, he knew, the voice can't reach him.

But once he thought that everything's gonna be fine. Another unexpected side effect starts making itself known.

To be continued...

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