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Chapter Text

A boy stood in his bedroom, gazing out the window at his backyard. The weather was sweltering and muggy, the perfect excuse to stay inside and sit in front of an air conditioner. Usually, Basil relished these types of days, but today he felt his heart racing with anxiety. He tried to distract himself by looking out the window and tapping his finger on the windowsill. Suddenly, a voice broke through his thoughts.

"Good morning, Basil." Polly's voice drifted in from the hallway as she slowly opened the door to his room. Basil turned to face her.

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Basil stirred and stretched in his bed. Polly, his caretaker, looked over at him with a small smile.

"Going for a walk?" Polly asked, genuinely curious. Basil nodded, already putting on his walking shoes. He slid a soft knit green vest over his head and pulled on well-worn tan shorts. Despite the summer heat, he didn't have many warm-weather clothes, so he often resorted to wearing his school uniform on especially hot days. But even in this simple outfit, he looked effortlessly stylish and put-together.

After saying goodbye to Polly, he exited through the door and closed it gently. Basil took a stroll around his front yard before reaching the sidewalk. He was hesitant to leave and felt like he needed to waste as much time as possible before arriving at the park.

Before setting foot on the old, cracked pathway, Basil stopped and gazed down near his feet. He noticed a few wildflowers growing out of the cracks in the crumbling concrete. A strange feeling weighed on his chest as he observed the flowers. He couldn't resist picking one of them.

"It's a wild pansy," Basil murmured to himself.

He held onto it tightly, twirling it between his fingers before carefully pulling it out of the cracks. As much as he knew he was avoiding the task at hand, he needed something to occupy his mind. With determination, he headed towards Faraway Park, unsure if anyone would be there but unwilling to turn back now.

He knew he had to confront her about his stolen possession, but memories of their last genuine conversation kept holding him back. Part of him wanted to escape from it all. In a moment of frustration, he dropped the wildflower behind him on the hot cement and continued walking towards the gate of the park.

Let's just act like it didn't happen. Pretend that Sunny never did what he did and Aubrey never discovered the ruined photos. And maybe she wouldn't even care about them anymore.

"After all, Aubrey had moved on from her old friends."

Basil couldn't believe that thought. He quickly shook his head and turned around, only to come face to face with a group of familiar-looking individuals. Among them was a short girl with half-shaved, half-grown-out hair. Basil couldn't recall her name; it might have been Kimber or something similar.

As Basil approached, the girl spun around on her scooter, her square glasses glinting in the sunlight. She seemed unfazed by his presence and continued to perform flips with carefree abandon. Despite barely being noticed by anyone else, he knew he had to take this opportunity.

He made his way towards Kim, who was closest to him, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

"H-Hey...Kim? Or Kimber?" His voice was barely above a whisper as he struggled to compose himself in front of her. His arms were crossed tightly across his chest as he tried to figure out how to act around her. Kim turned to face him and immediately scowled.

"What do you want? And it's just Kim," she snapped back. Basil gulped nervously, trying to come up with a response.

"W-Well, I uh...I-"

He stumbled over his words, unable to speak clearly.

"What? Speak up, you creep?" Kim sneered, glancing away from him.

Basil realized he wouldn't get anywhere if he didn't speak up first. "Um...it's about Aubrey. S-She took something important from me," he explained, his hands shaking with nerves.

Kim turned to face him, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I don't have time for this. It's Aubrey's business." She said angrily, turning away and hopping onto her scooter to leave.

"Wait, please don't go!" Basil shouted after her, desperate for an explanation.

There was a tense silence between them before a loud cry came from the corner of the park. "Leave him alone, Kim!"

Basil froze as he recognized the voice of his friend Kel. Kim hesitated but continued to glare at Basil before mumbling something under her breath.

"It's just Kel," she muttered again.

"Why can't you just leave him be?" Kel demanded, raising his voice in frustration. Kim paused and looked back at Kel with a pained expression.

"What do you mean? He's the one who started talking to me first!" Kel asked, clearly upset.

"What's happening over there!?"

A familiar voice boomed across the park. Basil knew immediately that it was Aubrey, accompanied by her friends walking towards them. Her piercing blue eyes narrowed and her hands clenched tightly on the handlebars of her bike.

"Hey Aubrey," Kim said, adjusting her glasses and giving Kel and Basil a sharp look. "These two nerds have been trying to bother me..."

Aubrey's expression remained stoic as she looked at them. "Kel, what do you want?"

Kel's arms were crossed as he spoke with authority. "I'm tired of you messing with Basil for so long. We used to be friends, don't you remember? Show them, Sunny!"

Basil turned and saw Sunny sitting on the swings at the playground. He stood up, fixed his vest, and walked over to where Kel was standing.

"Sunny..."

Aubrey observed the boy before a smile appeared on her face. "You haven't changed at all, even after all this time. It must be nice living in your little safe bubble."

Sunny showed no reaction to her comment. Kel took a step forward, clenching his fist in anger.

"Be careful what you say, Aubrey! You have no idea what he's been through in the past few years."

"Whatever...You probably don't either, knowing what Sunny has been doing." Aubrey taunted. Kel tightened his fists, glaring at her with contempt. Basil finally took a stand, and walked close to Aubrey, seeming in a panic.

"Please, Aubrey, I need to talk to you..."

Basil was immediately shoved back by Kim, hitting him with the front part of her scooter. Basil lost balance, falling on his knees, wincing in pain.

Kel stood still as Aubrey's gaze remained fixed on him. She slung her bat onto her shoulder, ready for a fight.

"Do you want to pick a fight with us? Bring it on!"

Aubrey slammed the bat onto the ground, making Kel flinch. Sunny remained quiet, his eyes never leaving Aubrey's. Kel stepped closer, picking up his basketball from the ground. The ball rolled towards Aubrey's feet.

"We'll show you! Come over here, Sunny!"

Sunny nodded silently and reached into his pocket, pulling out something shiny and sharp. He walked towards Aubrey and swung the knife at her side, cutting through her skin. A bright red liquid splattered onto the grass.

She winced, bending down. Kel and Sunny both gazed at her shocked. Kim approached her in concern.

"Aubrey, are you okay?"

Aubrey groaned and slowly stood up, holding her side tightly. Kel and Sunny breathed heavily, frozen in place.

"I'm fine..."

Aubrey stammered, "I guess we should get home..."

Aubrey began to walk away, slowly. The rest of the hooligans joined her, walking past Basil and Kel. After the group left, Kel immediately snagged the knife from Sunny's hands.

"Now that's better, don't do that again Sunny, that was dangerous!"

Kel took his attention to Basil who was still sitting on the ground, picking at a scab on his knee. He walked over, holding his hand out for him to grab. Basil took his hand, allowing Kel to help him up.

Basil attempted to put on a brave face as his friends approached him. "Hey, Basil, how are you doing? Well, I know you're probably not doing too great after that..."

He forced a smile and replied, "I'm fine...thanks for asking."

Kel excitedly pointed out Sunny's presence and urged Basil to say hello.

Basil's gaze shifted towards Sunny, feeling a sudden rush of nervousness. It had been four years since he last saw him in person.

Kel beamed at the reunion and asked, "What else do you guys want to do?"

Basil struggled to remember until it clicked. "I need to head home soon. My grandma isn't feeling well..."

Kel suggested they all go together to drop off Basil first.

The walk back was quiet, with only the sounds of their breathing and footsteps filling the air.

Basil couldn't believe it - walking home with Sunny again made his life feel more stable. As they reached his front door, he turned to face his two friends. He mustered up the courage to speak, knowing this moment was important.

"Before you leave...I..." His voice faltered as both Kel and Sunny looked at him expectantly.

"Aubrey...she took something important from me. Remember when I used to take pictures of everyone?"

Kel and Sunny both nodded. Basil continued, "Well, she...took my photo album, and..."

Kel suddenly interrupted, saying, "She took your photo album?! Those photos meant everything to you!"

Basil stared at the ground, unable to respond.

"What a scumbag...We will help you get it back, alright?" Kel assured him.

"Thank you..." Basil said quietly, closing the door behind him.

Later that day, when Basil got home, his caretaker had prepared dinner for him. They ate silently, not exchanging any words, but eating, nonetheless. Suddenly, they both heard a knock on the door.

Polly walked towards the door, glancing at Basil. She unlocked it and opened it.

Basil peered over Polly's shoulder, straining to see who was knocking at the door without being seen himself. He was surprised to see Sunny and Kel standing on the doorstep.

Polly's face lit up in excitement. "Sunny! It's been so long since you visited."

Sunny seemed a bit awkward, nodding in response to Polly's greeting.

"Yes, it has been a while. Are you here to see Basil?"

Basil nervously glanced at the two boys behind Polly, unsure of how to react. Kel spoke up to break the silence.

"We found your photo album and wanted to return it to you."

Basil let out a sigh of disbelief as he saw the green cover of his beloved photo album in their hands.

"Thank you," he whispered, still in shock. Polly invited them inside and offered them some leftovers from dinner.

As they ate, Kel explained how they found the album and mentioned the incident at the church. Basil could tell that they were telling the truth.

"It's been a long time since I've seen this album," Kel remarked as they flipped through the pages together.

Basil felt butterflies in his stomach as he recognized many of the photos he had taken himself. The album held countless memories, but there were a few missing or damaged photos. Basil looked over at Sunny, who was examining the book with interest. He exchanged a confused look with Kel.

"Looks like some of the photos are missing," Kel sighed as he turned to another page. The three of them sat in silence for a moment before Kel pointed out,

"On the bright side, we can reminisce about how happy and carefree we were back then. And Hero will be home from school soon!"

Basil managed a small smile at Kel's words before closing the album and placing it back on the kitchen table. He felt relieved knowing that Sunny would be returning to their lives again. He went to the fridge and grabbed some leftovers, with Polly joining him to help unwrap and heat the food.

Hey, Kel, would you like to help me put out the silverware?"

Kel smiled. "Sure, I'll help."

As Kel and Polly set out the utensils on the dining room table, Basil walked over to Sunny in the other room, who was still sitting in the living room.

He felt his stomach drop again.

Basil felt a tinge of anxiety and wondered why his heart beat faster than usual. He tried to suppress his nervousness, instead talking to his friend. Basil felt like Sunny being here was everything he wanted. He was his closest friend, after all...

"So, what did you want to tell me? About the photo album, I mean..."

Sunny didn't say anything.

"...Sunny? Is everything okay?"

Sunny's gaze bore into Basil, causing him to immediately shift his expression to one of panic. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he stammered.

Sunny turned and walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving Basil alone in the living room. He stood still for a moment before returning his focus to what he had been doing. But then he remembered that he wanted to check on his grandma and make sure she was okay.

Basil made his way down the hallway towards his grandma's room, carefully opening the door so as not to disturb her. Sunny was near the windowsill, looking at the egret orchid in a pot.

"Hey there, Sunny," Basil greeted as he closed the door behind him. He joined Sunny by the windowsill, both of them taking in the room together. Basil noticed his grandma resting in bed with some medical equipment nearby.

"Has it been four years already?" Sunny asked, looking at Basil. It felt like a lifetime had passed since they last saw each other. But now, they were reunited, if only for the day.

Sunny's gaze shifted to the elderly woman lying in the bed. "Grandma hasn't been doing well," Basil explained quietly, unable to find the right words to express his emotions.

But Sunny understood. Basil reached under his arm and pulled out a photo album that he had been adding to for years. "I want you to have this," he said, handing it to Sunny before quickly darting out of the room without saying another word.

Looking back at Sunny one last time, Basil knew that his friend would understand the unspoken message behind the gift.

Sunny's heart ached as she listened to Basil's words, his fingers nervously twisting together in his lap. The familiar room felt heavy and stifling as if the tension between them was tangible. He longed for things to go back to how they were before when they were all just carefree kids exploring the world together. But now, with Basil sitting across from him, his expression strained and guarded, it seemed like an impossible dream.

Before Sunny could even formulate a response, a call from the kitchen broke the tense silence. Basil jumped up eagerly, grateful for the distraction. He quickly made his way to the kitchen, where dinner was already set on the table. Kel was already seated, his eyes trained on the doorway as he waited for his friends to join him.

As they ate, Kel kept up a steady stream of conversation about their friend Hero. Basil struggled to keep up, his mind feeling foggy from exhaustion. But then Kel mentioned something that caught his attention.

"...Oh! Whatcha doing with Basil's album, Sunny?" Kel asked with a curious glint in his eye.

Basil's heart skipped a beat and he sat forward in surprise. Stuttering slightly, he managed to respond, "O-Oh, I gave it to him to keep." His cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being caught out by Kel's sharp observation.

Kel grinned, "Oh, I see. That makes sense now since Sunny is moving soon."

"..Huh?"

Basil was confused. He had never heard anything about Sunny moving.

Kel clarified, "I thought I already mentioned it to you and Aubrey. He's moving in about two or three days, I believe."

"Oh...I guess I must have missed that..."

Basil couldn't handle the news. All of his thoughts were racing, making it impossible to talk to anyone at the moment. He knew he wouldn't be able to form coherent sentences. He excused himself from the table and quickly made his way to the bathroom.

Once inside, he closed the door behind him and sank to the ground, covering his face with his arms as tears streamed down his cheeks. It felt like all the energy had been drained out of him by this sudden news.

In an instant, everything that had been going smoothly suddenly turned upside down. Basil longed for things to go back to the way they were, but he knew they never would. He slowly stood up and made his way to the bathroom mirror.

Everything will be okay...Everything will be okay...

Basil repeated in his head, trying to calm himself down. He closed his eyes, holding on to the ridge of the sink. Suddenly, he heard the creak of the door. Who would barge into a nightmare like this?

It was Sunny, who slowly walked in.

"Sunny! Am I glad to see you..."

Basil quietly uttered, tensing up. He didn't know what to do. Sunny stared at the mirror of the bathroom. He was looking intently at something.

"...You can see it too?”

Sunny looked back at Basil, backing away, before turning around, seeming panicked. He ran out of the bathroom, closing the door. Basil stood there, falling into himself. This truly was the end.

Chapter Text

The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating Sunny's room. He groggily woke up from a strange dream, trying to push the memories away. But they lingered, like a weight on his chest.

He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. But then he heard his phone beep with a voicemail notification. As he walked over to his desk to check it, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach.

It was his mother reminding him of his chores. But as he glanced over at the bottom corner of his room, he saw Basil's photo album sitting on top of his drawer. The memories flooded back, memories he had been trying so hard to forget.

With hesitation, Sunny picked up the album and began flipping through its pages. Each photo brought up emotions he'd been trying to suppress. Anger, sadness, and regret washed over him as he remembered Mari and all that had happened between them.

In a fit of desperation, Sunny grabbed a marker and scribbled over each photo, erasing their memories. But as he did so, he couldn't help but feel conflicted. Part of him wanted to forget everything, while another part clung to those memories like a lifeline.

Determined to get through his chores and put these feelings behind him for good, Sunny made his way downstairs to do the dishes. But as he scrubbed each dish clean, his vision began to blur and tears started to fall down his cheeks.

He should have been used to this by now - going through the motions of daily life while feeling completely disconnected from it all. But today, everything felt more difficult than usual.

Finishing the dishes, Sunny slowly made his way upstairs to take a bath and try to clear his head. But even in the comfort of the warm water, he couldn't escape the turmoil within. His haven had become a battleground, and he didn't know how to find peace in it anymore.

As he stared at his reflection in the water, he couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity. But as he leaned closer, his head suddenly went underwater. Panic set in as he struggled to breathe, desperately trying to inhale air while water poured into his nose.

Feeling like a fool for almost drowning in such shallow water, Sunny emerged from the bathtub, coughing and gasping for air. He drained the tub and quickly dried himself off, getting dressed in a rush. As he left, he couldn't help but wonder about the strange feeling that had overcome him and if it was connected to his near-drowning experience.

Sunny stood in front of the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. But as he turned away, he caught a glimpse of something behind him. A figure or a shadow, he couldn't tell. He shook off the feeling and headed downstairs to the living room. But as he settled onto the couch, a sense of unease crept over him. Was it just exhaustion from a long day, or was there someone or something watching him? He tried to push the thought away and go to bed, but doubts lingered in his mind.

Sunny cautiously climbed the stairs, his heart racing as he reached his room. As he pushed open the door, he was confronted with a sight that sent shivers down his spine. Standing by his bed was Mari, a person from his past that he had been desperately trying to forget.

At that moment, Sunny couldn't tell if it was real or if he was losing his grip on reality. But as Mari spoke, her voice too familiar to be a figment of his imagination, he couldn't deny the truth. He stumbled back in shock and fear, unsure of what to do or say.

When he finally mustered the courage to look back into the room, Mari was gone.

Sunny's heart raced as he scanned the empty room, searching for any sign of Mari. But there was nothing - just his familiar belongings and the soft glow of moonlight through the window. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if exhaustion was playing tricks on his mind.

But the memory of her presence lingered, haunting him even as he crawled into bed and closed his eyes, praying for sleep to take him away

As Sunny drifted into an uneasy sleep, his mind was plagued by fragmented images and memories. He tossed and turned, caught in a nightmare he couldn't escape.

In his dream, he found himself back in the old treehouse, surrounded by the faces of his childhood friends. Kel was laughing, Hero was smiling warmly, and Aubrey swung her baseball in the air. She grinned mischievously at Sunny, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Basil sat quietly in the corner, camera in hand, ready to capture another precious moment.

But as Sunny looked around at his friends, their faces began to blur and distort. The treehouse walls seemed to close in, growing darker and more oppressive. A chill ran down his spine as he heard a familiar voice behind him.

The sound of Mari's voice echoed softly, a delicate melody that seemed to fill the entire room. He spun around, his heart pounding with anticipation and fear. And there she stood, just as he remembered her - long dark hair cascading down her back, framing her pale face and gentle smile. But something was off. Her eyes were hollow, filled with a sense of sadness and emptiness that he had never seen before. Her skin was ashen and drained of color, making her look fragile and ethereal.

"Sunny…" Her voice trembled as she spoke his name, the love and longing evident in every syllable. His heart clenched at the sight of her, knowing that something was wrong and wanting to protect her from it all.

"I love you."

Chapter Text

The boy with blonde hair jolted awake, drenched in a cold sweat as his alarm blared. He groggily reached over and hit the snooze button before getting out of bed. Rubbing his tired eyes and stretching his stiff limbs, Basil couldn't ignore the fact that he had only gotten around three hours of restful sleep due to his restless legs and racing thoughts.

He shuffled out of the bedroom and closed the door quietly behind him. Entering the kitchen, he noticed Polly sitting in the living room, completely engrossed in writing in her notebook and unaware of his presence.

"Morning Polly."

Polly stopped writing, dropping her pen, and looking up at Basil. She blinked a few times, before returning her attention to her notebook.

"Oh, Good morning, Basil. I made French toast, it's in the fridge."

Basil nodded, reaching into the fridge to grab the container. He went to sit down on the kitchen table, taking out the plastic wrap, as well as the small plate Polly used. Basil cut himself a piece of french toast, putting it onto the small plate, and placing it in front of him. He bit into the warm bread, savoring the sweet flavors. It was great...

After he finished his breakfast, Basil went back into his room, shutting the door behind him. He exhaled, breathing out his worries, even though it was only for a brief moment. He walked over to his desk, which had his camera, and some other unimportant items.

Basil was at a loss for what to do with the object in his possession, so he decided to simply keep it where it was. Today, he felt an urge to take a walk and see all the things he had been missing. It seemed like the right thing to do before everything changed.

He put on his usual outfit, along with his old school uniform, and stepped outside. Thankfully, it wasn't as hot and humid as the day before, which gave him some relief. A gentle breeze brushed against his skin as he made his way towards the park, passing through the familiar gate.

The playground structures stood tall but were covered in morning dew and untouched by anyone else. The once-beloved yellow cat had been replaced by a mother grass spider, whose funnel web blocked out any other creatures from coming near.

But Basil didn't mind this change and continued on his way to the clearing, which used to be their hangout spot. As he approached the dock, he noticed some picnic supplies left nearby. He had never seen them before. Moving closer to the pinwheels that spun effortlessly in the wind, he couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over him. It almost made him want to scream.

Finally arriving at the opening of the clearing, Basil took a moment to take in his surroundings. He noticed some new flowers growing in the meadow, adding a touch of color to their secret spot. And then there were the pinwheels, standing tall and spinning away any worries or fears he had. Just looking at them brought him some comfort.

Seated at the edge of the dock, his legs dangling over the water, he felt a heavy weight of frustration on his shoulders. Why hadn't he talked to Sunny sooner? Now she was moving away in just two days.

"Is it all my fault? Could I have changed things if I spoke up earlier?"

He gazed at his reflection in the rippling water, catching sight of something floating nearby.

Something...

Before Basil could examine it further, he heard voices in the distance. They were heading towards the hideout, causing Basil's anxiety to heighten. He quickly got off the dock and made his way to the other side of the lake, trying to remain hidden. This was probably not a wise move. His entire body froze when he saw who was approaching.

It was Aubrey and her group. The first voice to speak belonged to Kim, "Aubrey, we should have grabbed drinks at Gino's or something. I'm thirsty as hell."

Angel, the boy with the messy pompadour, perked up and pointed towards the lake, playfully suggesting, "Why don't you drink some of that lake water? I hear it's delicious..."

The group fell into an awkward silence until Aubrey finally noticed Basil, who was desperately trying to avoid their attention.

"...Basil?! What are you doing here? This is our hangout spot, not yours."

His heart sank at her words. It used to be their special place, where they shared countless memories. But since Mari's passing, things have changed. The carefree atmosphere was replaced with a heavy weight of grief. Aubrey came over and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay? We just want you to go home, okay?"

Basil couldn't find the words to respond. The other kids started yelling something, but he could only hear a faint buzz in his mind. All he wanted was to escape and go back home where it was safe and quiet.

"Basil, what are you doing? just get the hell out!"

He clenched his shirt, the group was getting closer to him, forcing him to walk backward, only to trip and fall to the ground. He rolled to the corner, trying to find an escape route. When he looked up, he found himself staring at Aubrey. All he could do was cry for help.

"Please, Help!!!! Somebody!!!

Basil caught everyone off guard when he suddenly stepped away from the boy. Kim's panicked voice exclaimed, "Why on earth did you do that? You're causing a scene!"

Suddenly, they all heard a familiar voice coming from the other side of the forest. It was Kel. But Sunny was nowhere to be seen.

He rushed over to the commotion, trying to make sense of what was happening. When he saw Basil lying on the ground, his expression changed from confusion to anger. He knelt next to Basil, showing genuine concern.

Kel has always been known for his caring nature and willingness to help others in need. Every time he spoke to Basil after the incident, he did so with understanding and sincerity, even if it came across as insensitive at times. He just wanted Basil to feel better.

"Stop it, Aubrey! What are you doing to Basil?"

Kel's angry shout echoed through the forest, causing all the children to stop their activities and look toward the source of the sound. Aubrey remained silent, her face emotionless as her hands stayed tucked in her front pockets.

Mikael pointed at Kel, who retorted, "Kel, why are you here?!"

Then Kim shouted at Kel, saying, "Look, we aren't hurting him, we're just telling him to back off our turf, okay?"

Kel remarked, "Why would I believe any of you? You've hit him multiple times in the past."

Aubrey finally broke from her dissociation, her facial expression becoming noticeably bitter and frustrated. She finally let out her rage on Kel, shouting angrily at him, "We have done nothing to Basil, you goddamn prick!!"

Aubrey pulled her bat, preparing to swing it at Kel. She swung, narrowly missing him, hitting the tree trunk instead. Her bat got stuck in the tree, the nails hammered in the bat getting enclosed in the bark. Kel pleaded, "Aubrey please, I don't want to fight you. Just please, stop."

She clenched her fist, glaring at Kel, "Fuck off..."

Kel urgently reached into the back pocket of his shorts, grabbing some sort of spray. Kel specified, "Look Aubrey, please stop fighting, it's not the right--"

Without warning, she swung her bat towards him. He swiftly dodged and darted to Aubrey's side, trying to stay hidden from her view. In his hand, he held a mysterious bottle, which he sprayed in Aubrey's face. She collapsed onto the ground, shielding her eyes with her hands. The other members of their gang rushed over to check on her, asking if she was alright.

"It hurts... What the hell was that? Pepper spray?" Aubrey exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Are you okay, Aubrey?" Angel inquired. But Aubrey didn't respond, remaining still and silent with tears running down her chin. The rest of the gang exchanged looks, a heavy silence falling between them. After about five minutes, Angel spoke up awkwardly, "I think I'm going to head home now. It's getting late..."

He started walking away from the clearing. Some of the hooligans joined him. Kim looked back at Aubrey, asserting, "Aubrey, are you coming?"

She didn't respond. Kim slightly shrugged, walking towards the entrance. She turned around looking back at Kel and Basil, her face tinged with unease. There was a tense moment in the clearing, the three were silent. Aubrey suddenly got up from the ground. She was beyond angry, tears falling down her face.

"Kel...Why. Why are you doing this? Why do you keep coming back into my life?!" Aubrey reprimanded.

"Look Aubrey, I just want you to back off and not mess with Basil, what is your deal with him?! We used to be friends!!" Kel scolded.

"Is that who you think I am? Just a mean ol' bully that beats up the poor, innocent Basil. All of you are just as messed up." Aubrey exclaimed.

Basil didn't know how to respond. His back faces the shallow waters of the lake clearing. Aubrey continued her reprimanding, yelling, "Where the hell were you when Mari died, why did you guys just forget about it!?!"

Aubrey's words shook Basil to the core. He never forgot about it, even though he tried to erase it from his memory. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw it. It won't leave his mind Aubrey mentioning it. That certain Something.

Basil snapped back to reality when he heard Aubrey stomping towards him, yelling, "And you...You're the damn worst! I can't believe I was ever friends with you."

Basil struggled with his words, "Aubrey...I...I don't know--"

"Get Away from me!!!" She snapped, shoving him into the water below. Basil fell backward, splashing into the water, the cold water washing over his face. He felt the water rushing into his nose, it stung a lot. He never really liked swimming or going into water that wasn't knee-deep. He felt like he was going to pass out.

"This was it. Maybe I did deserve this. I don't blame Aubrey for what she did. If she knew the whole truth, who knows what Aubrey is truly capable of doing to me? Why didn't we just tell the truth about Mari from the start? Maybe I should tell the truth...Sunny..."

"Basil...Basil..."

Basil heard something from the distance. The voice grew louder.

"....Basil, wake up!!!!"

Basil's internal thoughts were interrupted by someone he hadn't heard for many years. The other tall boy who lived across the block, Hero. He's been gone for a couple of years as he was in medical school.

"His breathing is steady, let's get him home."

Basil looked around in a daze while Hero picked him up, he heard Aubrey say something in an angry tone, but he was too exhausted to care. He fell back into unconsciousness, the only thing he thought about was how tired he felt.

The next moment he awoke was in his bedroom, in a new set of clothes. He noticed someone was there near the bed sitting on a chair, it was Kel, who had his eyes on the clock. Basil noticed Kel's usual tank top and shorts weren't there, replaced by a white tee and black shorts. It seems he was the one who jumped in to get him out of the lake.

"Oh hey, Basil. I hope you feeling better. Me and Hero have to leave in a minute, but I wanted to come check on you first before we left."

"...Thank you."

Basil could barely say anything else, he felt exhausted.

Kel didn't seem like he wanted to prolong this conversation, so he excused himself and walked out the door, leaving Basil alone lying in bed. He sat there, tears began to form in his eyes.

Chapter Text

When Basil woke up, he found himself in a field filled with vibrant Chrysanthemums. The sky above was an endless expanse of bright blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds. A gentle breeze carried the petals of the flowers through the air, creating a picturesque scene. As he looked around, Basil noticed a figure in the distance wearing a straw hat. He approached her cautiously, his feet sinking slightly into the soft soil. As he got closer, he could see that it was Mari, her long black hair flowing behind her in the wind.

Mari seemed to be setting something up as she arranged pots and vases of flowers. When she finished, she turned to face Basil with a smile on her face.

"Hello Basil, how have you been?" she asked.

Basil stuttered as he tried to find his words. "I-I've been... f-fine."

"I came here to check on you," Mari explained. "We should get ready for the picnic today. Everyone will be arriving soon and they'll be surprised when they see us."

Basil nodded eagerly, feeling some weight lifted off his shoulders at the thought of spending time with friends. Mari smiled and began picking more flowers.

A sudden gust of wind caused Mari's hat to fly off her head and land on the ground. She quickly retrieved it, her hair falling into her face. This small action made Basil step back, feeling uneasy about approaching her.

Mari noticed his reaction and looked at him with concern. Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, she asked softly, "Is something wrong?"

Basil struggled to find the right words but ultimately shook his head and mumbled, "No... nothing's wrong."

Sensing his discomfort, Mari gently rubbed his shoulder and asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Basil was still unsure how to answer but finally managed to say, "I'm sorry... I don't think it matters."

"Of course, it matters," Mari replied firmly. "Now let's finish getting these flowers ready before everyone arrives."

Before Basil could answer, Mari slowly turned around, her dark hair falling away to reveal her neck. But instead of the smooth skin he expected to see, Basil's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of deep, red marks marring her delicate neck. Mari looked confused by the look on Basil's face and walked closer, her steps cautious but determined. She wanted to know what had happened.

"What happened, Basil?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Basil's breath caught in his throat as he turned and ran away from Mari, his heart racing with fear and confusion. He stumbled and tripped down the steep hill, tumbling through the brush and landing hard on the ground below. As he lay there, disoriented and dizzy, his mind raced with thoughts and emotions. His stomach churned violently with a sickening mix of fear and guilt.

As Basil stirred from his sleep, he became aware of the dark and ominous night sky outside his window. The clouds hung heavy and threatened to release a torrential downpour at any moment. He could hear footsteps approaching down the hallway, causing him to tense up in anticipation. A cold sweat broke out across his forehead, but he tried to stay calm as the door to his room creaked open.

To his relief, it was Polly who entered the room. She seemed preoccupied, talking on her phone without acknowledging Basil's presence. After she finished her call, she turned to him with concern in her eyes. "Basil, are you awake?"

"Kind of," he mumbled back groggily.

Polly took a seat next to him on his bed, her expression softening. "You don't look well. Do you need anything?"

Basil shook his head weakly, struggling to keep his eyes open.

"Okay," Polly said, studying him closely. "I need to talk to you about something important."

Basil held his breath, waiting for her next words. She shuffled through some papers in her lap before meeting his gaze again with a serious expression on her face.

Polly's voice trembled as she spoke the news to Basil. "Basil, I'm afraid your grandmother has been taken to the hospital." Her words hung in the air, heavy with worry and concern. But Polly tried her best to reassure Basil. "I don't want you to worry too much. I believe everything will turn out fine."

But Basil couldn't help but feel his chest tighten at the thought of his beloved grandmother in the hospital. He struggled to find the right words, unable to shake off the fear and anxiety that had suddenly consumed him. He sat up in bed, his mind racing while he got dressed. Polly walked towards the door, her voice soft but determined. "I'll start the car in a few minutes. Make sure you're ready."

As soon as she left the room, Basil sprang into action, quickly changing his clothes. He stepped out of the room and grabbed a piece of fruit for a quick breakfast before they left. Looking out of the window, he noticed that the once clear sky was now dark gray and foreboding.

Polly was waiting outside next to their car when Basil arrived. She opened the passenger side door for him and he climbed in, feeling both grateful and worried for her presence. As Polly started driving slowly towards the hospital, Basil rested his head against the window, his mind clouded with thoughts and emotions.

The car came to a stop in the hospital parking lot, and Polly helped Basil out of the car. They walked together into the hospital entrance, hearing nurses chatting quietly amongst themselves. Polly guided Basil to his grandmother's room on the second floor, taking him up in the elevator. As they arrived on her floor, Basil rushed ahead towards her room, anxious to check on her well-being.

Basil's heart pounded as he entered the hospital room, his grandmother lying in bed, covered in a heap of blankets. She appeared to be asleep, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ignoring the coolness of the blanket's edge, Basil knelt beside the bed, his hand reaching out to touch his grandmother's frail frame.

Polly stood by the cabinet, her focus on specific notes scattered across its surface. After putting them down, she announced that she needed to talk to some nurses and quickly left the room.

The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic sound of Grandma's breathing. Basil wondered if it was too late for him to say anything to her. But before he could gather his thoughts, Polly returned with a nurse in tow. The nurse approached Grandma's bedside and began checking her vital signs. Basil strained to listen as Polly and the nurse exchanged words, but it all sounded like indistinguishable noise.

Something wasn't right. The nurse's panicked movements confirmed it as she rushed out of the room to retrieve other medical staff. In a matter of minutes, the once-quiet room was now bustling with activity. Doctors and nurses crowded around Grandma's bed, performing various tests and procedures that Basil couldn't make sense of. Amidst the chaos, he could only catch bits and pieces of conversation, but the words weren’t very familiar to him. It was clear that something serious had happened, and Basil held his breath as he watched his beloved grandmother fight for her life amidst a sea of frantic medical professionals.

"I’m sorry, she is not going to make it," the doctor said, his voice heavy with sympathy.

The room was filled with the heavy scent of antiseptic and the faint sound of beeping machines. Basil sat by his grandmother's bedside, his eyes clouded with tears that he refused to let fall. He could feel Polly's hand on his shoulder, trying to offer comfort, but it did little to ease the pain gripping his heart.

As he sat in silence, memories flooded his mind of all the times he had spent with his beloved grandmother. Her laughter, her cooking, her love...all fading away as she lay there, barely breathing.

Suddenly, a gut-wrenching sob escaped from Basil's lips as he realized that this was the end. His vision blurred with tears and he closed his eyes tightly, hoping it would stop. But the tears continued to flow down his cheeks, mixing with the salty taste of sorrow on his lips.

He heard voices talking around him, yet none of it made sense. All he could focus on was the woman lying before him, slipping away into the darkness. And in that moment, Basil felt completely helpless and lost without his grandma's guiding light.

The drive home felt like an eternity. The only sounds were the occasional sniffles from Basil, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. Finally, they arrived at their house and made their way to the kitchen. Basil remained silent, his thoughts consumed by the events of the day. He headed straight to the bathroom and shut himself in, needing time alone to process everything.

He sat on the cold tile floor, leaning against the bathtub, staring blankly at the wall. His throat felt tight, a lump forming as he fought back tears.

Suddenly, he heard Polly's voice calling out for him, her worry evident in her tone. She knocked on the door gently and said, "Basil, dinner will be ready in 15 minutes. Can you please come out?"

He didn't respond, not sure if he even had the strength to speak. Slowly, he got up from the floor and walked out of the bathroom. He made his way to the living room where he could see Polly bustling around in the kitchen, preparing food for dinner. But it all seemed distant and unimportant to Basil.

He sat at the table, picking at his food with no appetite. Polly had insisted that they eat something, but everything tasted bland to Basil's numb senses. She tried to console him, saying "I know this is hard for you to process. But I'm here for you."

Basil didn't know how to respond or what to say. He simply nodded his head and continued staring down at his food. Polly reached across the table and took his hand in hers, giving him a small but comforting smile

"Everything is going to be okay, alright?"

With a weary sigh, Basil pushed his empty dinner plate away and stood up from the table. He made his way to his room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The room was dimly lit by a single lamp on his bedside table, casting shadows across the walls. Basil paced back and forth, his gaze drifting to the window and then to his bed.

A faint glimmer caught his eye from beneath the bed. He crouched down and pulled out an old wooden box, its paint chipped and peeling. It was his seed box, filled with paper envelopes and rusted gardening tools. His hand hesitantly reached for the garden shears, their blades dull and coated in rust. He hadn't used them in years, but they would have to do.

As he sat near his bed, intrusive thoughts flooded his mind and a sense of unease settled over him. Could he go through with this? Should he just give up? A wave of nausea washed over him at the thought. Why did he have to keep going on? All of his friends had moved on, leaving him alone to suffer.

He imagined the scene playing out - a swift blow to his stomach, causing him to bleed out slowly in his room. Dying alone in the darkness. No one would even notice.

Fiddling with the shears, Basil couldn't help but think of his Grandma's words: "Everything will be okay." But deep down, he knew it wasn't true. Everything was falling apart, and no amount of reassurance could change that.

His eyes flickered towards the window, where dark clouds loomed overhead. A sudden determination overtook him - tonight might be the night. He turned back to the shears, searching for a sign that he should go through with it.

But as he stared at them, all he could see were memories of happier times spent in the garden with his beloved Grandma and sister, Polly. Their words echoed in his mind like a mantra: "Everything is going to be okay." And for just a moment, he allowed himself to believe it.

Chapter Text

The long, torturous night dragged on for Basil as he lay in his bed, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and sadness. Sleep was a distant dream, as the scenario with the shears replayed endlessly in his mind. He was determined to go through with it, unable to shake off the thoughts that consumed him.

He prayed that no one would witness his demise. Even in death, he didn't want to burden anyone with mourning for him. He would disappear without a trace, and continue living on but with no clue as to what truly caused him to take this drastic step.

Was this the right decision? Was he truly going to end it all? But if not now, then when? Sunny had already left, too preoccupied with his own life to care about Basil's struggles. His friends seemed content without him, so why should he continue living in misery? The weight of these unanswered questions only pushed him closer to his final decision.

With shaking hands, Basil reached over to his bedside drawer and retrieved the shears. Slowly, he rose from his bed and made his way toward the open window, letting in a gentle breeze that offered some solace amidst the chaos in his mind. Standing there with the shears near his stomach, he hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the courage to take that final step. There was nothing left for him now but to let go and hope for some kind of release from the turmoil that consumed him.

With a swift, downward motion, he sliced through his abdomen, the sharp edge of the blade cutting deeply into his flesh. A crimson river of blood immediately began to flow, staining his shirt and soaking through to the bottom of his shorts. Agonizing pain shot through his body, causing him to stumble back in shock.

As he collapsed onto the ground, the pain only intensified, threatening to consume every inch of him. It felt as though he was being burned alive from the inside out. Each breath came in ragged gasps as if his lungs were struggling to keep up with the onslaught of agony. His vision blurred and darkness crept in at the edges as consciousness slipped away from him. Eventually, he succumbed completely to the darkness, losing all awareness of his surroundings.

The darkness engulfed him, leaving him feeling weightless and lost. The bitter chill of the void seeped into his bones, causing uncontrollable shivers to wrack his body. He slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the blur of lights surrounding him. With a groan, he closed them again, the pain in his stomach pulling him back into unconsciousness.

"...Basil?"

The sound of his name being called echoed through the void, pulling him back to consciousness. He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to focus on the figure in front of him. It was his beloved Grandma, tending to her garden with a gentle smile on her face.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

Basil smiled back, feeling comfort wash over him at the sight of her familiar face. "I'm okay, just dozed off," he replied.

"Do you want to help me water the plants?"

"Sure," Basil said eagerly, grateful for something to distract him from the unsettling void he had just experienced. "Where do you want me to start?"

His Grandma pointed to the corner of the garden, where a row of vibrant purple flowers swayed in the gentle breeze. "Water the asters over there," she instructed.

Following her directions, Basil carefully tended to each flower with precision and care. As he worked, his Grandma moved on to another section of the garden, pulling out weeds and tending to the delicate rose bushes. Basil finished with the asters and made his way over to the next row of flowers - tall sunflowers standing proud and shining like miniature suns in the afternoon light.

From the moment he saw it, the sunflower had always captured his attention. Its tall stalk reached towards the sky, ending in a vibrant burst of yellow petals that beckoned to him like a welcoming smile. But it was the large flower head that truly mesmerized him, with its tightly packed rows of tiny florets surrounding a striking orange center.

As he meticulously watered the first sunflower, Basil couldn't resist leaning in for a closer look. His eyes scanned the bottom of the flower, where he noticed a plump green and black caterpillar inching its way along a leaf.

He crouched down and observed it intently, remembering how Hero used to educate him on different species of caterpillars. Based on its distinct markings, Basil was certain this one was a monarch butterfly caterpillar, destined to transform into something even more beautiful and wondrous.

He moved on to the next row of flowers, which he didn't recognize. Their tall, slender leaves seemed to stretch towards the sun, while the delicate petals of the flowers bloomed in shades of pink and purple. As he studied them, he couldn't help but think they looked like a lily that had been given an elegant makeover.

Turning to his grandma, he asked with curiosity, "What type of flowers are these?"

Her face lit up with joy as she replied, "These are gladiolus, also known as sword lilies."

Basil nodded in understanding. The name made sense - the long stem rising from the earth held multiple blossoms that resembled swords adorned with precious gems.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind of a knight riding into battle with his sword held high, adorned with colorful banners and flowers. It reminded him of someone he used to admire.

"Hey grandma," he spoke up again, "are you sure you can handle all this work by yourself?"

She gave him a warm smile and placed her hand gently on her lower back before standing up. "Don't worry about me dear, I've always been strong. But your help is greatly appreciated." Her words were filled with love and gratitude, making Basil feel even more determined to assist her in any way he could.

Basil grinned, mirroring her movements and working in harmony with her. Together, they briskly completed the remaining tasks and paused to appreciate their handiwork in the garden. The fragrance of flowers and herbs wafted through the air, mingling with their conversation as they headed toward the garden shed.

As his grandmother swung open the doors, a treasure trove of tools greeted them. Among them was a small seed box that she had carried earlier. Basil's curiosity was piqued.

"What's in there?"

"It's my seed box," she explained with a smile. "Whenever the plants bear seeds, I collect them and store them in these envelopes inside the box."

He couldn't help but wonder how long it had been since she last used the box, judging by its fullness. As she closed the lid with a satisfying click, Basil's thoughts wandered for a moment before he exclaimed, "When I grow up, I want to be a florist."

His grandmother's face lit up with pride. "Oh, wouldn't that be just perfect? You could make your grandma proud!"

Glancing at his wristwatch, Basil suddenly remembered his plans to meet up with friends. "Oh hey, I'm meeting my friends today. Is it okay if I take a break?"

"Of course, dear. Go have fun," she replied warmly.

With a quick wave goodbye to his grandma, Basil bounded towards the front yard. Along the way, he plucked colorful wildflowers from the side of the road, envisioning how much his friends would enjoy them on this sunny day. As he continued down the street, he spotted a familiar group of faces approaching him: Aubrey, Kel, Hero, and Sunny. A smile spread across his face as he eagerly greeted them.

Aubrey's voice echoed through the small street as she called out to Basil. The warm sun beat down on them, with a light breeze rustling through the trees.

Basil turned towards Aubrey and Kel, who were standing outside their houses. "Oh, sorry," he apologized. "I was just helping my grandma out with some stuff."

"We're heading over to Sunny's house," answered Kel, excitement clear in his voice.

"Sunny's house? That sounds like fun," replied Basil, his eyes lighting up.

They walked together down the street, exchanging stories about their day. As they approached Sunny's house, they crossed the road and made their way up the driveway towards the front door. Passing by Sunny's house, they headed towards their beloved treehouse in the backyard.

As they climbed up the wooden ladder and into the treehouse, they saw Mari sitting at the table. She had set up games and snacks for their sleepover. Her smile lit up the room as she welcomed them all in.

"Hey everybody! Welcome!" Mari exclaimed cheerfully. They all took a seat on the wooden floor, excited for what was in store.

Mari gestured towards a large bowl filled with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The sweet aroma filled the air as she lifted the lid and offered one to Sunny. "Here you go!" she said warmly.

Sunny eagerly took a cookie and savored its warm, gooey goodness. One by one, everyone reached into the bowl and grabbed a cookie for themselves.

Mari continued, "Today we're having a sleepover! I invited you all here because it's not often we get a chance to hang out without our parents hovering over us."

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, their faces beaming with excitement. Basil took a bite of his cookie, relishing its delicious taste. As they talked and laughed with each other, Basil couldn't help but feel content in the moment. He looked around at his friends, all of them happy and carefree, with the sun setting behind them. And as he caught Mari's eye and she smiled at him, he knew that this was the perfect way to spend a summer evening.

Everything was fine, after all.

Chapter Text

Basil jolted awake, a sharp pain stabbing through his stomach. His throat clenched with nausea. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to will away the discomfort, but the harsh fluorescent lights only intensified his discomfort.

As he slowly opened his eyes, Basil noticed that this was not his familiar bedroom. The ceiling was pure white, dotted with black specks that seemed to swirl and dance in his hazy vision. A wave of realization washed over him - he was in the hospital.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Basil's limbs as he tried to sit up, his stomach still throbbing with pain. He pulled the thin blanket up to cover his face and closed his eyes, willing himself back to sleep.

But a loud buzzing noise shattered the quiet and roused him once more. Slowly, he cracked open one eye and squinted at the source of the sound - a machine blinking and beeping by his bedside. As if summoned by the noise, two nurses entered the room, their voices blending together in conversation.

One of them approached Basil with a warm smile, her voice gentle as she asked, "How are you feeling?"

Basil struggled to find his voice, his words barely above a whisper as he replied, "I don't know..."

The nurse nodded understandingly, her reassurance laced with compassion. "Don't worry," she said softly, "you'll be fine soon."

A nurse's hands moved with precision as she changed the bag attached to Basil's IV, carefully filling it with saline. Her movements were deliberate and practiced, a familiar routine in the hospital setting. She finished her task and approached Basil, her footsteps echoing on the linoleum floor. With gentle concern in her voice, she explained, "You've been admitted to this hospital because of internal bleeding. Your guardian will be here shortly."

Basil's vision began to blur, causing him to instinctively close his eyes. He could feel his mind becoming clearer, the fog of unconsciousness slowly lifting. And then it hit him - his suicide attempt had failed. His plan to end his life had not succeeded, and now he was lying in a hospital bed facing the consequences.

Fighting against the pull of sleep, Basil struggled to stay awake. But eventually, exhaustion overtook him and he drifted back into unconsciousness.

But this time, as he slipped away from reality once again, he didn't resist it.

"...Basil..."

The sound of a familiar voice pulled him back to consciousness, drawing him out of the depths of his dreams. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the harsh lights of the hospital room. And there, sitting in a chair next to his bedside, was Polly - his dear friend who had stood by him through thick and thin. Basil's hoarse voice broke the silence, "Polly?"

"Yes dear, it's me," Polly's gentle voice rang out through the sterile hospital room.

Basil's body trembled as he tried to hold back tears, his mind still foggy from the recent events. "Why...why did I do that? Why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

Polly took a deep breath, her eyes filled with sadness and understanding. She knew she had to be strong for both of them in this moment. "I would never let you die, Basil. I had a feeling you would reach this breaking point in the last couple of months, so I kept a close eye on you," she explained, her words laced with love and concern.

Basil couldn't hold back any longer and broke down, crying uncontrollably into Polly's arms.

She hugged him carefully being mindful of his injuries. She stroked his hair soothingly, letting him release the pent-up emotions.

As Basil slowly calmed down, he began to reflect on his actions and realize that it was his mistake that landed him in this hospital room. But he also knew that Polly had brought him here to help him heal and for that, he felt an overwhelming urge to thank her for everything she had done.

Before he could express his gratitude, another familiar face walked into the room. It was Aubrey, standing at the doorway with a concerned expression on her face. Her eyes widened at the sight of Basil's state, clearly taken aback by his fragile appearance.

Basil froze, fearing what she would say to him after what he had done. Even if Aubrey never forgave him, at least she was here now to show some form of compassion or acknowledgement towards him.

Aubrey strode over to him, her steps measured and purposeful. She didn't utter a single word, but the intensity of her gaze spoke volumes. Tears welled up in her eyes and trailed down her cheeks, leaving a glistening trail in their wake. Her face contorted with emotion, her jaw clenched tight as she struggled to contain it all. It was a moment frozen in time, two souls connected by unspoken words and raw emotion.

Tears streamed down Aubrey's face as she broke down, her body shaking with sobs. "I...I'm so sorry," she managed to choke out between gasps. Her hand covered her mouth as if trying to hold back the overwhelming emotions.

Basil reached out a hand towards her, a weak smile on his face. "Don't blame yourself," he said in a gentle voice. "It's not all your fault."

Polly, standing off to the side, took a step back, giving the two some privacy. Basil closed his eyes for a moment, feeling utterly exhausted. In a calmer tone, Aubrey spoke up again. "It's weird to say this after how...mean I was to you, but please don't do that again," she pleaded. "You know that everyone around you still cares about you..."

Basil's gaze shifted from Aubrey's tear-stained face to the clock on the wall. He could hear the soft ticking of the second-hand and it seemed to match the gentle beating of his heart. Aubrey fiddled with something in her hands before eventually pulling it out of her pocket and handing it to Basil.

"What's this?"

As Basil nervously fidgeted with the small box in his hands, he couldn't help but feel grateful for Aubrey's thoughtfulness. After all, she didn't have to get him anything, especially after everything that had happened between them.

With trembling hands, he carefully opened the box and revealed a delicate bracelet inside. The intricate design caught his eye immediately - it was woven entirely out of fabric, with beautiful embroidered flowers scattered throughout.

"It's lovely. Thank you so much," Basil said, still in disbelief.

Aubrey smiled softly at him before saying, "You're welcome."

The two of them sat in an awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to say or do next. Eventually, they both turned away from each other, feeling the weight of their past conflict still lingering between them. But as Basil began packing the bracelet back into the box, he couldn't help but notice how genuine Aubrey's gesture was.

"It's not just nothing," she quickly added, sensing his hesitation. "I've only recently started embroidering, so if it falls apart on you, I can easily make another one."

Basil couldn't believe his eyes - seeing Aubrey being genuinely kind to him was almost too much to handle. Maybe there was still hope for their friendship after all.

He held up the beautiful bracelet once again and looked at Aubrey with a sense of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Aubrey. I really appreciate it."

Aubrey's warm smile lit up her face as she spoke, "It's nothing, really. Don't even mention it. Just focus on getting better, okay? There's still plenty of time left for summer break, so take care of yourself!"

Basil couldn't help but feel grateful for Aubrey's kind words and concern. He took one final look at her before looking away, a small smile forming on his lips. "I'll do my best," he replied.

As Aubrey stood up and made her way towards the door, she turned back to him. "Well, see you later, Basil."

She waved goodbye with a cheerful grin before exiting the room, leaving Basil alone once again. He let out a soft sigh of relief as he watched her leave. Just having one person that he could talk to made a world of difference in his recovery.

The following days were still difficult for Basil as he received treatments for both his physical injury and mental health. However, knowing that Aubrey was there for him helped make things a little easier. With her support and the care of the hospital staff, Basil gradually began to heal.

After being told that he had suffered internal bleeding from the accident, causing his blood pressure to drop dangerously low, Basil spent an entire month in the hospital recovering. Slowly but surely, he regained his strength until he was able to walk through the hallways on his own.

Despite being allowed more freedom to move around, Basil often chose to stay in his room. He didn't want to be a burden or bother anyone with his presence. But deep down, he knew that he would always have Aubrey by his side during this difficult time.

After a long wait, the doctor finally entered Basil's room to check on his condition. The gentle hum of medical equipment filled the space, creating a somber atmosphere. With a reassuring smile, the doctor informed Basil that he would likely recover within a week or two if he took it easy. This news brought a wave of relief over Basil, knowing that his recovery was progressing nicely.

One day, a kind nurse appeared at his door with a letter in hand. She explained that there were visitors waiting outside for him. Curiosity consuming him, Basil left his room and was greeted by a sea of familiar faces.

Kel and Aubrey stood there, their eyes lighting up as they saw him. They eagerly rushed forward, enveloping him in warm hugs. Kel spoke first, "We heard about what happened, we're so glad you're alright."

Basil wiped away some sweat beads from his forehead and replied simply, "Thanks..."

Kel patted him on the back, reassuring him, "No need to thank us, we were just worried about you."

A troubled expression crossed Basil's face as he asked, "But...do you know if Sunny is okay?"

Kel shook his head sadly and said, "We haven't heard from him. We tried to contact him, but he hasn't answered any of our calls."

Dread filled Basil's heart as he worried about Sunny's well-being. He feared that Sunny might do something drastic again – perhaps take his own life or harm someone else. The mere thought of it caused a sharp pang of pain in his chest. Trying to comfort him, Aubrey said, "He probably just moved away with his mother, you know?"

Basil did not want to think about Sunny and what he might be going through. It was all too overwhelming for him to handle. Kel apologized on behalf of Sunny and promised to visit him every day until he got better. A small nod was all Basil could manage in response. As Aubrey gave him one last hug and Kel waved goodbye, Basil watched them leave before he settled back onto the bed and closed his eyes. Despite everything that had happened, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope for him now.

Chapter Text

Basil sat in his small, sterile hospital room, anxiously watching the clock tick towards 10 am. It was the moment he had been waiting for - his discharge from inpatient treatment and a return to his home in Faraway Town.

As he stared at the blank walls around him, the word "home" echoed through his mind. He had never truly appreciated its meaning until now. Despite the comfort and care he received at the hospital, all Basil wanted was to be back in his bed, surrounded by familiar sights and sounds.

A soft knock on the door broke him out of his thoughts, and Polly, one of the nurses, entered with her clipboard and pen in hand. Her friendly smile instantly put Basil at ease.

"Hey there! How are you feeling today?"

"Better than yesterday, thanks," Basil replied with a weak smile.

Polly's warm smile only grew wider as she nodded in understanding. "That's great to hear. Now, I just need you to fill out this form with some information and sign at the bottom." She handed him a stack of papers and a pen before taking a seat next to him.

Basil nodded, his pen scratching against the paper as he diligently filled out the forms. He flipped through them one by one, confirming their accuracy before finally turning to the last page. With a practiced hand, he signed his name in precise cursive.

"Thank you very much," Polly said, her voice laced with gratitude and relief as she walked out the door.

Basil couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at her departure. She had been such a supportive friend during this difficult time.

"Wait, Polly, what are those papers for?" he called out, suddenly curious about the purpose of the documents.

Polly paused in the doorway and turned back around, her expression serious.

"Because of your grandmother's passing, I've been granted permission to act as your legal caretaker since you have no other adults or family members living in the house. So...I will support you and help take care of you until you're ready to live on your own."

Basil could hardly believe what he was hearing. His heart swelled with gratitude towards Polly for taking on such a responsibility.

"Oh, and I almost forgot," Polly added with a smile, "The doctor prescribed some medication for you. I'll pick it up on my way home."

Basil thanked her profusely as she made her way to the exit.

"Alright, thank you!" he called after her.

Polly waved goodbye before disappearing down the hallway. Basil let out a heavy sigh and sank onto his bed. Despite the overwhelming emotions swirling inside him, he couldn't deny that Polly was right - there was no one else left in his family.

Basil's parents were always consumed by their demanding business trips, leaving him in the care of his grandmother. But with her recent passing, Polly would now take on the role of his guardian. The thought filled Basil with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as he waited for Polly to pick him up in an hour or two. A rush of questions flooded his mind - How would he adjust to this new arrangement? Would everything be okay, or would he struggle and hurt himself even more? As usual, he pushed these thoughts aside and closed his eyes, hoping sleep would provide a temporary escape.

A gentle knock on the door stirred him from his half-asleep state. Polly's voice called out, "Basil? It's me."

He groaned and rubbed his eyes before glancing at the clock. 3:00 PM - time for Polly to pick him up and take him home. With a slow creak, he rolled out of bed and stretched his arms and legs, trying to shake off the drowsiness that clung to him.

"Yes, Polly?"

"Ready to get going?"

Basil sighed, his eyes feeling heavy and strained as he stared up at the cracked ceiling. The sterile hospital room felt suffocating, and he couldn't wait to leave.

"Y-Yeah, let's go," he mumbled, rubbing his tired eyes.

He quickly grabbed his shoes and jacket, eager to escape the white-washed walls and fluorescent lights. As they stepped outside, a rush of fresh air hit Basil's face, lifting some of the weight off his shoulders. He followed Polly down the stairs and across the parking lot, sinking into the passenger seat with exhaustion.

The drive to his house was quiet, the only sound coming from Polly's calm driving. He gazed out the window, trying not to focus on the road ahead. When they finally arrived at his house, Basil felt a mix of emotions swirling within him.

Polly locked the car before giving him a small smile. "It's good to see you're feeling better, Basil."

He nodded in response, stepping out of the car and making his way towards the familiar front door. As he approached, he couldn't help but notice how everything seemed slightly melancholic compared to his memories. The once vibrant plants and flowers were now wilted and dying, a stark reminder that things had changed since his grandmother passed away.

Basil walked through the front door, taking in every detail like it was the first time. The vintage floral wallpaper still adorned every wall, its faded colors telling stories of past generations. He followed the wood flooring into the kitchen, where checkerboard tiles and white cabinets greeted him. Despite the layer of dust covering everything, it felt like home.

As he continued his way toward the hallway, Basil couldn't help but notice the interior potted plants that lined up next to the walls. They were a bit overgrown and wilted, but someone had been trying to maintain them. Their leaves reached out like tired arms, desperate for sunlight and water.

In the distance, he saw Polly standing near the kitchen, setting down her bag on the worn wooden table. She pulled out a white, crinkled paper bag from her purse.

"Basil, I got you your medication while you were sleeping," she said with a gentle smile.

Basil walked into the cozy kitchen, taking in the familiar scents of home. His eyes fixated on the paper bag in her hands, grateful for her thoughtfulness.

"...Thanks, Polly," he replied softly.

"Here you go," Polly said as she placed the bottle of pills in his hands. "It's labeled, so don't worry, you won't mess anything up." He smiled gratefully at her as she patted his hand before bustling off to tend to dinner preparations.

Basil walked towards the hallway, headed straight towards his bedroom, opened the door, and entered the room. The room was just as he remembered it, only slightly dustier and disorganized. He walked over to his desk, which had a big square planter taking over the whole top of the desk.

Taking a look inside the planter, Basil found a bunch of herbaceous plants growing in there. Most of them were wilted and shriveled, but there were a couple that were doing fine. He closed the lid of the planter, before looking around his room. Everything was pretty much the same as it was when he was younger, save for the bed, which was replaced with a new one.

"Alright, everything looks like it's all set," Polly said, standing up from the kitchen table.

"Well, I'm going to the other room, to watch TV or something. You should do whatever makes you happy."

"...G-Goodnight, Polly."

Polly chuckled, waving a hand as she headed towards the living room. Basil sat down on his bed, he had to take the medication he was prescribed, which Polly had put in one of those weekly planner medication boxes.

The medication was Topiramate, a medication mostly used for treating epilepsy and seizures but can be used as an alternative treatment for bipolar disorder.

He took one of the pills out of the bottle, swallowing it down with water, then laying back down on his bed. He stared at the ceiling for a few moments, his eyes starting to droop, before falling asleep.

Basil awoke to the jarring sound of his alarm clock, the throbbing in his head intensifying as he opened his bleary eyes. He groggily checked the time, noting that it was already 9:45 AM. His body felt heavy and stiff from sleep, but he knew he had to get up.

With a deep stretch, Basil pushed himself out of bed and shuffled towards the kitchen. He leaned against the counter, trying to steady himself as dizziness washed over him. Polly was already in the kitchen, sipping on a mug of coffee as she greeted him.

"Morning, Basil. Did you get any rest?"

Basil nodded, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Yeah...it was rough."

Polly gave him a sympathetic look before turning back to pour herself another cup of coffee.

"Well, I woke up early and made us breakfast."

Basil followed her gaze and saw a table set with a plate full of fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered toast. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a bowl of assorted fruit completed the spread.

"Thank you, Polly."

"You're welcome, Basil. Now eat up before it gets cold."

Basil sat down at the table, grateful for the warm meal. As he ate, he tried to plan out his day ahead, knowing that anything could happen at any moment.

Polly put her dish in the sink, then turned to face Basil.

As Basil chewed his food, Polly's voice interrupted the peaceful silence of their breakfast.

"I'm going to head out and get some groceries in an hour, do you want anything specific?"

Basil paused mid-chew, glancing over at her with a small smile.

"U-um, n-no, I'm okay, just get the usual stuff that grandma gets on her grocery lists."

Polly nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought before suddenly remembering something.

"Oh...Basil, I forgot to tell you..."

Basil perked up, eagerly awaiting what she had forgotten to mention.

"What is it, Polly?"

"Your grandmother is going to be cremated tomorrow," Polly said softly. "I'm not sure if we would be able to afford a proper funeral, but I could message your parents to ask if there's any way we can help pay for it."

Basil felt his heart sink at the thought of his beloved grandmother being reduced to ashes. He wanted to push away the reality of her passing for just a little longer.

"If that's the case," he finally spoke up, "maybe we could hold a wake instead?"

Polly nodded slowly, understanding the weight of the decision they were faced with. She sighed and slumped back against the counter, taking solace in her cup of coffee before standing up to continue her day. Basil couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence and support during this difficult time.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Polly turned around, raising an eyebrow.

Chapter Text

With each step, Polly's anticipation grew, leading her closer to the door. As she reached out and grasped the doorknob, her hand trembled with excitement. She turned the key in the lock and pushed open the heavy wooden door. Standing on the other side was a familiar figure - Kel, with his warm, relieved smile when he saw Basil.

Kel stepped into the bustling kitchen, making a beeline towards Basil and Polly.

"Basil, you're finally out of the hospital!"

He enveloped Basil in a tight hug before pulling back, a look of genuine happiness on his face.

"I missed you so much, my friend!"

Basil's eyes widened in surprise as he replied,

"Kel...I didn't expect you to come here so quickly..."

A proud grin spread across Kel's face as he responded,

"I couldn't wait any longer. I had to make sure you were okay. After everything that happened, I knew you needed someone to talk to." The warmth and sincerity in his words brought a sense of comfort and relief to Basil's heart.

Basil nodded, his fingers absently scratching at his head. The rough stubble of his buzzed hair tickled his fingertips as he tried to focus on Kel's words.

"I appreciate it, Kel."

His voice was rough and tired, the weight of exhaustion pulling at his words.

"So, how are you feeling today?"

Basil sighed softly, his hand returning to scratch at his head once more.

"I guess I feel pretty okay...a little tired though."

Kel nodded in understanding, taking a seat at the worn wooden table across from Basil. He rested his elbows on the table, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he spoke.

"Anyways, I wanted to tell you something, something kind of important."

"Okay...what is it?"

Kel cleared his throat, glancing around the room before leaning in closer to Basil.

"Um...have you heard from Sunny recently? He hasn't been returning my letters or my emails, it's making me extremely worried..."

The worry etched deep lines into Kel's face, causing faint creases to appear between his eyebrows. Basil felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he frowned in response.

"I've...been meaning to get in contact, but I don't know his address or anything..."

Kel crossed his elbows on the table, looking concerned.

"I have his old house phone number, but it probably doesn't even work anymore..."

Basil trailed off, staring at the ground, pondering about what he could do.

Kel stood up from the kitchen table, his footsteps echoing loudly on the tiled floor. He paced back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts about what to say.

After a moment, he stopped in front of Basil and spoke hesitantly. "I was thinking...maybe we could go visit Aubrey. It's better than just sitting here doing nothing, right?"

Basil's face lit up with excitement. "Y-Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!"

He quickly made his way to his room, the hardwood floor creaking beneath his feet. Kel followed behind him, leaning against the doorframe as he looked around Basil's room curiously. The sun streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow over the posters and knick-knacks decorating the walls.

"Hey, do you want to take some photos with your camera? I know that Sunny still has your photo album...but it would be cool to see you take photos again."

Basil hesitated, his hand hovering over the Polaroid camera. A mix of emotions flickered across his face - nostalgia, anxiety, uncertainty. After a moment, he slowly shook his head.

"I...I don't think I'm ready to start taking photos again just yet," Basil said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "Maybe someday, but not today."

Kel nodded understandingly. "No worries, man. Whenever you feel up to it."

Basil gave a small grateful smile, appreciating Kel's patience. He grabbed a light jacket from his closet and pulled it on.

"Alright, I'm ready to go," Basil said, zipping up the jacket.

As they headed out, Basil called out to Polly, "We're going to visit Aubrey for a bit.”

Polly's voice called back from the kitchen, "Okay, have a good time! Be back before dark."

The two boys began making their way towards the front door, Polly stopping to give the boys a goodbye wave. The two stepped outside, onto the sidewalk, and continued down the street. They walked through town, making their way towards the block that Aubrey lived on.

Basil and Kel stepped out into the warm afternoon sun. As they walked down the familiar streets of their neighborhood, Basil felt a mix of nostalgia and anxiety. It had been so long since he'd ventured out like this with a friend.

"So, how've you been holding up?" Kel asked, glancing over at Basil.

Basil shrugged slightly. "I'm...okay, I guess. Taking it day by day."

Kel nodded sympathetically. "I'm glad you're out of the hospital now. We were all really worried about you.

They turned the corner onto Aubrey's street. Her house came into view - a small, slightly run-down building with peeling paint and overgrown grass in the yard.

They walked up to the front door, Kel took a deep breath, trying to steel himself before knocking on the door. The two waited quietly, but nobody came to answer the door.

"Maybe she went out or something," Kel said, looking around nervously.

Kel knocked on the door again, louder this time.

Still no answer. Kel turned around to face Basil, confused.

"Maybe...we should look somewhere else? She could probably be at the church."

Basil nodded in agreement, turning to leave the quaint house. Kel followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone street.

As they walked away from the house, their destination became clear - the local church. Its tall spire reached towards the sky, beckoning them closer. Basil and Kel pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping into the cool interior of the church. Sunlight streamed in through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished floors.

The emptiness of the halls was notable, with only a few scattered individuals sitting near the front pews. Kel gestured towards the empty stage and whispered to Basil, "Let's go up front."

Together, they made their way slowly towards the stage, passing by rows of wooden pews and a grand altar. As they approached, Basil's eyes caught sight of a familiar face - a girl with long pink hair sat on the front pew, her legs crossed and a backpack on her lap. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the floor below her feet. Basil tapped Kel on the shoulder, pointing towards the girl.

At the sound of her name, Aubrey's eyes flew open and widened in surprise when she caught sight of Basil. With a sense of urgency, she rose to her feet, taking note of the boy who had been confined to a hospital bed mere days before. Her steps were hesitant as she made her way towards him, her gaze remaining fixed on the ground beneath her feet. The air around them seemed charged with unspoken emotions and memories, both painful and hopeful.

Aubrey's concerned gaze rested on Basil, his usually confident demeanor faltering as he slowly nodded. His voice trembled slightly as he reassured her.

"Y-yeah...I'm fine, Aubrey...thanks for asking."

A flush crept onto Aubrey's cheeks as she awkwardly rubbed her shoulder, unsure of what to say. She turned to Kel, who was smiling sheepishly and shifting from foot to foot in a nervous manner. The tension in the air was palpable as they all stood there, unsure of how to proceed after Basil's sudden vulnerability.

"Hey...is everything alright, Kel? You look a little nervous," Basil asked, concern evident in his voice.

Kel shifted uneasily, his eyes glued to the ground as he shrugged.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I uh...I'm just thinking about something."

Basil leaned forward, curious. "About what?"

Kel sat down heavily on one of the pews, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He continued staring at the ground, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Um...basically...I haven't been able to get in contact with Sunny, you know? So I have been thinking, um...maybe we should try finding him."

Aubrey joined them on the pew next to Kel, crossing her legs and looking equally worried.

"Well...I was thinking the same thing actually...how are we going to find him?"

Kel shrugged again, his discomfort palpable as he shifted in his seat.

"Dunno...do you have his new address?"

Aubrey shook her head with a sigh, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to even start looking. She turned to Basil, who was still standing by the pews, deep in thought.

Basil's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Sunny. Desperation and hope clung to his every word.

"Oh, Basil," Aubrey's voice was tinged with concern. "Do you have any of Sunny's old email addresses or contacts? Maybe we can reach him that way."

Basil hesitated, unsure of what to say. He bit his lip, trying to recall any possible way to contact his lost friend.

“I might still have his old email; when I was in the hospital, Polly helped me leave a voicemail at his home address. However, since he has moved away, I'm not sure if it's still valid...”

Kel's eyes lit up with an idea. "What if we sent him a letter or something? There must be something we can write that would catch his attention..."

Basil's gaze shifted to Aubrey, who nodded in agreement. Their minds were all racing with possibilities.

"That does sound like a good idea," Basil spoke up, determination shining in his eyes. "But I wonder what we should write..."

Kel spoke, his voice echoing throughout the empty church and breaking the silence that had settled in. The late afternoon light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a rainbow of colors on the polished wooden pews. Aubrey nodded along to Kel's suggestion, her long hair catching the light and shimmering like gold.

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," she replied, leading them out of the church and carefully closing the heavy doors behind them. As they stepped out into the fading daylight, Basil took a deep breath and savored the fresh air that filled his lungs.

Kel glanced down at his watch and his face fell. "Oh no, it's almost seven o'clock. My mom is going to kill me...I better hurry home."

With a quick goodbye wave, Kel grabbed his things and sprinted off towards his house, disappearing around a bend and leaving Aubrey and Basil alone on the quiet streets. They began their walk back home, their footsteps creating a steady rhythm on the pavement.

Aubrey turned to Basil as they walked, her expression softening. "So, how are you feeling?"

Basil let out a small laugh. "I-I'm good. I think the fresh air helped clear my head a bit."

They continued walking in comfortable silence for a few moments before Aubrey spoke again, her voice thoughtful. "Yeah, me too." She gazed up at the sky, taking in the pink and orange hues of the setting sun as if searching for answers in its ever-changing canvas. She paused, suddenly remembering something.

"Oh yeah, where are we going to meet up? We can't meet up at the church again, since it's Sunday tomorrow."

Basil pondered for a moment, his brain scrambling to think of something.

"Uhh, well, I don't know...I guess we could meet up at a park or something, maybe?"

Aubrey nodded, turning to face the direction of their houses.

"I guess that would work. I'm going to get home now, but let's meet up at eleven in the morning?"

Basil nodded, thanking Aubrey for inviting him to hang out. They said their goodbyes, and Aubrey started walking down the sidewalk, heading home herself, while Basil walked the opposite way, heading home.

Chapter Text

The moment Basil stepped into his bedroom, he began scouring every corner for any traces of Sunny's contacts. He pulled open the doors of his closet, rifling through piles of old papers and documents. But to no avail - there was nothing useful. Disappointed, he turned to his dusty computer desk.

Basil used to spend hours on his computer back in the day, but now it mostly gathered dust. Nevertheless, he logged on and scrolled through his contact list, hoping to find a name or email that could lead him to Sunny. But all he found were outdated emails from his youth.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Basil leaned back in his chair, feeling frustrated and at a loss for where to start looking for Sunny. He shut off the computer and made his way back to his bed, sinking onto the mattress with a defeated thud. As he lay there, he couldn't help but wonder if there was anything else he could do.

With a heavy heart and exhausted mind, Basil eventually drifted off to sleep late that evening. His thoughts were consumed by the events of the day and his desperate search for clues to finding Sunny. He tossed and turned restlessly, unable to find any viable solutions in his dreams either.

The loud, abrupt knocking on his door jolted Basil awake from a deep sleep. With a yawn and a stretch, he stumbled out of bed, only to realize that it was already morning. He had lost track of the time as the sky outside was an ominous shade of dark blue, signaling an impending storm.

As he made his way to the door, Basil couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. When he opened the door, Polly was standing there with a neutral expression on her face.

"Polly, is everything alright?" Basil asked, concerned by her unexpected visit.

Polly sat down next to him on the bedside, facing him directly.

"Nothing is wrong, Basil," she replied calmly. "Do you remember when I told you about your grandmother's funeral?"

Basil hesitated, momentarily forgetting about the upcoming funeral. His beloved grandmother had passed away recently and he found it hard to come to terms with her death. Everything seemed hazy since then. Memories of his grandma were slowly fading away, clouded by the shock and grief he experienced upon hearing the news. But it had only been a few weeks - why were these cherished memories so difficult to recall now?

Basil's mind had been consumed with thoughts and plans for the day, causing him to forget about his grandmother's funeral being that day. As he sat on his bed, a wave of guilt washed over him as he realized he wouldn't be able to keep his plans with Kel and Aubrey.

Feeling the need to apologize, Basil turned to Polly, who sat quietly in the corner. "Um...Polly, is it alright if I call Kel and Aubrey real quick to let them know that we can't hang out?" He asked, hoping for her understanding.

Polly nodded sympathetically. "Of course, Basil. Go ahead and give them a call. The funeral isn't for a few hours yet, so you have some time."

With a grateful smile, Basil reached for his phone on the nightstand. His fingers shook slightly as he dialed Kel's number, his mind swirling with emotions.

After a few rings, Kel's cheerful voice came through the speaker. "Hey Basil! What's up?"

"Hi Kel," Basil said, his voice quieter than usual. "I...I can't meet up today like we planned. My grandmother's funeral is this afternoon."

Kel's tone immediately softened upon hearing the news. "Oh Basil, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot about your grandmother's funeral. Of course, you can't meet up today. Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do?"

Basil felt a lump form in his throat at Kel's kind words. "Thanks, Kel. I...I think I'll be okay. I just wanted to let you know."

"Okay, well if you change your mind and need anything at all, please call me," Kel said sincerely. "I'm here for you, buddy." A warm feeling spread through Basil's chest at his friend's genuine offer of support and comfort during this difficult time.

“Can you let Aubrey know I won’t be able to hang out? I’m not sure if I have her number.

I'll let Aubrey know," Kel replied gently. "Don't worry about anything else today, Basil. Just focus on being there for your family and honoring your grandmother's memory. We're all thinking of you!"

"Thanks, Kel," Basil said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I appreciate it."

As the conversation with Polly came to an end, Basil gently set down the phone and let out a deep sigh. He realized too late that he had forgotten to ask her something important. With a heavy heart, he made his way over to Polly, his feet moving slowly as if weighed down by his thoughts.

"...Do you happen to know if my parents will be attending the funeral?"

Polly's hesitation was palpable as she slowly nodded in response to Basil's question.

"Yes," she finally spoke, her voice faltering slightly. "I talked to them yesterday, they're planning on coming."

Basil's stomach tightened at the mention of his parents. He couldn't help but feel uneasy about seeing them again after so long. He knew they wouldn't be upset with him, but he couldn't shake the nervousness that had settled in his chest. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, suddenly feeling very small and vulnerable.

It had been years since he last saw his parents, and there was a part of him that longed to tell them everything that had happened during the year he had been gone. But another part of him held back, not wanting to burden them with his troubles.

Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny the twinge of excitement at the thought of seeing them again. It would be bittersweet, but he knew deep down that he needed this reunion more than anything.

Polly leaned over, her arms enveloping Basil in a warm embrace. He could feel the soft fabric of her shirt against his cheek as he buried his face into her shoulder. She didn't say anything, but Basil could sense her comforting presence and it helped ease the anxiety building in his chest.

"Don't worry Basil," Polly's voice was soft and reassuring, "I'm sure your parents will love you no matter what happens."

Basil slowly nodded, exhaling a shaky breath. He wanted to believe Polly's words, but the fear of rejection from his parents still lingered in his mind. Could they truly accept him for who he was? The last letter he received from them was years ago, and while it expressed their longing to see him again, he couldn't help but doubt that they still held onto that hope.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Polly stood up and gently pulled Basil to his feet. Her hands were warm and comforting as she guided him towards the closet.

"Come on," she said with a smile, "let's get you dressed for this big day." And with that, they began picking out an outfit that would make Basil feel confident and ready to face whatever may come during his visit with his parents.

With a graceful turn, she motioned towards the closet and Basil quickly followed her lead. As she instructed him, he carefully selected a crisp, white button-up shirt with delicate floral patterns adorning the fabric. The tie he picked was a deep shade of burgundy, perfectly complementing the shirt. He then chose a pair of gray dress pants, fitted just right to his form.

Polly turned around once more, walking out of the room.

Before he changed his shirt, he gingerly lifted the fabric to reveal a long line of stitches that ran down his stomach. The edges were still red and tender, evidence of a recent surgery. He traced the jagged line with his fingertips but felt a sudden urge of nausea of even thinking about touching the stitches at all.

Basil hastily changed his clothes and left his room, making his way to the dining room where Polly was already waiting for him.

"Let's get going," she said.

They exited through the front door and walked towards their car parked on the street. Polly unlocked the passenger side and got in, while Basil took the driver's seat. After turning on the ignition, Polly began driving out of the driveway.

Basil and Polly arrived at the quaint church about half an hour later, their car parked in one of the few visitor spaces. The exterior of the building gave off a humble and unassuming vibe, but as they stepped inside, they were greeted with a surprisingly spacious interior.

Polly opened the heavy wooden doors, her hand gliding over the smooth surface as she ushered Basil inside. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers, a calming aroma that instantly put them at ease. Above the doorway, a sign proudly displayed 'Welcome' in elegant cursive letters, inviting visitors to enter.

As they made their way down the center aisle, Basil couldn't help but take in every detail of the church. The stained glass windows filtered sunlight into vibrant colors that danced across the walls. Pews lined either side of the aisle, leading up to a grand altar adorned with intricate carvings.

After scanning the rows of pews, Polly found two open seats and sat down, motioning for Basil to sit across from her. He took in his surroundings once again, searching for any familiar faces among the congregation. But as he looked around, there was no sign of his parents yet.

Polly gently nudged Basil, her hand warm against his arm as she signaled for him to speak.

"Are you alright?" she whispered, concern etched in her voice.

Basil let out a sigh, his nerves making his throat feel tight and dry. He cleared it nervously before responding.

"I'm fine," he managed to say, forcing a weak smile onto his face.

He glanced over at Polly, who met his gaze with a reassuring smile. She could see the fear and anxiety in his eyes, and she knew he needed their support now more than ever.

"Relax Basil," she said soothingly, "we're here for you. Just focus on getting through today, and we'll help you with anything else you need."

Basil slowly nodded, grateful for her words of encouragement. He wanted to think back and reminisce for a bit, trying to think about all the memories with his Grandmother that he had forgotten about, but it was too hard to do so. All of the memories were a bit fuzzy and were meshing together and somehow revolving around the same topic. Flowers, and only Flowers.

"Why can't I remember?"

As the heavy wooden doors of the church creaked open, two figures stepped inside. The first was a tall man with thick, curly brown hair, dressed in a sharp black suit. In his hands, he carried a bouquet of white lilies, their delicate petals trembling slightly. Beside him walked a woman with long, ethereal silver blonde hair, wearing a flowing black lace dress that seemed to shimmer in the soft light.

Basil's heart skipped a beat as he recognized them instantly as his parents. He felt a mixture of emotions wash over him - relief, fear, and hope. His mother's eyes were red and swollen from crying, her handkerchief clenched tightly in her hand. His father had a stern expression on his face, but Basil could see the worry etched in his furrowed brow.

They made their way down the aisle towards the pew in front of Basil's. As they caught sight of their son, both of their faces lit up with emotion.

"Oh Basil!" his mother exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she rushed towards him for a hug. "We've been so worried about you! We've missed you terribly!"

His father joined them, wrapping his arms around Basil in a tight embrace.

"How are you doing?" his mother asked softly, holding onto him tightly as if she never wanted to let go.

"I...I'm okay," Basil replied, feeling an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and relief at seeing them again.

Both of his parents sighed deeply as if they had been holding their breath until this moment.

"Thank goodness," his mother whispered, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "You don't know how much we miss you."

Basil's body trembled as he returned the embrace from his mother, feeling her warmth and love wash over him. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, mixing with his parents' tears as they held each other tightly. The reunion was filled with raw emotions - joy, relief, and a hint of sorrow.

As the rest of the service went on, Basil's heart slowly started to settle. His parents' presence by his side brought a sense of calmness that he desperately needed. They seemed genuinely happy to see him, and there was no trace of anger or disappointment in their expressions. That in itself was a comforting thought for Basil, who couldn't bear to face any more disappointment from his loved ones.

At the end of the ceremony, the attendees began to exit the church, chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Basil made his way through the crowd and found his parents standing near the exit, engaged in a conversation with another family.

He joined them, standing close to his mother as he tried to gather the courage to speak. Knowing that they would have to leave soon, he knew he had to make it quick.

"Hey...mom, dad?"

His parents turned to look at him, giving him their undivided attention.

"Yes, dear?" His mother replied gently.

Basil hesitated before continuing, "Um...how have you guys been? I've missed you." A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he spoke those words, longing for the family bond they once had before everything changed.

His mother paused for a moment, a warm smile lighting up her face as she looked at him. Her eyes sparkled with love and concern.

"Just fine dear, just fine. How about yourself?"

Basil fidgeted nervously, feeling the weight of so much unspoken history between them. It had been too long since they last talked, and now he didn't know where to begin. So many emotions rushed through his head - relief at seeing them, worry that they wouldn't be okay with everything that had happened to him lately, guilt for not keeping in touch. But most of all, he felt an overwhelming sense of longing for their familiarity and comfort.

"Basil?" his mother prompted gently, reaching out to take hold of his hand. The warmth of her touch instantly calmed his racing thoughts.

Basil's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to calm himself. He took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs, and slowly released it, trying to steady his nerves.

"Things have been...difficult lately," he managed to say, his voice shaking slightly. "But with the help of my friends, I've been able to sort everything out."

He turned to look at his parents, meeting their expectant gazes. His mother wore a comforting smile, while his father simply nodded in understanding.

"We're always here for you, son," his father said in a reassuring tone. "You can tell us anything."

Basil felt a lump form in his throat as he thought about all the things he wanted to tell his parents but was too afraid to burden them with. Swallowing hard, he gathered his courage and spoke up.

"Maybe we could spend some time together? Catch up and just...be together?" Basil suggested tentatively, hoping they would agree.

His parents exchanged a glance, their expressions uncertain as they considered the request. For a moment, there was silence as they weighed their options before finally nodding in agreement. Basil released a sigh of relief, grateful that they were willing to spend time with him despite everything that had happened.

"Basil...we want to be there for you as long as possible. We love you, and we don't want to lose contact with you. However, we are also trying to figure things out as well. This is why we hired Polly to look after you."

Basil didn't know how to respond. He felt like he was expecting this answer already, so it wasn't a surprise. Still, it stung a little bit. Even though his parents loved him and wanted to be there for him, he still couldn't spend time with them without someone else there.

"Okay...I understand. Thank you."

With a heavy heart, Basil's mother replied, her voice filled with both sadness and understanding. "If you ever need to talk to us, just send us a letter or an email. We will always be here for you."

"Thank you," Basil whispered, feeling a lump form in his throat.

The two shared a long embrace before his parents turned to Polly and struck up a conversation. Basil didn't want to intrude, so he slipped out of the church and onto the parking lot. The dreary sky matched his mood, dark gray clouds swirling above him. A drizzle began falling, adding to the melancholy atmosphere.

Basil wiped the raindrops off his face and gazed off into the distance, lost in thought. Polly soon joined him outside, standing by his side in silence as they watched the rain fall.

"Do you want to say goodbye to them before they go?" Polly asked softly.

Basil nodded, turning to look at her with tears in his eyes.

Polly placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before leading him back inside the church. His parents were sitting on one of the pews, their expressions mirroring his sadness. As Basil approached them, he felt a lump form in his throat once again.

As they said their goodbyes, Basil's heart felt heavy. He hugged his parents tightly, not wanting to let go. With one final wave, he watched as they exited the church and walked towards their car in the parking lot. Polly held open the passenger side door for Basil, who climbed in and buckled up.

The drive home passed quickly, with Polly remaining silent. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the fields and hills they drove by. Finally, they pulled up to the driveway and Polly came to a stop in front of the house.

Polly turned off the engine and looked at Basil with concern.

"Are you okay, Basil?"

Basil hesitated before answering. "I-I just...don't feel very well today."

Polly nodded understandingly and got out of the car. She opened the door for Basil, who stepped out and closed it behind him. As he made his way inside the house, he felt drained from the emotional day. He headed straight to his bedroom and flopped down on his bed.

Polly followed him into the room, her kind voice breaking through his tiredness.

"Basil, someone is trying to call you through our home phone, but I don't recognize the number. Do you want me to answer it?"

Feeling a spark of curiosity amidst his exhaustion, Basil sat up on his bed and nodded. He rose from his bed and made his way into the living room where he grabbed the landline phone from its cradle. Answering it, he wondered who could be calling at this hour of the evening.

"Hello?"

"Is that you Basil? It's Kim."

"O-Oh, Hi Kim! What's up?"

"Aubrey is here with me right now. We Found something pretty big that could help us find Sunny's residence."

Basil's eyes widened.

"What? Did you find out where he lives?"

"No...not exactly. We found a business contact number from his mother. We haven't contacted her yet, but we will do that probably tomorrow. If she says yes, then maybe we'll get more info on Sunny."

Basil sighed in relief.

"Thanks, Kim. I hope you'll be able to get us more information on Sunny."

He could hear Kim laughing on the other end of the line.

"No problem... or something along those lines. Anyway, me and Aubrey are heading out right now, but if you need us for anything, give us a call, alright?"

"Sure thing. Bye!"

With a heavy sigh, he hung up the phone and retreated into his bedroom, gently closing the door behind him. The soft glow of the moon filtered in through the window, casting long shadows on the walls. Basil's tired gaze fell upon the clock, its red digits reading 10:17 PM. He couldn't believe how late it was already.

Fighting against exhaustion, Basil crawled into bed and let out an exhausted yawn. As his eyes fluttered closed, he couldn't help but think about all the things he needed to do tomorrow. Yet, for now, he let himself succumb to sleep's warm embrace.

Chapter Text

The process of moving was a tedious and overwhelming one for Sunny. Boxes towered over him, their weight bearing down on his mind like a heavy burden. As he gazed at the chaos of his belongings all packed up, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness and fear creeping in. This house had been his home for his entire life, and now it was slowly disappearing from his view. A lump formed in his throat as he swallowed the thought of never seeing it again.

In an attempt to distract himself from these unsettling emotions, Sunny focused on organizing the items in his room into separate cardboard boxes. Each box was labeled with its designated contents: Books, Toys, and Trash. With determination, Sunny began picking out specific items that seemed like garbage, like a pen cap and an old dirty sock. He then moved on to sorting through his books, throwing some in the Book box without even looking at their covers.

As he worked, he couldn't help but catch glimpses of familiar toys that reminded him of happy memories with friends. A few went into the toy box, while the rest were tossed in the Trash box with a twinge of hesitation. Did he need them anymore?

Amidst the chaos, Sunny's old pinwheel caught his eye and landed in the trash box without a second glance. Despite feeling satisfied with his progress, he noticed a few items that seemed out of place. Deciding to deal with it later, he left his room and headed downstairs, only to be met by the sight of the sun setting outside his window.

Even though it was still late afternoon, Sunny knew that time would fly by and night would arrive sooner than expected. Before heading downstairs to continue packing, he grabbed his sketchbook from his desk and flipped through its pages. Lately, motivation to create new art had eluded him, so instead, he used it as a sort of dream diary, jotting down ideas and sketches that came to him.

As he flipped through the pages of his worn sketchbook, his fingers traced over each carefully drawn line and vibrant color. His heart swelled with bittersweet nostalgia as he lingered on a particular drawing - all of his friends gathered in a brightly colored room, watched over by a giant cat. It was a scene from his dreams, one that he longed to see again.

Determined to capture the image, he opened a fresh page and placed his pencil onto the paper. With each stroke, memories flooded back to him - the laughter, the inside jokes, the carefree days spent together. He poured his soul into each detail of the drawing, trying to recreate the feeling of pure joy and friendship.

Sunny stepped back to admire his work, noticing how it resembled his other sketches from the past few days. A small smile formed on his lips before he closed the book and returned it to its place on his desk. As he walked out of his room, he couldn't help but stare down at the staircase - each step holding a memory of times shared with his friends. Emotions bubbled up in his throat as he made his way down, gripping the railing tightly for support.

"What am I doing? I should just go to bed... I can see them later..."

With a deep breath, he steadied himself to descend the last step, his foot slipping slightly before finding its grip. He held tightly onto the railings as he made his way down, the metal cold and slick under his hands.

Sunny walked towards the living room, gazing through the large glass door that led to the backyard. Past the neatly trimmed grass and flower beds was the tree house that he and his friends had built together. Memories flooded back to him as he stood there, hesitant to open the door and see it once again.

After a moment of contemplation, he pushed open the glass sliding door, feeling the cool summer air wash over him. The sun had just set, casting a warm glow of orange and pink across the sky. It reminded him of pictures Basil used to take of the sunset with Aubrey and Kel.

As Sunny scanned the backyard, his heart raced with anticipation. But when he reached the tree house, his excitement turned into disappointment.

There was nothing here.

He climbed up the ladder and entered the tree house, surprised by how dusty it was inside. Branches seemed to have grown through cracks in the walls and ceiling, giving it a wild and abandoned appearance. Familiar items littered the floor - old toys that belonged to Aubrey now faded and covered in mold. Comic books and action figures were scattered about haphazardly. The old TV that Kel brought in was broken and coated in layers of dust. It was clear that no one had been here for a long time.

Amidst the rubble and debris, one thing caught Sunny's eye. An old pinwheel, standing tall and proud among the ruins of their childhood memories. He felt a pang in his chest as he recalled the days they used to spend in Faraway Town, placing these colorful windmills all around the neighborhood.

But as he looked around at the destruction and thought about what had happened to their friendship, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and sadness. They were supposed to grow up together, sharing every milestone and strengthening their bond. But instead, here he was, about to move away and lose touch with everyone.

He lowered himself to the ground, trying to clear his mind and make sense of it all. But it was like there was a fog clouding his thoughts, preventing him from seeing clearly. All he wanted was to go back to those simpler times when they could talk for hours without a care in the world.

How had things fallen apart so completely? The carefree days of childhood seemed like a distant dream now, replaced by guilt, isolation, and pain. Sunny's eyes were drawn again to the lone pinwheel standing amidst the ruins. Its cheerful colors and spinning motion felt almost mocking in the desolate treehouse.

He reached out and gently touched one of the pinwheel's blades, causing it to spin lazily. Round and round it went, hypnotizing him with its repetitive motion. Sunny found himself getting lost in the whirling colors.

Suddenly, he felt drained and exhausted. It all seemed pointless now, a waste of time and effort. He knew he needed to let go of the past and accept that change was inevitable.

With a heavy heart, he got up and made his way towards the front door, slamming it shut behind him. Climbing up the stairs to his room, he pushed aside any lingering doubts or regrets. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and tried to push forward.

But as he turned around, it felt like something inside him was holding him back. He could have sworn he heard someone calling out his name. Ignoring the feeling, he entered his room and closed the door softly behind him.

He walked towards his desk near his computer, he didn’t know what to do at the moment.

Sunny sat down at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen. He felt lost and unsure of what to do next. Part of him wanted to reach out to his old friends, but another part held him back.

He glanced at the clock - it was getting late. With a sigh, Sunny decided it was time to try to get some sleep.

Just as he sat down on his bed, the sound of his phone ringing interrupted the silence. Normally, it would probably be his mom reminding him about moving day tomorrow. But this time, it was someone unexpected - Basil.

"Hi Sunny, just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I'm not doing so great myself; I'm currently in the hospital. I...I did something stupid, but I hope you're doing okay. Just wanted to let you know that I'll miss you when you move away. Take care."

After reading the message, a chill ran down Sunny's spine and his eyes widened in shock. His mind was trying to process what had happened, but he was too exhausted to think clearly. All he could hear echoing in his head were Basil's last words. He settled back into bed, lying flat on his back.

Just as he began drifting off to sleep, he opened his eyes, noticing the strands of fine black hair above him. Nothing was wrong about this.

Chapter Text

Fighting against exhaustion, Basil crawled into bed and let out an exhausted yawn. As his eyes fluttered closed, he couldn't help but think about all the things he needed to do tomorrow. Yet for now, he let himself succumb to sleep's warm embrace.

Basil's eyes snapped open at the sudden knocking sound on his window. His heart began to race as he slowly sat up in bed, squinting through the darkness towards the source of the noise.

The knocking came again, more insistent this time. Basil's pulse quickened as he cautiously approached the window, pulling back the curtain with trembling hands.

To his shock, he saw a familiar face peering in at him, it was Aubrey… and Kel?

"What are you guys doing here?" Basil whispered urgently, glancing nervously towards his closed bedroom door.

"We need to talk to you," Aubrey said, her voice low and serious. "It's about Sunny."

Basil's eyes widened. "Did you find out where he is?"

Kel shook his head. "Not exactly, but we have a lead. Can we come in?"

Basil hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He stepped back as Aubrey and Kel climbed through the window, landing softly on his bedroom floor.

"So what's going on?" Basil asked once they were inside.

Aubrey took a deep breath before speaking. "We managed to get in touch with Sunny's mom earlier today. She was...hesitant at first, but eventually agreed to give us Sunny's new address."

Basil's heart leapt into his throat. "You... you know where Sunny is?" he whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and anxiety.

Aubrey nodded solemnly. "Yeah, but it's not exactly close. He's in a city about three hours from here."

"We were thinking," Kel chimed in, his usual cheerful tone subdued, "maybe we could all go visit him this weekend. You know, surprise him and stuff."

Basil's mind raced. The thought of seeing Sunny again after all this time filled him with both excitement and dread. What would he say? How would Sunny react? The weight of their shared secret pressed heavily on his chest.

"I... I don't know," Basil stammered, wringing his hands nervously. "What if he doesn't want to see us? What if-"

"Basil," Aubrey interrupted, her voice softening slightly. "We know it's been hard. For all of us. But don't you think it's time we faced this? Together?"

Kel nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, man. We've been apart for too long. Maybe seeing Sunny could help us all heal, you know?"

Basil's gaze darted between his two friends, conflicting emotions warring within him. The urge to retreat, to hide away from the painful memories, was strong. But there was also a tiny spark of hope, a longing to reconnect with the friend he'd lost.

"I... I guess we could try," Basil said hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kel beamed, some of his usual exuberance returning. "Alright! Road trip time! We can take my mom's minivan. I'll bring snacks!"

“W-wait a second, I got to ask Polly if I can even go first…” Basil stammered out.

As if on cue, Polly's gentle voice called from the kitchen, "Basil? Who are you talking to?”

Basil flinched, his eyes darting nervously towards the sound. "N-Nobody Polly!!" he called back, his voice cracking slightly. He turned back to his friends, lowering his voice. "Maybe... maybe we should talk about this later?"

Aubrey rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of understanding beneath her exasperation. "Fine," she muttered, crossing her arms. "But don't think you're getting out of this, Basil. We're going to see Sunny, whether you like it or not."

Kel nodded eagerly, struggling to contain his excitement. "I agree with her! We can iron out the specifics later. Just take some time to consider it, will you?"

Aubrey chimed in, “Why don't we meet at Faraway park tomorrow and discuss our strategies then?”

Basil swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile. "O-okay," he whispered, watching as his friends made their way to the front door. As they left, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread settling in his stomach.

The house fell silent once more, save for the distant sound of the wind outside. He went back in his bed, falling into a deep slumber.

It was morning once again,

Basil awoke to the soft chirping of birds outside his window, the morning light filtering through his curtains. For a moment, he lay still, trying to shake off the remnants of a dream he couldn't quite remember. As consciousness fully returned, so did the weight of yesterday's conversation.

"Basil?"

Basil jolted upright at the sound of Polly's voice calling his name. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced at his bedside clock - it was already past 10 AM.

"Y-yes, Polly?" he called back, his voice still groggy from sleep.

"Breakfast is ready when you are," Polly replied cheerfully. He quickly got dressed and made his way to the kitchen, where Polly was setting out plates of scrambled eggs and toast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

"Good morning," Polly greeted him with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"

Basil nodded, taking a seat at the table. "Y-yes, thank you," he replied softly.

As they began to eat, Basil fidgeted nervously with his fork. He knew he needed to bring up the subject of the trip, but he wasn't sure how to start.

"Um, Polly?" he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. Polly looked up from her plate, her eyes warm and attentive. "Yes, Basil? What is it?"

Basil's fingers tightened around his fork as he struggled to find the right words. "I... um... Kel and Aubrey came by yesterday. They... they want me to go with them to see Sunny."

Polly's eyebrows raised slightly, but her expression remained gentle. "Oh? That's quite a surprise. How do you feel about that, Basil?"

He stared down at his plate, pushing the eggs around aimlessly. "I'm... I'm not sure. It's been so long, and I..." His voice trailed off, the words catching in his throat.

Polly reached across the table, resting her hand lightly on Basil's arm. "It's okay to be nervous, Basil.

Basil felt a lump form in his throat as he met Polly's concerned gaze. He swallowed hard, trying to find the courage to continue.

"I... I don't know if I can face him," he whispered, his voice trembling. "After everything that happened..."

Polly squeezed his arm gently. "Basil, it's been four years. Maybe this is a chance to heal, to reconnect with your old friends."

Basil's mind raced with memories - the accident, the lies, the guilt that had eaten away at him for so long. He shook his head, blinking back tears.

"But what if Sunny hates me?" he choked out. "What if Aubrey still blames me? I... I can't..."

Polly's expression softened further. "Oh, Basil," she said gently, "I don't think Sunny could ever hate you. And Aubrey... well, she's reaching out, isn't she? That must mean something."

Basil's shoulders slumped as he struggled to contain his emotions. He wanted to believe Polly, but the fear that had gripped him for so long was hard to shake.

"I just... I don't know if I'm ready," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Polly leaned in closer, her voice low and soothing. "Sometimes, Basil, we're never truly ready for the things that scare us most. But facing them is how we grow."

He took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself. "But what if... what if I mess everything up again?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

Polly's eyes softened with understanding. "Basil, you can't keep punishing yourself forever. Your friends are reaching out. That's a good sign."

He nodded slowly, but his chest felt tight with anxiety. The thought of seeing Sunny again after all this time made his stomach churn. And Aubrey... her anger still haunted him.

"Maybe..." Basil started, then paused, gathering his courage. "Maybe I could just go for a little while? Just to see how it feels?"

Polly smiled encouragingly. "That sounds like a great idea, Basil. You can always leave if it becomes too much."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "Okay," he said softly, "I'll... I'll try."

Basil made his way to the Faraway Park, each step feeling heavier than the last. As he neared the park entrance, he caught a glimpse of pink hair in the distance. Aubrey.

His heart raced as he approached, his palms growing clammy. Aubrey stood with her back to him, her pink hair swaying gently in the breeze. Basil hesitated, his feet suddenly feeling like lead. He opened his mouth to call out, but no sound came.

Just then, Aubrey turned. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Basil saw a flicker of surprise cross her face, quickly replaced by an unreadable expression.

"Basil," she said, her voice tight. "You actually came."

He swallowed hard, desperately searching for words. "I... yeah. I thought... maybe it was time."

Aubrey's gaze softened slightly, but her posture remained tense. Basil nodded, his eyes darting nervously around the park. "Is... is everyone else here?"

Aubrey's expression hardened slightly. "Kel's on his way.”

Basil sat on the bench, his shoulders hunched as he tried to make himself smaller. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably, filled only by the distant sounds of children playing and birds chirping.

"So..." Aubrey began, her voice cutting through the tension. "How have you been?"

Basil flinched at the question, his fingers nervously picking at the hem of his green vest. "I've been... okay," he lied, his voice barely above a whisper. "How about you?"

Aubrey scoffed, crossing her arms. "Just peachy," she replied, sarcasm dripping from her words.

Basil winced, feeling the weight of unspoken words between them. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a familiar, energetic voice.

"Hey guys!" Kel called out, jogging towards them with a wide grin.

"Kel," Aubrey acknowledged, her tone softening slightly. "You're late."

"Sorry, sorry!" Kel laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Got caught up in a game with the kids at the court. You know how it is."

Aubrey rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of fondness in her exasperation. "Well, now that we're all here, what's the plan?"

Kel's eyes lit up. "Oh! I thought we could head to the hideout. You know, for old times' sake?"

Aubrey glared at Kel at the suggestion."The hideout? Are you serious, Kel?”

Kel's smile faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "Come on, Aubrey. It'll be fun! We can see if any of our old stuff is still there."

"I-I don't know if that's a good idea," Basil stammered, his voice barely audible. "Maybe we could just... stay here?"

Aubrey shot him a sharp look. "What's wrong, Basil? Afraid of a few cobwebs?"

Basil flinched at her tone, shrinking further into himself. Kel stepped forward, his cheerful demeanor wavering slightly.

"Hey, come on guys. We don't have to go if it makes anyone uncomfortable," Kel said, trying to diffuse the situation. "We could grab some Orange Joe at the plaza instead?"

Aubrey scoffed. "Orange Joe? Really, Kel? We're not kids anymore," Aubrey snapped, her pink hair swaying as she shook her head in frustration.

"M-maybe we could just walk around town?" he suggested timidly, his voice barely carrying over the tension in the air.

Kel's face lit up at the suggestion. "That's a great idea, Basil! We could check out the new mural by the community center. I heard it's pretty cool."

Aubrey's expression softened slightly, her grip on her nail bat loosening. "Fine," she muttered, "but no stopping at Gino's. I just can’t eat so much greasy food everyday."

The group set off down the sidewalk, an awkward silence hanging between them. Basil spoke up, saying, “So uh, going to Sunny’s house… How are we going to get there?”

Kel scratched his head, looking thoughtful. "Well, we could always take the bus.”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Great, cramped public transportation. Just what I wanted today."

“Doesn’t Hero have a car? Maybe we can ask him.”

Kel's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "I... I'm not sure. He's been pretty busy with med school lately. But maybe he could just give us a ride?"

“Actually, let me give him a call right now.” Kel

pulled out his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before he dialed Hero's number. The group waited in tense silence as the phone rang once, twice, three times.

"Hey, Hero!" Kel's voice was overly cheerful when his brother finally picked up. "How's it going? Listen, we were wondering if you could give us a ride to Sunny's place?"

Aubrey and Basil eyes darted at Kel, as he waited for a response from Hero. Kel's cheerful demeanor faltered slightly, his smile becoming strained.

"Oh, I see," Kel said, his voice losing some of its enthusiasm. "No, no, it's okay. We understand. Thanks anyway, bro."

As Kel hung up the phone, Aubrey crossed her arms. "Let me guess, he's too busy?"

Kel nodded and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, he's got a huge exam coming up and says he can't take any time off."

Aubrey chimed in, "But doesn't your mom have a car, Kel?"

Kel's expression lit up with excitement at Aubrey's idea. "Yes, Mom's car!" He let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his neck. "But... I'm not entirely sure where she keeps the keys."

Basil nervously played with the edges of his green vest, glancing back and forth between his friends. "U-um, maybe we could try to find them? That is, if it's okay with you, Kel."

Kel's face lit up at the suggestion. "Yes, that's a brilliant idea, Basil! We can definitely search for them. It'll be like going on a treasure hunt!"

Aubrey let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Great. So now we're off on a scavenger hunt in Kel's house. This day just keeps getting more and more exciting."

Despite her sarcastic tone, Aubrey obeyed as Kel took the lead towards his house. Basil trailed behind them with a hint of nervousness. The three of them stepped into the familiar house, and even though Basil's memories were not as clear as Sunny's, it still evoked feelings of nostalgia in him.

Kel's face lit up with a big smile as he exclaimed, "Welcome to my humble abode!"

"So, where do we start?" Aubrey asked, her tone impatient.

Kel tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, Mom usually keeps important stuff in the kitchen. Let's check there first!"

The kitchen was bright and cheerful, with sunlight streaming through the windows. Kel began rifling through drawers, while Aubrey casually opened the door to the fridge.

"M-maybe we should be careful not to make a mess," Basil whispered, his voice barely audible over the clatter of Kel's enthusiastic searching.

Aubrey gave him a stern look. "If it wasn't for Hero's exam, we wouldn't have to do this," she complained while slamming the fridge door.

Kel peeked out from behind the counter, his hair in disarray. "Come on, guys! We should support Hero's hard work. He deserves it!"

Basil quickly nodded in agreement, hoping to ease the tension.

"Yes, absolutely. Hero has always been so committed..."

"Kel, hold on. Are your parents at the house right now?" Aubrey interrupted.

Kel stopped his search and grinned sheepishly. "Oops, I forgot to mention - they're both out for the day. My dad is at work and my mom took Sally to her dance recital."

"So... there aren't any cars in the driveway?" Basil asked with a raised eyebrow.

Kel’s face went pale as realization dawned on him. "Oh no," he whispered, his usual cheerful demeanor faltering. "The keys... they're probably in the car."

Aubrey let out a frustrated groan. "Are you kidding me? We've been searching this whole time for nothing?"

Basil stood quiet for a moment, his fingers nervously intertwining as he struggled to find the right words. The tension in the room was palpable, and he could feel his heart racing in his chest.

"Actually, I have an idea."

Chapter Text

“Actually, I have an idea.”

Basil took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves as Kel and Aubrey looked at him expectantly.

"W-well," he began hesitantly, "I was thinking... maybe we could ask Polly if she could drive us? She has a car and she's been really supportive lately..."

Aubrey's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. "Polly? Your caretaker?"

Basil nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Y-yeah. She's been really kind to me and I think she might be willing to help."

Kel's face lit up. "That's a great idea, Basil! Polly's super nice. I bet she'd be happy to drive us!"

Aubrey crossed her arms, considering the suggestion.

"I guess it's worth a shot. Better than waiting around here all day."

Basil felt a small surge of relief at her acceptance. He pulled out his phone with trembling hands, scrolling to Polly's number.

"Should I... should I call her now?" he asked quietly.

Kel nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, go for it Basil!"

Basil took a deep breath and pressed the call button. The phone rang once, twice, three times before Polly's warm voice came through the speaker.

"Hello? Basil, is everything alright?"

"H-hi Polly," Basil stammered. "I was wondering... um... if you're not too busy..."

Basil took another deep breath and mustered up his courage. "Polly, I was wondering if you might be able to drive me and my friends to visit Sunny this weekend. We found out where he lives and really want to see him, but we don't have a way to get there. It's about a 3 hour drive..."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. Basil's heart raced as he waited for Polly's response.

"Oh Basil, that's wonderful that you want to reconnect with Sunny," Polly said warmly. "I'd be happy to drive you all. When were you thinking of going?"

Relief washed over Basil. "R-really? Thank you so much Polly! We were hoping to go this Saturday, if that works for you."

"Saturday should be fine," Polly replied. "Let me just check my schedule... yes, I'm free. What time would you like to leave?"

Basil looked to his friends, who were listening intently. Kel made excited gestures, pointing at his watch.

"Um, maybe around 9 AM?" Basil suggested hesitantly. "That way we could get there by noon?"

"That sounds perfect," Polly said. "I'll make sure the car is ready. Will it just be you, Kel, and Aubrey?"

"Y-yes, just the three of us," Basil confirmed, feeling his anxiety spike again at the thought of actually going through with this plan.

"Wonderful," Polly said. "I'll pick you all up at 9 AM sharp on Saturday. Make sure to bring some snacks for the road."

"Thank you so much, Polly," Basil whispered, his voice thick with gratitude. "I... I really appreciate this."

"Of course, dear. I'm proud of you for taking this step. I'll see you at home later."

After hanging up, Basil looked up to find Kel and Aubrey staring at him expectantly. The weight of what they were about to do suddenly hit him like a freight train. In just a few days, he would be face-to-face with Sunny for the first time since... since everything fell apart.

"So it's settled then," Aubrey said, her voice cutting through his spiraling thoughts. "Saturday at 9 AM."

Kel clapped his hands together excitedly. "This is going to be amazing! I wonder what Sunny's been up to all this time. Do you think he'll be surprised to see us?"

"I... I don't know," Basil whispered, his voice barely audible. "Maybe we should have called first? What if he's not even home?"

Aubrey's expression softened slightly as she watched Basil's face grow pale. Despite her own complicated feelings, she could see the genuine terror in his eyes. "Look, we'll figure it out when we get there," she said, her tone less harsh than before. "We can't keep second-guessing everything."

Kel nodded enthusiastically, though his smile seemed a bit forced. "Aubrey's right! We've come this far, haven't we? Besides, it's Sunny we're talking about. He's our friend."

Was our friend, Basil thought bitterly, but he didn't voice the correction. The past tense felt too heavy, too final. Instead, he found himself nodding along,

a hollow smile plastered on his face. "You're right. It'll be... nice to see him again."

The words felt like ash in his mouth, but neither Kel nor Aubrey seemed to notice his discomfort. Or if they did, they chose not to comment on it.

"So, it's settled then,"Aubrey spoke, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear. Basil looked at her in agreement, and Kel pumped his fist in the air. "Road trip!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm cutting through the tension like a knife.

Basil managed to put on a smile, even though anxiety was twisting his stomach. The idea of meeting Sunny again after so long made his hands shake.

"Well, I should probably head home," Aubrey said, her voice startlingly gentle. "Got to figure out what to pack and stuff."

"Yeah, me too," Kel agreed. "Mom's gonna want me home for dinner anyway."

The three of them walked out of Kel's house together, an awkward silence hanging between them. As they reached the sidewalk, Kel turned to face them both.

"Meet at Basil's at 8:45 on Saturday, okay? Don't be late, Aubrey!"

Aubrey rolled her eyes. "I'm never late. You're the one who's always running behind."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!" Kel insisted, crossing his arms with a pout.

Basil couldn't help but smile at their familiar bickering. For a brief moment, it felt like old times—before everything changed, his smile faltered. The weight of the past pressed down on his shoulders once more, and he found himself staring at the cracks in the sidewalk.

"I should probably go," he murmured, his voice barely audible over Aubrey and Kel's continued debate.

They paused mid-argument, turning to look at him with matching expressions of concern.

"You okay, Basil?" Kel asked, his cheerful demeanor softening.

"Y-yeah," Basil stammered, avoiding their eyes. "Just tired. It's been a long day."

Aubrey studied him for a moment, her gaze piercing. Basil could feel her eyes on him, searching for something—the truth, perhaps. But she simply nodded.

"Get some rest," she said, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "We've got a big day ahead of us on Saturday."

Basil nodded, grateful for her understanding.

Kel clapped a hand on Basil's shoulder, startling him slightly. "Hey, it's going to be okay, you know? Seeing Sunny again... I think it'll be good for all of us."

"I hope so," Basil whispered, not entirely convinced.

“Trust me," Kel insisted, his smile unwavering. "This is going to be awesome. Just you wait!"

With that, they parted ways, each heading in different directions. Basil watched them go, Aubrey's pink hair swaying as she walked, Kel's energetic bounce in his step. For a moment, he felt a pang of nostalgia so strong it nearly knocked the wind out of him.

The walk home was quiet, his thoughts louder than the occasional passing car or chirping bird. By the time Basil reached his front door, his heart felt heavy with anticipation and dread. Polly greeted him with a warm smile as he stepped inside, but even her kindness couldn't fully ease the tension coiled in his chest.

"Everything all set for Saturday?" she asked, stirring something on the stove that smelled like tomato soup.

"Yeah," Basil replied softly. "Kel and Aubrey will be here at 8:45."

Polly nodded thoughtfully. "Basil, it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about seeing Sunny again, especially after everything that happened..."

Her voice faded, but the unsaid words lingered between them. Basil felt a lump form in his throat.

"I understand," he murmured, nervously fidgeting with the hem of his green vest. "I just don't know what to say to him after all this time."

Polly turned away from the stove, her eyes filled with empathy. "Sometimes, the most important things don't require many words," she said, gently squeezing his shoulder. "The fact that you're going—that you're making the effort—speaks volumes."

Basil nodded, though uncertainty still gnawed at him. He excused himself to his room, collapsing onto his bed with a heavy sigh. The ceiling above him seemed to spin slightly as his thoughts raced. He got up, walking over to his dresser where his old camera sat

gathering dust. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. The weight of it was familiar, comforting in a way, despite everything.

Should he bring it on Saturday? Would Sunny want to see it? The camera represented so much of their shared past—both the good and the terrible. His fingers trembled slightly as he set it back down, still undecided.

Basil moved to his window, gazing out at the darkening sky. Somewhere, miles away, Sunny was living his life, unaware that in a day, his past would come knocking on his door. The thought made Basil's stomach twist with anxiety.

Basil pressed his forehead against the cool glass, watching as the first stars appeared in the twilight sky. What would Sunny's face look like when he saw them? Would there be joy? Anger? Or worst of all—nothing at all? The possibility that Sunny might look at him with empty eyes, devoid of any recognition or emotion, terrified Basil more than any confrontation.

He pushed himself away from the window and began pacing the small confines of his room.

His mind raced with imagined scenarios of their reunion, each one more anxiety-inducing than the last. In one, Sunny slammed the door in their faces. In another, he pretended not to know them at all.

Would Sunny even want to see them? Or would he slam the door in their faces, his eyes cold and unforgiving? Basil shuddered, pulling his cardigan tighter around his thin frame despite the summer warmth.

Basil slumped onto his bed, burying his face in his hands. Everything was tangled - the past, the present, the truth, the lies. He didn't know how to untangle it anymore. Maybe seeing Sunny would help. Or maybe it would just make everything worse.

A soft knock at his door startled him from his thoughts.

"Basil? Dinner's ready," Polly called gently.

"Coming," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he followed Polly to the kitchen, Basil tried to push away the dread that had settled in his chest. Whatever happened on Saturday, he would face it. He had to.

That night, sleep eluded Basil. He tossed and turned, his mind replaying memories of Sunny, of Mari, of that fateful day when everything changed. By the time morning light filtered through his curtains, his eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but his mind remained restless.

The next day passed in a blur of anxiety and preparation. Basil found himself checking and rechecking his bag, unsure of what to bring for such an uncertain reunion. Should he pack an overnight bag? Would they even stay that long? The questions swirled endlessly.

When Saturday morning finally arrived, Basil was already awake before his alarm, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at his camera on the dresser. After much deliberation, he carefully placed it in his bag, along with his medication and a change of clothes. Just in case.