(no subject)

 

*Darnell's appointment at the hospital is in an hour. The place is close, only a fifteen minute drive to get there, so there's time.*

Cody: ...*he nods. He never meant to dream of his foster mom, he just missed her. But he can't forget the night he was awoken by a gunshot, his foster father having missed shooting Cody only because the Canker Man roared from down the hallway... he knows the man missed her, Cody missed her too, and was haunted by the fact that the monster took her... He tucks his face to Darnell's shoulder with a huff.* I don't want to sleep... ever again. *but what does he do if the Canker Man returns while he's awake again?*

Darnell: *HUGS him* I know . . . I know . . . I can't begin to imagine how hard this is for you. But we'll work it out. We'll make it safe for you to sleep again. We'll figure something out. *loves on him a moment, then will shift him back to look at him* I'm sure you don't want to talk about it, but I need to know . . . what happened while I was asleep? What brought the Canker Man this time?

Cody: *glances at the TV, then his gaze drops.* ...it was Tony's parents... *tony being the boy from school who "ran away", or, as Cody tells it, was eaten by the Canker Man...*

Darnell: ....what about Tony's parents? *gently prompting*

Cody: ...They were on TV... *looks at Darnell, ready to cry again.*

Darnell: *brushes his face, just loving on him* What were they talking about? And what were you thinking?

Cody: *tears fill his eyes* They want him to come home.... i-it's my fault. I fell asleep. I didn't mean to.

Darnell: *pulls him close again, rocking him* I know you didn't. Your body just gave out. The human body isn't built to withstand going without sleep past a certain point. Your body couldn't take it anymore, and you fell asleep. It's /not/ your fault. What happened between you and Tony before the Canker Man showed up?

Cody: ...He broke my jar with my butterfly in it...I hit him. He was waiting for me so I asked the teacher if I could stay in for recess because I didn't feel good. She said she had to make a phone call but I could put my head down on my desk while she was out. I-I fell asleep... I think Alice saw the Canker Man... I woke up when she screamed.