Page 42 of Celestia, Year Four

"Did Odion sleep last night?"

"Bibo." She shook her head and lifted her hands.

"BOBOOBOBO." She made a weird noise, almost like a growl and her eyes were narrowed.

"Nightmare?" I translated.

"BiBo!" She nodded again and turned to kick her legs up and down like nothing was wrong.

I nodded and lifted her up to place her back on my lap facing forward so I could finish her hair. When I finished, I hummed in approval. "Momo, I'm done."

She was quiet, and I leaned in to notice she'd fallen asleep.

Aww. She must be tired.

I slowly lifted her up and held her against me, her head resting on my right shoulder before I stood. Taking a step back up onto the top step, I waited patiently.

Could the doll be what he holds at night? But he doesn't sleep… maybe Esme would be able to share something.

The topic was far too new to me and I didn't want to do something stupid. Sure, I'd experienced bullying from peers, but that was different.

Physical abuse from someone who was supposed to take care of you left a deep wound, and anything sexual… that was far too much for me to wrap my head around.

I honestly had never heard of it happening to anyone else.

That's why I have to tread carefully. Anything could be a trigger, right? Like those scars on his back and butt… oh Odion.

I had to try not to cry just thinking about it. His whole life turned upside down when he was taken away, all because he was different. The same way that the people of Darkness were looked down upon and eventually outcasted.

History was repeating itself, and I'd yet to figure out how I could stop it. There wasn't much time, and I was scared we'd run out of it.

I heard quiet footsteps and turned my head to see Odion walking down the hall towards us. He wore a black shirt and black jeans. His long locks were left down, and he completed the look with black shoes.

His expression was blank, making me wonder if he was really okay. He noticed me holding Momo in my arms who was still sleeping quietly.

"I think she fell asleep from me braiding her hair," I stated with a gentle smile.

He nodded in understanding. We stood there in silence and I continued to smile.

"Let's go downstairs," I suggested, knowing he wouldn't answer me.

Maybe if we go outside and get some fresh air, he'll feel better? Hmm, do they have air here? Well of course they do but like breeze? Hmm...

Something wrapped around my waist, pulling me back before I could take the first step. "Huh?"

Arms tightened around my waist and I realized Odion was hugging me from behind. His head rested on my left side of my shoulder and I could feel the slight tremble of his body against mine. Odion?

"Sorry," he whispered, his voice so low and filled with fear. My heart sank. "Don't… go."

"Odion… you didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault. I should have announced my arrival louder."

He still continued to hold me tightly, my answer not doing enough to ease him.

"Odion. I'm not leaving without you. Just going downstairs with you and Momo. You didn't offend me." I spoke in a soft but firm voice, hoping it would pass through whatever was running through his head.

"Promise." The simple word held immense heartbreak, like a child begging his mother not to abandon him.

"I promise, Odion," I whispered.

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