Remington concentrated and released the telescope ability letting them fade back into the void then they returned back to base. Skyler took them through a portal to the infirmary. Remington went right to the hospital bed and sat down.

  “I understand if you want to strap me down again. I would if I were you.” Remington said mildly. Skyler was quiet.

  “Good to see you both back safe and sound. Is there anything I can help you with?” Zexich appeared in the doorway.

  “No thank you, Zex.” Remington said softly.

  “I think Rem is in a lot of pain.” Skyler said seriously.

  “I'm fine.” Remington said.

  “If you are in pain Remington I have absolutely no problem giving you something to help.” Zexich offered.

  “I said I’m fine. As a matter of fact you can consider me a DNR from now on. I am verbally telling you that you do not have my consent to provide me any more medical care. If I have to sign something to make it official then I will.” Remington said seriously, looking irritated.

  “That is very unfortunate. Very well. I will leave you to yourself then.” Zexich turned to leave. Skyler watched Remington lay back on the bed and fall into contemplation.

  “What’s a DNR?” Skyler asked seriously.

  “Do not resuscitate. In the medical field this means he is not allowed to save my life if I am dying. I know how professional he is, so if I tell him I do not give him consent to provide me medical care, then I know he won't do anything to save me.” Remington said mildly. This immediately made Skyler emotional.

  “Why would you tell him that?!” Skyler snapped.

  “Because I want to die, Skyler! It ain't no fucking new thing in my life you know!” Remington snapped. “I had this conversation with Ava. I will help find Maxwell, then you all can vote on which one of you wants to kill me, and if you all decide you don't want to kill me then I'll fucking do it myself!” Remington snapped.

  “Rem you don't…”

  “Shut up, I don't want to talk about it anymore! My face is throbbing and I'm trying very hard to figure out how to get Maxwell back!” Remington snapped. Skyler was angry but quiet. Remington took a few moments to calm down. “I need to talk to Demetri. Can you please find him.” Remington said, trying not to cry. Skyler looked frustrated but pulled out his device and made a call.

  “Hey…….are you busy?…….okay……… come to the kitchen when you are finished. We need to talk.” Skyler said seriously. He paused for a moment then snapped the device shut. “Come to the kitchen with me.” Skyler said. Remington took a deep breath and followed Skyler through a portal to the kitchen. Skyler walked over to the refrigerator and got something to drink then walked back to the table and sat down. He offered one to Remington but Remington only shook his head no. He stood there rather awkwardly now as if he wasn't sure what to do with himself.

  “Demetri will be here soon. He is in the office helping Sigil do the leader stuff that Maxwell would be doing. Have a seat.” Skyler said. Remington came over and nervously sat down.

  “So what's the deal with Lux? He didn't make very much sense. You seem to understand him though.” Skyler said seriously.

  “He didn't make any sense to me either, until you understand what he is distracted with.” Remington said solemnly.

  “Well explain it to me?” Skyler said, looking mildly interested.

  “He hears voices. When he seems like he isn't paying attention, it's only because he is listening to the voices. They tell him things, usually as soon as someone enters the room, the voices make an assessment and tell him, but they also talk to him constantly too. He said sometimes they lie to him, and sometimes they tell him the truth and he can never tell which until he finds proof one way or the other, so usually he believes whatever makes the most sense, until proven otherwise. He seems aloof and strange and even a bit stupid because of how he behaves but really he is very smart and observant. He figured out a lot of things that Vezaias never explained just by observation, and listening to the voices, even when Vezaias lied and told him otherwise.” Remington explained.

  “What was he writing?” Skyler asked.

  “A suicide letter. He has to make it perfect or else he won't kill himself. He is probably on number 50 by now.” Remington said solemnly. “I asked him if I could read it. He told me only after he makes it perfect. So I have to wait.” Skyler looked thoughtful now.

  “Why did he think the food was poisonous?” Skyler asked.

  “The voices probably told him the food was poisonous. They were lying that time.” Remington said looking amused. Skyler fell into consideration now. A portal opened and Demetri came out. He approached the table looking angry but curious.

  “Did you find him?” Demetri asked quickly.

  “No…” Remington began. He was feeling scared now, since Demetri looked like he wanted to attack him again. “….I haven't given up. I just don't know how to control my talent very much. I have a clue though. Vezaias would have put him in a delusion where he would be most subordinate. It would be someplace he is comfortable where he wouldn't want to escape from. It's a delusional place that Maxwell would manifest on his own. It would seem real to him, like he belongs there. If I know what this place is, I would be able to find its location easier. Do you know of any particular place that Maxwell's mind could manifest that would make him most comfortable?” Remington asked. Demetri thought about this for a moment. “This place is like a dream, where anything is possible.” Remington added.

  “He would go to the past, in the common room, before the fire. Back when we used to sit and practice our talents, when he would help me learn new songs on my Tritar.” Demetri said. “When he has good dreams at night……this is always what he dreams about.” Demetri said, getting emotional. Remington thought for a moment.

  “I have an idea. I will need your help Skyler. I think I might be able to find him now.” Remington said. Remington got up slowly feeling shaky and dizzy but took a deep breath. Skyler got up and waited.

  “Show me a memory of this moment. I will activate my telescope when you do, with luck, maybe I will connect to the memory and that will be the signal I need to find him.” Remington said. Skyler nodded and got ready to give Remington the memory directly from Demetri. He took a hand and placed it on Demetri’s shoulder and then the other on Remington's shoulder and pushed the memory through. Remington quickly faded into the void and pressed the 'telescope' button. Suddenly the room shifted and the three of them were hurtling through the universe until they came to an abrupt stop inside the common room. Demetri and Skyler were thoroughly amazed and then thrilled when they realized Maxwell was sitting on the big fluffy armchair. Demetri immediately ran to him.

  “Maxwell!” He shouted, but as he got over to the armchair and tried to reach for Maxwell he seemed to fall right through as if he were made out of smoke. He got to his feet quickly and very bewildered.

  “What is going on?!” Demetri asked urgently.

  “We must not be here completely.” Remington said, looking around the room suspiciously.

  “Maxwell! Can you hear me??” Demetri shouted coming back in front of the chair. Maxwell didn't react and only looked desperate and unhappy while tapping his feet very anxiously. Demetri stood right in front of him but could not be seen. Suddenly the door opened to the common room. Maxwell jumped up eagerly looking thrilled. He ran right through Demetri like a swift breeze through the trees. Demetri turned looking devastated until he realized that Maxwell was rushing over to see a much younger version of Demetri. His younger self ran into the room looking thrilled and a bit shy.

  “Squirt! I'm so glad you are here!” Maxwell said as if any moment he would completely fall apart.

  “Squirt? What's that for?” Younger Demetri said, looking puzzled by the nickname.

  “Oh! Sorry…you haven't…I mean….. um….. Demetri. I was just very excited to see you. I'm so glad you are here. I've been waiting…..it seems like….. forever…….just to see you again.” Maxwell said very emotionally and slightly awkward at the sudden change to the younger version of Demetri.

  “I’m glad to see you too Maxwell…” Young Demetri seemed to redden by the attention. “….but we just saw each other yesterday….” Young Demetri said sheepishly.

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  “I know….but it still feels like I've been waiting ages to see you again. When you leave……I just……I think about you constantly…..and I miss you so much……” Maxwell said, trying to control the desperation in his voice.

  “I think about you a lot too Maxwell. Getting to hang out with you here is like the best part of my week.” Young Demetri looked very innocently coy now. Maxwell smiled.

  “Mine too.…….so much has happened……so many things that you just don't know about yet……” Maxwell was about to cry. Young Demetri looked concerned but blushed even redder.

  “What are you talking about?” Young Demetri asked, looking bewildered.

  “….I'm sorry……This is probably strange……um……gosh you look so different.” Maxwell seemed to be struck for a moment.

  “Are you alright?” Young Demetri asked.

  “Yeah….I'm perfect now that you are here…..so…….what do you want to do?” Maxwell asked, trying to settle back into the past moment.

  “Well…. I've already memorized those songs that I worked on yesterday. I can show you. Then if you want you can pick another song for me to learn….” Young Demetri trailed off. “…..unless you would rather do something else today.”

  “I would love to see you play your Tritar. It's my absolute favorite thing ever. Please can we do that?” Maxwell said longingly. Young Demetri smiled sheepishly.

  “Sure, you want to grab the book?” Young Demetri said, coming over to the big couch to sit down. Maxwell turned and went to go get the book. He looked at it with a smile. He hadn't seen this book in a very long time.

  “Here is the book. So let's hear those songs.” Maxwell said, looking happy as pie. He said sitting down across from Young Demetri as he began to play the songs he had just memorized the day prior. Demetri listened, remembering the day that he learned these songs. He smiled through fresh tears and came over and sat on his knees on the floor and watched Maxwell watching his younger self play and sing.

  “Demetri, we should go. I really don't know how to get Maxwell out of here. I think I need to go and talk to Lux again. He is the one who helped me figure out how to find him. Maybe he can help me figure out how to set him free. Can you just give me a little bit more time to figure it out?” Remington said solemnly. Remington was also feeling sick and dizzy, and his face was throbbing in pain. Demetri looked up at Remington in tears. He nodded softly.

  “I don't want to leave him.” Demetri said, trying desperately not to cry.

  “I can bring you back again, but let me figure this out. I promise he will be safe here until I can bust him out.” Remington said, trying to be reassuring. Demetri sighed and wiped his tears then got up. Remington ended the telescope transmission and they arrived back in the kitchen. Remington watched Demetri sink into a chair looking distraught.

  “I'm sorry Dem. I will figure it out I swear. Just give me more time.” Remington said solemnly. “Can you just take me back to the infirmary? I don't feel very good and I need to rest for a while and think about this.” Remington said looking very unhappy.

  “Rem…” Skyler sighed. “I don't want to strap you to a bed. I'm sure Dem knows how horrible that can be.” Skyler glanced at Demetri. He looked struck for a moment then nodded.

  “I appreciate that you are cooperating and that you found him. You don't have to go back to the hospital bed and be strapped down. We can put you in a holding room.” Demetri said, trying to offer something better. Remington took a deep breath.

  “So I get an upgrade for helping. Great….thanks….” Remington said looking irritated.

  “Well it's better than being strapped to the bed isn't it?” Demetri said flatly.

  “Not really. Nothing about being alive is better.” Remington said getting frustrated very quickly. “Just do whatever you want with me okay?” Remington said full of irritation.

  “Are you serious, I'm not exactly thrilled that it has to be this way, so I offered to make you more comfortable and all you can do is talk about how much you want to die?! Can't you just accept the offer and be fucking glad you don't have to be strapped to a bed anymore?!” Demetri snapped. Remington shut his eye and clenched his fists. He just wanted to be left alone for a while, it didn't matter if he was strapped to a bed or hanging after a quick drop.

  “No I can't just be glad about it!……Ugh.…” Remington shouted, then staggered a bit by the pain in his face. “I found Maxwell like I said I would! He is safe! I will figure out how to free him and you will have him back! I'm sure you are already trying to figure out what to do about Rocks! Zex will recreate him! Everything will be better for all of you!” Remington clutched his face now as the yelling was making his face throb tremendously. He started to get very dizzy. “But I really doubt any of you will agree to recreating Vezaias! So that means I am never going to see him again! I am really struggling to accept that and the first fucking chance I get after I get Maxwell back I am fucking killing myself unless one of you would like to do it for me! I'm not trying to hurt anyone anymore! I'm not being uncooperative! I want to save Maxwell even though I'm not the one who trapped him! It's all that I can do to show you that I am sorry! But beyond that I just want to die!” Remington's face was now getting hot and he was starting to sway and look very pale. Suddenly his vision cut out and his muscles loosened and he fell.

  “Rem!” Skyler jumped forward to catch him. Remington was fully unconscious for a few moments. Soon he could hear voices but they sounded far away. He could feel somebody holding him and it sounded like crying. He felt tingly and his body felt like dead weight.

  “We should take him to Zex.”

  “No, Zex won't help him.”

  “What? Why!”

  “Rem told him he no longer has consent to provide him medical care.”

  “So what! He is unconscious!”

  “Zex takes his job very seriously. He will not work on someone if he knows he doesn't have their consent.” It was quiet for a moment. Demetri was crying softly.

  “Let's take him to a holding room.” He felt like he was floating. He wanted to escape the situation but he was too saturated by a thick blanket of fatigue and the heavy brick of painful weight on his face that seemed to hold him just tightly enough that he couldn't resurface completely from unconsciousness. All he could do was listen to the voices around him and hope that maybe without medical care he would die and finally be free from the torture of this life. He felt himself in a bed now and someone adjusting him around to be as comfortable as possible. He could still hear Demetri crying.

  “I am so angry at him, I attacked him over Maxwell being gone…..over what he did to Rocks…….but at the same time……” Demetri cried. “….. Lucius killed Vezaias…..even if he did all of this terrible shit…..I know that it hurts Rem to lose him……but he is still cooperating……he has not tried to hurt anyone since…….he is trying his best to get Maxwell back, and I don't think he is our enemy……..we did provoke the confrontation……and we don't know why Vezaias did any of these terrible things…….or why he wanted Remington to kill Ava………..I am angry, and at first all I wanted to do was kill him….…..but now I cannot find it in myself to condemn him anymore…..hearing him wanting to kill himself again……it's destroying me….” Demetri sobbed.

  “I understand how you feel…..I feel the same. I don't want to give up on Rem…….I don't want Rem to give up on himself…..” Skyker's voice was shaking. He must be crying too. They were both quiet and soaking in turmoil for a moment.

  “I'm going to Reality. I have to tell Demetri about what happened. They don't know about this yet.”

  “I'm going with you.” There was a whooshing sound and the room fell quiet.

  The silence helped sooth Remington back into deep unconsciousness. He found himself in the void. He noticed that while in the Mindscape his face was no longer throbbing. He wondered why this was, then he proceeded to find the terminal and press the telescope button. He found himself in the bedroom where Lux was sitting at the desk still, writing something and completely ignoring that he had appeared in the room. Remington watched him scribbled for a little bit.

  “What could he possibly do? Kill me? Ugh. One can only hope.” Lux mumbled to nobody. He stopped writing and picked up one of the bottles of tea to drink. “Oh fuck off already, I'm really not in the mood to listen to your shit. You are just constantly yapping, ugh, give it a fucking rest already!” Lux huffed. “You are literally giving me a headache.”

  “Lux?” Remington said very meekly. He waited but now he really wanted to be acknowledged. Lux didn't seem to hear him at first but after finishing his tea he smashed the bottle and turned to throw it in the garbage.

  “Sometimes it just sounds like I'm in a crowded room and I can't really understand anything they are saying. It's really fucking distracting. I think they just want my head to explode.” Lux said looking unhappy.

  “I'm sorry Lux. Do you want me to try and get you some pain medication for your headache?”

  “Nah…I’ll be fine, I just need to…..” Lux stopped talking abruptly and seemed to notice something. He started to lean over to see something that he must have seen from behind Remington. He looked very apprehensive and a bit scared.

  “Uhhh….. Remington……..heh…..do you see anyone behind you?” Lux asked very cautiously. Remington turned slowly and looked behind himself and turned all the way around before he looked back at Lux.

  “No, there isn't anyone else in here. Just you and me.” Remington said, looking puzzled.

  “Um well…...heh okay I won't.” Lux said looking very serious now.

  “Do you see someone?” Remington asked, looking behind himself again. There wasn't anyone there. He turned back to look at Lux.

  “Antigonish.” Lux said softly.

  “Anti….?” Remington questioned.

  “Antigonish.” Lux said, tilting his head to the side.

  “What?” Remington questioned.

  “Yesterday, upon the stair,

  I met a man who wasn't there

  He wasn't there again today

  I wish, I wish he'd go away...

  When I came home last night at three

  The man was waiting there for me

  But when I looked around the hall

  I couldn't see him there at all!

  Go away, go away,

  don't you come back any more!

  Go away, go away, and please don't slam the door... ”

  Lux seemed to jump as if he actually heard a door slam.

  “Last night I saw upon the stair

  I saw man who wasn't there

  He wasn't there again today

  Oh, how I wish he'd go away...”

  Lux said very eerily in a shaky voice.

  Remington was a bit stunned by the poem, and at the same time he really understood how deep in this fractured state of mind that Lux seemed to be in right now.