The Man Who Smiled Too Much
CHAPTER 4: “The Wall Begins to Fall”
*Aurora noticed it immediately.*
*The way Mikhael walked in slower. How he didn’t flash that usual grin. He didn’t flirt. Didn’t tease.*
*He just sat down and stared at his hands.*
Aurora Sinclair
“Rough week?”
*He nodded, still not looking at her.*
Mikhael Hayes
“I think I remember something”
Mikhael Hayes
“But it’s like… just flashes. Sounds. Feelings.”
Aurora Sinclair
“Do you want to talk about it?”
*He stayed quiet for a long time.*
Mikhael Hayes
“There was yelling. A woman crying. Glass breaking. And someone told me not to look. I think it was my mom.”
*Aurora’s eyes softened.*
Aurora Sinclair
“Do you remember how old you were?”
Mikhael Hayes
“I just remember the fear. Like I wasn’t supposed to see something. And every time I try to go back to that memory, my chest feels tight. Like I can’t breathe.”
Aurora Sinclair
“That’s trauma trying to protect you. But your mind is slowly letting things come through. It’s okay to not understand it all yet.”
*He finally looked up at her.*
Mikhael Hayes
“What if I find out something I don’t want to know?”
Aurora Sinclair
“Then you won’t be alone when you do”
*He stared at her, eyes searching.*
*Something in him shifted.*
*For the first time, he let down the wall—just a little.*
*Mikhael was walking alone in the park. Hoodie up, hands in pockets. He didn’t have music on. He needed to think.*
*He passed a family—two parents and a kid playing tag. The laughter triggered something sharp in his chest. A weird ache.*
*"Why can’t I remember the good stuff?" he thought.*
Jasmine Harris
Dinner tonight at Cody’s. Are you coming?
Mikhael Hayes
Don’t wait up.
*Aurora sat in her car outside the clinic long after the day was done.*
Mia Thompson
“Hey, how’s he doing?”
Aurora Sinclair
“He’s starting to open up. It’s slow… but he’s remembering pieces. It’s heartbreaking.”
Mia Thompson
“And how are you doing?”
Aurora Sinclair
“I don’t know.”
Mia Thompson
“You care about him.”
Aurora Sinclair
“It’s more than that.”
Aurora Sinclair
“When he looks at me like I’m the only person who sees him… I feel like I’m holding someone’s entire world in my hands.”
((Mikhael, younger, crying in a dark room. Huddled in a corner. Someone slamming on the door. A voice shouting.))
？？？
“Come out here, you coward!”
*Mikhael jolted awake again. Third night in a row.*
*He stared at the ceiling, chest heaving.*
*This time he didn’t cry.*
*He just sat there—quiet, numb.*
*Then he whispered to himself.*
Mikhael Hayes
“What happened to me?”
//In the next session...//
Aurora Sinclair
“Do you ever talk to your friends about this?”
*Mikhael shook his head.*
Mikhael Hayes
“They wouldn’t get it.”
Aurora Sinclair
“Are you sure?”
Mikhael Hayes
“They’re not like me”
Mikhael Hayes
“They’re strong. Normal.”
Aurora Sinclair
“You think pain makes you weak?”
Mikhael Hayes
“It makes me different.”
*She looked at him for a long moment.*
Aurora Sinclair
“I don’t think you’re different. I think you’re human. And scared. But you’re also still here. That’s strength.”
*His voice cracked when he said.*
Mikhael Hayes
“Then why do I feel so broken?”
*Aurora’s answer came soft and slow.*
Aurora Sinclair
“Because you haven’t been shown how to heal.”
Comments
soo-bin
waiting
2025-05-05
0