Chapter 21 - Confession

This story is part of a collaborative project with additional talented writers. The previous chapters can be found here: https://theprose.com/post/438830/tag-list-and-schedule

The rest of the drive was quiet, which everyone found to be acceptable. Wren had been through an emotional wringer from processing what he had seen in his deep dive into darkness, not to mention still trying to get his mind around this new concept of crying. But once they reached Robin Hood's Bay, Wren perked up and showed the usual excitable side of his personality once again.

"Wow, look at all that water! And that land that curves like a C! So cooooool!"

"Yeah, Fylingdales Moor is pretty impressive." Gareth smiled. "Visiting my parents tends to be stressful, but the views that this place offers are truly breathtaking."

An old fishing village will indeed do that. If Gareth was able to physically see Olban, he assumed that he would also be smiling.

"Fishing? Does this place have fish and chips too?"

"Yeah, Fish Box is pretty good. I suppose we could stop out there after meeting with my parents. Could be a good break after the stress of what we're about to do."

So Gareth, what are your parents like?

"Well, like Olban said, they are overprotective pamperers. Well, my mum especially. My dad doesn't say much, just goes along with what my mum demands. She always thought I was so frail, and the Dissociative Identity Disorder diagnosis caused her to baby me even more. Well today, I want her to know that magic is real, that you guys are real, and that I can stand strong."

Atta boy Gareth, it's about time you stood up to them. So how do you want to approach this?

"We're gonna have Wren turn into a monster and pretend to attack them, and then we're gonna rescue them with the binding spell. We will prove that magic is real, and that we aren't weak!"

Gareth, are you fucking serious? That is possibly the worst idea you've ever come up with!

Olban, don't you think you're being a bit harsh? Gareth is going to know his own parents better than us!

I've known their ways long enough to know that doing a battle role play is a dumbass idea that won't work. We're better off doing some simple magic demonstrations with the armband.

"That won't be enough Olban, they'll just think I'm a children's party magician. We have to simulate a dangerous situation, and show them how far we've come. Binding a demonic threat before their eyes should be more than enough to prove our point. Please, just trust me on this. You're on board, aren't you Wren?"

"Of course, I was born to be a showman! OK, maybe I was actually born to be a minion that was sent to kill you, but I think a showman sounds like a better calling! Will you buy me fish and chips if I let you bind me with that spell again?"

"Of course Wren." Gareth grinned. "Come on guys, we don't want to ruin Wren's dreams of being a showman, or getting more fish and chips, do we?"

Fine, I'll go along with it. But your plan is still terrible.

"And if I'm right, you owe me a drink Olban! Alright guys, we're almost there."

*****

The party reached the house of Gareth's parents, a nice cozy home not far from the beach. If all went well with their reveal, Gareth considered taking Wren to the beach for some fishing and a swim later.

Sarah and Brian Wilks greeted Gareth and Wren at the door. Sarah embraced her son with tears in her eyes, while Brian gave him a firm handshake and a nervous smile.

"Thanks for having us at such short notice Mum and Dad! I hope you don't mind that I brought my friend Wren.... he's going through some changes in his life!"

"A friend of our baby is a friend of ours!" Sarah beamed. "Welcome to our home Wren!"

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Wilks, it is an honor to be here." Wren relied politely.

For being a novice at human life, Wren was a natural there.

Yeah, our little minion boy is growing up!

Gareth quietly scoffed as they entered the living room and took a seat on the couch.

"Brian dear, can you get us some coffee while our son and his friend get situated?"

"Yes my dear." Brian answered quietly. "How do you take your coffee Wren?"

"In a mug would be great! I can't wait to have coffee for the first time!"

"Ha ha ha ha, your friend is so funny!" Sarah laughed. "Brian dear, get Wren some coffee in a mug!"

Brian nodded without cracking a smile before proceeding to the kitchen.

Wren is such an idiot, but it's hard to hold it against him. He's still practically a newborn.

He made Gareth's mom laugh though. That's good, isn't it? What's with his dad being so stoic?

That's how he's always been. He's basically an extension of his wife, no apparent personality of his own.

"Ok guys, can you stop yapping about my parents in my head?"

"What was that dear?" Sarah asked with slight concern.

"Oh nothing, don't worry about it mum."

Brian returned with the mugs, setting them on the coffee table in front of them. Wren picked up his mug and took a big sip, promptly spitting it out and staining Brian's white shirt.

"Oh God, what is this stuff? It's awful!"

"Wren!" Gareth cried out in frustration.

"Oh no, I screwed up didn't I? I'm so sorry Maste.... I mean, Gareth! Mr. Wilks, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to spit on you!"

"It's ok, don't worry about it." Brian said politely, still showing no emotion.

"Don't feel bad Wren, coffee is an acquired taste." Sarah giggled. "Brian dear, can you find something else for our guest?"

"Actually, we have some fizzy drinks in the car." Gareth interjected. "Wren, why don't you go to the car and get one?"

"There's still fizzy drinks in there? I thought we drank it all!"

"There's one more Wren. I think IT'S TIME to drink that last one, don't you agree?"

"Oh yeaaaaaaah, that fizzy drink! OK Gareth, I'll go take care of that now!"

"Sorry about him....." Gareth blushed. "He's not from here, and he's still learning."

"No problem, I think your friend is charming and funny!" Sarah said enthusiastically. "But let's talk about you now darling. How have your appointments been going with Dr. Connor? Has he been able to get your symptoms under control?"

And there it is, your mom hoping that her son becomes a normal boy. I can't wait to prove that there's nothing wrong with you once and for all.

Give it a rest Olban, she's just worried about Gareth, just like my parents worried about me. They just don't understand what's really happening. But when this day is over, they will.

"Gareth, there's a monster at the door!" Wren screamed. "I'm gonna run down the street and get help!"

"Wren, what's going on?" Gareth shouted.

Looks like it's go time Eloise. God I hate this plan, but it looks like Wren's gonna transform and make us save the day.

I'm ready guys. We'll cast that spell and show Gareth's folks the truth! Well, mostly truth anyway.

Wren entered the room in a monster form, sporting rust covered skin, horns, and razor sharp teeth, nails and claws.

"Too bad that really sexy dude ran away, but these two older folks will do!" Wren snarled gleefully.

Sarah screamed and buried herself in Brian's arms. Brian looked on with a bewildered stare, showing emotion for the first time that day.

Wren's acting is so cringy, but it seems like your parents are buying it. Alright Elosie and Gareth, let's cast the binding spell and get this stupid performance over with.

"Mum and dad, don't be afraid. We're going to save you!"

"We?" Brian asked. "But your friend ran away!"

"Not Wren.... my comrade Olban that resides in my head. Mum and Dad, he's real. There's another in my mind too, and her name is Eloise. Magic is also real, and the three of us are going to prove it. Olban and Eloise, let's do this!"

Initosh kaglabah regafla!

"Initosh kaglabah regafla!"

Initosh kaglabah regafla!

The incantation coming from Gareth's mouth got Sarah's attention, and she stared in disbelief as a golden laser emerged from Gareth's wristband, binding Wren like he was being tied up once again. Wren fell to the floor, unable to move.

"Drat, I've been foiled again. I had no chance against these brave, amazing heroes!"

Ugh, you should have never introduced Wren to your animes. He's even cheesier than those shows you watch.

"Lighten up Olban, we did it! We saved my parents!"

Sarah and Brian stared at Gareth, their jaws hanging down. After what felt like an eternity, Sarah walked over to Gareth.

"Gareth, are you telling me that you never had a mental disorder, that you know magic, and this Olban voice in your head was real all along?" Sarah asked while trembling.

"Yes Mum, I've been wanting to tell you both for so long. That's why I came here today. I'm sorry, I didn't think a monster was following us. We've defeated three others already...."

"Lies!" Sarah yelled while continuing to tremble. "My sweet baby would never be caught up in magic, or monster fighting! He's too frail for such things!"

"Mum, I'm not frail! This is the real me, the real us! Olban, our new friend Eloise, we're all real! And if I was so weak, how could I stop this monster just now?"

"Because you're a monster too! You are just disguised as my boy, and you are working with this creature on the floor. Now tell me where my son is, now!"

"Mum, I swear it's me!" Gareth yelled, tears running down his face. "Why don't you think I am capable of being strong? You aren't denying magic or monsters existing, why don't you believe that I could handle being a part of that world?"

"Because my son has always been helpless, and he always needed us to take care of him. Dr. Connor agreed with us on this too."

"No, Dr. Connor knows the truth, and unlike my own mother, he believes me. Dad, what do you think? Do you think I'm a demon disguised as your son, or do you know it's really me?"

"Ummmmm, ummmmm....." Brian stammered.

"Come on dad, speak from your own heart for once in your life!" Gareth sobbed. "Please!"

"Tell me where my son is now!" Sarah yelled. "Or God help me, I will slay you myself demon!"

"Hey Gareth, you're leaking now." Wren said, still bound on the floor in monster form. "It looks like our plan is a bust, do you think you can release me from this binding spell?"

Sarah's eyes rolled back and she fell backwards, mercifully saved from hitting the floor by Brian. He tenderly laid her down on the couch, then turned towards his son and the still bound monster.

"Are you going to call me a demon too?" Gareth cried. "All you do is agree with everything mum says, so go ahead and say it!"

This is heartbreaking.... I can't believe Gareth's parents won't listen to him!

Don't cry too Eloise, Gareth needs us to be strong for him. I'm not surprised in the least, but he needs our support right now, more than ever.

"No more." Brian said calmly. "Your mother is in the wrong this time. I know you're my boy."

Brian gave Gareth a tearful embrace, and both unloaded years of pent up emotions on each other's shoulders. Once the two Wilks men regained their composure, Brian was the first to speak.

"Forgive me son, I knew the Dissociative Identity Disorder was bullshit all along. Almost every night I have nightmares, where I find myself trapped in darkness. A raspy, sister voice taunts me, telling me that you and Olban are bound together, and if I told you the truth you would be killed. So I justified agreeing with your mother and the misdiagnosis, thinking I was protecting you. But if you've been facing danger all along, then I clearly handled this wrong. Well no more son, you can count on me from here on out."

Eloise stayed silent, but knew all too well what Brian's dreams were. He was being tormented by the Nameless One, just like she had been.

"Dad.... what do we do now?"

"Let's take a walk to the Smugglers Ale House. We'll share a drink as father and son, then we'll talk. Your friends are welcome too, all three of them."

"A drink?" Wren asked, still bound in monster form. "What kind of drink?"