Exhale

Red. It is a color. It means many things.

Sensuality.

Splatter.

Sensitivity.

Splatter.

Love.

Splatter.

Passion.

Splatter.

Rage.

Splatter.

Life.

Splatter.

Pause.

Death.

Splat. Splat. Splat. Splat.

He stared at the wall dripping with a viscous red liquid, his mind racing. The complexity such a simple color held never ceased to baffle him. That such a color could hold such meaning and insignificance at the same time- it was phenomenal. He slowly stepped up to the wall and placed his hand in the red liquid, smearing it around any available space. He brought his red-stained hand to his face and stared at it.

“What the fuck, Adrian!”

He slowly dropped his head back to look over his shoulder at the tall man standing in the doorway, frozen with a look akin to horror.

“Sorry...”

“You were supposed to splatter just a little bit of paint on the wall! It looks like a damn crime scene in here. God, what the hell... Why did she insist you do this.”

Adrian looked back at the wall and drowned the rest of his complaints out.

“Adrian.”

Adrian started when he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was heavy, it was large, it was warm. Pain sensors flared in his head and the world swirled around him in reds, blues, and yellows. There was a loud piercing noise, but he didn’t understand where it was coming from.

“Adrian!”

Now there was yelling accompanying that. Why was he yelling his name? What had he done? He didn’t mean to do it. He tried his best.

“Adrian!”

He was sorry. He didn’t mean to put too much paint. He was trying to do what his sister instructed.

“Adrian, sweetheart, please calm down!”

He also didn’t mean to drop the vase. He didn’t mean to question his authority.

“Adrian, baby, look at me.”

He didn’t mean to look him in the eye. He didn’t mean to talk back. He’ll be good, he promises.

“Adrian, baby, take a deep breath. That’s right, in and out.”

It took Adrian a moment to realize the loud piercing noise was coming from him. He blinked slowly as the reds, blues, and yellows slowly blended, creating first a beautiful green that slowly turned brown. Side by side, a light blue would go perfectly with that. Dark warm browns went well with light blues. They complimented each other.

“In and out. In and out.”

He was on the ground, wrapped up in a soft touch. He felt warm, safe even.

“It’s okay, Adrian. You’re okay. It’s okay. I’m here.”

Okay? Was he okay? The warm brown slowly darkened to black then faded away. He was left with just the red of the wall in front of him. He was covered in red and so was the small feminine body behind him. He stared up into glistening emerald eyes.

“Hi, Adrian. Did you have fun painting the wall? It looks nice,” she said with a smile. Painting the wall? Adrian turned his gaze back to the wall. He did that, that’s right.

“I’m sorry...”

“No, you don’t have anything to be sorry for. You did an excellent job! I love it. Everyone’s going to love it, I know they will,” she gushed excitedly. Adrian looked at her, a small hollow smile pulling on his lips.

“Yeah?”

“Absolutely. But in your excitement, you started painting yourself. You look gorgeous, but we gotta get cleaned up for dinner. Mom and Dad are coming over.”

Adrian looked back at the wall. “Okay...” With help from her, he was able to pull himself up. With one final glance at the wall, he left the room.

“Cassandra.”

She turned and glared at the man. “Don’t touch him if he’s not looking at you. I’ve told you a thousand times already,” she hissed angrily. Her angry mask broke only a few moments later. She sunk to the ground with an anguished cry, sobbing into her hands. The man that towered over her quickly ran to her side and pulled her into him.

“Cass, it’s okay. He’s fine now-”

“No, it’s not! He’s getting worst, Darien. I don’t.... I don’t know what to-” Cassandra lifted her head up and looked at Darien. “I... I don’t know what to do anymore...”

“Maybe it’s time to admit you’ve done all you can do,” Darien murmured. “You’re not a psychologist, Cassandra. I know you love him and all but...”

“I...” Cassandra looked at the red wall. It was a picture with shades of red, pink, and brown dripping. It was a face. A man. Eyeless with crimson red dripping from his eyes. Brown hair dripped down his face with a pink manic smile stretching from ear to ear. “I don’t know...”

Just out of sight, Adrian pushed away from the doorway. With a final glance to the door to the nursery-to-be, he left.