[right][h2][color=8493ca]Caught in a Snare[/color][/h2][@DaftJive][@Tlazolteotl][/right]

[color=8493ca]Damien's heart ached as his mom spoke of him. He treasured the fact that she still had much of their earlier memories together. She had always taken being a mom as her most important role. Damien was endlessly grateful of that. 

He gave her hand a squeeze. Then,[/color] [color=808080]"He always says he's fine, even when he's not. He thinks I don't know. But I know. I know he's not okay. And I know some of it..."[/color] [color=8493ca]Damien's throat tightened. He pressed his lips together firmly and willed himself to keep a dry eye.[/color] [color=808080]"Some of it is because of me."[/color]

[color=8493ca][i]Fuck.[/i] Satan dammit. He couldn't kill himself. Not yet, at least. Could he still be alive? Somewhere? Could he keep paying for his mother's residency at the memory care facility? Damien gave his mother's hand a squeeze and looked away. [i]"You didn't leave the iron on. Stay with me."[/i] was what he wanted to say, but what he said instead was, [b]"Maybe you did, Ma."[/b] After a brief moment, he painfully forced himself to let go of her hand. Would he be able to keep it up?[/color]

[right][color=000000]The image of Damien working outside of the vine barrier sped up. More phones rang, allowing only minuscule breaks in the noise. A dinging computer notification joined the cacophony like drill in the ear to any onlookers.[/color][/right]

[color=8493ca][b]"You get back safely, okay? And it's not because of you."[/b] Damien said softly. He turned his head back to his mother. Too many words. He paused to give her a chance to keep up, then spoke again more slowly. [b]"Your son doesn't hurt because of you okay?"[/b] Another pause. [b]"I love you."[/b][/color]