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It's January first, 1998. Toby couldn't believe it was the new year already, and that he was officially turning 18 years old in just 4 months. It felt as if he had just arrived yesterday, that his entire world was flipped upside down a few hours ago, and he hadn't adjusted quite yet.
It's been nearly a year.
He wasn't sure whether to laugh at the absurdity or cry at the fact that no time had passed, and yet it had. Perhaps he shouldn't be feeling nostalgic, considering it was only 2 in the morning and the party surrounding him was still raging on. Maybe he should lose himself in the jokes and the shitty wine, with the bad music and sloppy make outs.
He just couldn't believe how far he'd come in this time. It felt like a life time since he first arrived here, and he couldn't help but stare at Tim and Brian, who were sitting on the kitchen counters and laughing at each other. The men who took him, but also in a way kept him on track.
Standing beside them was Kate, who for once had her mask off. She had a cheeky smile on her face, watching as Tim and Brian pushed each other and joked. Toby didn't join them, but he watched for a moment, relishing in the comfort it brought him.
It was terrifying when he woke up here. His eyes had peeled open with crust in them, and the lights of the medical hall were both too bright and too dim. He couldn't make out a single thing around him, except for the towering figure in the corner.
The hulking creature had made him shriek, with it's bent legs, large tail and silent demeanor. He knew now, of course, that it was only Jack watching to make sure he wasn't going to choke on his own blood, but at the time it had given him such a fright that he fell out of bed and needed to stay under supervision longer. He didn't really know Jack that well, even now, but he knew they had a good conscience. They had helped Toby recover from his injuries well. The only remnant of them being the burn scars that traced up and down his arms and back, though admittedly, those were because of him.
He learned his lesson for sure. Never light a house on fire with you inside, even when you've planned out a clear escape route. It just gets blocked with rubble. It's stupid. Go outside, then light it on fire.
Much more health concious.
Toby shook his head. He turned back to the shotty television in the front of the living room, watching as a couple proposed and kissed. All he could think was that it was damn lucky she said yes, because it would've been a really awkward start to the New Year if she hadn't. Imagine being stuck in time square with your girlfriend after she said "ew gross". Toby frowned and rolled his eyes.
Maybe that should be his new years resolution, to stop being so annoying and focus on the positives. The stereotypical shit people say, oh I want to be happier! I want to work out every day!
Yeah, right, sure. Everyone believes you, you suddenly love vegetables.
Toby groaned, sitting on the couch next to two others. They were kissing, but Toby honestly didn't care at all who they were or why they were kissing. There were enough drugs and alcohol in here that they probably didn't know the answer to either of those questions themselves. Maybe Toby should let loose too, and just relax and celebrate. He glanced back at the kitchen, where Tim and Kate were now arm wrestling for some reason, and smiled. He went over to them just as Kate slammed Tim's fist onto the table. Tim hissed, pulling his fist away with a shake of the head as Brian laughed at him. Kate crossed her arms in triumph, then glanced over at Toby.
Toby smiled and slid across the table from her.
Kate, as usual, won immediately. Toby still found himself laughing though.