Chapter Two: “Their Telling Me, To Tell You” “Don't you understand?” “Understand what, Nikolas?” “Understand that it's all lies! *I* am a damn lie!” “I don't…” “They told me so many times… and I never listened! I should have listened… I should have listened…” --- Stefan Cassadine watched through the window where his son was being held and flicked the switch off that allowed him to hear their discussion. The conversation scared him. His lies put Nikolas there. They tore him apart. He sighed and rocked back on his heels and flicked the switch back on. He needed to find a way to help his son. --- “Who are 'They', Nikolas?” “The voices…” “Voices?” “Yes. The voices. They talk and I should listen. I should have listened…” “What did 'they' say?” “I should have listened…” “Nikolas?” --- Dr. Walker sighed and put his clipboard down on his lap. There was no use in trying to talk to the boy now. He was in his own world. This case was harder than he thought. He glanced at Nikolas and noticed him rocking back and forth. He wondered what was going on in his mind. He knew he needed to find out. --- Nikolas stared at the wall and tried to ignore the voices, but with no prevail. “Leave me alone.” He muttered and returned his gaze to the wall. But it kept bothering him. Everything… the lies, the voices… Stefan. Stefan. He laughed silently. He knew Stefan was there, watching him. But he refused to acknowledge it. He didn't need him. All Stefan caused him was pain, anger and confusion. He sighed and tried to sort out his thoughts. He needed to get out of here. That was number one. He looked at the doctor, who seemed very disturbed… grinding his teeth and hunched over in the chair, reading something. --- Dr. Walker looked up from his work when he heard Nikolas talk to him. “What was that, Nikolas?” “They told me to tell you.” “Tell me what?” “That it's bad to grind your teeth.” Nikolas smiled, and despite himself, so did the doctor. --- “You only have a little farther to go. I told you, you should listen to us.” Nikolas nodded his head and kept smiling at the doctor. Listen he would.