Part 1

Vomit spewed out of Toby's mouth. More and more voices flowed into his head as he tried to rebuild his barrier.

It wasn't me, I swear! Give me your lunch money, freak I saw him earlier today Wanna go for a coffee Kellan watch out for that bicycle I should give him a call later...

More voices flowed into Toby's mind, and he threw up again. He gasped between breaths. Getting air into his throat seemed like rocket science these days.

Toby rubbed his forehead. The pain was killing him, and if he heard anymore thoughts, he knew his head was going to split in two. Picking up his cell phone, he dialed Oz's number.

" Oz? It's me. There's something wrong with me. I need you here to bring me to the hospital. Just hurry, okay?"

The wait wasn't long. Oz always drove his car like a maniac. He was crazy, but more reliable than a cab driver.

" Hey, man. I had to stop for something to eat. I was starving," he rooted around in the grocery bag until he found a bag of chips. He opened them and began to chow down. " Want some?"

" No, thank you..." Toby whispered, rubbing his forehead

" I got you a beer, my buddy. You were low the last time I- hey, Toby. Are you alright?"

Toby felt his head getting full again with the thoughts of the city around him. He clenched his hands into a fist and tried to block it out. The room was beginning to spin.

" Toby! You got to tell me what's wrong, man! I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong!" Oz's voice was starting to sound contorted.

Toby fell to his hands and knees and stared at the floor, concentrating so hard that he watched as a trail of blood trickle out of his nose. The pain in his head was intensifying, as were the voices. He swallowed a cry as he felt stabbing in the back of his head.

*** I'd wish he'd stop that Now that's cool Oh my, that stupid show is on again Is daddy home yet? Almost there Open up you idiot! Oh man I got school tomorrow I didn't finish it Oh crap Why won't he say anything to me? I wish mommy and daddy were here I told him to come at 7 She's such a bi-***

Finally, a scream that had building up in Toby for 20 years came out of him. He placed his hands over his ears and curled up into a ball on his kitchen floor. He felt Oz shaking him and trying to pull him to his feet, but Toby didn't budge. He didn't want to move. He just wanted it to stop.

" Oh, dammit Toby! Uh-" Oz tinkered around the room, looking for Toby's cell phone. When he did find it, he scrolled through the contacts until he saw Ray Mercer's name. He pressed 'Talk' and the phone began to ring.

" Toby?" came a voice on the other end.

" Uh, no. This is Oz. His friend from work? I didn't know who else to call-"

" Where's Toby, Oz? May I speak to him, please?"

" Actually, you can't. He's occupying his kitchen floor right now, shaking in God knows what..." Oz ran a hand through his hair and watched Toby shake on the floor.

" You did the right thing by calling me, Oz. I'll be there in five minutes," Then there was the dial tone.

Oz snapped the phone shut and sat next to his friend.

" Don't worry, man. Help is coming. Just hang in there, okay?"

Toby said nothing, but his eyes rolled up into his head and he ceased shaking.