We didn't see the others again until Halloween. I carried Atmospheric out front, maybe to prove a point. Had I caused her harm, there was no way in hell she would've let me touch her, let alone hold her. I would've been lying if I'd said I didn't feel a sense of satisfaction with myself. For the first time in my life, I felt like I knew who I was. I approached Sunset with the intention of confronting her directly.

"She told me what you guys talked about." I said.

"She explained everything. No wonder you thought about offing yourself. Keeping all that shit inside would drive anyone crazy."

"That's all behind me now."

"I'm sorry we doubted you."

"Don't worry about it. If I'm being honest, I probably do look like the kind of guy who would do something like that."

"The day we brought her here, I asked myself what it was she saw in you. I guess now I know."

"I've seen so many relationships fall apart for so many reasons. We should all be so lucky to have someone who inspires us."

"In what way?"

"To change..."

I stared down at Atmospheric. She rested peacefully in my arms. We began our trek into town.

About halfway to our destination, we stumbled across the church where I attended youth group as an adolescent. I felt Atmospheric tug at the shirt under my coat. She clenched the fabric tightly. She knew...

"What's wrong?" Sunset asked.

I shook my head.

"Just reminiscing."

"Did something happen here?"

"A few years before you guys came along, I had a teacher in the third grade. She was an older woman named Patricia. I suspected she had grandkids, but I never knew for sure."

"How does that tie in?"

"I met her grandson here when I was fifteen: the same year I began working on Atmospheric."

"Seriously!?"

"The youth program was defunded not long after. One memory sticks out above the rest, though. I don't remember exactly what brought it on, but we had sort of a group therapy session where we talked about our experiences with depression and self-harm."

"Holy shit..."

"I'm as surprised as you are. Makes me wonder if he ever told Pat what was really going on..."

"He hugged Kyle." Atmospheric spoke.

Sunset jumped in surprise.

"Jesus! I didn't even know you were awake."

I put Atmospheric down. She told them about what happened that night.

"Kyle went around the circle to comfort everybody when the air became too tense. He went outside to talk to a friend when Pat's grandson burst through the door and wrapped him in a bear hug."

"Hormones can really screw with your head, especially when there's nothing to distract you. What happened after?"

"I don't know," I said, "I haven't seen him since. I know he's still up and kicking, though."

"Talk about a godsend. I was getting anxious there for a sec."

"For a long time, I thought the roots of my depression stemmed from the abuse my family went through when I was growing up, but looking back on it now, I think it started with my old man..."

"What kind of person was Peter, if you don't mind me asking?"

"The only memory I really have of him is the time I went to visit him when I was five. Even back then, I could tell he was an ill-tempered drunk. What I didn't know about were his mental issues. From what mom told me, he had full-blown hallucinations."

"Has he been treated since?"

"Not to my knowledge. He's been in and out of prison my whole life. The last charge he was convicted of was aggravated battery."

"How long ago?"

"Three years."

"So it was fairly recent..."

"His behavior is the sole reason I don't drink. I have a gut feeling I'd end up just like him if I did."

"Smart. Sounds like your mom made a good call getting away from him."

"Unfortunately, he was just the tip of a years-steep iceberg..."

"Try to look on the bright side. All the bad shit you went through might've been why you turned out all right."

"Yeah...Maybe..."

"Much as I'd like to sit here and exchange sob stories all night, we should probably head out." Rainbow cut in.

"Yeah," Sunset agreed, "I don't want to stay here too long."

We continued walking. Pinkie slid next to me and Atmospheric so we could continue the conversation in private.

"Sorry about your dad," she apologized, "I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia after a few incidents where I lashed out at everyone."

"Don't worry about it. You have two advantages my old man never did."

"What?"

"A support structure and a sober mind. I know your friends would be there if you had a breakdown."

"Yeah. I'm really grateful to have them around."

"Atmospheric and I will help any way we can. Just hit us up if you need anything."

"Thanks. That really means a lot."

"Anytime."

Atmospheric squeezed my hand. My bond had grown closer not only to her, but to everyone around us. We walked the rest of the way together, protecting each other from the frigid bite of autumn.

Author's Note