Angie Johnson's Story

Winter Agustus~

On any normal day, Winter would have waited until everyone else had a chance to see first. But today was different. Today, Winter could not wait patiently. Today was the posting day of the list. 

Winter had heard of this list, a select few were chosen for a government project, an experiment call "The Changed". He had heard of the lives destroyed and hearts broken by this project. Winter could not stand the idea of these people suffering, but there was only one thing could do, be on that list. If Winter was chosen for the experiment, than he had just saved another from this fate. 

Winter gently and politely weaved his way to the front of the crowd, to where he could see 6 names. "The Johnson siblings...?!" As he read each name, his heart sank in sorrow, sympathizing for each poor unfortunate soul. "But there, among these chosen, was his name. Winter sighed deeply in relief. He had protected another victim, but now he had 5 others that would share in his calamity. He knew then that he had to protect them, any way he could. 

Winter looked around him for a moment and saw Angie, the younger of the Johnson siblings. He could see the anguish within her, while she could hide her suffering from the less empathetic. Winter walked over to Angie, he softly placed his hand on her shoulder and with a warm and gentle smile spoke to her, 

"It will be okay. Let's try and find your brother." As hopeless as this moment seemed, Winter's smile seemed to radiate comfort.

Winter Agustus ~

It broke Winter's heart to see his friends in such turmoil. He placed a tender hand on Thomas's and Angie's shoulders and smiled softly to them. He wanted to comfort them and tell them it was all going to be okay, but knowing the siblings, he knew his words would be meaningless to them, since it would not come from ther other one. A single tear leaked from his eye and rolled down his gentle smile, like rain on a tree leaf. His hands shook weakly against their shoulders as he took his hands away from them.

"I will find a way to help you. All of you." Winter said softly, but his words felt like they carried great strength with it, without a hint of untruth. Maybe doubt, but not untruth. Winter slowly walked away from the siblings, allowing them time to try and comfort themselves.

Winter walked over to Travis and Riley. In the years that he had gone to school with them, Winter had not interacted very much with Riley. Winter was a very kind and outgoing person, his generosity and empathy made him well known and like around the school. Due to his friendly nature, he would try to be friends with everyone, regardless of their social standings. However, there were few, like Riley that slipped through the cracks of his kindness, hiding in introversion and shyness. As he walked over he felt ashamed that he knew so little of her.

Travis on the other hand, Winter knew very well. Travis was a bit of a clown around school and Winter enjoyed the happiness he brought to others. While they never took a single class together, Winter interacted with Travis very often. Winter always found him very amusing and a wonderful person.

"Travis. Riley. It's so good to see you and so terrible that you are here." Winter smiled softly trying to bring some comfort to them.

Winter Agustus~

Winter stared empathetically at Riley, her words seemed to break his heart the worst. He felt so much pain and fear from just the look in her eyes, but when she talked about the university, even Winter could not find the will to smile. Her sorrow brought something out of Winter, something he had not felt in a long time, Anger. But this feeling was suddenly broken when Riley asked, "Where's Tyler?"

Winter panted lightly, trying to regain his composure. With more and more people being herded into the room, it made it easy for Winter to compose himself before anyone took notice. Moments later, when he felt like himself once more, he noticed just how crowded this room was getting. He looked back to Riley, who obviously was not feeling well. Her breathing has gotten faster and harsher, he could feel it in her voice as she mentioned the 'heat'. He looked over to Thomas with eyes of sympathy, as if saying, 'I'm sorry for you...'

He took Riley by the hand and turned her so that she was facing him with only the wall behind him. Winter spoke calmly and slowly, "Riley, I want you to try and focus on my voice..."

At the orphanage, Winter had come across nearly every form of social disorder. The orphan children needed someone to help them through their problems and help them know it's okay. A few years earlier, a six year old girl was placed into the orphanage after the brutal murders of her parents. The little girl was locked inside the parents closet and told to not come out until they got her. After listening to the murderer viciously stab her parents to death, she remained hidden in the closet, until a neighbor discovered the crime scene two days later.

When she came to the orphanage, she developed a strong claustrophobia to being in the same room with so many people. She felt trapped, like in her parents closet. Winter found a way to ease her fear, by having her focus solely on him, it was if the universe had expanded around her, and it brought her the comfort she needed. A year later, she was adopted by a loving family and from the letters he would get from her, she still thought of him when she was scared and it would make her smile.

"Just try to breathe deep and slow..." Winter said slowly. Much like meditation in various forms of martial arts, if he could get her to focus, it would ease the pains. He made slow deep breathes, trying to guide Riley's breathing to match his. Between each breath, he gave her a gentle and comforting smile.

He heard Tyler finally join them. But until she had calmed, Winter tried to keep her focus on him.