Understand

Jericho stared at the ceiling for a long while, he had woken up at least an hour ago at five in the morning. The light in his room was beginning to change slowly from pitch black to a dim white from the morning sunrise. He had spent the last hour thinking deeply about what he was about to do today.

He sat upright and got out of bed. Jericho quickly made his bed and smoothed out the wrinkles from the covers. He made a fast trip to the bathroom to brush his teeth and fix up his messy blonde hair a little. While he was doing that he looked himself in the mirror, thinking of a mantra in his head to calm his nerves. He let out a shaky breath, put the last wavy lock back in its place, and went out to pull on his purple tunic. Jericho absent-mindedly brushed off the imaginary dust from his shoulders and straightened up his clothes even more than they needed to be.

It'll be fine, he told himself. You're not going to die from this.

He made the final adjustment to his gold sash that rounded his waist snugly and stood straight. He took in a deep breath and walked out the door. A second later he rushed back into his bedroom, hastily shutting the door behind him and leaning against it heavily. He slid down to the floor slowly and shut his eyes.

It's too early, he noted. He's probably not awake yet. Yeah, that's it. I'll just do this thing a little later when he's awake.

Still—Jericho thumped the side of his head gently and got up. He went to his desk beneath the window and took a seat. He rummaged for the MP3 player Cyborg had given him a few weeks ago. It was in a small case beside an organized tray of color pencils and calligraphy pens. He put the earphones on and flipped the power switch. At first he thought it hadn't turned on but a second later the smooth lyrics of the singer and the gentle rhythm of an acoustic guitar peeked his hearing.

Jericho sat stiffly in the chair while he listened to the lyrics.

Jericho let out a sigh and lowered his hands from his ears, crossing his arms on top of his desk and lay his chin on top of them. He looked out the window at the brightening sky with his mind wandering to his friend in the room across the hall while he listened to the song.

Despite his pulse quickening with the jitters, Jericho smiled.

In the room across the hall Herald woke up sneezing. He groaned softly while he sat up in his bed. He felt his forehead and wondered if he was coming down with something. Pulling out his mask from beneath the pillow he placed it carefully over his eyes and got out of bed. Herald yawned and stretched lazily all the way to the bathroom to freshen up. When he finished brushing his teeth and washing his face he came to the closet for his shirt.

He didn't have much to choose from, the whole closet was filled with the same outfit. He pulled out his blue sleeveless hooded shirt with his silver trumpet insignia on it. While slipping it on and pulling the hood over his head he returned to his bed and sat down on the edge. He put on his gray gloves that were draped on the night stand and got his boots on. Once he finished he patted himself down and made his bed.

Herald sneezed again, his head starting to pound slightly. He sniffled and walked across the room, plopping down onto the couch beside the window. He laid himself out over the seat cushions with his hands behind his head. Herald yawned loudly and looked out into the sky.

The sun was starting to brighten things up and stained the horizon with colors of gold and white. Jump City and its commuting bridge were darkly silhouetted against the sky with the bay's waters glowing faintly. Herald stared out into the view for a long time and slowly closed his eyes.

When he next reopened them he found round green eyes gazing at him from only an inch away.

"AGH!" Herald nearly jumped out of his skin. Jericho stumbled back in surprise. Herald placed his hand over his heart and glared at him, "Man—how many times have I told you not to do that?"

Jericho mouthed 'I'm sorry' while he signed it out with his hands. Herald sighed in aggravation, rubbing his forehead while he did.

"Shoot, you scared me to death! You gotta stop doin' that to me! Geez…"

He looked out the window and it was a lot brighter than when he last looked at it. Judging by the amount of light it was probably around eight or nine in the morning. He growled softly, falling back onto the cushions.

Jericho looked at him apologetically, when Herald caught his gaze he looked away. Herald raised a brow, "What?"

Jericho didn't respond and he bowed his head slightly. He was starting to feel a little bad.

"You okay?" Herald adjusted himself in his seat and reached over to put his hand on Jericho's shoulder. "What's wrong Jericho?" he asked in concern. "You don't look good, you sick?"

Jericho rifled through his vest and took out a small folded sheet of paper. He held it out to Herald who took it in mildly surprised confusion. Jericho stood, taking up the seat beside Herald. Looking at him questioningly Herald sat upright and unfolded the paper.

I have to tell you something important, the note said.

"Okay…" Herald said slowly. "So what is it that you need to tell me?"

Jericho felt a small jolt run up his spine and he began to feel worse. Jericho looked to the floor. It's too late to turn back now, he thought. Taking another breath he looked up. Herald gazed back with utmost attention.

"So what is it that you need to tell me?" he asked.

Jericho looked down at his boots for a while before he slowly looked into Herald's dark-skinned face. He held up three fingers. Herald stared at him blankly, "Uh, three words?"

Jericho shook his head mouthing, 'numbers'.

" 'Kay—three numbers. First number is…?"

Jericho chewed the inside of his cheek and he put up his index finger.

"One…"

He put up four fingers.

"…four…"

Three fingers.

"…and…three….right, so what's that mean?"

Jericho froze for a moment with his brows furrowing a little. He signed out the numbers again but a faster this time.

"One, four, three. What does that mean?" Herald asked confusedly.

Jericho put down his hand.

Herald cocked his head to the side and laid a hand on Jericho's shoulder. Herald opened his mouth to say something but he was cut off when Jericho brushed off his hand. It was the other way around now, Jericho was the one with his hand on his friend's shoulder. He shook Herald slightly, giving him a pat on the back. He looked into Herald's face with a small smile.

Herald furrowed his eyebrows behind his mask, "Um…Jericho?"

Jericho patted him again, getting up slowly and heading out the door. Herald got up quickly and followed him. "What is it that you're trying to say?"

Jericho stopped, turning to him as he shook his head. He still had that small smile on his face.

"Isn't it really important though?" Herald pushed on.

Jericho simply looked at him. He turned and continued down the hall. Herald looked after him with a small frown, looking down at the small note and re-reading the words.

Jericho walked up a small flight of stairs and took a right, walking down another hall. He dragged his feet, keeping his eyes on the floor. Jericho cast a glance over his shoulder.

Herald wasn't following behind him.

He walked a little faster until he reached the end of the hall where an elevator door stood. It swooshed open and he entered, pressing the up arrow button. A heaviness began to form in his chest and for the next few minutes he was in a daze. The elevator stopped, letting him off on the floor that led to the Tower's rooftop.

Stepping out into the bright morning light he wandered off to the roof's ledge and gazed out into the bay. He set his elbows on top of the ledge, resting his head into his hands while his mind began to drift.

He needed to let go. Let go of everything go for a second and breathe, and think things over again.

Jericho inhaled softly, taking in the salty air that brushed his cheeks gently and ruffled his hair. The heaviness in his chest lessened a little but came back once he let out the breath. Jericho's eyes opened and he tried again—this time taking in the air much more slowly. The saltiness seemed to burn his nose and fill his lungs with something hot. He choked inwardly, that heaviness he felt just got worse.