Chapter 2, A new Life

Hey, here's the 2nd chapter of my story. Henry's in this one with a little bit of Jasper, but not much since it's mostly focused on him leaving Bhutan for America.

-In the Kingdom of Bhutan, aka where the 1st episode is- (sorry, it's not exact dialogue since I don't remember exactly what they said, just the gist of it)

-Henry's POV-

Damn it I'm so late! I shouldn't have gone in that stupid forest after all…ugh they've already started today's lesson…I'm so dead! Henry rushed into training a few minutes before they tried to catch some flying bugs with only a pair of chopsticks. I grabbed at one with my chopsticks and caught it with a sense of triumph until my instructor criticized me for crushing it's thorax. I had broken one of the sacred rules, taking the life of an innocent creature who did nothing to deserve such a death. Though I felt the shame, I didn't have time to worry about it.

My parents drove their jeep over to the training grounds, motioning for me to come over to them.

This can't be something good…she looks really mad…

With an angry glare, it was obvious that Mom would be the first to interrogate me. "Where were you? We were worried sick! You missed over half of your lessons again."

With a defensive tone, I said "Mom it was no big deal! I was just in the forest!"

"Take off your shirt Henry, now!" she demanded.

Before I could even protest, Dad cut in: "Henry, just do as she says."

With a sigh, I lifted up my shirt up and off of my body. A large flesh wound covered a portion of my upper chest, still open and not scabbed over yet.

After a collective gasp, I had no choice but to explain that I was searching for the missing hikers on my own. I never expected that my punishment would be the worst one of my entire life.

"Henry, we've thought about this long and hard. You get in so much trouble, so we're sending you to live with your uncle in America" said Dad.

Shock registered over my face. They can't just send me away like this…I'm their son! "WHAT? I can't live in America! There's nothing exciting about living in a world of steel and metal! Please, don't make me leave."

I already knew it but mom wasn't going to listen to me, I knew the battle was lost by the unwavering stares plastered on their faces. Simultaneously, they both said "Henry, it's final."

Mom walked next to me and rested her arm across my shoulders. "We're leaving now, we bought your tickets already. Pack your things and we'll leave when you're done."

-skip to the airport-

As soon as we arrived at the airport, we went through baggage, security, and security again before we finally got to the terminal. My luggage must have cost a fortune since I was pretty much bringing all my clothes and prized possessions. The plane left in about 1 hour, so we decided to sit down at a small restaurant that served some kind of thing called a hotdog. I don't know what it is, but it sure tasted disgusting. There was some sort of french fries. Must have been some sort of fried potato thing, or at least it tasted like one. After about a half hour of eating , we arrived at the terminal just when the boarding call started.

My father stepped up first to say his goodbyes. "Well son, this is it for a while. I hope you have fun with your uncle and cousin in America. Keep us updated, I hear they have a webcam so we can keep in touch." With a pat on my back and a quick hug, it was mom's turn now.

Instead of expressing her goodbyes through words, she expressed them mostly through the gigantic bear hug she gave me. As soon as she released me, her small speech began. "I want you to stay safe and send us postcards. Please talk with us often, we want to know how you're doing in America. I hope you forgive us, but we think it's for the best that you get the American high school experience. We'll visit from time to time when we get the chance. I promise. Now run along and go catch your flight. We'll talk to you later."

With one last family hug, I walked over to the flight attendant and showed him my id and ticket. After verifying it, he handed it back to me with a short nod to go ahead. "Have a great flight, sir."

I didn't look back at my parents; there was no point in doing that now. I just sat in the jet's seats and prepared for takeoff. As soon as the plane began to leave, I stared at the windows, watching my parents as I got farther and farther away from them. Soon enough we were in the air, on the way to America in one heck of a long flight with only one refueling stop.

-fast forward to when he arrives in America-

It was 5:36 am when I stumbled off the plane, half awake, in the country of America. I had no idea what to do, so I just followed the crowd to some sort of mini train thing. Whatever it was, it brought us into another building where we claim our luggage. Apparently I need to check in with America to arrive and get some citizenship papers or something first. Hmmm that must be it over there…

I walked over to some place called the Bhutan embassy ( I don't know what it's really called so I'll just call it that) and had to fill out some paperwork. Apparently my Uncle already filled out most of the forms, I just had to get a few examinations to make sure I was healthy by American standards. After that process was completed, several members from the embassy rolled out my luggage for me and took it out to the front where my uncle Bryan was waiting for me.

With a small smile, he asked "Are you ready to go home Henry?"

I gave a small smile in return and replied, "Ready as I'll ever be, these gentlemen where nice enough to take my baggage for me, thank you for helping me." I showed thanks to them in the Bhutan language.

One of the workers smiled and said "It is our pleasure to, especially for such a respectful young lad." They returned the appropriate Bhutan sign of respect in return to my thanks.

As we walked to the car, they placed my luggage in the trunk of Uncle Bryan's car and left shortly after. Uncle Bryan even gave them a small tip of 30 American dollars for their services.

As he started the car, he asked "Henry? Are you ready to see your new home?"

To be honest, I wasn't even sure myself. "Well….to be honest, I'm not really that sure…but I'm willing to give it a try."

He smiled at me, but then his smile faded into a small grimace. "I need to tell you something before we leave though…my son, your cousin, is still recovering from depression from…past events. I'm sorry that I can't explain the situation fully, but it's not really my story to tell…I hope you understand when he seems….off…especially since you two will have to share a room. I'd offer you your own, but…well, we don't have enough space."

"Of course, I understand completely Uncle." I know I said it was ok, but I really can't help but wonder what happened to him…I mean, whatever it is sounds devastating for him to be depressed for so long…poor guy.

The rest of the ride home was silent, especially since he seemed very nervous to have me around. He almost seemed like he was having a panic attack by the time he pulled into his driveway. He helped me unpack my luggage, and then ran into the house only to sit down at his desk to look up something on the computer.

I found it a little odd, why he was so desperate to see something on the computer, but then again I'm not sure I want to know since he requested that I go upstairs quickly and meet Jasper.

"First door on the right is his, Henry." Said Uncle Bryan, who was now rapidly typing away.

I carried some of the essential items up to the 2nd floor since I figured that I wouldn't be setting everything else up for a while. This must be his door here…

After knocking on the door three times for the past twenty minutes or so, the door finally opened. The boy in front of me had messy light brown hair, gray circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, and clothes that were ripped, even shredded in some places. As I looked into his dark brown eyes, I saw nothing but an empty, hollow stare glancing back at me. My eyes travelled down to the ripped areas of his clothing where scars and some unhealed wounds, even still bleeding ones, were spread all over his torso, arms, and even legs.

"Hi, my name's Henry, um…I'm your-"

He cut me off abruptly only to say "yeah, I know your my cousin, but why are you at my door?"

Jasper…I think that's his name…he just…sounds so lifeless and dead…what could have happened to make him like this…in fourth grade he seemed much more energetic and peppy then this…even though he didn't like that prank I pulled on him and that kid…I think it was Ryan or something…

I didn't realize that I was spacing out until he snapped his fingers in front of me three times. "Well? What is you want?"

"Oh… Sorry, I must've spaced out…um, your dad said that we were sharing a room or something…so I came to um…set up my stuff I guess" I must've sounded nervous, since all he did was just let me walk in without much of a second thought. The first thing I noticed was that there was a lot of black…the curtains, the walls, the bed…almost everything. It was almost like have a constant night, except there were no stars, not even the faintest glimmer of hope or happiness.

Without much of an introduction all Jasper did was lay back down on his bed while I tied my hammock from what of the wall I could actually see. I guess we should go to bed then…maybe I can get him to chat a bit tomorrow…by the looks of him…he might just need some serious help…I only hope that I'm not to late…he's kind of cute…"

I fell asleep almost instantly after laying down in my hammock, unaware that I was being watched.

-quick switch to Jaspers POV-

After I made sure Henry was defiantly asleep, I reached into the top drawer of the desk and grabbed my blade. I placed the side of the blade against my arm, but then something drew my attention to Henry…he was sleep talking about me…

"No...don't do it, Jazz…spare yourself for this night…" mumbled Henry as he toss and turned in his sleep.

Immediately, I tossed the blade back into the drawer… no one had ever called me Jazz…not since 4 months ago…how could he know that. I laid down in my bed, thinking about it until I drifted into a troubled sleep.