A great, big thank you goes out to classofthetitans711 and Little Miss Illusional for the reviews, they were greatly appreciated! The story may be moving a little slowly but just bear with me and I promise you will not be disappointed.
…
Chapter 2:
Humane Habits
I lay still, at peace with myself and the bordering crossroads at which my mind was lingering, stretching both toward a reluctant consciousness and my own floating dreamland. I drifted in a haze between sleep and motivation to wake myself up. Oozing into a sentient state of mind through my own rhythmic, balanced breathing, my eyelids strained at the very idea of opening. The world around me shone in an embodiment of morning light, the crisp white of the ceiling just aching to induce a mindful of bottomless consideration.
The soft tumble of feather-light sheets and the smell of fresh apples wafting up my nose were the only things distracting me from falling back into a passive disposition. I lay suspended between my own contemplating and my body complaining about having to get itself out of its current comfortable position.
I couldn't really remember my dream, or whether I'd even had one at all. The only thing that really came to my attention, and with good reason, was that there were no nightmares. No bad dreams at all, just a suspended, deep sleep that left me rested and ready for anything. Nightmares, as with anyone, were a bad sign for me, particularly considering the fact that I only ever got them when I felt confused, or worried… or scared.
Certain circumstances had left a lot of these feelings reeling and weighing me down. They were instantaneously and sometimes simultaneously protruding inside of me, to a point where I'd lately decided to avoid sleeping all together.
It was always the same one though, never even a slight change or detour in its progression. I stopped believing that I was asleep when it came. The images, the situations, the people, the feelings; they were all too frighteningly vivid. Although this happened much too often as of late, last night was a dreamless heaven where I could even feel myself floating in a seamless, unwavering reality. There were no worries, no danger, just comfort and peace – perfection at its very best.
I took in another deep breath, watching the patches of light dancing across the ceiling in erratic, deft twists in the little patches clouding the middle of the ceiling above me. The screens on the windows didn't completely block out the light, they just heightened their contrast against the peppered ceiling.
I noted something peculiar while staring mindlessly upwards. I wasn't where I was supposed to be. This wasn't my room. This most definitely was not my usual state of mind. Letting my eyes graze down from the ceiling, my line of sight sauntered around, taking in the rest of the room. It was all oddly out of character: The fresh morning light filtering through the room; the full length mirror taking up a whole wall opposite the bed; the egg box filled with green seashells on the dresser, all the piles of multicoloured scarves and T-shirts littering the white carpet; the bookcase piled full of old, romantic classics; and, most peculiar of all, the sleeping beauty beside me.
The morning traffic filled the room with a sound similar to that of rumbling ocean surf, matching the wave of calm, sleeping breaths Theresa radiated. Her skin was a soft pink tinge and her peachy hair glistened in the morning sunlight. We'd fallen asleep side-by-side across her bed, listening to the mingling sounds of the night rain and the silver music box now resting in her open palm.
Theresa was still dreaming heavily, unaware of the world lighting up around her. Thinking and knowing it was probably best that I got out of there as quickly as possible, I sat up slowly and let my feet down onto the soft carpet. I could only guess at the questions the others would ask if they could see where I had been the night before.
I tiptoed my way across the room, poked my head out of Theresa's door and looked into the narrow hallway. The shower was running and swirls of steam were emanating from beneath the bathroom door. Either Neil or Archie had grabbed the opportunity to take a long, early shower. Softly closing the door behind me, I flitted into the hall and up to my own bedroom, feeling that a change of clothes would be appropriate. I couldn't spend the rest of the day in my makeshift PJ's now could I?
Tossing my gray shirt aside, I bent down to grab another one from the floor, my toothbrush in my mouth. Maybe the other bathroom downstairs would be unoccupied and I'd get a chance to brush my teeth before heading out for a run. I stepped out of my room again, moving toward the staircase when I crashed into Archie and crumpled to the floor.
"Watch where you're goin' will ya?" Archie commented. "You'll poke someone's eye out with that thing." I guessed he was referring to the toothbrush still in my mouth.
"Nothing wrong with a sense of hygiene." I shot back, taking the thing out of my mouth. "Wouldn't hurt you to try it sometime." I added.
"Oh, ha-ha. Very funny." He helped me to my feet and swung his towel over his bare shoulder.
I blinked, "Was that you using all that hot water in the shower?"
"Yup." He smiled proudly and marched off toward his room, closing his eyes contentedly and putting his own toothbrush into his mouth. He's always been the indifferent type, I guess. There wasn't really a way to make conversation with him. I shrugged it off and made for the bathroom on this floor instead.
The walls were dripping with steam and a cloud of it blocked the tiled floor from view. I turned and locked the door behind me before I did anything else. I stepped over to the mirror, it was fogged up completely, and for some reason it reminded me of the last time I'd gone sailing. The sun on my face, the wind in my hair, the fresh sea salt against my senses; nothing but water for miles and miles. The world around me fading into the background like the distance put between myself and all the land. When I was younger and the world was against me, I'd just imagine myself kidnapped by pirates and put to work on a pirate ship, the endless seas ahead of me. Nothing could compare. The only thing that could even come close… was the idea itself.
I snapped myself out of it. Sailing? That sounded like quite the idea, other than the fact that I had to stay focused on Cronus. There was no telling what he could be getting up to after what Theresa had done to him. That crazed gorilla of a god would most likely have a plan underway, and I doubted he'd be very merciful this time round.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I wiped my hand across the clouded mirror to clear it and stared at my reflection. Today wasn't going to be a day for worrying about such things. I owed the others a break, and I could use a little free time myself. I wouldn't necessarily have the authority to declare today a holiday, but seeing as I really didn't feel like doing much other than enjoying the day, I could definitely say that there wasn't much that needed doing. If people had plans for today, they had the 'go ahead' from me.
I quickly brushed my teeth and checked my reflection. I still didn't have my shirt on. I must have dropped it when I'd bumped into Archie earlier. I sighed and turned on my heel. Big mistake.
The cloud of steam above the floor rendered it completely invisible to my eyes, so ergo everything on the floor was invisible too. The wet, green towel on the floor gave way as I set my foot down on the cotton. The towel gave way and I skated across the tiles, shooting up into the air when I lost my balance. It sent me sprawling and I could imagine myself flipping over like a floppy pancake as I landed flat on my back, a loud crack echoing through the room. My head throbbed when I tried to open my eyes, spots tangoing across my vision. My sight clouded over and my sinuses felt stiff, making it harder for me to take in enough air before slipping into an inky blackness.
…
Tap, tap, tap.
There was a strong noise coming from somewhere I couldn't see. That was because I couldn't see anything. My world was black. Something inside my head intended to keep it that way, making me reluctant to open my eyes. Not that I didn't want to open them, it just seemed too difficult.
Tap, tap, tap.
The noise came again. It was a sharp sound, like a key knocking against a glass window. It made my head spin. The more it came, the more hollow it sounded.
Tap, tap, tap. "Ja…?"
This time it was accompanied by a shrill voice. That sound hurt my head more but it kept coming, until it annoyed me so much I just had to try and wake up.
"Ja…"
My eyes didn't open, and I wasn't prepared to open them, but my whole face felt heavy, swollen almost, as if I'd tried to breathe under water and all of it came rushing up my nose. I tried my best to pull myself out of whatever dream I was having.
"Jay?"
The voice was clearer now. I could hear perfectly, I just couldn't see, nor could I remember where I was or what happened, but I could feel the cold, hard floor beneath my back.
"Jay!"
The sound didn't hurt anymore; it was still a tad too high pitched for my liking though. The voice on the other side of the darkness was muffled but loud.
"Jay, open the door!"
"Let me open it for him."
"Wait a minute, Herry. Jay? Can you hear me?"
"Let Herry open the door already!"
"Stop yelling at me, Archie."
"I wasn't yelling at you, I was instructing you."
"He's been in there for a whole hour already, guys. Do something!"
"Go use the bathroom downstairs, Neil."
"But, it's so… small!"
"Neil!"
That voice was extremely loud, like they all bellowed in unison or something. The talking carried on but I stopped listening, trying to make a noise, to signal that I was okay. Nothing came out of my mouth so I tried opening my eyes again. My eyelids only twitched but a bright light shone through them, I knew I was okay to try again.
"I'm taking the door down already."
"Hold on, Herry."
"What is it now, Theresa?"
"Watch it, Archie. Do you guys think he's… decent?"
There was silence.
"Let's just open the door; you girls can stand back if you need to."
My eyes still wouldn't open. My body felt heavy, like I hadn't slept enough and I was trying to drag myself across the floor, except I wasn't moving. A loud bang and hurtling footsteps resounded through my ears and it just made my head hurt more. I groaned loudly, letting out some of my frustration.
"Is he okay?"
"Jay? Wake up buddy."
Someone lifted my eyelid, enough to let me see through the darkness that was there before. Yet the only thing I could see was a giant mass of purple. Everything else was blurry. I blinked and a hand was placed under my back, supporting me enough to get me to sit up off of the cold floor.
I blinked again, letting the light fill into my eyes. I lifted my hand up to my head and groaned again, shaking the confusion away as best as I possibly could. There were now numerous hands on my shoulders, keeping me from falling back onto the floor. My head still throbbed agonisingly.
"Archie?" I managed to grumble the word.
"Come on; let's get you off the floor." He lifted my arm and wound it around his neck, pulling me up to my feet. Herry put my other arm over his shoulder and helped Archie pull me out of the bathroom, my feet dragging limply across the floor. We were in the hall again, I tried my best to balance on my own but in the end, I just gave in to the stronger arms supporting me.
A strong gust of wind swarmed past my ear as Atlanta raced through the corridor and galloped down the stairs. She returned a few seconds later, carrying a cluster of multicoloured throw pillows under her arms. She came up to me and dropped them on the floor at the base of the wall in front of Neil's bedroom. Herry and Archie lowered me onto the pillows, letting me fall onto them to get more comfortable. I bent forward, resting my head in my hands.
All of their mumbled voices came together as a menagerie of aggravating prattling and gabbling. They were all expressing their concern, and I was deeply grateful for that, but if only they could calm down enough to let me hear my own thoughts instead of all their incessant jabbering. I held up my palm, beckoning silence. The chatter stopped instantly and I looked up. The back of my head still pounded, dizzying the sight in my right eye.
Everyone around me had expectant, troubling expressions; waiting for me to say or do something to assure them that I was perfectly fine, if only a little shaken. The words wouldn't come, and all I wanted to do was fall asleep right where I was.
A cool, soft hand pressed up against my forehead and my neck jerked slightly, welcoming the relief held by the calm touch. Theresa. She knelt down beside me on the floor, concern overcoming her dazzling green eyes. Her pink lips parted slightly and her brow furrowed, taking in my appearance. I was sure that I must have been quite the sight to her, looking like I'd just staggered out of a bar after having one glass too many. It was funny; she didn't really look like herself. She seemed drained and… solemn almost, as if she'd just come back from a tiring camping trip. Her face had a few tiny scratches on it and it looked a little dirty too, or maybe that was just my swirling vision getting the better of me.
"Jay?" she asked cautiously. I grunted a reply, not yet fully capable of saying anything. That would hurt my head too much.
"Come on; let's get you to a doctor." Said Archie, trying to get me to my feet again.
"Wait." Theresa put her hand on my chest to keep me down and out of Archie's grasp. "Shouldn't you take him to what's-his-name…? Chiron, instead?"
Archie folded his arms and looked down his nose, staring Theresa in the eye condescendingly. "Why would we do that? This could be a real emergency, and I doubt Chiron would have the exact skill of a neurosurgeon to detect any major problems. He could have fractured his skull, or have a concussion." He waved his arms in the air above his head.
Theresa stood up to Archie's height. "Chiron can deal with this, trust me Archie."
Archie pouted and looked stubbornly in another direction.
"Please, Archie?" Theresa pleaded. "At least just go to him first, and if you still feel like something's wrong afterward, then we can go see a doctor." She pouted too and looked down to me.
Theresa was pleading me for assistance; the only things standing out to me in my confusion were her beseeching glances. I didn't want to ignore her argument against Archie, so I managed to choke a few words out. "Chiron… first."
Archie sighed, "Fine."
Atlanta and Herry just stared at this exchange, feeling no need to add anything or make any arguments. Herry bent down again to help me up and slung my arm over his shoulders again, carrying me off to his truck. Archie marched down the stairs in front of us with Atlanta trailing behind.
Theresa grabbed my shirt from the floor and came up next to me and Herry, handing it to me. I took it in a bundle in my free hand, watching her as she quickly spoke. "I'll go get Odie and Neil and bring them over in my car; you guys get going so long." Theresa said quickly before sliding down the banister beside us and jumping off the end. I'd never seen her so energetic before, she looked like she was just waiting for something to happen.
…
"Ouch!" I jumped at Chiron's touch; he prodded and poked every inch of skin surrounding my skull, managing to find all the tender spots first. I sat shirtless on his small examination table, trying my best not to scurry away from him as quickly as possible.
"Hold still, Jay." He insisted for the third time. "There doesn't seem to be any damage at all, though I fear you may have a slight concussion." He picked up a small torch and shone it into my eyes. I winced at the sudden intensity of the bulb against my pupil, sneezing while trying to blink away all the light disturbing me.
"Any chance he can just walk it off?" asked Herry.
Chiron put the torch away and spoke softly. "It's nothing serious, although you may want to try and stay off of your feet for a while. I doubt there's any serious harm done."
"What do you think Theresa would say now? Huh, Archie?" Atlanta taunted. I knew all she really wanted was for someone to say 'I told you so' to the boy.
Archie grunted and looked away, changing the subject. "Now that you mention it, where are Neil and Odie already? Did they try to pack the shower in the trunk while Neil was still in it or something?"
As if on cue, Neil's bitter whining echoed through the open doors of Chiron's study. "Why are we even here? At school? On a Saturday?" he pointed to me, "You see, he's fine. Can we leave now?"
"Neil," said Odie, annoyed, "just give it a rest already." He walked into the room with his hands in his pockets, his usual stance.
"Where's Theresa?" Atlanta asked the question burning in my mind.
"She hung back at the dorm to take a shower." Said Odie. "She let us borrow her car though." He tossed the keys to Herry for inspection.
"Theresa let you drive her car?" I asked, completely flabbergasted at the thought.
"Yeah," added Neil, "she let him drive! Not me, him!" he pointed at Odie with a peeved expression and folded his arms, pointing his nose in the air.
Odie just smiled smugly. "Guess you're not the lucky one after all."
"Okay, guys," I said, "let's just get out of here. I'm not really in the mood to spend the rest of my Saturday in school." I hopped off of the table and slipped my shirt over my head while the others walked out of the door, Neil ranting and raving about unfair treatment. Something moderately heavy and cold fell to the floor at my feet. Hanging from a silver chain, was Theresa's music box.
I bent to the ground and curled my fingers around the chain, lifting it into the air and examining it to make sure that what I was seeing was real.
Why would Theresa leave one of her most valuable possessions with me? Did she give it to me on purpose or was she trying to tell me something? I supposed I'd have to ask her when we got back to the dorm. I put the silver music box in my pocket and made my way out of Chiron's study, catching up with the others as soon as they stepped out of the janitor's closet.
Their chattering and joking continued while I lagged behind, deliberating through my own thoughts. If I did get a chance to go sailing today, I'd insist on taking Theresa with me, there were still quite a few things that I would like to clear up with her; that, and I just wanted a bit of an excuse to be around her for a while.
The others had come to an abrupt stop by the school's front doors, nearly leaving me crashing blindly into Neil's back. I looked over his shoulder, seeing the incredulity painted clearly over the rest of my team's faces; and they were pulled up that way with good reason. All you could see through the open doors, beyond what was left of the school's parking lot, was a New Olympia that looked like the middle of a war-zone.
