Henry wasn't okay. The spark that usually burned within his eyes was now just a fading coal. In the past week he had barely picked at his food, hadn't once meditated or chanted, and more often than not he could be found face down in Jasper's bed. When Monday had came around, Henry had asked if he could stay home from school. Brian Bartlett just couldn't say no as he took in the sight of his nephew. He had large, dark circles under his eyes, and he looked terrible. For the rest of the week the young adventurer stayed home. He spent most of the day just staring of in space, a trouble look adorning his face. His thoughts stayed focused on the young boy who had been killed. The Wednesday after he had found the body, the story had made it way from the local new to the national news. They had identified the boy, stating he was a thirteen year old student from Ohio who's family had reported him missing four months prior to the body being found. He had been abducted between his school and his house, and they had no substantial clues to help identify who had taken him. The only thing they had was a small symbol, a symbol Henry noted he had seen on the body, that had been left on their doorstep.
Soft light had started to filter through the blinds by the time Jasper woke up Saturday morning. He yawned and rubbed his eyes as he began to turn over. However, the feeling of a warm body in his bed stopped him dead in his tracks. He quickly looked over to see who was in his bed, and upon seeing his cousin he wasn't sure whether to be angry or pitying. The other boy had his arms clutched around Jasper's waist, his head buried in his shoulder. Jasper gently moved Henry's hands away from him, getting up to go take his daily morning shower. He turned the water on, then stripped before getting in. Jasper leaned against the tiled wall, warm droplets of water cascading over his skin. He didn't move from this position for several minutes, his thoughts keeping him distracted. In all the time Henry had lived with him, he had never crawled into Jasper's bed while he was sleeping. Hell, Henry usually didn't get near his cousin's bed at all. But the past week Henry had been restless, and Jasper had heard the other boy's distress as he sleep in his hammock. This murder case had effected his cousin far more than Jasper had ever thought was possible, and he wasn't sure how he could help Henry. All Jasper knew was that his cousin needed someone, and he was the only one who could help.
After drying himself off and getting dressed, Jasper had gone back to his room. Henry was still asleep, curled up in the sheets. He almost didn't want to wake the boy, but knew it was inevitable. Sighing, Jasper walked over to his bed. He gently shook Henry, waking the other boy from his first peaceful sleep in a week. Henry stirred, and after momentary confusion, he jumped out of his cousin's bed.
"Jasper, I'm so sorry. I don't know how I got in your bed."
"It's okay, Henry. But we need to talk."
Jasper sat on his bed, then patted the mattress next to him. Henry sat down, his eyes glued to the floor. The room was silent, but it couldn't be helped. Neither was sure about what should be said next. After several minutes the silence was broken.
"Henry, snap out of this."
"Huh?"
"The Henry I know isn't going to let himself be brought down like this. He's strong and courageous."
"But-"
"No. Henry, I know that what happened to that boy was wrong, but it wasn't your fault. If anything, you're helping justice be brought down upon the freak that killed him. And that boy's family can give him a proper funeral now. They can find closure."
Jasper gently patted Henry's shoulder before getting up to get breakfast. As he walked out his bedroom door he looked back at his cousin.
"You know you are a hero, right? You've saved so many people, stopped so many criminals…D.C. still needs you, Smithson High still needs you, and Maggie and I need you too."
Henry watched as Jasper disappeared around the corner, a soft smile touching his face. Jasper was right. He couldn't lose his focus. There was a criminal out there…and someone had to stop him. Making up his mind, Henry jumped off the bed, running down the stairs and towards the kitchen. He was starving.
I know this chapter is both late, not edited, and very short. I'm so sorry. I'm having a mini crisis concerning my GPA, classes, college, my ACT, and my SAT. I never would have imagined being a junior would be this hard. Please bare with me. Thanks.
p.s. Henry should be back in character for chapter four.
