Lost Boy
The following week was painfully slow. Jack spent most of his time following George to soccer training and learning the finer points of playing Xbox. Alyssa trailed after him like a duckling and Jack reveled in the attention. He took Logan for long walks around the neighborhood and learned the map of the town streets. The rain began to slowly let up early on the Saturday morning. Jack and Logan walked one of the high trails that circled the suburbs at the base of the hills. Looking back, Jack saw the town of Burgess in the sunlight for the first time.
It the yellow light, with a clear blue sky; he smiled. For the first time- it felt like home.
Jamie cleared escorting Jack to the lake, and made time on his schedule for the coming Monday.
They pulled away from the Carlito's house in good spirits. Jamie bought donuts and coffee on the way, and Jack fought for supremacy over the radio.
As they neared the other side of town, anxiety bubbled in Jacks stomach.
Jack bounced in his seat trying to ignore the feeling. This was it. It had to be. The missing piece would be here. Somewhere in amongst the puddles and mud. He would find a clue to who he was and why he was here. Jack knew it.
As the cruiser pulled up on a hill, Jack steeled himself before climbing out the car.
It was anticlimactic to see for the first time in recent, well, any memory.
It was a lake, and a small one at that. The center was still a flat hard mass of ice- but the edges were a soft muddy brown. The water lapped gently at the banks. It was quiet and Jack studied the tree line circling the shoreline. There were no houses or really anything nearby.
"Anything?" Jamie asked
Jack shook his head. None of this was familiar like he'd hoped.
He eyed the lake, deep in thought."I know you're here." here whispered to himself. There had to be something. And Jack would find it.
Jamie took out a roll and spread it across the hood of the car. It was a map of the lake, and from above, the small body of water was sort of shaped like wiggly kidney bean. There was black maker crosses on on side of the bean.
"We'll walk around the east bank first- thats where they pulled you outta the mud." Jamie said, pointing to map's cross work and then bringing the hand up to indicate the the far side of the lake.
Jack shouldered the backpack Lara had insisted he take that morning, packed with sandwiches and water. "Then lets get walking."
This was it.
They walked length of the lake four times.
The first lap was jovial, chuckling at each other as they got stuck in the mud. Jamie lost his boot and had to hop on one foot until the mud released it with a loud squelch- all with no help from Jack who had to steady himself against a tree for laughing. They hiked through the soft ground for another ten minutes and finally came to a stop. Jack could just see the glimpse of the blue cruiser through the trees where it was parked on top of the hill on the other side.
"This is it." Jamie announced finally, indicating the soft muddy bank about six feet wide between water and the crunchy forest floor. There was a little orange flag set in the mud by a long thin poll. Jack bent down to pull it out and looked to Jamie.
"Thats a marker. You're standing where they found you." He said solemnly, answering the unasked question.
Jack looked down at his muddy sneakers. The mud was clean except for his own footprints. The water lapped harmlessly against his toes which felt cold and uncomfortable. He wished he'd worn an extra pair of socks...
He pushed the marker back into the mud and climbed back out of the waterline. "Lets keep looking." he said. Ignoring the disappointment growing in his gut. Of course it wouldn't be that easy, but he wasn't going to give up.
The second time around the Lake, they walked further into the forest, looking for dropped items or clues that anyone had come through this way. They found nothing and Jack grew progressively quieter as he withdrew into his thoughts.
When the sun began to rise up they took of their parka's and wiped the sweat of their foreheads. Jamie suggested they take a break and they sat on fallen log and to eat the sandwiches. They played a game of Blackjack with Jamie's old cards. Jack lost three times, too distracted to keep count.
Jamie did most of the talking third time around. They weaved in between the water line and the forest, doubling their time and efforts. Jamie made jokes and chatted idly about things he intended to show Jack around town now he was settled, doing his best to keep Jacks spirits up. He quietened when they reached the little orange flag again.
Jack took a hard long look at the spot where he'd appeared only a few weeks ago. Then turned. "Come on. There's gotta be something we're missing."
Jamie nodded and followed but stopped trying to fill the silence.
They tracked the lake once more. It took less then half the time it had before. Having learned now which divets of mud were solid and which would let your foot sink. Jack almost didn't even notice he'd climbed over a log in his way without thinking about it.
Jack reached the orange marker first, noticing Jamie had fallen behind.
Jack glared at the ground. At the marker. At the small brown waves lapping at the shore.
It had to be here. There had to be something.
He dropped to his knees and began digging his hands through the mud. He tossed the marker aside and scooped the soft brown sand away. It was here. There must be something.
The wind began to rise in the trees, branches weaved and knocked together.
His pants were quickly soaked though up to his knees and his white sneakers sunk into the displaced mud- but he kept digging. Because it was down there. A clue. A hint. A reason why he'd been found randomly wandering in the forest on the outskirts of an unfamiliar town. There had to be something...
He tried to ignore the tears running down his face, sniffing heavily and feeling snot hit the back of is throat. His vision grew blurry and he swiped at them, rubbing his face into the crook of his elbow and holding down a sob of frustration-
Jamie lay a hand on Jacks shoulder.
"Jack," he said gently. "I think its time to go."
Was there really nothing here?
"We can come back another time. We wont stop looking. The lake was a long shot anyway after all that rain. We'll have more luck with the missing persons system. You'll see."
Jack clenched his fists, the mud squeezing through his fingers. His heart rate began to slow and he took a deep shaky breath. "Okay." he croaked out.
There was nothing here. Nothing for him, anyway.
Jack stood and began to follow Jamie back to the car. The walk was quiet, the silence broken only when they trod through the drying twigs and leaves.
The cruiser came into sight quicker then Jack expected. He reached out to open the passenger door, wincing at the sight of his filthy hands on the white handle. He looked down; he was caked in thick brown mud from the knees down- and the rest of him was dotted with leaves and dirt. He realized he would make the car just as filthy in his current state and he looked up to say so to Jamie- But Jamie just wave a hand at him. "I'll take care of it later." He said and indicated Jack should get in
Jack did, pulling the door shut and stared at the lake.
He figured it was probably very nice most of the year, even if they said it never thawed. He could imagine green leaves in the trees and grass covering the hills in summer. Little wild flowers dotting the rocks and divets in the spring. The trees bare and white soft snow covering the ground in the winter. The lake glassy and solid.
The last image stayed with him. And he imagined the lake like that as they pulled away.
The drive home was quiet, broken only when the cruiser radio crackled to life as they pulled up outside the Carlito's house.
"Available officers, please respond." It was a clearly a young woman's voice, if a little warped by the radios static.
Jamie sighed and put the radio to his mouth. "Bennett here, what'd you need Pip?"
"There's a disturbance up at the pharmacy. Its just old man Paulson, Monty thinks he's confused. Probably wandered away from home without his meds- you know how he is. Can you sort it out? Over."
"I'm on my way. Over." Jamie replaced the radio back in its cradle and tightened both hands on the steering wheel for a moment. "Sorry Jack- Will you be alright?"
"I think I can handle the walk from the car to the house unescorted, yeah." Jack said rolling his eyes began to open the door when Jamie grasped his arm.
"You know what I mean, man" he said evenly. "Just because we didn't find anything today doesn't mean the search is over. The doctors said it would take time, its only been a few weeks-"
Jack pulled free gently, wanted to be away from Jamie who had seen his exterior crack
"I know I know. Don't worry I'll be fine." He fixed a grin on his face and tried to ignore how his eyes stung. Jack knew he probably looked awful and Jamie didn't look convinced.
"You gotta go sort out that crazy old man." He added, reminding the officer he had somewhere to be. "I'll catch up with you later. Thanks again, Jamie." Jack closed the door with a slam before Jamie could respond and started up towards the house.
The cruiser sat still for a few moments and Jack had to wave him goodbye before Jamie turned the car back around and drove up the street.
Jack stood on the verandah. He knew no one would be inside the house. It was still to early in the day for either Pete or Lara to be home or school to have let had soccer practice after school and Alyssa had daycare.
He stood for a moment on the stairs, looking down at the state of his clothes. A sudden wash of guilt filled him for treating them so poorly when they had been gifts...
Jack realized he had something in his hands and he held it up, it was the little orange marker.
He'd probably never find the exact spot again without it now.
He dropped the marker on the ground and went inside. It didn't matter. There wasn't anything at the lake. He knew that now.
Jack removed his filthy shoes and backpack at the door and used the key Pete had given him to let himself inside. Careful not to track mud through the house, he made his way to the bathroom.
He peeled of the outer layers and looked into the mirror, he was a mess.
Dirt was smeared across his cheeks, his eyes were red and puffy and set in a pale drawn face. He looked ill.
Jack peeled off the last of his damp clothes and showered in cold water, scrubbing mud off in layers. His nails were caked in dirt and he spent ten minutes scrubbing his hands alone.
He felt better when he shut the water off. Less... disheveled. His thoughts had organized themselves a little in icy temperature and he felt refreshed.
Jack studied himself in the mirror. His eyes had brightened and when he smiled, his reflection looked less uneven.
There was a thin smudge of grey on his left temple. He licked his thumb and rubbed at it. It didn't budge. He leaned in closer to the glass and pushed his hair out of the way.
Now he could see, it wasn't dirt on the skin- it was a mark. A thin smear of darkness above his brow. He frowned, had it always been there?
Jack couldn't tell.
He let his hair fall back, it curtained the mark and he shrugged it off. It was probably just a bruise.
He left his filthy clothes sitting on the floor, but redressed in his shorts and headed to his room. He was suddenly tired, and he wanted to sleep.
Jack lay down, and closed his eyes.
It was the clearest dream he'd had since he woke in the hospital. Only it wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare.
There was darkness. Big black rolling clouds and long streaks of purple lightning.
He was falling. Rolling and tumbling in the air and he could do nothing to stop his fall. His hands were empty and there was no one to catch him
There was an unfriendly glow. A flaming pinpoint, so hot it was white. There was the shaft of an arrow behind it.
Two yellow eyes narrowed. They smiled and Jack knew he was done.
And then the whiteness was flew free and sailed towards him and his skull opened up and there was only fire burning him up from the inside-
"Jack! Jack!"
Jack came too with a start, pulling back from the hands around his arm. His heart raced, his head ached, and burned, throbbing under his palms. His eyes stung with light and he immediately longed for darkness.
His eyes searched for his attacker.
It was only Alyssa, peering over the edge of the bed with wide hazel eyes.
"H-hey Lissy." Jack croaked out. "What are you doin' home?"
"The fairy said you need to Wake UP!" She shouted the last part, voice shrill and urgent. Jacks hands flew to his ears with a wince. He put a finger to his lips and she put her little hand over her mouth.
"The fairy huh?" he whispered with a smile and she nodded. Now he had a moment to breath, he was grateful to be awake. The dream was already fading away but the feeling of ill ease resettled on his shoulders. His head ached.
"Fairies only have little ears. You shouldn't shout when fairies can hear you."
"Alyssa?" George came through the door and frowned unhappily at his sister. "Mom said you weren't allowed to wake Jack. I'm telling!"
She pouted and her lower lip trembled. Jack sat up and swung his legs over the bed. "Nah its Ok, George. I'm glad she woke me. I thought you had practice today- why are you all home so early."
George frowned. "We've been home for hours. Mums got dinner on. You were asleep when we came home and mum said to leave you alone."
Jack pulled back the curtain and realized it was already dark outside. How long had he been asleep? He didn't feel rested at all. He rubbed his eyes free of crust and wetness, hoping George hadn't seen.
"The fairy said Jack had to wake up." Alyssa whispered softly and Jack smiled dimly at her. He hoped she wouldn't get into trouble for her overactive imagination.
George shot her an an annoyed look, opening his mouth to argue, but Jacks stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly through the room.
"So you said something about dinner?" Jack asked hopefully, pulling on a shirt.
He followed the children down the hallway, Alyssa pulling on his wrists. The smells from the kitchen drawing him away from the bedroom.
He was glad Alyssa had woken him and pulled him out of that horrible nightmare. His head still throbbed, but it was leaving him. The dream was almost completely gone now.
All he remembered was a sharp pain and darkness and two yellow eyes.
Is this getting too convoluted already? Continue? R&R