Chapter 4 – Uncovering the light

Paddy invited Jackson into the living room, while he made both of them tea. Jackson settled uncomfortably on the sofa, he knew his visit to see Aaron inevitable, almost like, it was written in the stars.

Mean while, in the kitchen, Paddy was in turmoil, was this a good idea? Aaron seemed to be escaping the dark, caught somewhere between the burning daylight and the bitter night, an essence of twilight. Would his visit leave Aaron running for shade? Or could Jackson's presence ignite light into Aaron's eyes? Showing him the way to find the sun.

Paddy placed Jackson's cup on the coffee table in front of him, eager to discover Jackson's true intentions.

Jackson was the first to speak.

"How is he"?

"He appears to be coping, but it's hard to tell with him, he's excellent in hiding the truth", Paddy sighed, grasping just how much of an expert Aaron is at keeping secrets.

Aaron was far from whole, the cracks being held together but, his existence could collapse at any given moment.

Paddy broke the minute hush that had fallen upon the room.

"He hasn't really said much about it, we're still not sure what's going on in his head, which scares us. But he's been talkative about anything, other than what's happened".

Jackson was relieved Aaron had made progress, even if it was just a hint, he smiled to himself, although going undetected to paddy, due to the smile failing to reach his lips, instead, wrapping around his core.

"Ano, it probably was a bad idea me coming here today paddy but, I just had to come, I had to".

"Ano mate"

Jackson felt a twinge in the depth of his stomach, what should he do now?

Jackson had been having trouble sleeping since the event, the same recurring dream night after night. The image of Aaron's shadow, on every wall, his foot prints, embedded in the ground. Before finally seeing him, a shining light covering his whole life, being taken into the sky. All he could do is watch, watch Aaron leaving this world. The sound of Jackson breaking splitting the cool dark night.

Jackson couldn't turn away from Aaron now, for Jackson understood, it was not just Aaron who was broken. Two shattered soul's, were in desperate need of becoming whole.

Paddy deliberated for a moment on telling Jackson Aarons breakthrough of peace, deciding it best to inform the young man who clearly cared a great deal about him.

"I just hope the worst is behind him now. Ever since I found out the truth, all I wanted was to hug him, let him know everything will be alright. And at the hospital, he let me. I held him for hours and he never let go. He cried for what felt like forever, it was torture to see him like that, it broke my heart. But, it was a good thing, he was finally letting everything come out, all the hurt, anger. I was glad I could be there for him".

Jackson managed to remain in control, forcing the urge to cry to come back later. But the tracing of his heart warmed at the thought of Aaron releasing his demons.

Paddy and Jackson both jumped simultaneously on hearing the front door opening and closing.

Aaron appeared, Clyde bounding to discover the stranger he has never seen before. Jackson instantly petting the K-9, slow continuous touches along the curve of his spine.

Aaron was frozen, his body iced over in shock, Jackson was the last person he had expected to see. But the ice was in contrast to his eyes, which boasted a gleam of fire behind them, something Paddy failed to miss.

"I'll just be in the surgery if ya need me" Paddy gently spoke, before disappearing around the corner.

Jackson looked up, searching to discover the emotions in Aaron's soft eyes, but couldn't understand what he saw. Meanwhile, Aarons heart stopped, the expression on Jackson's face sending shivers down his spine, like shooting stars illuminating through the dark.

Jackson was smiling unknowingly, immersing himself in the blissful feeling of seeing the life in front of him. Enticing Aaron to do the same, hypnotising the teenager. All the years of white lies, dissolving in soft hazel eyes.

Jackson, losing all sense of rationality, leapt off the sofa, taking Aaron into his arms. Unaware of the sheer panic engrossing the still tender alien. But once settled into the warm arms of the lucky star, Aaron's apprehensive core began to melt.

Aaron recognised he and Jackson were different from this world, from a whole other dimension. Jackson's embrace so foreign...so supernatural. Aaron, was now ready for abduction.

Call off the search, for Aaron's soul has been found.

It's time to make a start, for Aaron to get to know his heart.

TBC