Author's Note: This whole story is going in a slightly different direction than I intended when I first started it ... but I think it has a bit more potential. And I changed the font, Times New Roman is just getting on my nerves.

On the Ways of Your Desire

Chapter 8: Bullets Without a Gun

Haley found some useful information on the orb, but soon hit a number of dead ends. Jake, noticing Haley's frustration and the late hour, pulled her away from the books. In a way he found this encouraging, knowing that this Haley at the core, was still the Haley he knew.

They arrived home at about midnight, and immediately set about making a snack. At hearing someone arrive, Jake's father went downstairs.

"Where have you been? And Haley, were you with him?" The tone of his voice was harsh and accusatory. It was a shock to Jake to hear his father speaking like this to him and about him.

"Dad, we were just, umm, doing some studying!"

"At this hour?"

"Just ask Grandpa! We were over there the whole time!" Haley crossed her arms defiantly, making Jake wonder what changed her.

With a sigh their father gave up and retreated back to his bedroom, but not before adding, "I thought you were done defending him, Haley."

Jake and Haley finished making the sandwiches in an uncomfortable silence. Once seated Haley tried to apologize, "Jake, I'm sorry, I'm so sor-"

"Haley, it's okay, I understand. From what it sounds like, I've been horrible."

"I didn't even believe you at first, I thought it was another one of your stories. Just another attempt to shift the blame away from yourself."

"I don't understand what happened to me in this bizarro-world. It's kind of scary to be honest. And if you tell anyone I said that-" but Jake found himself interrupted by his sister's laughter before he could finish his half-joking threat.

After the laughter died down Jake continued, "When did this start? How did I get like this?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but I have a few ideas so hear me out. You started getting depressed about a year ago, y'know around the time when Spud started dating Amanda."

"Actually, I don't know, I don't remember any of it. Just like when no one remembered Rose!"

"Who?"

"Aw, not this too!"

"It must be weird for you, having to think so much about your behavior and how it affects others." Jake tried not to take offense to the comment, but he knew it was true, and it stung.

"Yeah, although it seems like Spud is happier in this world," Jake mumbled through a mouthful of sandwich.

"First of all, eww gross, chew with you mouth closed. And second, are you sure he's so happy? He just went to the intervention for his best friend today, which honestly turned out like the other one, with you just nodding yes and tuning us out, and nothing actually really coming from it so we can't call it an intervention anyway. Also he's spent the last month or so arguing with his girlfriend, who for some bizarre reason is still dating him...."

"Oh, I didn't know okay, so get off my case. It just seemed like he was happy." Jake stood up, preparing to leave.

"Wait, just answer one question for me. How do you feel about Spud?"

"What? I already told-" Jake stopped abruptly, "Oh, you don't know..."

"Don't know what?"

"Well, yeah, I guess I do like Spud. But I want him to be happy, and I know he's not interested in me, he's straight."

Haley paused at hearing her suspicions confirmed. In the past year as she watched the deterioration of her brother, every explanation she tried to find lead back to Spud.

"Jake, you're so pessimistic. You have this black and white view of the world, and it always ends up leaning towards the doom and gloom end of things. I remember when you were so optimistic, well, to the point of insanity really. You thought you could do anything! This isn't the end of the world, we won't let it be! Jake, it'll be okay we'll figure this whole thing out."

"Thanks Haley, you're a really good sister ya know? Good night." Jake set his dish in the sink and went to bed.

Haley remained sitting at the table. "No Jake, in this world I failed you. I gave up on you." As she started to clean up the kitchen, a thought occurred to her, 'Maybe if I stop this guy and return everything to normal – but no, nothing can make up for what I did – still, stopping Tai Kokin might help.' With that thought Haley finished cleaning and sat down again at the table to go through some of the books she brought home with her.