It took 2 days for Jack to become fully "with it" again. His mind had too much to process at first, but eventually he sorted out what he could.
Oh and if things weren't bad enough, he found himself addicted to the sleeping pills since he took one when he didn't truly need to. He had no trouble sleeping, he just continued to strain his mind while he slept, so the sleeping pills weren't needed, and a side effect was that they may cause addiction.
Yeah Jack was in a bad way.
However, there was some good news.
Elise had evolved during Jack's resting period.
Still, it wasn't much compensation for the steep price Jack would end up paying.
He was still drinking and smoking, and now that he was also taking drugs, albiet minor ones, it began to affect his health.
His physical strength was failing him, and he began to rely more and more on his mental abilities, and since he was still only a Fire Type, it was very straining.
His lungs were also getting badly damaged from all the toxins from his smoking habit. He was running out of breath more and more, and he often had to ask Elise to slow down so he could keep up.
On one particular mission, he started hyperventilating because his lungs simply couldn't draw enough air in.
He ended up passing out, and they failed the mission.
It was the first time they had ever failed.
Elise confronted Jack and demanded to know what was wrong with him.
'Jack, we just failed our first mission. Now I wouldn't have a problem if it was simply we weren't prepared or strong enough, but we failed because you couldn't keep up and ended up passing out from hyperventilation. I want to know what is wrong with you, and I want to know now.'
'Elise I really don-'
'THE TRUTH!'
'*Sighs* I've been smoking.'
'…'
'What it is-'
'I know what it is! I'm just shocked that you take part in such an unhealthy activity. How the hell didn't I notice?'
'Because I've been burning my fur to rid the smell.'
'Jack… I want to make one thing VERY clear. If this habit causes us to fail more missions like we just did, I'm going to kick you out of my team.'
'I understand.'
'Good. Now get out of my home.'
That night, before taking his pills, he went to find the person who had started his bad habits. He hoped that he would have something to help with his physical weakness.
'You ever heard of crystal meth?'
'I don't believe I have.'
(Not sure if I'm right about this, but whatever)
'It can basically make you immune to pain and give you a large energy boost, like, stupidly large.'
'I see. How would I take it?'
'There are several ways, but I recommend 2. Orally or nasally.'
'How much would this cost?'
'I'll tell ya what. Since I don't have to pay for the ingredients, don't ask how I get them, and since you're such a good customer, no charge.'
'Thanks so much. I owe ya one.'
(Morning… the next day)
Jack woke up and quickly ate the crystals he got yesterday. However since he was up late last night, Elise arrived not long after, and she was shocked.
Jack was standing still and his eyes were as wide as they could be.
'Uh… Jack?'
'Yeah how ya doin?'
'Are you ok?'
'Oh I'm fantastic but I'm so confused.'
'About what?'
Jack looks at the wall behind him.
'Why is there no hole in this wall?'
Jack puts his head through the wall.
Elise is more or less speechless.
'*Whispers* What the fuck?'
Jack pulls his head out and looks at Elise again.
'Alright I'm gonna go for a run.'
Jack jumps out of one of the windows, seemingly immune to the broken glass.
Elise stands there for well over a minute. Completely dumbfounded by what she just saw.
'I… What?'
She searches his home and finds alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, a mostly empty bottle of sleeping pills, and some form of crystallized… something.
She took them to the police.