Jasmine Scarthing-Thanks!
Decepticon-silverstreak-Scared? Poor choice of words, that.
Voodoo-Mutant-Child-Yes, it is! And he doesn't have to know about the pity.
Lupin fan1-Yeah, but what if you couldn't get rid of him? He'd probably turn you into a serial killer.
Jonathan isn't nearly as good a liar as he thinks he is.
Either that, or Kitty has some sort of lie-detector-power. He's not sure which.
"What's going on, Jonathan?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me."
She's good.
He clenches his teeth until his jaw aches and shakes his head.
"Nothing's going on. Everything's fine."
"Jonathan…"
"I'm fine."
She can't know. She'll call someone and they'll lock him up. They're already itching for an excuse, he knows that.
She shakes him a little and he looks at her.
"Jonathan." Yes, that's his name. "What is going on?"
Let me out, you little prick, we've waited too long!
His head throbs and he closes his eyes. This is new. New and painful and terrifying.
"Jonathan?" There's dry grass under his knees now. "Okay, it's okay…I'm going to get the nurse…"
"No!"
"What's going on?"
Then he's falling.
"Hello, Kitty."
It's Jonathan's voice, but…
"Jonathan?"
"He's not here right now."
It's too scratchy. And something's wrong with his eyes. They've gone cold.
"I'm not in the mood for games."
"Who's playing?"
What's going on here?
"Who are you?"
"Name's Scarecrow."
"What are you?"
"I'm not possessing him, don't fuss. We're sharing now."
"Stop."
"You all have a problem with me!" He-it?-laughs. "Get used to me, Sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere…hey!"
She tenses, but there's no need. The next voice she hears is unmistakably Jonathan's, and he sounds scared to death.
"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting…"
"What the fuck is going on."
He shrugs. She waits for him to try to explain.
Well?
"Answer me."
"I told you I was going crazy." he mumbles. "I was serious. I don't know where he came from, but he won't shut up."
"You need to see someone…"
"No!" She flinches, expecting the whatever-it-was to come out again. "No, they'll lock me up."
"If you're a danger to…"
"I'm not. Please believe me, Kitty, I didn't want to tell you…"
"Shh-shh-shh. Okay. It's okay." Now what? It is most certainly not okay. "It's okay. Just…just give me a few minutes."
She could tell her parents. She doubts that'll turn out well, but it's an option. The only other option is to talk to someone at school, and that definitely won't turn out well. Dammit. Why can't she have a normal high school experience?
Oh, she's going to regret this.
"You're absolutely sure you're not going to…um…" She lowers her voice. "Shoot up the school or something?"
He takes too long to answer, but he does say, "Yes."
Yeah. She's going to regret this.
"Okay." He hugs her and she freezes. She can't help it. "Jonathan…"
"Please believe me."
Right now it's still her Jonathan, the sarcastic one that can be bribed with orange-cranberry scones.
"I do." Mostly. "Just…just give me some time to get used to the idea. Okay?"
He nods.
"Okay."
AN: That went well, all things considered. Let's face it, I could have ended it right here with a nice juicy murder. -)