Chapter 2 - Symptoms

Chad Karlysle was enjoying the sunshine.

He sat on a wooden bench set on the bank of the gentle brook that ran east to west across the hospital grounds. He'd taken off his shoes and let his feet dangle in the slow running water, enjoying the feel of the mud between his toes.

This bench was his spot. Here, flanked by willow trees on either side, he could sit and contemplate his altered life in peace.

He studied his reflection on the surface of the water. Tousled dark hair that seemed possessed of a life of it's own. Brooding hazel eyes beneath thick brows, and a strong, firm jaw. Chad knew he looked about as normal as any other teenager.

But he wasn't.

Chad didn't really understand what had happened to him. Dr. Bryce felt it best to talk to his parents before telling Chad exactly what was wrong with him. But Chad knew there was something wrong.

His episodes, as Dr. Bryce called them, disturbed Chad more than he let on. There were blank spots in his memory. Lengthy periods that were walled off to him in his own mind. And the worst part was nobody would tell him what he was doing during those periods.

Was he crazy? Did he babble like a fool and try to soil himself like a couple of the other patients?

Chad hoped not, but until they actually told him what was happening he'd have to wonder.

Chad heard a loud, chirping cry from above. He glanced up, and spotted a tiny, blue crested Kingfisher, winging its way along on the thermals that surrounded the Rockies. The graceful bird banked sharp left, and fell into a murderous dive, heading straight for the spot where Chad sat. He held his breath as the bird nose-dived at incredible speed, and gave a little gasp of wonder as it pulled out and skimmed the surface of the brook with barely a ripple. As it climbed he saw the small pike clutched firmly in its talons. Then the bird banked left again, and disappeared into the trees.

Chad smiled to himself. He loved birds. Watching them fly like that, so graceful, so elegant, so totally free on the wind, it took his breath away. Chad sighed again.

If only he could fly.

The sounding of soft footfalls on the grass behind him made him turn. A stooped figure waddled up to the bench and tilted his shaved head to look at Chad.

The man was young, but he had a sunken face and dark rings under his eyes. He was reed thin and walked a slouched waddle that reminded Chad of a duck going sideways. Chad smiled at the newcomer.

"Hey Leroy," he greeted, "How are you?"

"I'm great, Chad, how are you?" Leroy's voice was surprisingly strong and clear. Completely out of tune with his appearance.

"Good," said Chad, "What brings you out here?"

"Dr. Bryce sent me," said Leroy, he shifted from foot to foot, a nervous reaction he'd apparently always possessed, "Your parents are here. He wants to talk to you."

Chad sprang to his feet. This was it! Finally, he was going to learn the truth.

"Come on, Leroy," he draped an arm across the other's shoulders, "Let's not keep 'em waiting."

-----

Maggie's heart soared when she saw her son.

She and Jack stood out in the courtyard, and watched Chad stroll toward them, a huge smile on his face and an arm slung around the shoulders of the young man sent to fetch him.

He seemed so full of life, so blessed with an urgent energy. Maggie could swear he was actually taller than the last time she'd seen him. But that had to be her imagination.

He disentangled himself from Leroy and lifted her in a mad bear hug.

"Hey gorgeous!" he gave her a wet kiss on the cheek, "Still breakin' hearts?"

Maggie giggled and slapped his arm playfully.

"Chad! Put me down!"

He complied, and shook his father's hand.

"So, I'm officially the black sheep of the family now, huh?" he said, still grinning, "That why you haven't been to see me in two weeks?"

Maggie clucked at him, "Of course not," she scolded, "The doctors wanted to keep you isolated for observation. Believe me hon, if I could, I'd be here everyday."

"I know mom, I was just kidding."

"You're ignoring me! Why are you ignoring me? I hate that! I hate it!"

They all jumped at the screeching voice.

It was Leroy.

He was dancing on the spot in a crazy shuffle, twisting his features into an ugly grimace and glaring at them.

"Don't ignore me!"

Suddenly, he rushed at Jack, arms extended and his fingers hooked into claws.

"Dad!"

Swiftly, Chad intercepted him. He gripped him around the waist and swung him up so his feet left the ground. Leroy continued to screech and spit at Jack, kicking out viscously and trying to tear himself away from Chad. But Chad got him in a firm hold, and spoke gently.

"Its okay Leroy, its okay, buddy," he cooed, "These are my parents. We just wanted to say hi. We weren't ignoring you."

"Don't ignore me!" he hissed, "I hate that!"

"I know, I know, buddy. Its okay."

Two beefy male nurses rushed outside to see what the commotion was. They swiftly took in the scene and moved to relieve Chad of his burden. Chad let Leroy go, still talking to him in the same quiet, calm tone, and Leroy seemed none the worse for wear. In fact, he flashed Chad a bright smile and followed the nurses inside.

Chad turned to his parents, rolling his eyes.

"Weirdos man, you can't leave 'em alone for a second."

Maggie's eyes widened at his comment and Chad chuckled.

"Does that happen often?" asked Jack.

"Fairly often," Chad shrugged, "Leroy's an okay guy. I like him. He just takes his abandonment issues way too seriously."

"How are you doing, honey?" Maggie couldn't hide her concern, "Is this place okay?"

"Are you kidding me?" Chad waved an arm, "Look at this place. Its like something out a Zen Master's wish list. And the funny thing is, I like the patients. Some of them don't communicate too well, but that's cool. I can flop down on a couch and read or write, and they just chill next to me, never saying a word. Its peaceful."

"Chad, don't take this the wrong way," said Jack, "But you really are a weirdo if you like this place that much."

Chad's sarcastic comeback was cut off by the arrival of Dr. Bryce. He appeared on the front steps and waved to them.

"Hi Chad!"

"Hi Dr. Bryce!"

Dr. Bryce descended the steps and made his way towards them. He didn't get far. Halfway, he was distracted by a loud screech from above. He whirled around, whipping off his glasses. The Karlysles all followed his gaze.

"Leroy!" Chad screamed.

Leroy was standing on the roof of the three story main building. He had his arms flung out to the sides, and he was hollering at them at the top of his voice.

"You think you can ignore me? You can't ignore me!"

Then he jumped.

To Chad, the world slowed down.

He saw his friend bend his knees and push himself off the ledge and out into the air. Then, before he realised what he was doing, Chad took off toward him.

He passed a stunned Dr. Bryce, willing himself to go faster, faster, and closed the distance to the spot where Leroy would land. He almost didn't make it.

At the last second before Leroy made an intimate connection with the concrete path, Chad leapt. He twisted his body so he caught Leroy facing up, and braced himself as they slammed into the unyielding ground. Pain whipped through his lower back and his teeth clattered together so hard it gave him an instant headache. Choking dust cascaded around them, making them cough.

But they were both okay.

Leroy disentangled himself and curled up next to the wall in a gibbering ball. Chad winced at the pain, and sat up. He laid a hand on Leroy's shoulder.

"Are you okay, buddy?"

Leroy nodded dumbly, not speaking. Chad sighed and heaved himself to his feet. He dusted off his clothes, then swung to face the others.

They were all still rooted to the spot. Dr. Bryce was looking at him with an expression similar to a freshly landed fish. His parents gaped, and he could see his mother was on the verge of tears.

"What is it?" he stepped toward them, suddenly concerned, "What's wrong?"

"How... How...?" Dr. Bryce's mouth flapped uselessly.

"What?"

"How did you do that?" Dr. Bryce looked at him with what can only be described as open awe.

Chad frowned but the doctor refused to take his eyes from Chad's face. He seemed stunned.

"Do what? Catch him? I don't know, I just did. Why didn't you do anything?"

"There wasn't time."

"You were closer."

Dr. Bryce opened his mouth to respond, then clamped it shut again, shaking his head in wonder.

"What?" Chad repeated, growing agitated.

He felt his father's hand on his shoulder and turned to face him. His father's expression was identical to Dr. Bryce's, as though he were staring at a marvel rather than his own son.

"Chad," he whispered, "How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You... You moved..." he took a breath, composing himself, "You moved so fast we couldn't see you."

"What?"

.

.

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