Part 12 – A Night to Remember
Joshua sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers intertwined in Jack's. It had taken Jack hours to fall asleep; he'd cried for hours until no more tears would come and then he'd just sobbed dryly into Joshua's shoulder.
When the police had arrived Joshua and Jack had been asked if they somewhere else to go. They weren't allowed to stay at the house, something about tampering with the crime scene, Joshua hadn't been paying too much attention. But he said that they could go to his place for as long as necessary.
For a while they'd just sat on the bed, in the same position as they had done earlier when they were reading. Only this time Joshua's shirt was damp with Jack's tears and his own eyes were red and watery. When Jack had finally cried himself to sleep, Joshua had slipped out from underneath him and lain him out on the bed. He took off Jack's shoes and placed them at the end of the bed and then took off his watch and put it next to the book on the nightstand. Now he sat there watching him sleep, wishing there was something he could do.
In his sleep, Jack had the dream again. It all played through the same, but when it got to the part where the Frisbee game ended, Jack made a decision; it wasn't going to be the same this time. It may have only been a dream but Jack had had enough of being the victim.
As he stepped off the bridge, Jack felt an odd sense of achievement. He had power now; he was in control. He took a deep breath and started to make his way through the park. His journey was uneventful and uninterrupted, he made his way past dog-walkers, joggers and couples walking with ease, no one stopped him and no one got in his way. Then he turned a corner in the path and was suddenly all alone. The bustling park was empty. He was now standing in the middle of a circle off trees, surprised by the lack of people. He started to look around himself and that's when he noticed that the entrance to the circle he'd used moments ago was no longer there. In fact there were no gaps in the circle at all. He could see through the trees, but only to more trees; he was in a clearing in a dense forest that hadn't been there before. He was trapped, but strangely calm.
"Jack," a voice said behind him.
Jack spun around to see who it was behind him, talking to him. Standing in front was a figure dressed all in white. The young guy's dark-framed glasses contrasted with the baggy white trousers and white long-sleeved T- shirt. His blond hair moved in the breeze. Jack couldn't help feel a sense of familiarity.
"Do I know you?"
"No"
"It's just that I look at you and I feel that I should. Know you, I mean."
"This is not my true form; it was chosen for you."
"Then who are you? And why do I know you?"
"Who I am is not important. Not yet at any rate. In time all things shall be made clear. You do not necessarily know the owner of this form yet. It was picked from your lifetime for its familiarity. It may be that he will be important to you in the future."
"But if I don't know them now, how can I recognise you know?"
"Fate."
"Huh?"
"Not all things in this life are definite, but there are some things that are meant to happen; need to happen. Love is one of these things. Love is paramount for existence, necessary for life. The bond of love transcends time and space. Humans refer to this as being soulmates but it is recognised as fate. It is your destiny to love the owner of this form and so that love is known to you even now."
"I will love him." The figure simply nodded in reply. "But you aren't him."
"Correct."
"I take it that you aren't human."
The figure smiled. " No, I am not."
"What are you then?"
"That is immaterial."
"But if I am destined to love this guy," Jack gestured at the figure in front of him. "That means that Joshua and I are doomed. Which is strange, because –"
"There are many kinds of love, Jack, not just romantic love." The figure waved his hand to one side and a group of people shimmered into existence. They were also dressed all in white but, unlike the one who had summoned them, they were transparent and seemed to glow slightly. They were also all people that Jack knew or had known. Standing right at the front was Andie, and directly behind her stood Joey, Jen, Pacey and Dawson. Behind them were many more people, but they were less distinct, harder to pick out.
"The Greeks understood this so well that they had separate words for each of the different kinds. Eros is romantic love; Philios is brotherly love or the love between friends; Agape is true love, unconditional love. But in some way and at some time you have loved all these people.
"However," at this the whole crowd shimmered away, all except Andie who stayed exactly where she was. The figure made his way to Andie and circled round, coming to stop standing by her side, looking at her, "Andie is the reason I am here now." He now turned to look at Jack; "She is in danger, Jack. This is another one of those things that were destined to happen."
"What?"
"I know that must be hard to hear, Jack, but she will be alright. But it had to happen to ensure your safety. You may not believe this but you are very important. And you are in grave danger. We have been trying to warn you for a long time now but the message has not been understood."
"The dreams."
"Yes, the dreams."
"I knew they were more than just dreams like Jen was making out."
"Yes but we couldn't get deep enough to tell you properly until now. Your heart had to call out for us, for our help. The despair you felt when Andie was taken from you caused you to do this. It was enough to allow us to be here now. So that I might warn you that danger is coming."
"Yeah, you mentioned the danger. What danger exactly?"
"I cannot say. All I can do now is warn of its approach so that you might be prepared. That, and tell you that we are with you."
"And who are 'we'?"
"As I said, that is immaterial. Just know that we will be your aid in the coming time."
"So, what happens now?"
The figure walked up to Jack as Andie also shimmered away, "Now, you wake up." He reached out and touched Jack. And Jack woke up, just as the figure had said he would.
Jack woke to find himself back in Joshua's room, his hand held tightly in Joshua's.
"Well that was weird." Jack said, sitting up.
"What was?"
"I had another one of the dreams again. Only this time, it was like I was in control. I didn't get beat up, I didn't get killed; I changed it. There was this guy, it sounds crazy I know, but I think he was and angel or something."
"That's new."
"He told me that Andie's going to be okay."
Right then there was a knock at the door. Joshua grudgingly let go of Jack's hand and went to answer it. When he came back he had Doug in tow.
"Good news, Jack, we found Andie."
Joshua and Jack smiled knowingly at one another.
"Where is she?"
"She was seen wandering down a street on the other side of town. The person who saw her was worried about her because it was late and called us in. She somehow managed to escape, but she's in the hospital now."
"Why?"
"I don't know myself yet. I'm taking you guys down with me to find out more."
When they arrived at the hospital a nurse led Jack, Joshua and Doug down corridor after corridor to take them to Andie. Joshua turned to Jack.
"You're being quiet."
"I know, sorry."
"Don't be. Just tell me."
"It's just that not too long ago I was waking up here myself. I was confused, scared and in pain. And there's nothing like a return visit to bring it all home. I just hope she's not feeling it as bad as I was."
"That's very chivalrous and all, but I can't help but feel that it goes slightly deeper than that."
"Well, it's just that he was right, about Andie."
""Who was?"
"The guy in my dream, he said that Andie was going to be okay, and here we are."
"And somehow this isn't a good thing?" Joshua's brow furrowed.
"He also told me that I am in grave danger."
"I promise to protect you." Joshua vowed, squeezing Jack's hand.
"Jack squeezed back and smiled. "Thank you."
"The nurse who was leading them through the hospital stopped outside a room and turned to face the three men. "If you just wait here the doctor will be with you soon," and with that, she left.
About thirty seconds later, a woman wearing a white coat with long, dark, wavy hair that fell over face as she read the chart she was carrying walked up to them. She looked up and introduced herself as Dr. McNab. "Are you Andie's family?" She asked, looking briefly back at the chart to check the name of her patient.
"I'm her brother. How is she?"
"I'm afraid I can only give information to family members, could you come with me please." Dr. McNab led Jack off to one side.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"She's doing fine. When she came in her hands had obviously been bound and she'd taken a blow to the head, but we've taken care of the injuries. The rope burn will be painful for a while and we want to carry out a few tests for concussion and the like, but mostly she just needs rest."
"Can I see her now."
"I'll check to see if she's awake, but, like I said, she needs her rest so please try to make it short."
The doctor pushed the door open and called quietly into the room. "Andie? Andie are you awake?"
She obviously got some form of responsible because the next thing Jack heard was Dr McNab informing Andie that she had a visitor. Then the doctor pushed the door open more and beckoned Jack into the room. Jack entered the room somewhat cautiously and looked up to see Andie sitting up in the bed. He ran up to her and hugged her to him tightly. "I was so worried about you, Andie." Tears of joy for her safety started to well in his eyes.
She pushed him off her looking a little annoyed.
"I'm sorry, but do... do I know you?"
To Be Continued...
Joshua sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers intertwined in Jack's. It had taken Jack hours to fall asleep; he'd cried for hours until no more tears would come and then he'd just sobbed dryly into Joshua's shoulder.
When the police had arrived Joshua and Jack had been asked if they somewhere else to go. They weren't allowed to stay at the house, something about tampering with the crime scene, Joshua hadn't been paying too much attention. But he said that they could go to his place for as long as necessary.
For a while they'd just sat on the bed, in the same position as they had done earlier when they were reading. Only this time Joshua's shirt was damp with Jack's tears and his own eyes were red and watery. When Jack had finally cried himself to sleep, Joshua had slipped out from underneath him and lain him out on the bed. He took off Jack's shoes and placed them at the end of the bed and then took off his watch and put it next to the book on the nightstand. Now he sat there watching him sleep, wishing there was something he could do.
In his sleep, Jack had the dream again. It all played through the same, but when it got to the part where the Frisbee game ended, Jack made a decision; it wasn't going to be the same this time. It may have only been a dream but Jack had had enough of being the victim.
As he stepped off the bridge, Jack felt an odd sense of achievement. He had power now; he was in control. He took a deep breath and started to make his way through the park. His journey was uneventful and uninterrupted, he made his way past dog-walkers, joggers and couples walking with ease, no one stopped him and no one got in his way. Then he turned a corner in the path and was suddenly all alone. The bustling park was empty. He was now standing in the middle of a circle off trees, surprised by the lack of people. He started to look around himself and that's when he noticed that the entrance to the circle he'd used moments ago was no longer there. In fact there were no gaps in the circle at all. He could see through the trees, but only to more trees; he was in a clearing in a dense forest that hadn't been there before. He was trapped, but strangely calm.
"Jack," a voice said behind him.
Jack spun around to see who it was behind him, talking to him. Standing in front was a figure dressed all in white. The young guy's dark-framed glasses contrasted with the baggy white trousers and white long-sleeved T- shirt. His blond hair moved in the breeze. Jack couldn't help feel a sense of familiarity.
"Do I know you?"
"No"
"It's just that I look at you and I feel that I should. Know you, I mean."
"This is not my true form; it was chosen for you."
"Then who are you? And why do I know you?"
"Who I am is not important. Not yet at any rate. In time all things shall be made clear. You do not necessarily know the owner of this form yet. It was picked from your lifetime for its familiarity. It may be that he will be important to you in the future."
"But if I don't know them now, how can I recognise you know?"
"Fate."
"Huh?"
"Not all things in this life are definite, but there are some things that are meant to happen; need to happen. Love is one of these things. Love is paramount for existence, necessary for life. The bond of love transcends time and space. Humans refer to this as being soulmates but it is recognised as fate. It is your destiny to love the owner of this form and so that love is known to you even now."
"I will love him." The figure simply nodded in reply. "But you aren't him."
"Correct."
"I take it that you aren't human."
The figure smiled. " No, I am not."
"What are you then?"
"That is immaterial."
"But if I am destined to love this guy," Jack gestured at the figure in front of him. "That means that Joshua and I are doomed. Which is strange, because –"
"There are many kinds of love, Jack, not just romantic love." The figure waved his hand to one side and a group of people shimmered into existence. They were also dressed all in white but, unlike the one who had summoned them, they were transparent and seemed to glow slightly. They were also all people that Jack knew or had known. Standing right at the front was Andie, and directly behind her stood Joey, Jen, Pacey and Dawson. Behind them were many more people, but they were less distinct, harder to pick out.
"The Greeks understood this so well that they had separate words for each of the different kinds. Eros is romantic love; Philios is brotherly love or the love between friends; Agape is true love, unconditional love. But in some way and at some time you have loved all these people.
"However," at this the whole crowd shimmered away, all except Andie who stayed exactly where she was. The figure made his way to Andie and circled round, coming to stop standing by her side, looking at her, "Andie is the reason I am here now." He now turned to look at Jack; "She is in danger, Jack. This is another one of those things that were destined to happen."
"What?"
"I know that must be hard to hear, Jack, but she will be alright. But it had to happen to ensure your safety. You may not believe this but you are very important. And you are in grave danger. We have been trying to warn you for a long time now but the message has not been understood."
"The dreams."
"Yes, the dreams."
"I knew they were more than just dreams like Jen was making out."
"Yes but we couldn't get deep enough to tell you properly until now. Your heart had to call out for us, for our help. The despair you felt when Andie was taken from you caused you to do this. It was enough to allow us to be here now. So that I might warn you that danger is coming."
"Yeah, you mentioned the danger. What danger exactly?"
"I cannot say. All I can do now is warn of its approach so that you might be prepared. That, and tell you that we are with you."
"And who are 'we'?"
"As I said, that is immaterial. Just know that we will be your aid in the coming time."
"So, what happens now?"
The figure walked up to Jack as Andie also shimmered away, "Now, you wake up." He reached out and touched Jack. And Jack woke up, just as the figure had said he would.
Jack woke to find himself back in Joshua's room, his hand held tightly in Joshua's.
"Well that was weird." Jack said, sitting up.
"What was?"
"I had another one of the dreams again. Only this time, it was like I was in control. I didn't get beat up, I didn't get killed; I changed it. There was this guy, it sounds crazy I know, but I think he was and angel or something."
"That's new."
"He told me that Andie's going to be okay."
Right then there was a knock at the door. Joshua grudgingly let go of Jack's hand and went to answer it. When he came back he had Doug in tow.
"Good news, Jack, we found Andie."
Joshua and Jack smiled knowingly at one another.
"Where is she?"
"She was seen wandering down a street on the other side of town. The person who saw her was worried about her because it was late and called us in. She somehow managed to escape, but she's in the hospital now."
"Why?"
"I don't know myself yet. I'm taking you guys down with me to find out more."
When they arrived at the hospital a nurse led Jack, Joshua and Doug down corridor after corridor to take them to Andie. Joshua turned to Jack.
"You're being quiet."
"I know, sorry."
"Don't be. Just tell me."
"It's just that not too long ago I was waking up here myself. I was confused, scared and in pain. And there's nothing like a return visit to bring it all home. I just hope she's not feeling it as bad as I was."
"That's very chivalrous and all, but I can't help but feel that it goes slightly deeper than that."
"Well, it's just that he was right, about Andie."
""Who was?"
"The guy in my dream, he said that Andie was going to be okay, and here we are."
"And somehow this isn't a good thing?" Joshua's brow furrowed.
"He also told me that I am in grave danger."
"I promise to protect you." Joshua vowed, squeezing Jack's hand.
"Jack squeezed back and smiled. "Thank you."
"The nurse who was leading them through the hospital stopped outside a room and turned to face the three men. "If you just wait here the doctor will be with you soon," and with that, she left.
About thirty seconds later, a woman wearing a white coat with long, dark, wavy hair that fell over face as she read the chart she was carrying walked up to them. She looked up and introduced herself as Dr. McNab. "Are you Andie's family?" She asked, looking briefly back at the chart to check the name of her patient.
"I'm her brother. How is she?"
"I'm afraid I can only give information to family members, could you come with me please." Dr. McNab led Jack off to one side.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"She's doing fine. When she came in her hands had obviously been bound and she'd taken a blow to the head, but we've taken care of the injuries. The rope burn will be painful for a while and we want to carry out a few tests for concussion and the like, but mostly she just needs rest."
"Can I see her now."
"I'll check to see if she's awake, but, like I said, she needs her rest so please try to make it short."
The doctor pushed the door open and called quietly into the room. "Andie? Andie are you awake?"
She obviously got some form of responsible because the next thing Jack heard was Dr McNab informing Andie that she had a visitor. Then the doctor pushed the door open more and beckoned Jack into the room. Jack entered the room somewhat cautiously and looked up to see Andie sitting up in the bed. He ran up to her and hugged her to him tightly. "I was so worried about you, Andie." Tears of joy for her safety started to well in his eyes.
She pushed him off her looking a little annoyed.
"I'm sorry, but do... do I know you?"
To Be Continued...