Hearts and Minds
Chapter Eight

Just when Boone thought he couldn't of been in any more pain, it came, and worse, it came slowly. He felt as if he were being crushed by a pile of bricks that lay on his chest. His lungs had closed in, his eyes felt heavy, and his head was spinning out of control. All he wanted to do was die and get it over with, but something inside him protested. He felt his eyes lift and a blurry figure came in to view, blocking everything else out of view. Blinking a few times, he realized it was Jack, who wasn't close to him at all, but sitting to the far side of the caves, in deep thoughts, which Jack quickly broke out of when he saw Boone was awake.

What happened? Boone heard himself ask.

Normally, Jack would've told him or someone in his condition to be quiet, and not try to talk, but even in his condition, Boone could tell something was bothering Jack, and that something big had just happened. Either way, Jack didn't answer his question.

Three times, was all Jack said, holding up three fingers, three times in the past two day you've almost gotten yourself killed.

Boone didn't say anything. What was he supposed to do? Whine and say it's not my fault'?

We have to do something about this drug, Jack said, or this will keep happening.

He stopped, giving Boone a chance to register this through he brain, which was taking a while.

What is it? Jack asked after the pause.

Boone asked, confused.

What's the drug you're on?

Boone groaned as he tried to sit up, and settled for laying down. What he was really trying to do was avoid answering.

Jack continued. How serious is it?

Boone tried to close his eyes to block Jack out, but halfway through the process he became nervous that they wouldn't open again, and as long as he knew he was going to live, he figured he might as well see it.

Jack said, standing up o leave, impatient, I'll just go ask Shannon.

Jack got all the way to the exit of the cave before Boone realized what Jack and just said.

Shannon doesn't know, he said as well as he could.

Jack turned around.

Shannon doesn't know about the meds, Boone said, trying to regain his voice, infact, up until four weeks ago, I hadn't even talked to her in months.She doesn't know? Jack repeated, sitting back down.

No one knows.

Jack took this in.

How long? He asked. Is this some new thing or-Eight years.

Jack stared at him.

Eight years? He repeated. Eight years?Since I was seventeen.

Boone took a breath, knowing he was about to have to pour his life out. And he hated that. He hated becoming a soft person, and he didn't want to sit through a therapy lesson from some doctor he only met two weeks ago. Especially a doctor he didn't always agree with. Then again, if it was only he and Shannon in this situation, he still wouldn't want to tell her anything. He hadn't spoken in eight years, and he didn't want to start now.

Shannon and I aren't really brother and sister, he began, only half. Our parents met when I was ten, Shannon was seven. Her father had the money. Made my mom rich. He owned a chain of restaurants in L.A.I don't see where this is going-He hated the way I acted, Boone continued, knowing if he stopped he wouldn't be able to continue, hated the way he said I treated Shannon. He always wanted me to act the way he wanted. It drove me crazy.

Jack nodded, understanding what he meant.

I didn't get my license until I was seventeen, Boone said, trying to ignore the pain in his throat, I celebrated with some friends, got drunk, and tried to drive home. I got around the first corner, and didn't know the light was read..

Boone stopped before continuing, remembering the incident like it was yesterday.

I didn't even see it coming, Boone continued, there was just this light and then..

He couldn't say it. He was embarrassed, not being able to talk about an incident that happened eight years ago. He took a deep breath, and continued.

I ran from the scene, he said, all I found out later was that there was a girl that died in the other car..

He stopped again.

My dad found out about the wreck through the paper, he said, going on, he was the only person who knew I had the car that night. He couldn't even look at me after that. He told me that he didn't want me bringing him down. That he didn't won't his reputation killed if it leaked out. So he made up some excuse to my mom.. and left. Haven't seen him since.And that's when you started the meds? Jack said, putting it together.

Boone said, not wanting to continue the story. They never found out that I was in the car. It wasn't mine, it was a friend's who skipped down the night after the accident, so my mom never found out.. and I didn't tell her. When she asked me what happened that night I told her I got in a fight.

He stopped again, thinking of how to say what happened next. Finally, he remembered.

Shannon got even worse after that, he said, started making all these stupid decisions. Going out with the wrong guys, failing at school. My mom always left it up to me to get her out of trouble. Then.. I started having some serious issues. These hallucination spells.. After I fainted one day my girlfriend took me to a doctor. He prescribed the meds, said I would be on them for the rest of my life. There some sort of anti-depresant type thing. I was eighteen so I didn't need a guardian. I went under a fake name. No one ever found out.

Stopping, he hoped that could be the end of the interrogation.

So why were you in Australia? Jack asked, interested in his story now, but feeling sorry for Boone all the same.

Boone figured there was no way around answering, this guy had basically just saved his life three times, so he owed him.

Shannon got into some trouble four weeks ago in Louisiana, he said.

When you were at the police station, Jack remembered.

Boone said, but she would kill me if I told you about it. Anyway, she went on this vacation thing in Australia, and I went to..

He stopped, knowing he couldn't tell anyone about the trial.

Bring her back home, he lied, and that's how we ended up here.

It was a lot for Jack to take in, but he got it. Especially the father part he could understand.

So what should I do? He asked Jack.

Jack had been thinking about this. First Boone needed to find a way to ease his mind, and then find some kind of replacement drug. Otherwise it would turn out the worse.

You need to tell Shannon. He said finally.

Boone exclaimed. No.. I can't..The little girl you keep seeing in these hallucinations, Jack said, you don't know who she is, do you? Boone said, she was just always what came to mind after I heard about the girl that died-But you never saw a picture of her? Jack cut in. Or knew a name?I'm no psychiatrist, Jack said, but I'm thinking the girl resembles your sister. Boone said. Shannon? No.. I think I would know my hallucination-But you said you never saw a picture of that girl, Jack interrupted, and you said that Shannon started getting herself into some serious trouble. Subconsciously, I think that you could be feeling guilty for that. Boone said, not believing it, I would know- Jack said, the meds? You wouldn't.

Boone understood as that sunk in. He knew Jack was right.

Talk to Shannon, Jack said again, it's a start.

He stood up.

I'll go get her.

Telling the story again was the last thing Boone wanted, but he knew Jack was right. He took a deep breath, as he prepared his next version..

Author's Notes: Wow. Cheesy ending, but that's what happens at 3:45 A.M. None of this story is intended to be slash, so just remember that! I don't read or write slash! Well, hope you liked it! Oh, and thanks for the reviews!

October Sky