This is a short chapter so I'll upload the next one not too much later.
Chapter 11: Sutter
July 1st, Sutter CA
For such a large population, nothing really happened. Especially since he'd stopped talking to anyone.
He wandered the streets at night, but they were quiet. He just kept walking north, and surprisingly, nothing had happened. Four days in the county, and nothing. Jim was going to lose it.
He'd helped with several crashes on his way north, but he vanished before anyone could identify him as Atlas. He was still being granted gratitude for the things he did, even if he didn't stick around.
Jim was being much more careful with his secret, holding his sounds, keeping his eyes dull, his tail tucked. And he hadn't said a word in almost a week.
He started killing for his food, and now had tasted a large number of animals. Venison was still his favorite though. He kept walking north, Jim decided once he reached the state border he'd make his way to Gasquet, making sure he could still remember Amara's scent.
It was hard to forget, his tail had been covered in her blood.
Claire had been calling, he was sure Toby was too. So he'd decided to set up a voicemail, he was enjoying his time alone. He didn't want it disturbed, but he also wanted them to understand that he was fine.
"Hey, this is Jim, but I'm not actually answering calls. Toby, Claire, stop calling me, please. Don't worry about me, I'm actually doing pretty amazing. I'm not sure when I'll be back but it'll be at least another month before I start heading for Arcadia again…" there was a deep sigh/growl, "Guys, please just leave me alone. I mean it."
He pressed save and almost the same time he did, a call from Claire came in. he placed his phone back in his ziplock and in his pocket. Letting it go to voicemail.
The thing about stopping crime, is that you have to be there when the crime is occuring. There is also the thing about having a crime to stop. He left Tehama and kept walking, sleeping during the day, eating once or twice a week.
May 18th, 12:59 pm, Arcadia CA
Three days after the Eternal night.
Barbara cut a careful hole in the back of the big and tall sweats she'd bought for Jim.
The other trolls had left for New Jersey, only Arrrggg, Walter and Jim remained in Arcadia. Her son had woken up briefly after Claire banished Morganna. He was alive, but badly injured. She'd cleaned up his room and placed a crude piece of sheetrock over his window. It took some work to get him to his room, but they eventually managed it.
After he was unconscious for two days, the armor dismissed itself. Leaving Jim in tight shreds of clothes hugging his new, broad form. And the longest tail she'd ever seen.
Walter helped her get Jim's old clothes off, and put the new underwear and pants on. Carefully pulling his tail through the holes. The new appendage did not seem to like being touched, so they did it as quickly and gently as possible.
Barbara stood quietly in his room watching him as his sleep finally became restful, Walter at her side. Scanning Jim for any sign of consciousness.
"Walter," Barbara choked on her words, "What if he wakes up, and freaks out again? What if he doesn't want to live? What if he hates himself? Oh…" She buried her face in Strickler's jacket, he hugged her close.
"He's strong, Barbara." Strickler said, stroking her hair. "He has faced every challenge thrown his way. I have no doubt that he'll rise to this task as well."
"Do you think… He'll act the same?"
"I'm not sure, there is no way to tell until he's awake. But I'm sure that if we help him adjust he'll still make a fine young man." Strickler said, holding her out at arms length.
Somehow Barbara took that as, 'if we treat him the same, things will go back to normal.'
What strickler was trying to say was, 'we need to accept him no matter what. And help him accept himself.'
Guys, communication is crucial in relationships. *Shrug*
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