Author's Note: Wow. I can't believe a year has gone by and I haven't touched this story. Junior year was nothing like I expected, but I'm trying to get back into the fanfiction mode, and I'm gonna edit some of the old chapters eventually. I've reread the story and am currently thinking of new developments and such to make the story continue. Thank you for the continuing support. Every time someone reviewed my story so long after I'd last written or someone else put up a watch/favorites on the story, it brought me back on the site and made me want to continue. I will try my hardest! Thank you all! OH! And this upcoming chapter is going to be a little like the last one. It's becoming characters and strategy for the future. Read carefully. OH! Side note, this chapter goes between the present and flashbacks(italics).

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Chapter Eleven

A whole day, they had been at this hospital a whole day. The bustling hospital never stopped its wispy white figures and only one remained somewhat solitary. Jack sat by himself among the empty pews of the hospital chapel. Rain water dripped from every edge of his body as he whispered silently to the unseen presence in the room. "I'm so confused." Another drip fell from his drooping hair onto his tight lips. "Why did I go out in the rain…?"

Jack escaped the hallways full of medical shelves and people howling in pain. He kept his eyes forward, jaw clenched tightly, trying not to think of what Roger might be going through. No matter how much Jack hated that boy, it was HIS fault…Moving faster, he returned to the alley of puddles and broken glass, treading carefully to find his hidden treasure. "I swear I left it around here somewhere…" He muttered to himself, biting the knuckle of his finger.

"Jack, you don't need to look so hard. I'm afraid you're becoming even more paranoid," joked the voice behind him. Sage, the voice's owner, bent down with a slight laugh and retrieved the dewed bouquet from the sagging box Jack had forgotten. "I'm sorry, I'm just…" The red head shook in disbelief at the events falling into his lap. He couldn't even believe himself! Leaving his dependent to retrieve flowers from an absolute stranger. Despite this self confusion, he cradled the bouquet as if they were springing children, while Sage happily began driving back toward the hospital. The wise eyes peeked towards the silently conflicted Jack, never saying a word, but making the young boy nervous. After sighing, Jack counted ten long seconds of quiet before jumping in. "Is there a…" "Who are those flowers going to be for Jack?" As expected, there was a question to be answered, and Jack's timing was perfect.

If only the answer was blatantly obvious…if only Jack could answer right away, letting Sage know there was one he cared about more than the other. To give himself more time to think, he did the only thing he could, stall. "Who…do you mean exactly? There are a lot of people I could give these flowers to. My parents, my pastor, the church, m…" The rambling slowed as Jack's light eyes noticed the car was heading for an empty parking lot rather than the expected destination, and Sage's suddenly solemn voice stated simply, "Ralph and Roger. The names you said in my garden. Ralph and Roger. Roger and Ralph. And then, there is you, Jack." After a short jolt, the car came to a stop and the botanist turned to face his acquaintance. "Please don't take me for a fool," the serious voice began, "I may be a bit odd, but I'm in tune with this world…I know you, I know you."

"What are you talking about?" Jack questioned quickly, feeling uncomfortable with Sage for the first time. He pushed his back into the soft material of the seat and gripped the icy flowers, pushing back his true answer deep into his throat. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" Sage jumped, the hard stare broken, "But as I said before, I know you. I can sense your emotions, just as I did back in my gardens." Though Jack had the urge to ask who this man truly was, or if he was even human for that matter, there was no way he could interrupt the voice speaking to him. It held a calm power over him. A trust. "Your life is yours, but I know you need help. I knew it as soon as you walked in my door," Sage continued, his fingers propping against his smiling face, "And I will be the one to help you."

"H…help…me?" The rosy smiled remained. "Yes, with all of my resources and honesty…I shall help you, but first, you need to know and understand yourself, so please, Jack, answer my question. Who are those flowers for?" "The…the…" The pressed choir boy felt his gold cross stretching across his heartbeat which sent a code…a name…the one he knew he wanted to say, the one he knew would start everything. "The flowers are for…" With an answer in his ear, Sage glanced towards the grassy fireworks in Jack's arms, while a Lily of the Valley perked ever so slightly.

Shivering as he looked upon the the light shining in the window, Jack shook his head slightly. "Tell me what to do now. Which way do I go…? Dark or light. God…" The solitary voice echoed, flying up the glass windows to search for a higher answer. "God, who do you want me to choose…?" Should I remain in darkness…?

Returning from the outside, Jack immediately headed towards the room he dreaded most. Each step clacked heavily, every movement becoming heavier as the invisible chains of a demon dragged the choir boy onward. Just take the knob… The pure hand froze at the slightest touch of the door that would unleash him into the hospital's darkest depth. No matter how many breathes he took, oxygen would not supply the courage he needed to face this demon. I have to do this…or Sage…His hand finally sprang forth, falling short as the door opened to reveal a raven beauty. "Oh? Why brother, I think your guest appeared just as you predicted!" The sultry voice exclaimed, touching her hand slightly to her cheek with a raised brow. The resemblance was impeccable! There's…more like him?

Before the new face spoke again, Roger flung his upper half forward, wincing as he stretched out his arms childishly, squirming his fingers in excitement for a touch of pale skin. "Roger…" Jack sighed, pushing past the doorkeeper to the feeble appearance before him. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't there. I knew I forgot something. Please…don't be…" Roger waved his first guest out of the room, lowering his eyebrows as the door shut. Jack turned quickly at the sound, nervously turning back and sitting on the bed's edge, leaning close enough to fulfill Roger's need for touch. "Uh…please don't be angry with me," he continued, gradually fitting his arms around the wiring of IVs, "I don't plan on leaving you again. I promise."

With every gentle word, Roger's dark eyes narrowed a little further and his fingers crept a little more up the back he held so tightly. A weakly sinister laugh mocked Jack's promises, stopping him instantly. "Jack, Jack, Jack. You know I'll always forgive you. I'm all you have, so I can't abandon you," whispered the snake like voice as it coiled around its prey, "You're that pathetic." Pathetic. Roger's weight began shifting as he saw a hint of chill in Jack's glances, the beat of the EKG machines speeding up. "R…Roger, you should be resting!" Jack scolded, leaning backwards as tubes flew back, liquid following suit as Roger's claws tore out his lifelines. "Rest? HA HA HA! Jack! I'm exhilarated! I don't need sleep!"

Another domination was coming, Jack could feel it in the satanic nails that traced his body. Carnivorous teeth gnawed at his buttons, exposing his flushed chest. The curly mop rested upon it, breathing in and out in a strangely quiet way. "Jack," the voice mumbled, "Why do you smell like flowers?" Jack inched his head upward, watching the curious patient move his twirl his fingers, glancing up with an odd smirk. "Oh, you like it? I was able to buy some…" Before finishing, Jack let out a rush of air as Roger used all of his strength to push down his elbow into the sweating stomach below him. "Flowers?! FLOWERS?! Disgusting! You thought I would die that quickly?! You think I want that bloody garbage?! If they're for me, BURN THEM! BURN THEM!"

The demonic eyes cast forth flames as the words hit Jack in the face, his light eyes wide open in shock. His hands quivered as they held his lips, coughing several times. The impact of the blow was gone, but something else seemed to be destroying him. The psychotic tirade ceased, and a hand grasped Jack's cheek. "Sick? Oh Jack, I'm disappointed," Roger said as his other hand lowered, his mouth right against Jack's ear. "Nothing in this world can torture you but me. That's why you're mine." Both of their eyes dropped to the spot above Jack's heart. Mine. Jack's otherwise ivory skin was colored a dark red with the lines and loops of a tattoo. "You're my Mercury Jack, and I see you boiling, but…heh…you're nothing. That's what I'm here for. I'll give you your shape." Roger flicked his finger against the shape, giving one last laugh. "Don't forget that."

A sigh fled through Jack's lips as Roger barred his own tan chest, revealing another alchemic tattoo. "Antimony holds the metals together, and you're only a liquid. Remember?" Jack's nerves began winding down, though Roger seemed to be becoming more nerved himself and less sane by the minute. The ticking of the clock at the room's corner reminded Jack that he had learned all he needed to. Finally, I'm done. Noticing Roger staring at his own hands, the choir boy began retreating, turning his back to the sadist behind him. His steps alerted Roger that he was leaving, and the same demonic hand began reaching out again. "STOP!"

The single word shot across the room like a bullet and knocked Jack over. He let out an aching cough and dropped to his knees. Roger froze, gasping at the power of his command. "J…" "No! No, it's not you. I'm just a little dizzy," reassured the distant voice as the door opened, "Something else might have a tighter grip on me, that's all..." Roger retracted as light carried Jack out, clenching his fists as the last words remained. I'm…losing? A vulnerable sob unlike any Roger had made before passed, soon turning into a growl as a flash of red hinted in his eyes. I'm not letting you leave!

Shaking his head, water droplets wet the bench beneath him. The memories of hours past was making the decision worse. "I…" Jack began, still speaking to the unknown presence. "I owe Roger. He kept me alive for so many years when I wanted to die…but I still want to die…" His hand sat above his heart, feeling the beat against the cursed tattoo. Mercury… "But Ralph…What do I do about him?" What about the light?

The entire group was gone, and Ralph was alone. Sage had taken the sleepy Oliver away, while Nicol had disappeared hours before. Jack too, seemed to be rushing all about, eventually never returning to the room. What worried Ralph the most was Angela. Ever since she'd been in such a hurry to accompany Roger, Ralph felt a deep twist in his stomach. What business could she have with that… "Ugh…psycho…" His restlessness got the better of him, and his feet took over. No direction, no place to go, they just walked.

Every step made the tired blonde question himself even more. "What am I even doing here? Angela has to be gone by now…There's nothing else…here for m…" A tall figure cut off his sentence and his path as Jack knocked into the wall on Ralph's right. "RALPH!" Jack's urgency was surprising, and Ralph winced slightly as his shoulder was grabbed. Jack's red hair covered his face, floating up and down as his breathes grew heavier. "Finally…found you," he gasped. "What are you talking about Jack? You're the one who left…"

Jack continued to catch his breath while Ralph inched away slightly. He rubbed his neck, feeling a radiating heat from the mark Jack gave him. His face soon burned just the same, but uncomfortably so. Why does he keep coming after me? I have to find Angela. "I have to go…Uh…I'm sure you have to see Roger…" "NO! WAIT!" Once again, Ralph was caught off guard, but this time a hand didn't need to keep him in his place, he stopped. "Ralph, please let me talk to you! We never really talked about what happened bef…"

Ralph immediately covered his ears, shaking his head violently. "No! There's nothing more to talk about! Unless you know where my GIRLFRIEND is, I can't talk to you!" For some reason, Ralph found that he couldn't bear to hear anything about that incident. He just wanted the mark to go away and act like nothing ever happened. Please just leave me alone. He heard his own fast breathing as he listened to Jack's incoherent voice, watching every lip movement as the choir boy desperately tried to speak up. His eyes flashed with helplessness, but he kept his hand from pulling Ralph to attention. He could only plea to the deaf ears. "Ralph, please!" "Jack, NO!" The tension mounted until finally, one gave out. Jack held his chest, gasping for air as he sunk to the ground. "Jack?!"

"F…Finally, will you listen to me Ralph?" The strained voice asked, a little glimmer of hope within it. Darn it Jack, what's this for? Ralph obliged silently. "I want you to survive Ralph. You need to know that. I don't care about the past anymore, or the island, or Roger or…anything. Just please, know that I care…I…" A fit of coughs ended the heartfelt speech, giving Ralph a moment to take in the confession. He sat against the wall, wishing his heart would stop beating so loudly. "Come on Jack…I already told you. I don't think we should…"

"I'm not asking that," interrupted Jack, suddenly snatching Ralph into a shaky embrace. "I just want you to know that I'm trying to be better, and I'm trying to be here for you, even if just for a…little…longer…" As before, Ralph's arms denied Jack full access to the comfort of his heartbeat. "What are you talking about? If this is about Roger and you, I can handle it. You don't have to help me." Ralph felt the weight of Jack's head burying into his shoulder, and the blonde could only breathe in… "Hey Jack." Relieved that Ralph was even speaking to him, Jack listened. "Why do you smell like flowers?" It was the same question.

Ralph leaned forward slightly, noticing the hand Jack had yet to move was clenched tightly to a blossoming bouquet. "I bought them from a friend, but I didn't know what to do with them. They're not my type of thing…I'll probably just throw the old things away or put them in the church." Jack spoke hesitantly, remembering the last reaction he received. "Oh. They smell nice, and you shouldn't waste them on the boring church." Ralph's blue eyes stared at the flowers for a long time. Simon would have loved these. "You could always put them on…a grave," Ralph hinted, noticing Jack's face frown a bit. "Actually, uh…I'll take them."

"Really?!" A few petals flew as the flowers fell into Ralph's arms. "What are you getting all excited for?" Ralph huffed as he adjusted his arms, glancing up at Jack who was already on his feet, breathing heavily. The light from the windows blazed with his hair, casting a shadow over his eyes as they looked down at Ralph. "What's the matter now? I took your flowers." Jack would have replied, but he was forced to stifle a violent outburst of coughs with his hand, bending him closer to Ralph's fearful eyes. "What's the…" A pale and shaking finger sealed Ralph's lips as Jack weakly explained.

"If I told you I needed to go soon…disappear soon, would you give me the chance to have you with me?" One finger became two, as more of Jack's fingers connected with the blush on Ralph's face. "You aren't making any sense! Just tell me what's going on!" "What's going on is I…don't think I'll be around much longer. I just want you to let me at least KNOW this Ralph! I know you're different. I'm not the only one who's changed," Jack stated, losing his voice the more he talked. With one final sigh, he pressed his forehead against Ralph's, forcing eye contact. "Can you at least wait for me a little while?" Just a little while…Ralph shut his eyes, unable to ignore the frantic breathing that was pushing his hair. "Jack…" His clenched fist shook his floral gift before he shot his eyes open.

"Are you kidding me?! What's gone wrong in your head?!" Jack had no time to retaliate before Ralph continued. "This is real life Jack! This is not a fictional story, and I'm not a fictional person! I can't just sit around and wait for you like the girls in bloody novels! I have a life to live, and you do to!" The tension in Ralph's mind was building with the red on his face. "No more romance Jack! No more drama! I haven't been able to figure ANYTHING out since you've been around, and you look terrible! If this is what I'm doing to you…" I can't start crying…

No matter how much the blue eyes wanted to deny their emotion, they spilled forth tears onto Ralph's cheeks as he began to shake harder. "Just leave me. You don't need to die for me. Just do what you need to do to live! I'm not your heart…I can't keep you going…" The rest of his words were carried away with his tears. Jack, who had remained silent until now, seemed to breathe a bit easier, smiling contently. He pressed his lips forward quickly, in case the tearing blonde wouldn't respond. Surprisingly, one hand tapped Jack's cheek while the flowers rested between them. For once, Jack had to pull away, lifting Ralph's head slightly. "Remember me, okay?" The deep voice whispered softly, a single finger brushing the bite still on Ralph's neck. The shaking blonde remained on the ground, grasping his bouquet tightly. I'm so confused…For once, the hospital was a little silent. Jack…or…Angela…

Light and dark, Ralph and Roger. The answer seemed so clear, but Jack still felt lost within the world around him. He sat in the church, contemplating everything he'd done. Why hadn't his faith kicked in? "When will you tell me where to go?" One last time, the red head bowed in prayer. For a deep, long moment, Jack pulled himself together and finally decided to choose a path. "Someone is finally willing to help me. I need to do this." Turning to his left, the choir boy exited the chapel, kissing his cross as he silently mumbled, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…" The chapel doors shut.

The rain outside had ended, but the damp clouds that had been hanging over the equally gloomy hospital remained. Sage sat on a creaking bench with the same smile on his face as always. Beside him sat Nicol who had pulled his knees close together while his grey eyes stared at the ground, waiting. "Jack has been gone longer than you said he would," his unsure voice observed, "I cannot take much more of waiting." Sage chuckled a little, crossing his legs and looking forward. "Be patient. He's right there." Nicol anxiously looked ahead to see Jack hurrying towards them. "I did what you asked!" He called.

"Good for you," Sage said, still partially laughing himself, sliding over to give Jack a seat beside him. "I should have known you to be a good actor considering who you hang around with." Jack went along with the joke, but quickly changed the subject. "Why did you have me act so desperately? I really upset Ralph and if I know Roger, he'll only be angrier." The name Roger brought Nicol's attention into the conversation. He rubbed his sore lip which had pained him since he'd been kissed. Such an odd boy…

"Anymore questions?" the older man asked in the same nonchalant voice. Jack responded immediately, jumping to his feet to face the exhaustingly calm man. "Yes! Can you please explain to me why you called Nicol and me here. You're hiding something…I felt it ever since we were finding the flowers. I've led and been led before, but I have no idea where you're taking me! All I know is I'm becoming part of something. Just tell me what it is!" A flock of birds flying by caught Sage's attention, and he traced their line across the sky. Jack desperately looked towards the brooding figure to Sage's right for some kind of answer. "You are not used. Come, I explain this to you." Jack obliged as Nicol's arm led him away from the still relaxed blonde.

"Sage feels compassion for you and your friend Ralph. I feel interest to your friend Roger. Sage asks me to help you, I will help you. Simple as that." Nicol seemed to have his own nonchalant act, ducking under a tree branch and looking upward. Jack followed slowly, choosing his words carefully as the young man who walked ahead of him did not seem like the kind to give up information. "Can you tell me how anything can change at all? I was just in there messing up both of my relationships. What does that do?!"

"You are smart not jumping in on this without knowing…Sage has figured that there is only one way that you can leave Roger, but you need to be willing to sacrifice." Nicol stretched his lean body against a tree, raising an eyebrow as a sign of question. "Getting it yet?" Jack nodded slowly, recalling his recent actions to help him. "Sage says little because you speak a lot. At this point, you need to trust what goes through his mind, even if he acts oddly, which he always does." Their eyes met and Jack finally posed a question. "Should I trust you? You aren't the same person you were when we walked into this place."

As soon as Jack's blue eyes got a look into the emotionless grey, he felt as though his whole mind was mixing. He's a mystery… "Trust me or no trust me. You won't be seeing much of me." The dreary color looked away as Nicol put his hand against his chest. "I'm a sacrifice for your sake and my interest. In my experience, I learn to be like shadow. That is it." Eye contact broke as Jack felt his own eyes were turning the same depressed shade as the dark haired boy before him. Everything he said was questionable, and his personality froze Jack's spine almost as quickly as Roger. How strangely perfect… "I guess I have no choice then," Jack said with a newly cheerful inflection, pressing the cross of his necklace against his chin. "Please God, let this be right…"

Nicol watched the calm choir boy for a moment, then pushed past him like a cool wind. "I hope Roger isn't much for your type. I don't associate with gods…" Normally, Jack would have argued such an appalling comment, but he'd said enough for today. He remained silent, following the shadow back to Sage, who was now standing with his arms crossed. "I hope we haven't completely ruined your day. I promise things will make more sense later." Jack sat down again, watching the botanist take two large books from his jacket pocket. "I need you to look this over," he said, handing him a dust covered blue book. Reading the peeling letters on the cover, Jack found he was to be reading Shakespeare. "Why would I need this?"

"Romantic inspiration, or maybe just something to read," the humorous blonde said with a giggle. Jack sighed, looking at Nicol who shrugged, silently reminding Jack of his earlier statement. He really is that strange. "And this second book, which I'm sure you're more familiar with, is something you need to keep with you at all times." A pocket copy of the Bible fell into Jack's lap. "Why this version? There's even more pages." Before Sage could hand Jack another odd answer, the ring of the clasp that had been on Jack's ear wriggled and snapped. Jack hurried to pick up the pieces, looking wide eyed as he held the shattered lilac replica in his hands. "I'm so sorry! I don't know how that happened!" He panicked. This day just gets worse and worse.

"Don't worry Jack, I built this," said Sage with returning maturity, "and you'll grow to find out that everything revolving around me happens for a reason." After looking at his watch, the smiling botanist took the earring and placed it in his pocket. Seeing the bewildered expression Jack had, Sage gave a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry, it just gives you a reason to come find me in a few days. Getting back fixed jewelry isn't so suspicious, is it?" With that, Sage excused himself and began to walk back around the hospital. Jack peered up to Nicol, who still watched him. Attempting to take off any remaining confusion, Nicol gave him a weak smile. "You need to learn to take steps. You are just seeing path before you, so do not expect to see the end. You answered his question, right?"

"What question?" There have been too many questions… "You answered Sage's question about the flowers. You don't have them with you, so you must have answered it." Jack thought back again to the car ride that began his new situation while Nicol smiled again, walking away. "I gave the flowers to Ralph, who else…?" Jack said silently to himself, resting his head on top of the bible he'd just received, finally getting a moment of peace. Who else?

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Author's Note: Forgive me if this was confusing. I had to put a lot of change into the story, requiring flashbacks and such. A lot of stuff is symbolism here(research the elements, its interesting). I'd say that this chapter provides a good idea of character's personality(minor ones like Oliver and Angela will return later, as well as SamnEric). Oh, and any grammar errors you find in Nicol's speech is intentional(as we find out previously).I hope I can update more often! OH! And disclaimer on Jack's lamp verse(Bible quote Psalm 119:105). I feel reallllly out of practice.