From his vantage point up in the woods away from the small town below, Jamie could see the full beauty of a midnight sky. The lack of streetlamps and lights from buildings allowed every star to shine its brightest and moonlight highlighted every fluttering leaf and flower. This was a view that he never tired of seeing.
Especially after his years spent locked away in a veritable prison.
Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply and detected the delicate fragrance of honeysuckle. Being surrounded by so much life and beauty usually filled him with such peace. A soft, warm breeze lifted his hair from he sat at the window.
Bear curled on the floor near the wooden bench Jamie was perching on, patiently waiting out the end of this panic attack. When his human began crying and thrashing in his sleep, the canine had bounded up upon the bed and furiously licked the man's face. These episodes had been few and far between; they had steadily declined over the two years he been on this planet.
After being rocked to his core mere days ago, Jamie wasn't really surprised a nightmare had found him. It was one he was well acquainted with: a tyrant back from the dead and stalking him like a shark, hiding in the shadows ready to reach out and grab him. Return him to his former feral state. Rip away this wonderful life he'd created.
His eyes opened slowly and again scanned the garden and outbuildings, skirting the tree line, and moving to the edge of the pond, where tall grasses swayed. Holding his breath, Jamie strained to hear the slightest unnatural sound.
Nothing.
Only the occasional croak of a frog, crickets chirping, and splashes from the nearby water.
"Sorry, buddy," he whispered sadly, glancing back over his shoulder into Bear's dark eyes. "I really hoped this day would never come, but I convinced myself Drakkon was dead. He should have been, dammit! It isn't fair!"
He moved to the floor to sit near his companion; Bear's tail thumped solidly against the rug. Whining, he nuzzled into Jamie's hand, nose damp and cool.
Jamie swallowed the lump stuck in his throat.
"I don't know what we should do. Should we run? Leave all this behind? Everything we've worked so hard for?"
Shaking his head, his thick grey hair sweeping his cheeks, Jamie sighed.
"He always said it wouldn't matter how far or fast I ran; he'd always find me."
Bear sat up and pushed his way into his human's lap; his soft coat tickled Jamie's bare chest. The man laughed softly as he hugged the dog tightly.
"I'll be ok, bud," he soothed his friend. "I don't see how he could ever get up here, let alone find our exact location. Our land isn't wheelchair friendly. And I don't see anyone agreeing to help him. Even if they knew the right spot. I know Mark definitely wouldn't."
He stared into space thoughtfully.
"At least this way, I know exactly where he is if he doesn't have the courtesy to be in the ground. I can keep an eye on him."
His voice lowered and a deep anger crept forth.
"I could always try again, Bear. What do you think?" he growled, hugging the animal tighter.
Just as quickly, the idea passed.
If disemboweling and cremation didn't do the job, maybe that evil monster couldn't be killed? How in the fuck did he survive? Jamie was sure he had died. Absolutely positive.
Reaching in his pocket, he pulled the glistening obsidian stone out. It was smooth and coated in white sparkles like star dust. It swirled like liquid over the surface. Bear whined as he sniffed at it cautiously.
"I've never had to use this, buddy. I'm not entirely sure what these powers are like. I can feel it in my blood like Grid energy, but it's not exactly the same."
He frowned as he turned it to and fro under the light of the twin moons.
That strange creature, the black fox, had been sure that it wanted Jamie to wield these powers. It had pulled the suicidal man back from the brink, given him another chance. Inspired him to heave himself into a pod, the only one left that wasn't jammed.
Jamie also felt in his heart that the fox had guided him here, to this planet. What would have happened if he'd allowed himself to die, not knowing Drakkon would live, would come to this town? Who would even know how to deal with him if he tried to regain power? Although, his current condition looked pleasingly pitiful.
Drakkon always had influence over his underlings. Usually threats or blackmail; sometimes it was just plain terror. Ass kissers, of course, who hoped to get in his good graces. It was doubtful the man was completely helpless in there.
He gripped the stone tighter feeling a warm vibration radiate into his flesh. And Jamie wasn't powerless anymore. If Drakkon wanted to act up, he would be able to deal with him. Not that he wanted anything to do with that asshole.
"I need to find out what he's up to, Bear. I know him well enough to know he's going to cause problems. He loves playing games and now I'm just a bonus. I don't see how he could ever physically control me again."
Jamie sighed and pocketed the gem again.
The thought of seeing that psychopath again made him feel like sobbing. Not something he wanted to do in front of the power-hungry former Ranger. David would get a lot of joy seeing the effect he was having on Jamie's mind.
Fucker, Jamie snarled.
"Looks like I'm going to have go see him in the morning. You'll have to wait here," he whispered, leaning his forehead against the dog's.
Bear lovingly licked his nose.
"I doubt I'll be able to sleep now. Probably best to use this time to meditate, get in a better mindset before I face the devil. Right?" he smiled, pulling back to gaze into the canine's eyes.
Pulling himself up, Jamie walked out the door into the moonlight. It glinted off his grey hair and glasses. The chickens still huddled in their coop and he could hear the tinkle of the bell on the goat's collar. Jasper peered through wooden slats at Jamie and snorted, only his oddly shaped pupils in yellow eyes visible.
"Hey bub!" Jamie cooed, walking past on his way to the barn.
Much like the abandon vegetable cellar, this area had its own special purpose. From his time as Drakkon's prized fighter, he'd learned how to manipulate and control his body, at times it looked like he defied gravity as he moved through graceful calisthenics. It was almost like a ballet as his body flowed from one movement to the next.
Here in the barn, Jamie had compiled pallets, metal bars and cross beams and other odds and ends. Taking a deep breath, the man briskly shook his arms and legs warming his muscles up. Then he leapt into the air grabbing the metal bar hanging overhead. Swinging his lower body, Jamie pulled his body high over the packed dirt.
Tightening his abdomen, he slowly pulled his legs up and over his head, balancing carefully as he executed the handstand. He focused on his breathing and the strain in his muscles as he listened to his body. Then one arm pulled away from the bar to extend out from his side. He balanced that way for several seconds before he returned his hand to the bar.
Breathing slowly, he lowered his legs and body to a right angle to his arms, feeling the pleasing burn in his back and abdomen. A slight smile ghosted his mouth as he then allowed his body to swing around the bar; disengaging his hold, he sharply twisted his body around to face the opposite direction as he snared the bar again.
The beautiful display was a form of meditation as he focused on breathing and balance. Sweat sheened on his bare chest. Now, he extended his body up flat under the bar.
Bear sat in the doorway, keeping watch as Jamie flipped and balanced and twirled mid-air. The pair remained in the barn as the sun rose over the horizon, lightening the sky in pinks and yellows. Swinging powerfully, Jamie flipped and dismounted, landing perfectly.
He panted as he walked to the barn entrance and gazed out at the dawn.
"I'll never get tired of a sight like this," he whispered down to Bear. "I guess we'd better get the morning chores done so I can go face down the Jabberwocky.
Pacing the sidewalk in front of the double glass entry doors, Jamie anxiously fidgeted his hands in the hem of his t-shirt. Part of him desperately wanted to go in and ask the tyrant questions; the other wanted to run home, pack as much as he could carry, and run with Bear to another location far away. His chest felt tight and he fought back the beginnings of another 'Red Rage.'
Jamie hadn't raged as bad as he had a few days ago in a long time. Being on his own without the chaotic stimuli that followed most people, he had worked hard to learn to control his feral mindset. Having a dedicated area he could freely rage in had helped keep the destruction to a minimum. Gulping deep breaths, the nervous man fought to calm his mind and put out the first tendrils of fire that threatened.
David couldn't physically do anything to him. Or could he? That asshole was manipulative and deceitful. Maybe if he didn't get within striking or grabbing distance?
One of the glass doors swung open and a nurse poked her head out, her eyes curious.
"Can I help you?" she asked, taking in the obvious physical display of anxiety.
Jamie stopped pacing and forced his hands down into his pockets. It was now or never.
"Yes, I umm.. I'm here to see… David," he finally managed, attempting a friendly smile.
Recognition dawned on the woman's face. She smiled in return and waved Jamie in as she held the door open.
"You must be Jamie! We've heard all about you. Its nice to finally put a face to the name!"
Jamie's brow knit in confusion. He followed the nurse to the front desk to sign in as she continued to attempt conversation. But the grey-haired man barely registered what she was saying as they approached the receptionist.
The bright lights reflected glaringly off the tile floor. So much noise coming from down the hall as the residents gathered in the dining room for breakfast. Laughing, talking, the heavy sounds of trays being placed on tabletops, tinkling silverware, laundry carts clacking as they were rolled along. Call lights. Blaring telephones. Strong odors of food, air fresheners, cleaning solution.
Jamie put his hands out to grip the ledge of the receptionist desk, trying to steady his frazzled nerves. This was too much to handle all at once. His eyes squeezed shut behind his glasses and he grit his teeth together tightly. Running one hand through his thick hair, he pulled it painfully as he tried to find a focus for his overwhelmed nervous system.
A hand gently reached over and patted his arm.
"Jamie, are you ok?" the nurse spoke gently.
He swallowed thickly and, opening his eyes, he carefully took a deep breath.
"Yes, it's just a lot for me to take in right now," he admitted. "I'm not used to this much activity."
Grabbing the sign in book, she passed it to Jamie along with a pen.
"I understand. Let's get you signed in and we'll go down to David's room. He never eats in the dining room and everyone else has already been seated. It'll be much quieter where he's at."
Briskly jotting his signature on the visitor line along with his contact number, he attempted another smile at the nurse.
"Thank you, I appreciate it," he whispered.