Quantum Ghost.

17 Jason?

That evening Robert locked up as usual and decided to check up on Jason.

Robert had barely knocked on the door when it swung open. Jason stood before him he seemed well rested the dark circles under his eyes had lightened and he appeared to be calm.

"Hi, I just wanted to check on you." Roberts's voice was reserved not knowing what reaction to expect from his friend.

"Please enter." His voice was flat.

Robert looked at his friend realized that the smile on his face was absent and he spoke in a tone that was unfamiliar to him. But he dismissed it to the fact that Jason might still be upset. He entered and Jason closed the door.

"Look Jason about this morning…." But he was interrupted

"Yes, I must humbly apologize for my distasteful behavior. I beg you forgiveness."

Robert made a snorted laugh and turned to face the other man, but stopped abruptly when he saw the seriousness on his face.

"Jason, are you alright?" he once again looked at his friend and frowned..

Jason stood the same as always, no not the same as always. He stood up tall like an arrow and his face was far too serious, no smile lingered on his face like always, no twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

The man looking at him was his friend and yet seemed strangely unfamiliar.

"Yes, I am well." His voice sounded empty.

"I am here to be of assistance." Jason was being very formal.

"Assist, assist with what?" Robert felt edgy and immediately too tried to sense Jason's emotions but there were no strong emotions coming from this stranger before him.

"I am here to help you prepare for what is coming to help you to understand." His voice was detached.

"What is coming?" he asked suspiciously.

"If it pleases you," he motioned to the chairs "I will explain."

Robert reluctantly sat down on the couch, Jason continued to stand. He looked at Robert with a vacant face.

"I wish to assure you that I mean you no harm and that I am here only to serve you. What I am about to tell you may shock you but please hear me out."

Robert didn't say a word but his brow was lined with worry.

Then as we got older, we slowly discovered the price we would pay for our immortality. We were losing our emotions and with it, our will to live. Living for ever without, passion, happiness or even love, had lost its appeal. But we still had hope." He looked up "This world gave us that hope. You are our hope."

Robert closed his eyes and shook his bowed his head.'He has totally lost it.' Robert felt deep sadness in his heart. It was not easy for him to see Jason losing his grip on reality like this.

Suddenly it was as though everything made sense and Robert looked up at Jason. He face was livid and his teeth clenched together as he stood up "Enough!" the anger unmistakable in his voice. "The joke is over, and I am not amused. I came here because I was worried about you, but I can see you can clearly not be serious about anything. Do you have to treat everything like a joke?" Robert headed for the door.

"But my lord, please hear me out."

Robert spun around his eyes spewing fire.

"No! I have heard enough. Stop this now!" Robert felt his irritation escalate.

He hated being made the fool, and Jason knew it. This made Robert feel even more enraged.

"I don't find this funny at all. You had me going there for a while, I was actually really concerned. But enough is enough." He was using all his restraint not to jump up and storm out.

"But my lord, please." he tried again.

Robert held up his hand to silence him.

Stop!" He commanded.

"Just stop it, stop what ever it is you are doing."

His eyes widened and his jaw relaxed forcing himself to remain calm something that was proving very difficult.

"I don't know why you are doing this, and at this very moment I couldn't much care. Just stop it and pull yourself together…" he took a deep breath to steady himself. He turned around headed for the door.

He stopped at the now opened door, and halfway glanced back over his shoulder.

"Just take the day off tomorrow. I'll make up an excuse. And for Pete sake, get some descent rest, maybe you'll be able to think more clearly then." And with that he left slamming the door shut.

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