When Jack woke up on Saturday, he was okay until he remembered. Remembering was bad, life would be so much better if he could start off each day with a clean slate, yes Jack wouldn't that be nice. But it wasn't the worst thing he'd ever remembered, no, a certain event on the island took that place.
But it was still a bad thing to remember.
Roger had gotten out of the asylum. Jack didn't know why, or how, or what the fuck Roger was planning to do you're scared Jack don't you dare say you aren't Roger terrifies you good reason too he's psychotic and he's going to kill you he's going to fucking KILL you-
No. No, he would be fine. Chances were Roger would be caught in no time then why haven't they caught him yet he's been out for six months he's insane how can he be hiding this well, and even if he was, why would he come after Jack? If he got word that someone else had been killed, well, then he could worry. But right now he really had no reason apart from the fact that a psycho was on the loose HE'S ON THE LOOSE to be afraid. It was just his mind acting up again. He would be perfectly fine.
He wasn't sure what he was going to do today. Perhaps he could take a walk? He generally liked to stay inside, but lately he'd been restless. He wasn't sure he wanted to stay inside all of the time, even though it would be safer you're taking all the safe routes now you did before the island and you are after the island what is your brief period of being a normal human gone?
He hadn't been normal on the island, though. He'd been… savage. Crazy. Obsessive. A fucking screw-up, that was all he was. He'd been on such a good track, perfect grades and perfect voice and perfect everything, but then the island had happened and nothing would be perfect again he'd be here until he died.
Unless…
Unless he left.
Yes, that would work. He would leave this place – pack a bag with money and a change of clothes and maybe some food for the road – and run. Run to… wherever. Maybe he could join Roger. Maybe he could… make peace don't be silly Jack you can't make peace with Roger he'll kill you with him. Or he could find someone else; Bill or Robert or even that kid who couldn't remember his phone number. Any of them would work! He could start a new life, and maybe this time, this time, he would be able to live it right.
Before packing his bag, however, he needed to make sure that nobody else was home. He didn't know if he could handle an interrogation right now. Questions… questions weren't good. He'd used to love sharing whatever he was doing, he'd often tell people whether they wanted to know or not, but after the island and the questions all the questions what happened Jack what happened we're not going to hurt you we just want to know what happened don't worry about betraying Roger Ralph already told us that he was crazy, we just want more details Ralph is too delicate to give us how did Simon die how did Christopher die who's Christopher you mean didn't even know his NAME what kind of things WENT ON on that island Jack TELL WHAT HAPPENED SAY WHAT HAPPENED JACK REMEMBER
REMEMBER
REMEMBER
Jack broke away from his thoughts and stumbled toward his bed, collapsing facedown onto it. He closed his eyes and, clenching his fists, tried to calm down. He needed to calm down. He couldn't think of that. He just needed to see if anyone was here. If nobody was here, it would be easier to leave, that was all. There was absolutely nothing else going on with that sort of thing.
After a few more minutes of forcing himself to stay calm, Jack stood up, hugging himself. He walked as quietly as he could down the stairs – they were old, they creaked, but if you stayed on the edges with most of your weight on the railing you could make it down quietly, you just had to be careful to not put too much weight on the railing or they would break and you would fall – so that if there was someone, he could just sneak back upstairs, no questions asked.
There was nobody downstairs.
Thank God.
Jack went back upstairs, not taking as many precautions this time. He knew that the house was empty, he would be fine.
He packed quickly, and changed his clothes while he was at it to something warmer and more suited to running away. He ignored the voice at the back of his mind telling him that what he was doing was stupid and he was going to get himself killed and fuck Jack LISTEN TO ME.
"I should eat before I leave," Jack muttered under his breath at least you're doing one thing right. He left his bag upstairs, just in case someone came home while he was eating and asked what he was doing. He didn't want to be caught – technically, he was eighteen and could leave, but he just knew that they'd force him to stay because oh no Jack you're not mentally stable enough to leave and Jack are you really sure that this is the best idea Jack think about it for a few minutes and you'll realize that this isn't the smart thing to do we can talk it out we can talk it out and how about you skip school on Monday won't that be nice.
He ate quickly, not being very hungry so not eating very much. He should probably eat more, but ever since the island he hadn't had much an appetite for food, pig or certain fruits especially. But he ate, if only to keep up appearances. He'd gotten skinny since the island, but he wore clothes that hid it.
After finishing eating, he got his bag and left the house.
And next chapter Jack will run into either Percival or Robert. I've already asked who it should be on Tumblr, but if you would like to vote on who he'll run into, feel free to do so! :) In case you're wondering, Percival is currently up by one.
Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter!
