Eathan set his brush down in the bucket he was using and looked up at his soon to be master piece. He smiled with elation with how well it was turning out. He had started in the middle of his ceiling, with a stroke of black paint he realized that the vision he held for his ceiling was becoming a reality. He turned on his heel and walked over to his desk to check his phone for the time. He sighed as the clock read 2:18am. He wasn't tired enough yet for sleep nor did he feel like laying down at all. He set his phone back on the desk and turned around quickly when he thought he something move behind him.

As he stared into the seemingly empty space before him he sighed. I guess I do need sleep. He neatly folded the plastic up that was strewn over his bed and set it on the floor. He crawled into bed and yawned. Wow, I won't neglect sleep tonight. As he fell asleep, he was unaware of the creature looming over his being. Staring intently down at him, wishing to able to do something. As Eathan's breathing steadied, he fell deeper into sleep, the creature, now dominating his room, breathed heavier and deeper. Rage building up in the beast that was powerless.

His vision came to him in a blurry haze, his knuckles were covered in blood and shaky. He kept turning them over as his vision began to clear. He looked around himself, people were staring at him with frightened looks upon their faces. He looked down past his bloodied hands. His face warped into fear and shock as he realized who was under him. His neighbor, his friend, a man who had saved his life more than once was laying underneath him seemingly lifeless.

A rough grip pulled him up and away from the body below him. The hands dragged him across the yard and shoved him face down in the dirt. His arms were forcibly pulled behind his back as cold metal wrapped around his wrists. He was hauled up from the ground and shoved into walking. His mind was still hazy as he was pushed into the backseat of the foreboding car. The hard plastic of the seat pressed the metal around his wrist hard into his skin. He looked out the window with a confused look on his face as his eyes met the ominous ones of a sleek black mass with a wicked smile on its face.

-Five days later-

"Mr. Frost, I was hoping not to see you in my courtroom again." The judge paused as he looked over Jack's paperwork, "Never-the-less, I have a job to do."

Jack stood up from his chair and cleared his throat, "Permission to speak your honor?"

The judge thought a moment, "Permission granted, but do not interrupt me again."

Jack nodded in affirmation, "Your Honor, the police officers who arrested me failed to read me my Miranda Rights." The judge turned to look at the attending police officers and scowled at them.

"Very well, Mr. Frost. Case dismissed." The judge knocked the gavel twice and the bailiff walked over to undo Jack's handcuffs. Jack walked out of the courtroom with smile on his face, mocking the arresting officers.

As he stepped out of the courthouse he took in a deep breath. He felt relieved that he got off free of charges thanks to the imbecilic officers. He waved down a taxi and told the driver to head to the PD so he could pick up his belongings.

Aster stood at the hospital reception desk waiting for the receptionist to finish with the paper work so he could finally leave the dismal hospital he had been confined to. He groaned as the receptionist stood and left the desk with his paperwork. His frustration at the slow process of the receptionist caused him to not notice the silver head of hair standing next to him.

Aster leaned over the desk to shout, "'Ey! Could ya hurry up! I'd like ta get outta here!"

Just as he finished yelling the receptionist had returned. "Sir, please stay behind the counter." Aster grumbled and stood back as she wrote a few more things on what he assumed was his paperwork.

He heard a light laugh next to him, but didn't turn to look as he continued to grumble incoherent words of frustration.

The receptionist handed him a folder of papers. "Please fill and sign those and you can be on your way sir." the receptionist said flatly. Aster snatched the folder from her hands and turned to sit and fill the papers out.

He stopped abruptly as a familiar face caught his attention. "Jack?" Aster questioned as he stared at the scratched-up man before him.

"Aster." Jack stated unsurely, "How are y-" Jack was cutoff by the sudden hug he received.

He was caught so off guard it took a moment to hug the tall Australian back.

"I've missed you." Aster stated fondly. Jack was shocked and pushed away from Aster.

He looked up at Aster's face with a confused expression. "You don't hate me?" Jack asked perplexed.

"Why would I?" Aster asked puzzled.

Jack hesitated, "Well…I got you thrown out of a window for one."

Aster nodded, "It wasn't actually ya though."

Jack titled his head, "It was my fault though."

Aster nodded again, "Yea, it was. I'm a'right though, see?" Aster spread out his arms to exaggerate his point.

Jack looked unsure, "But still-" Aster cut Jack off, "No 'but's. I read ya letter."

Jack mouth an 'Oh' when Aster mentioned the letter. "Look Jack," Aster placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, "I'm not abandonin' ya ta whatevah' ya dealin' with. I'm gonna try and help."

Jack scoffed, "I don't think you can." He said matter-of-factly.

Aster rolled his eyes, dismissing Jack's statement, "Anyway, why ya here?"

Jack gave a sad expression before speaking, "To see my neighbor. He got in the middle of an accident. Speaking of which…" Jack trailed off and turned to the reception desk to see the same receptionist that Aster had dealt with sitting there staring at him. "Can I help you?" He stated displeased with her.

She shook her head, "No, sorry sir. Can I help you?" She asked self-consciously.

Jack nodded his head, "Yes, I was wondering which room Rick Henry was in?" The receptionist began typing as she looked at the computer screen before her.

Jack leaned his elbow on the counter and looked over at Aster. "How are you?" Jack spoke evenly.

"Huh? Oh, I'm a'right. PT was stressful though." Aster stated, frustrated at the thought.

"Oh? How long did that last?" Jack asked curiously.

Aster raised a hand to his chin in thought, "A week…I think. I don't know really. It was such a routine the days blurred together'"

"I see." Jack was quiet in his response.

The receptionist cleared her throat to get Jack's attention, "Sir, Mr. Henry is in room four-seventeen. Take the elevator down the hall-" She pointed to the hallway marked with an elevator sign, "And take a right when you exit onto the fourth floor." Jack nodded his head, "Thank you."

Jack turned to walk towards the elevator when a hand grabbed his arm. He spun around quickly to see Aster staring at him with a sorrowful expression. "Jack, I…" He trailed off for a moment, but composed himself before speaking again, "We should get a coffee soon?" He asked Jack, hope clear in his voice.

Jack smirked sadly, "I'd like that, but you know I can't. Well, shouldn't really."

Aster tilted his head, "And why is that?"

Jack shook his head, "You know why. I have to go."

As Jack went to turn away Aster tightened his grip, "Jack, wait. Please." Aster pleaded to Jack.

Jack winced from the tightened grip on his arm, "Aster let go."

Aster's voice was heartbroken, "Jack please, I want to stay with you."

Jack tore his arm away and rubbed it as he spoke, "No, Aster. Now take care." Jack turned and quickly walked towards the elevator, making sure Aster didn't see the hurt in his eyes.

Aster was silent as his mind came back into focus of his surroundings. People were being rushed by him. He looked down in his hands, the clipboard of paperwork awaiting him. He solemnly walked towards a chair in the waiting room.

Jack looked in through the window of the marked 417. Rick laid on the hospital bed smiling at something out of view. Jack raised his hand to knock, but stopped himself. He opted to just walk in and gauge Rick's reaction to seeing him. As he gripped the door handle he felt his stomach drop. He took a deep breath and turned the handle. He pushed open the door slowly, peeking his head in first.

Rick turned his gaze away from the thing that held his previous attention and looked towards the door. Rick's eyes met Jack's and his expression went from joyful to shocked. Jack had so many things he wanted to say, but all his mouth managed to get was a feeble, "Hi."

OH MY! I'm so sorry everyone! This is about two weeks later than I wanted! I was super stuck and didn't want it to seem forced or written awfully or some other thing that makes stories read terribly. I Can't believe I put you guys through this wait. It won't ever happen again. because I really like this story. And I hope you do too. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you...tell me. I feel bad I made you wait this long for something that's not even really long..atleast to me 1541 words isn't long. well..its not short at the very least. I don't know where this headed anymore, which a plus for everyone. I had an idea while writing this chapter which is why it took so long. So, no plans anymore. we'll all just have to see where my fingertips will take us both yeah?

Anyway, let me know what you thought of this chapter. I apologize greatly for the wait. And have a good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Dusk/Dawn or Twilight.