-Chapter 43-

-Three Days Left-

Amari held a wide grin as she knocked on the front door of the house. Her smile fell quickly when she saw the face of who answered her knocking.

"Hello," Eathan said cheerfully.

Amari took a step back, "Hi. Is Jack home?"

Eathan gave her a curious look, "Yes, and who are you?"

"Amari," she stated plainly.

"Wait here," Eathan slowly closed the door and went to get Jack.

"Jack!" Eathan shouted as he walked towards the living room.

"One moment!" Jack shouted back from down the hallway. Jack entered the living room, "Yeah, what's up?"

Eathan pointed a thumb towards the front door, "Someone named Amari is here."

Jack hummed, "Alright." Jack went to open the door.

With a small smile, "Hello, Amari, what brings you to my home today?" Jack asked.

Amari held a frown across her lips, "Jack, you have nearly a week left," she paused and sighed, "I just want to know what your decision is."

Jack smirked, "I've decided," Jack stepped outside and closed the door behind him, "to go with a fourth option."

Amari was stunned, "What do you mean?" Amari rested her hand on Jack's shoulder, "You have a week left, there is no fourth option."

Jack shrugged her hand off, "Actually, if I've counted right," Jack walked past her towards the driveway, "I have three days left," He glanced back to see Amari still in her place, "including today."

Amari sighed sorrowfully, "Jack," She started to step towards Jack, "even if there was a fourth option, you don't have time to figure it out."

Jack smiled, "See, that's where you're wrong. I'm very close to discovering my fourth option."

Amari let out a deep breath of frustration, "Just make the right choice."

Jack scoffed, "I am," Jack said as he gestured for her to leave, "Now, if you'll please get off my property, I have things I need to do today."

Amari pinched her brow and nodded. Jack walked passed her and as he stepped to his front door, she vanished. Jack didn't look back when made his way inside and closed the door.

Eathan was lounging on the couch when Jack ambled to the living room. Jack looked to the TV to see what Eathan was watching. A Leopard was gradually stalking through tall grass towards what looked to be a pack of gazelle.

"So, what was that about?" Eathan asked, his eyes were still focused on the television.

Jack shook his head and walked to the kitchen, "Nothing that really matters."

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Aster finished filling a dish with soap and water. He grabbed his toothbrush from the bathroom and walked to his living room. He sighed when he looked down. Fuck, there is a lot of blood.

Aster scrubbed the remaining blood from his wooden floor with the soap and water mixture. He had to change the detergent several times before the blood was completely gone from the hardwood.

Aster wiped his brow and dumped the bloody mixture down the kitchen sink. He looked at his toothbrush. No way I'm using this again.

Aster sat down on his couch. Knowledgeable intruder killed, body disposed and, blood cleaned.

Aster leaned back on his sofa and put his arms behind his head, "Today was a…productive day," He said to himself with a smile.

Just before Aster could close his eyes to rest, there was a knock on his door. Aster groaned loudly and stood to answer it.

"Aster, open up," a woman's voice yelled from the other side.

Aster crossed his arms, "And why should I? I don't even know who ya are."

"Open the door," she yelled so he could hear her.

Aster cracked open the door, "'Ello?"

As soon as the door was slightly open Aster felt the door rip out of his grasp and gap open. Aster took a few steps back.

"Aster." the woman spoke calmly, despite bursting the door ajar.

Aster raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"My name's Amari, I believe we've met before." Amari stated with her hand out.

Aster shook her hand and his head, "No, I don't think so, but nice ta meet ya now." Aster gestured for her to come in.

"Thank you," Amari took the offer and walked right in to the kitchen, "Aster, we have a mutual friend," She paused and leaned against the counter, "Jack." Aster hummed when she said his name, "And I'm wondering how much you know about our friend," Amari spoke monotonously.

Aster tilted his head, "So, ya bust open mah door…ta ask 'bout Jack?" he asked her analytically.

She laughed, "Sorry, I'm sort of in a rush right now."

Aster looked back towards his ajar door, "Well, your more than welcome ta leave." When he turned back towards Amari, she was standing a few feet away from him.

"The rush isn't that bad," She said.

Aster smirked, "Well, I've never met ya and I ain't comfortable discussing Jack with ya."

Amari frowned, "Well, I think I know Jack better than you."

Aster gave her a curious look, "So why ask me 'bout him?"

Amari's mouth opened and closed several times before she formed a response, "I need to know how well you know him," she paused for an excuse, "work purposes."

Aster nodded his head skeptically, "I doubt it, but fire away," Aster smirked, "I may lie, I may not."

Amari grimaced, "Fine, fair enough," she halted briefly, "I'll be blunt then," Amari took a deep breath, "Do you know Jack is being stalked by demons?"

Aster scoffed, "You're in on it too then, wow, I never would'a guessed that Jack had so many people played." Aster leaned against the wall, "I mean really, how hard is it ta know that all of what Jack says about that is in his head."

Amari eyed Aster critically, "Is that what you think it is?"

Aster nodded affirmatively, "Of course. Jack has a mild form of schizophrenia. Maybe a severe case of it, I'm not a doctor, so this is all a best guess of symptoms."

Amari shook her head, "You really don't believe him when he tells you that there are creatures following him?" she gave Aster a suspicious look.

Aster laughed, "Oh god no," Aster raised his hands innocently, "Don't get me wrong, I love the bloke. He's just a little messed up in the head."

Amari clasped her hands together, "Okay then." She made way for the door, "I assume you know I came for than just work." Aster nodded his head, "Okay, have a day, Aster, and I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon."

"Doubt it." Aster held a slight mock in his tone as she closed the door behind her.

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Jack sat next to Eathan on the couch, both zoning out on the TV. Jack was shaken from his mindless staring when he heard his phone ring. Jack pulled his phone out of his pocket and grinned brightly at the name that popped up.

Jack answered with a cheerful smile, "Hello!"

"Jack?" the man on the other asked curiously, "Is that you?"

Jack smiled, "Yes it is! Hi, Rick, how are you?"

"I'm doing alright, I was thinking about you, and well…I figured I'd give you call." Rick said with what sounded like a small smile.

Jack beamed at Rick's words, "That's great! Hey, do you want to grab something for lunch or a coffee?" Jack asked joyfully.

"Sure, that sounds nice. Is the café across from your work good?" Rick asked.

Jack hummed, "Yeah, that's good. I'll meet you there in thirty," Jack said with an inquiring tone.

"Okay, see you there." Rick said before hanging up the phone.

Jack put his phone back in his pocket, "Eathan," Jack shoved Eathan's shoulder slightly with his own, "Hey, Eathan, I'm going out to lunch with a friend," Eathan nodded absentmindedly, "I'll be back in a few hours," Jack got to his feet and made way for the front door, "If Aster stops by or that woman from earlier, tell them the same." Eathan nodded again to Jack who was already out the door.

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Jack laughed hard, "No way, they said that?!"

Rick was just coming down from his fit of laughter, "Yeah! They even asked me to fill their glasses!"

Jack let out another bout of laughter, "Oh my…" Jack let his laughter die down, "Well, I'm glad you're finally out of the hospital." Jack smiled warmly to Rick, "I missed you."

Rick returned Jack's warm grin, "I missed you, too." Rick gave a concerned expression, "Why weren't you able to visit me? Granted, I got out about a week ago."

Jack frowned, "I have a lot of fucked up shit going on."

Rick raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Well, that's never fun. You mind telling me what's been going on?"

Jack shook his head, "No, you already know the gist right?"

Rick nodded, "If I'm assuming correctly, yeah."

Jack tilted his head, "What are you assuming I'm talking about?"

Rick thought for a moment, "Some demonic creature coming after you?" Rick said inquisitively.

Jack nodded, "Right, I told you some crazy stuff when I first moved next to you."

Rick laughed shortly, "Yeah, and to this day, I don't know why you did."

Jack chortled, "To be honest, you creep'd me out when I first moved in, so I was hoping to scare you away."

Rick put a hand to over his heart, "I'm hurt, Jack," Rick feigned hurt, "truly, you have hurt my heart."

Jack smirked, "I didn't lie though."

Rick sat up straight and looked serious, "I know."

Jack was shocked, "Wait, you know?"

Rick nodded, "Whenever I saw you leave your house while I was mowing the grass or outside, some dark thing would always follow you," Rick paused and laughed at the ridiculousness, "It was always strange though, I never saw it when I looked right at you to wave bye or hello, only when I was looking somewhere else," Rick leaned on the table, "I always thought it was a trick of the sun," Rick looked around the café, "that is until," he looked Jack right in the eyes, "before you pulled me out of my house."

Jack frowned, "I'm really sorry."

Rick dismissed him with a small wave, "It's not your fault."

Jack beamed thankful, "I know, but still."

Rick lightly slapped Jack's arm across the table, "No 'but's', I'm fine. I'm sorry the county or state pressed charges."

Jack shrugged, "That's nothing, they forgot to read me my rights."

Rick smirked, "So anyway," Rick crossed his arms and leaned forward on the table, "tell me about the fucked up shit that kept you from visiting."

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Eathan was sitting at the kitchen table having a cigarette while Jack was away, when he heard the front door open. Eathan ran over to the sink and drowned his cigarette under the faucet. Eathan ran to the window and opened it all the way, attempting to usher the smoke out the window.

"Eathan?" came an Australian accent at the kitchen threshold.

Eathan sighed, relieved, "Oh, Aster, it's just you."

Aster deflated slightly, "Well, okay then." Aster peered around the kitchen and living room, "Where's Jack?"

Eathan shrugged, "He said to tell you he's out to lunch with a friend."

Aster raised an eyebrow, "Did he say who?"

Eathan shook his head, "No, I don't think so. Maybe Liam? Or his old neighbor Rick," Eathan shrugged again, "Either way I don't recall him saying a name."

Aster nodded curtly, "Okay," Aster clasped his hands together, "Do ya wanna go get lunch?"

Eathan smiled, "Yeah, that'd be great."

Aster grinned, "Okay, get ready then."

Eathan gave Aster a thumb up as he walked down the hall to his bedroom.

"'Ey Eathan!" Aster shouted toward the hallway.

"Yeah?!" Eathan yelled from his bedroom.

"How'd ya like those paints I gave ya?" Aster slowly lowered his voice as Eathan walked in the living room.

Eathan shook his head with smirk, "I can't use them."

Aster cocked his head to the side, "Whattya mean?"

Eathan went and sat on the couch, "For some odd reason, I literally can't put the paint on anything."

Aster laughed slightly, "How 'bout instead of lunch, we head over to the art supply store for some colored pencils or crayons?"

Eathan leaned back into the couch and gave Aster a strange look, "Crayons?"

Aster gave a short laugh, "Yeah, crayons. Like oil crayons."

Eathan nodded his head, "Yeah, that sounds good then," Eathan stood slowly, "Should I call the cab or do you want to?"

Aster smiled, "I'll call."

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Rick walked down the city sidewalk with one arm draped over Jack's shoulders. They walked in silence, each simply enjoying the other's company. They browsed the windows of each small shop they passed. Jack had a small smile plastered to his lips while walking through the bustling city.

Rick pointed out a shortcut through an alley he'd taken before to get to the street over. Jack was reluctant to agree. The alley was slightly less than ominous, homeless and agitated people lined the walls. Some of the more unsavory inhabitants mumbled to themselves about anarchy and killing the rich. Jack was really hoping the end of the alley was going to come up soon. Rick tightened his hold around Jack's shoulders and started to step with haste.

Before they could reach the sunlight that grazed the edge of the buildings, Jack was roughly grabbed by his shirt. Rick got pulled along with him, until someone from behind wrapped their arms around his neck. Jack was shoved with his back against the brick wall and a knife to his throat. Rick was subdued with a chokehold a few feet away.

"Give us your money!" yelled the man pinning Jack in a raspy high pitched voice.

Jack slowly put his head next to head, "I don't have a-" Jack's words were cut off from surprise.

Rick had managed to escape his captor while Jack was distracted by the man with the knife to his throat. The armed man pressed the blade tighter into Jack's throat.

Rick raised his hands defensively, "Please, sir, we don't have any money."

The man sneered, "Like hell you don't! I see freaks dressed like you carry fifties in their wallet!" the man's voice wasn't improving.

Rick took a step forward, "Please, just let my friend go."

The man spun Jack around and wrapped his arm around Jack's slightly bleeding neck, "Give me your money! Or your friend is gonna get it!" The man held the tip of the short blade against Jack's ear.

Rick took another step forward, "We both know you don't wanna kill anybody today," Rick took another step toward the man making him within arms reach, "Just put the kni-" within seconds Rick had disarmed and incapacitated the man with the knife.

Rick grabbed Jack's arm quickly and ran out of the alleyway. Once they were far enough away, felt safe enough to stop running and, out in the open on a dead side-road, Rick grabbed both of Jack's shoulders and looked him in the eye.

"Jack, are you alright?" Rick asked concerned.

Jack shook his head, "No."

Rick looked down at where Jack's hand was holding his hand tightly, "Oh, shit. Jack, we need to get you to a hospital!" Rick's voice got loud when he moved Jack's hand away from the growing blood spot on his shirt.

Rick kneeled down and lifted up Jack's shirt. The cut was fairly deep, nothing he thought would be fatal. Rick pulled out his cellphone and quickly dialed 9-1-1. He sat Jack against the wall of the building they had stopped next to as he quickly got an answer from dispatch.

Jack laughed slightly, "I never thought I'd know pain worse than this." Rick gave a confused expression while he told dispatch their location, "From everything I told you at the café, this is the least of my worries."

Rick gave a sad smirk and hung up the phone, "Let's hope it's nothing bad. An ambulance should be here soon."

Jack had a small smile on his face, "Rick…I feel cold."

Rick pulled his shirt off and wrapped it around Jack's waist, "Here." he said with an oomph as he knotted his shirt around Jack's wound.

Jack winced, "Rick, where'd you learn to fight like that?"

Rick gave a sad laugh, "I was in the Navy for eight years."

"Oh right, I remember you telling me that…Rick…why are my legs so numb?" Jack asked with a short laugh that turned into a coughing fit that ended with Jack spitting out blood.

Rick winced for Jack, "It'll be alright, Jack. I can hear the sirens coming toward us."

"Rick…can I tell you something?" Jack asked weakly. Rick nodded in return. "This is the first time I've felt a true fear of death."

A tear rolled down Rick's cheek, "No, Jack, you're gonna be fine. C'mon, you're another son to me, Jack."

Jack smiled warmly despite his body temperature dropping, "Thank you. And you're about the only father I ever had worth remembering." Jack's smile began to fade and his eyes started to close as he saw EMTs run up to him and Rick.

P/A/G/E/B/R/E/A/K

Eathan ran through the front door, tears streaming down face. He ran through the living room, down the hall and in to his bedroom. He jumped onto his bed and cried. His face smashed in the pillow.

Aster followed slowly behind, just entering the living room, when he heard Eathan throw himself onto the bed. Aster had been confused the whole ride home on why Eathan hadn't been able to color with any of the crayons or colored pencils. Eathan wasn't even able to touch them. His hand had always stopped right before he could grab a crayon or even marker.

Toward the end of their day out, Aster had suggested maybe trying to draw something with just a regular pencil. That plan had failed, miserably. Eathan couldn't even write his own name.

When they got home though, and Eathan was out of sight, a nefarious grin spread across his lips. Aster had just for a slight moment, let his guard down in the safety of Jack's home. At the exact moment his guard had come down. There was a knock on Jack's door. Aster righted himself, put his guard back up and walked briskly to the door.

Aster opened the door wide, a decision he regretted when we saw who had knocked on the door.

"Hello…" Aster paused to mock the woman.

The woman sighed, "Amari. My name is, Amari."

Aster nodded affirmatively, "Right, right…So what brings ya to Jack's house today?"

Amari smirked, "You do, actually."

Aster cocked his head to side, "How'd ya know I was here?"

Amari held her sneer of a grin, "Seeing the things I've seen, you tend to need to know some things to get by, and what I learned about thirty seconds ago, has changed many of my views on certain people," Amari paused and scoffed at Aster, "…especially you."

Aster's confused expression from before melted away with each word she said, "It's interesting you say that," Aster glared at her and stepped out the door to be within inches of her, "I was thinking the same thing about you."