Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 0:10:33 GMT -5
"Of course, Zeph," Casper replied, turning to look at him. "For as long as you're here, our home is yours. When you're finished, feel free to find something to eat. We're not living by the old rules anymore." What time we have is far too important to waste on things like that.
He gave Zeph and anxious once-over. The poor boy... he looked barely alive. It was a wonder he was functional; he clearly hadn't slept since being unconscious in his surgery. And he hadn't eaten since breakfast, on the morning of Jason's disappearance. Heaven help him... give him the strength to survive this.
He reached out and put his hands on Zeph's shoulders, looking into his deep green eyes. "I've seen the love Jason has for you, and that you have for him. You mustn't give up hope that Jason is alive. He must be... he has so much to live for. And you have just as much."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 0:49:16 GMT -5
Zeph looked at him, blinking slowly. He was surprised that Jason's father would say something like that, considering... well, considering his own gender. Though he was so androgynous he could probably get a sex change and Jason would still be attracted to him. Not that he was willing to; Zeph liked being male, thank you very much. Well, normally he did... at the moment he barely cared. His eyes just remained mostly blank, but he smiled a little.
He licked his lips, then impulsively put his head against Casper's shoulder. He spoke very softly, wanting only Casper to hear him, and knowing he would probably tell Paula but hopefully not his family. They worried, yes. But he needed to talk to someone, and Casper was already someone easier to come to than his own father. "I... I'm afraid to have hope... because if I do, and it's proven false... I won't be able to... It will be too much. I've been through so much... I can't survive losing him a second time. I... I'd rather- rather not have hope and survive. Jason would want me to live... I'll do what it takes to live without him... Even if it means hurting him if he's alive and comes home by not having hope. I think survival comes first. But thank you. I appreciate the thought, really I do."
He pulled away and smiled at him slightly, then grabbing what he needed for his shower, he moved to the bathroom and turned on the cold water. A flash of memory made him pause, but the only sharp thing he had was a new safety razor. Shaking his head, he just finished his shower and shaved carefully, then packed his things and returned them to Jason's room. He glanced in the mirror again, and winced. The shower hadn't helped him look much more alive. The green helped... He hunched his shoulders, wrapping his arms around his chest. His tunic, one of his favorite shirts and one Jason seemed to like, nonetheless didn't keep him much warmer. Sighing, he pulled a jacket on again, combing through his wet hair. It was darker and pulled straight... he didn't like how it looked. Towel-drying his hair again, he combed through it until it dried properly, and curled the way it was supposed to. The way Jason liked it. Covering his eyes, he sat on Jason's bed again and just sobbed quietly.
He wanted to have the hope everyone else had. He really did. But like he'd told Casper, he was afraid to. Afraid of them finding Jason dead and being more heartbroken than he was. Heartbroken enough to follow Jason... to heaven or hell or Hades...
Or oblivion. Personally, at the moment, he hoped for oblivion. Though if Jason went to the Christian heaven... Zeph was going to go to hell. Because he didn't believe... and if they were right... He shuddered violently, fingers tightening in his hair to the point he was pulling on it. The tears continued to pour hot and salty down his face, burning tracks into his face as if they were hot oil. His chest ached hollowly, burned like a fire rested in it, was an empty hole... He screamed softly and fell forward, curling up on the floor around the bleeding wound inside his chest that wasn't visible on the outside but was killing him on the inside...
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 1:14:40 GMT -5
Casper stood staring silently after Zeph for a long moment, the boy's words sinking into his mind and settling there like lead. Was it truly better, he wondered, to have any hope in this kind of crisis than to have none at all? Zeph's logic was strange, but understandable... Jason would surely not want Zeph to die if he did. But to resign Zeph to a life of emptiness if Jason were to die... surely he didn't want that, either.
He moved into his study, closing the door behind himself and sinking into his chair, leaning his elbows on his desk and his chin in his hands. He closed his eyes, trying to sort through his thoughts. Even if Zeph refused to have hope, for whatever reason, Casper was not going to give up. His family needed the hope he was showing them.
Ariadne heard the soft scream coming from Jason's bedroom, and bolted inside to see what was wrong. Zeph lay curled on the floor, clutching his chest and shaking as tears poured down his face. Ariadne bent over him in concern, wondering what on earth she could do to comfort him. She lay down beside him, wrapping her arms around him, starting to hum a lullaby into his ears. Maybe sleep would ease his pain, even for a little while...
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 1:30:15 GMT -5
He leaned against her, still shaking but slowly calming down. He couldn't keep doing this... His eyes started to drift closed as he rested his head on her shoulder. The lullaby worked, but only because he hadn't slept for days, and his body screamed for rest after all of this. Then he shook his head a little and sat back, rubbing his eyes. "Thank you Ariadne, but I should eat something first... I'm okay now..."
And I will actually take that pill this time. So I can sleep... truly sleep. Paula will be here soon... I shouldn't look like this when she gets here.
He tried to stand and staggered, falling back down. Shaking his head again, he used the bed to stand up and took a slow breath. "I really need to get something to eat. I'm sure the hospital made sure I got something, but I don't remember eating since breakfast with... with him. Maybe that's part of my problem at the moment..."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 1:35:37 GMT -5
Ariadne nodded, helping Zeph sit down carefully on Jason's bed. "I'll find you something... there are probably leftovers in the fridge."
She hurried to the kitchen, filling a plate with what she found and warming it up in the microwave. She poured him a glass of milk to wash it down, grabbed some cutlery and carried it all upstairs and into Jason's room. Sitting down on the bed next to Zeph, she held the plate out to him, watching him quietly.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 1:50:03 GMT -5
He blinked in surprise, and took it from her. Smiling gratefully, he ate carefully, pausing at the glass of milk. He didn't usually drink milk anymore... Biting his lower lip, he hesitated for a moment longer, then drank some of it as he kept eating. More than anything, him eating would probably cheer everyone up. He hadn't eaten much even when Jason was here, and so he ate as much as he felt was safe. Then he pulled out his medication and took the one that would help him sleep silently with a careful gulp of milk.
"Thank you very much, Ariadne..." he smiled gratefully, carefully leaning over and giving her a hug. Softly, he kept speaking so that his voice was gentle in her ear, "I really appreciate the care your family is taking of me. English is escaping me a little at the moment, so I can't express how much... But thank you. Thank you so much."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 2:05:30 GMT -5
Ariadne smiled, hugging him gently back. "Well, you're almost like family, aren't you? You're in love with Jason, so you're practically a son-in-law. Just... without the 'law'." She gave him a bit of a squeeze. "You have no idea how good it is to have you smiling again. I know how hard this must be for you to deal with..."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 2:11:50 GMT -5
Zeph's face fell a little, but he forced a smile back on his face. "It's... probably the worst thing I've ever faced. But I'll live. I survived people trying to kill me, I can survive this."
Physically. "I'm sorry, but I'm getting really tired. I'll see you tomorrow when Professor Harris gets here, alright?" He pulled away a bit and smiled more. "Unless I wake everyone up. Let's see if it was the shirt that worked that night, huh?"
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 2:23:51 GMT -5
Ariadne smiled back and pulled away too. "It's worth a try. Sleep well." She picked up his plate and glass, taking them back to the kitchen, scraping what he hadn't eaten into the garbage and pouring the rest of the milk down the sink before washing the dishes.
She sighed wearily, heading up to her bedroom and curling up on her bed, her arms wrapped around her pillow. Jason, wherever you are, don't give up hope. We'll find you and bring you home. She pressed her face into the pillow, closing her eyes tightly and trying to fall asleep. No doubt she would need to be well-rested for when Professor Harris arrived.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 2:54:32 GMT -5
Zeph lay on top of Jason's blankets with his eyes closed, trying to sleep. It almost felt like Jason was with him... except the bed was cold. The drugs would be the only thing that made him sleep, or he probably wouldn't sleep any more than Jason had while Zeph was missing. At least he had the drugs... because he wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise, and not being able to sleep without Jason would mean he would go insane from lack of sleep if it hadn't been for the drugs.
I'm going to get addicted. But I don't think I care... I need that oblivion I think. No, I need Jason. And I can't have him. So the drugs will have to be enough.
Sighing, he closed his eyes and grabbed the pillow, holding it tightly and burying his face into the cloth to smell him, to imagine just for a moment that he was there, and it was him in his arms, and that they were okay. Sighing again, he fell asleep, at first with pleasant dreams of Jason, and then past the threshold of dreams into deep sleep, where he couldn't feel anything, and remembered even less.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 17:21:11 GMT -5
The night dragged on, and Jason barely slept. Curled up in wolf form in a corner of his cell, he kept his eyes closed and his body relaxed, trying his best to heed Seth’s orders. It wasn’t working so far. The nagging whispers of doubt in the back of his mind crept up on him again, and he folded his ears back against his head, trying to block them out with his own thoughts.
It’s going to be okay, he told himself, wishing he really felt as brave as he tried to make his thoughts sound. You’re going to get out, and Seth is going to help you. You’ll get to a phone and talk to Zeph again, and your family.
It’s not going to work, his doubts mocked him. You’ll never be free of this place. They’ll keep you here and push you to your limits until you die, and they’ll throw you into the Neckar like the girl in room six. And Zeph will be forced to live on, empty and broken, because you made him promise not to die for you.
NO! Jason snarled inside his head. Mental images of Zeph flashed through his mind… Zeph sitting on a couch, his body stiff and eyes blank, while Helen and Ariadne held him and tried to comfort him, even to get through to him, to no avail. Zeph lying on a bed, pale as death, his head falling limply to one side as he whispered to no one. “I wish I could have seen him… one last time…”
Jason tensed, trembling as he fought against his fears. He thought of everyone he looked up to and trusted, everyone who had helped him through his darkest hours before. Zeph… his mother, father and sisters… Professor Hawk, who had helped save Zeph after his suicide attempt… Professor Harris, who had saved Zeph again only last month…
What would Professor Harris do in this situation? he asked himself. She wouldn’t give up hope, for one thing… She would use any and every available resource to her advantage. Though she wouldn’t let herself get kidnapped in the first place, either…
He sighed. This was where he was now, and this was what he had to get out of. No use complaining. There was no time. He had to think. What could he use to his advantage once Seth gave the signal for their escape? He was small, but fast, and he had his quills in wolf form. A couple of those in the scientists’ faces would distract them long enough for him to make a break for a phone. And Seth would be able to hold them off if they tried going after him.
Well, that was one thing, at least. But if he got caught and thrown back into his cell, he’d probably need another plan. Although, Seth had said the workers would be slow enough to fall for the same trick twice, and the venom in his quills would incapacitate them for quite a while, especially if he got them in their eyes. He made a mental note of that. Aim for sensitive areas.
This was good. This was helping. Jason sighed, finally relaxing again. Tomorrow… he was going to talk to Zeph and his family tomorrow. He could sleep easily with that knowledge and that hope. He yawned and slowly drifted off, feeling better than he had in far too long.
- - -
Morning. Jason woke slowly and blinked at the clatter of his breakfast bowl, uncurling and stretching. Today’s the day. He stood up, moving over to his bowl and eating carefully. He needed what nourishment that slop offered him if he was going to perform well.
He lay down and began grooming himself quietly, his ears pricked and one eye on the door. A countdown was already starting to tick in his head. He focused his thoughts to communicate with Seth. They’ll be coming for us soon. And I have a plan. When they go to take me out of my cell, I’m going to get my quills in their faces to distract them, then run for a phone. While I do that, you can go raid the kitchen, since you need proper food more than I do right now, and cause general mayhem to distract them more. I’ll need all the time you can give me. Is that okay with you?
|
|
Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
|
Post by Seth Larisha on Nov 25, 2009 17:44:26 GMT -5
Seth stretched and yawned, shutting his jaw with a click of his teeth. ~ Yeah, good plan. I'll cause all sorts of mayhem.~
He shook himself all over and fluffed his fur, then settled down to groom. ~I'll give a good howl to let you know I'm out. It's faster than this, and then we can focus on getting you to a phone and then enough time for a decent call. And then something to eat. If I get the time, I'll hide it under your bowl. They leave them sometimes, so... ~
Seth yawned again, tempted to snub the bowl of slop. But he knew he needed everything he could get, and so he forced himself to swallow it. Licking his lips, he slipped over to the door and shifted human for a moment, retching at the taste left in his mouth. He opened the slot and glanced out, judging the time before they'd be taken out. He shifted back and paced his cell, excited at the chance to fight. The scientists tended to knock him out only if he fought, so he'd behave until out of the cell. ~Here's to luck, kid. ~
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Nov 25, 2009 17:48:02 GMT -5
The flight to Germany was not a long one. Paula had used the opportunity to catch a nap and have a cup of coffee when she woke up. She then spent the taxi ride to the Hiller house on her cell phone, reading anything she could find on Casper Hiller and his family. When the taxi reached the house, she stepped out of the car and handed the driver a modest tip.
She brought only a small suitcase with a change of clothes, which she grabbed from the trunk and approached the house. When she reached the front door, Paula raised her hand and knocked sharply.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 17:50:56 GMT -5
Casper jumped up from the couch and rushed to the door, opening it quickly and stepping aside to let the woman through. "Professor Harris, I presume. Please come in."
He led her into the living room, where his wife and daughters sat on the couch with Zeph. He kept his eyes on the professor, waiting to hear what she would say or ask of them.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 17:55:23 GMT -5
Zephyros blinked slowly when he heard that Paula was there, raising his head slowly. He shook his head a little, managing a slight smile for her. "I'm a little out of it, Professor... Just... give me a few more... minutes. It's the... only way I sleep."
He shook his head again, yawning widely. His head fell back against the couch back as he sighed softly, trying to fight off the effects of the pills he'd taken the night before.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Nov 25, 2009 18:06:17 GMT -5
Paula swept into the house and followed Casper into the living room without saying a word. She set her briefcase down and turned back to face Zeph when he spoke.
"Really now." were her first words to the boy. "Pull yourself together, Zeph. It's the only way to help Jason. I can't have you drooling like a leaking faucet on the nice furniture when there are other, far more useful things you could be doing."
She turned back to face the rest of the room. "The local police have agreed to help me. Apparently the name 'Wendy Caldwell' is pretty famous. Don't - ask." She held up a hand. "That was for Zeph's benefit. I'll be going down to interview the other witness after I finish questioning Zeph. In the meantime, I'm going to need several things. For starters, I'm going to need anything you have on the kidnappers. Also, I'm going to need a space to work and someone to provide me with a constant supply of coffee. Zeph can do that. And, if it's not too much trouble, I'll need someone to volunteer to drive me around. I'm going to want to look at the crime scene and cab fare in this town is far to expensive."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 25, 2009 18:15:52 GMT -5
Casper nodded, excusing himself and slipping into his study for a moment. He returned quickly with a folder full of papers, which he handed to Paula. "This is everything we currently have on the kidnappers. Your room is upstairs, second door on the right, across from the bathroom. Also, I can drive you wherever you need to go. Just let me know when it's needed."
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Nov 25, 2009 18:23:43 GMT -5
Paula leafed through the folder. Despite its weight, the information in the folder was surprisingly useless. "I'll sort through this later." She turned back to Zeph.
"Get up!" She snapped. "Jason's been kidnapped, in case you forgot. I need you focused and awake. You can start by bringing me some coffee. Black, no cream, no sugar." Then Paula sat and opened the folder, leafing through it again while waiting on her coffee.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 25, 2009 18:32:59 GMT -5
Zeph glared at her. "I'm not really much use if I'm literally asleep, now am I?"
The medication had apparently worn off. He stood and ran his fingers through his hair and was tempted to make her get her own damn coffee... then decided he wasn't that petty and got it for her. He slammed it roughly on the table in front of her, then put his hands on the table and leaned into her face. "Look at me, Paula. Did you really think I could forget? At the moment, the only way I get anything even vaguely resembling rest is to be drugged out of my mind and I'm sorry, but it takes a while to get that out of my system! I am not your errand boy, so don't even think of treating me like one. I want to help, yes, but I'm not your dog while we're doing this. And if you WANT me to keep my temper, then you will be a -little- more sensitive. I am not Jason, Paula. I fucking hurt and I'm having trouble focusing on anything but Jason, and I can barely even fucking breathe thanks to what happened when they took Jason out of my fucking arms."
By the time he was done, his tone was deadly cold, and the wind outside was sounding like it was about to take off roof tiles. He took a slow breath and kept his eyes on Paula. "I'll tell you what I know. It's not much."
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Nov 26, 2009 3:56:21 GMT -5
Paula did not move. She did not speak. She merely regarded Zeph with a flat, emotionless look. When she was sure he had finished speaking, she leaned back and crossed her arms.
"Zeph, I'm sure you know Natalie Burns. Ian's girlfriend. One of your better friends. Well, she's lying in a coma right now in a London hospital. There are dozens of people dead already - mages, werewolves, vampires, and even some mortals. I have spent the last month trying to track down the guy who did it. He's a murderer and a butcher who openly taunts the police and slaughters supernatural beings. The fact that I have to travel with Korlian doesn't help matters either."
She stood, keeping her arms crossed. "The point is that I left that investigation to help you. To help Jason. Because you are my students, and that makes you as much of a concern to me as the lives of hundreds of mages and werewolves and vampires. If you think that you can do a better job tracking down Jason's kidnappers than I can, just say the word and I'll get back on the plane. If not, then I suggest you do whatever you can to help. If that includes bringing me coffee, that includes bringing me coffee. It's not like I'm asking you to give me a foot massage and draw me a warm bath."
"And make no mistake," Paula continued as she reached down to pick up the coffee and take a sip. "This was a kidnapping. Jason is alive. And I say this because I am a detective and I am one of the best. If he was dead, why in the name of God would the kidnappers use a tranquilizer dart? Why didn't they just ice you, too? You're a witness. Any killer would have taken you out too. And yet, here you stand. Think logically. Use the brain you have. There'll be time for trauma and therapy later. I'm sure Bolin would be happy to pretend to counsel you about this. But now is not the time."
"Do you think Jason panicked when I came to help rescue you? Do you think Jason would want you to panic? No. Jason would want you to calm down and use your brain. That's how we rescued you, and that's how we're going to rescue him. By being calm and not letting the fact that we're tired and drugged up get the better of us."
Paula sat back down in the chair, opening the case file. "And, so help me God, if you ever call me by my first name again, you will be serving detention for the first half of next year." Then she motioned to the couch. "Now, I need a moment to read through the initial statement before I talk to you. Just sit patiently. I need to catch up."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 26, 2009 4:17:34 GMT -5
I told you not to come, Zeph thought, stepping back a little. Everyone else seemed so certain... it almost hurt, to see them all have such hope and to feel so empty. Hearing about Natalie would have chilled him, if there had been any warmth left in him to take. There was a slight ache in his chest, one that cut through the numbness he'd wrapped himself in. "I'm sorry to hear about Natalie. I..."
He took a slow breath, closing his eyes. "Look, I know you don't think I'm handling this well. But I'm not as... as strong as Jason is. I'm sorry I used your name, though to be honest... that little fit is the first normal thing I've done in over a month. I'm trying, I really am. Please... Just... Don't yell at me for trying to recover from two blows at once. Please."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 26, 2009 12:07:22 GMT -5
To luck, Jason smiled, settling down to wait. The countdown in his head ticked on and on. Any minute now… he thought he could smell the workers coming down the hall… He steeled his mind, letting the anger boil up inside of him, activating the venom glands under the skin of his back.
The door to his cell opened, and a worker reached in and grabbed Jason just as a loud howl rang out from up the hall. Jason took his cue and began thrashing in the worker’s grasp, bucking against the man’s chest. He felt his back fur brush against the man’s face and chest, and several quills loosened and embedded themselves in the man’s face, neck and body. He dropped Jason with a strangled gasp, and Jason fled. Free!
The air was fresher here, sweetly scented, but he couldn’t afford to stop and enjoy it. He bolted up the hall, pausing at the end of it and shifting to human form. He was going to need his hands now. He wrenched open the door in front of him, running onward, remembering Seth’s directions that would lead him to the offices.
He skidded to a halt inside the nearest one, hearing the clattering outside that could only mean Seth was doing his job well. Now Jason needed to do his. On a sudden impulse he shut the door and locked it, then barricaded it as well as he could. He snatched the phone from the desk and dialled, recalling Zeph’s cellphone number from memory. Ringing… ringing… please pick up…
Click. Jason couldn’t hold back a sob of relief as he spoke into the phone, holding it like he had held his own phone during Zeph’s calls last month, like a lifeline. “Zeph! It’s me, it’s Jason!”
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 26, 2009 12:21:32 GMT -5
Zeph heard his phone ring with a moment of confusion. His family wasn't expecting updates or anything... He pulled it out and checked the number, confused even more. His heart almost stopped in joy when he heard the voice on the other end. The phone nearly slipped from his fingers and he had to scramble to catch it. "Jason...? You're ali-... Jason! Thank the Gods!"
Tears started streaming down his face as he staggered to a chair. His legs gave up on him and he fell to the ground before reaching the seat he'd aimed for. Jason was alive... His heart soared, and he felt a new strength... a will to live that was stronger than he'd ever had before. And a need to REALLY apologize to Professor Harris once this call was over. His fingers held the phone tightly, desperately... as his heart had a different form of ache. A terror of what was going to happen when Jason had to hang up, and of what having hope might do to him.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 26, 2009 12:36:06 GMT -5
Casper went white with shock when he heard Zeph cry out Jason's name, but his heart was pounding in joy, not fear. He rushed to Zeph's side and helped him into a chair, his own hands trembling. "Please, put the phone on speaker! Let us talk to him!"
He looked around at his family, all of whom were in varying stages of disbelief, hope and joy. Heidi was smiling and wiping tears from her face; Helen and Ariadne were holding each other, assuring each other that this was real. Casper looked back at Zeph, a smile of hope rising to his face. It had been too long since he had been able to smile.
- - -
Jason's heart jumped further when he heard his father's voice in the background on the other end of the line, behind Zeph's sobs of joy. "Father, I hear you!"
He kept his eyes on the door, one ear open for any change in the sounds of Seth's chaos. He had no idea how long he had... he knew the importance of time, especially after Zeph's kidnapping.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 26, 2009 12:52:49 GMT -5
Zeph reluctantly pulled the phone from his ear and put it on speaker, swallowing a little. He had so much he wanted to say... and knew he didn't have the time to say it. "Jason, I love you... What do you know of where you are? The people who have you? Is there anything you can tell us? Do not get caught, please... please don't let them catch you. Hang up and get out of there before they find you on the phone."
He wanted to just talk, but put aside his own desires. Finding Jason was first and foremost. Talking to him about how he felt, and how much he needed Jason could wait until they had everything they could get to help him. Zeph's entire body trembled weakly as he set the phone down on the table with the volume turned all the way up so everyone could hear. He curled up tightly in the chair, his eyes locked on the phone and his heart racing. Hearing Jason had completely revitalized him...
And brought horrible new fears. What if these people were doing worse things to Jason than had been done to him? Terrible images and ideas flashed through his mind, each worse than the last. His stomach churned and he closed his eyes tightly, trying desperately to force the images away as he waited for Jason's reply. Jason didn't sound like he'd been badly hurt; he just sounded like he had wanted to get to a phone badly. Jason sounded okay... He had to be okay. Zeph curled up worse and started to tremble, though he didn't let a sound escape him. Jason couldn't know how frightened he was... Jason hadn't let him know.
I always said you were stronger than I am. I said I wouldn't handle something like this as well as you did. Now I've gone and proved it. Jason, please be careful... I'll die without you. Now that I know you're alive... I'll just... I can't live without you. I had to lie to myself to come close to surviving without you. If we find you dead... I won't kill myself, but I won't survive either. I need you too much...
|
|