The Tail Begins

Chapter 1

 

Gasp! Jayne’s naturally tan hand covered his mouth. It was possible the security camera might show how his cheeks burned from the inside out. Slowly his fingers traced the corners of his chin. He secretly hoped that it would look natural and intelligent. Since the afternoon had crawled by with minimal customers, he had been flipping channels. A missing persons program caught his eye since, there, plastered across the screen was a face he saw on a daily basis. Ashen-faced, he turned the knob on the small TV on the counter to minimize the volume. The slender man’s shaking fingers would not cooperate. First, the volume bounced too low, too high and then tolerably low. Jayne’s throat swallowed the lump again.

Aches and pains ran up and down his body that would only stop if he bolted out the door. Oh, if only he could! Bright sun rays from the giant front windows teasingly beckoned to him. The glass begged to be broken out of the shop in the converted small marine mammal park. The entire oceanarium outside of Bodega Bay, California was once open to the public; now only 1/10th of the main commercial building was being used to house Snake’s Rock: Exotic Pet Shop. It conveniently sat on a corner near several abandoned buildings and large vacant parking lots, almost perfect isolation to hide the torment inside.

Goosebumps rippled from head to toe and stung like fire ants. Jayne knew that the boss monitored the security camera focused on him. He sighed. ‘Big Brother’ lurked in the same building. The compounded noises from parrots, parakeets, and exotic monkeys flooded the room, confounding the hidden microphones, but brightening Jayne’s soul. The combined hum of the fresh and salt-water fish tanks was overwhelming, so the reclusive boss normally muted the volume.

As he watched, Jayne could not believe his eyes or ears. The name or story did not hit home. Yet, the radiant face of the young woman he called ‘Hope’ was drawn in a black and white sketch, age progressed to what she might look like today if found. Marian Harrison’s younger profile sported tom-boyishly blunt curly hair. Staring at the old picture sent chills down his spine since he loved seeing her long, curly, chestnut brown hair dance.

Leaning onto the counter with his elbows, his throat tightened and his nostrils flared as the deep voice of the male host rang in his ears.

“...Marian had a high I.Q., but she had the usual problems for someone so smart. She did not fit in well at school, being the youngest of her class having skipped a grade. She had no desire for travel and preferred routine. When she was younger, her parents thought she was possibly autistic, but she just greatly needed a regular schedule. She also had an intense fear of water.”

Blood drained from Jayne’s face as he thought to himself. I had always suspected she had been kidnapped, but to see her parents beg for her safe return. He snorted. Tears longed to well up, but stopped in their tracks. This show desperately needed to remain hidden from his boss. The back of his short black hair stood on end. Every noise in the store heightened his awareness of his surroundings. To regain emotional control, Jayne massaged his clean-shaven chin. Nerves in his brain processed every word and picture that the TV displayed.

The TV show continued with a male swimming competitor. Anthony Rodriguez grew up in Galveston, Texas. Few people from his past searched for him. The secluded surfer never married in his pursuit of fame and fortune. The Mexican descendant bummed off his swimming coach by living in his garage. A brief home video showed Anthony bragging about a sure win at the next competition. Several people from the swimming community expressed their loss when he never showed up to the swim meet. Anthony’s manager voiced his hope for his star pupil’s safe return. With no leads, the police continue to be puzzled with this mysterious disappearance.

Jayne’s brown eyes widened. He pretended to sneeze so that his hands could completely cover his flushed cheeks and his gaping jaw. Oh, my God! His silent words rang out to the heavens. Oh, my God! That’s Jonathon! He’s burly now... but that face... I know even better than Hope. Quivering hands moved from his cheeks to his eyes before stroking his hair. His head throbbed. When he started to shake his head, the journey stopped before it could complete its return. Anthony’s voice on the TV mimicked last night’s memory of his friend, Jonathon. The accent, including a surfer’s tongue with the rolled r’s, was undeniably identical between the two men. Even though the old Anthony proudly sported a pencil mustache and short hair, Jonathon’s facial features matched, including the chiseled jaw. Many times over the last few years, Jayne had cut Jonathon’s bangs to eye-length and trimmed his facial hair. Pain gripped the pet shop employee’s stomach and tightened its grasp, causing it to try and rotate. Acid crept up his throat like spiders crawling.

The door chimed from speakers around the 3500 square feet of retail space. Breath escaped Jayne’s gut as though an invisible force had punched him. Swiftly, Jayne flipped the TV off and inwardly cursed. Dang! A customer’s here. The boss will turn up the speakers and listen. Aw, man! I wonder how many more people I know on tonight’s program. I wish I could finish. From the inside corner of the L shaped wooden counter, Jayne briefly stood on his tiptoes to look in the general direction of the door, getting a peek over the shelves at who was walking in. After the seventy-year old customer entered, she side stepped the vertical piles of pet food along the eastern wall. Jayne watched her pick her way through the aisles toward him. Although his body faced the counter, his head turned toward her with a forced polite smile. His mind raced. It’s gentle Dee. She won’t take long. I’ll be back in front of the TV before the next case.

Dee’s expressionless amber eyes used to look radiant and bright. Today, trouble traced lines across her face as if she’d aged ten years in the span of a month. Those soft hands unusually shook against her sturdy body. There was something different about her stylish snow-white bun, for it seemed to drag her down; her petite legs wavered, shortening her once aristocratic pace into a protective gait.

Jayne glanced back to the counter with silent calculations from his memory. Let’s see, she needs birdseed for her bird and wild seed for the neighborhood birds. His fingers immediately tapped keys on the register. Jayne guessed aloud, “…and cat food for the neighborhood cats.”

Click click tap tap bring click went the register as he finished ringing up her purchase.

After she handed over her cash, she uttered, “Jayne, could you please be a dear and help me out to the car today? My knees are not what they used to be.”

The register opened and Jayne placed the money into the correct slots. He would normally look at her directly, but his mind raced in other paths diverting his gaze. Jayne didn’t dare complain out loud. Ah, man. I oughta help her though, her limp is getting worse. Arthritis must have finally reared its ugly head.

“Yes”, Jayne responded with a crack and a hiss in his voice. Putting his fist to his mouth, he cleared his throat. “I may have found our missing frog. Let me see if I can cough it up. You know what I mean?” Half-heartedly, he forced a giggle at his lame joke, but Dee’s forced happy expression remained. He snorted and shook his head at the floor. After he handed her the change, he closed the cash drawer. In a hurry, he proceeded to pick up the bags throughout the store and place them one at a time on a flat-bed cart. Two strides at a time, Jayne pushed it over to the register where Dee stood admiring the trinkets on sale. Oh please hurry, he thought to himself before sighing aloud.

She picked one up, turning it over and over before repeating the process with the next small keepsake.

Clearing his throat, Jayne impatiently voiced his progress, “Mrs. Graham, I’m ready.” With that, she responded by smiling and heading for the door. Little conversation occurred as he pushed the squeaking cart to her vehicle. Jayne thought to himself, I can’t believe she parked the car all the way out in the middle of the lot! There’s a good handicap spot closer. Why’d she park so far away with her waning health?

“You are Andie Flynn’s son?” Dee broke the silence in a hushed tone. “Are you not, dear?” They reached her tan Jeep Wagoneer.

Dee’s sweet voice soothed his nerves. With one last squeak, he brought the cart to a halt. Looking directly into her experienced eyes, Jayne noticed her face now appeared less troubled. He shifted his weight. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“She was really ill before her death.” Dee’s pleasant voice calmly continued. “Without insurance, she did not go to the doctor unless she had to. I delivered groceries to her. Perhaps you do not remember me. Today, I ran across a picture of you and your mother and made the connection. It always bothered me why you looked so familiar these last few years.”

Although she paused to let Jayne comment, he only gave her nods of his head and crossed his arms. As a mixture of unpleasant and fond memories flooded back, his arms slowly unfolded. At last, hesitantly, Jayne spoke. Choppy words choked him as he stood as rigid as a mannequin. “I worked hard instead of playing. I worked every small job I could in order to pay bills. I did home-schooling work at her bedside to help her fall asleep. She was in so much pain. I told her I had a girlfriend. My pretend adventures gave her a life to dream about. I never did have a girl. I just told her that. I worked here before I was legally old enough. I passed my G.E.D. after she died. I was finally old enough to work here full-time when I turned sixteen. I’ve paid off the bills. I’m 21 now. I’m still here... I’ve been here for eight years.” Shrugging, Jayne stopped talking and sucked in his breath.

“Eight years?”

Leery-eyed, Jayne peered partially over his shoulder at the storefront while he waited for her to open the cargo door hatch. Jayne set the bags inside. His body ached as though he felt feverish. Trembling, he took an opportunity to think, Dee could take me away from here. Glancing vacantly back at the door, his fingers scratched the corners of his mouth. As he turned around, he stared at the vacant strip mall across the street, avoiding Dee’s face. Tears flowed down his cheeks. Only the spirits heard his angry cry. His eyes widened in fear as he thought, But then, what about Hope, and Jonathon?

Jayne used one hand to wipe his face while the other one slammed the door harder than he intended. He felt Dee’s presence as she followed him around to the driver’s door.

“Where do you live now? Do you have an apartment somewhere nearby? Do you have a car yet? It’s too far away for a bicycle. I have never seen you outside of this place.”

Jayne cringed. His lips felt numb while a dirty feeling nagged at his soul. He didn’t utter a word.

After Jayne carefully opened her door, Dee paused and fretted, “Jayne, dear?” She made direct eye contact. “Are you in any trouble, Jayne Flynn?”

Those loving words pinned darts at the very center of Jayne’s heart. His drained, troubled face was neither acted nor forced. But grimly smiling, he enunciated politely, “No, Ma’am. And you just don’t need to go troubling yourself.” His words sounded as weak as he felt. “Okay?”

She answered with a tender expression and handed him two books from her purse. She forced the words out as if practiced, “Your Pa said you might like these.”

“Thank you.” Smiling, Jayne gently accepted the books with open hands. “Um. These are...um. These are from...” Hardened emotions stopped Jayne in midsentence. He let the question linger in the air, but she didn’t correct herself.

“Be careful, Jayne.” She nodded. Her maternal instincts kicked into high gear. “You come from good upbringing. I like you and don’t want to see anything happen to you.” Dee observed sternly, but kindly before she shut the door. She started the engine and drove off hurriedly.

Jayne’s throat tightened. “My so-called father…” Jayne’s breathy words returned to his thoughts… died of an alcoholic overdose years before mom got sick. I never saw him read. As Jayne stared after the leaving vehicle, his face changed expressions a half dozen times: quizzical, perplexed, peace, and then fear, gripped him. A fresh breeze of air whipped his eye length bangs. Mimicking the soldiers on the TV, he did an about face. Tired legs trudged to the cart that he had left at the rear of her car. Pushing it awkwardly with the books in his left hand caused him to zig when he should have zagged. As he reached the storefront, he paused and took a step back.

The door opened and out came a taller, bulkier man. He forcefully stole the books out of Jayne’s hands and challenged Jayne with frightening blue eyes.

“Gimme my books back! She... she... she let me borrow them. I have to give ’em back” Jayne hollered at him. “I got to keep them nice!” His caring palms and fingers reached out as he watched the thug not so carefully flip through the pages and drop the books on the thin worn carpet. The books thumped like faith crumbling to pieces. “Humph,” he protested with a slight snarl. To himself, he concluded there wasn’t anything unusual. Sadly, Jayne picked up the books and lovingly straightened the slightly creased pages. His slumped shoulders voiced his inward dashed dreams. He thought, Maybe it’s stupid to hope there’s a hidden message from someone who wants to rescue me. But who would rescue me? Dee is the only one who knows I am stuck here.

Both young men cringed as the sound system squawked, “What kind of an idiot are you, Douglas Baldwin? Don’t ever do that in front of the windows! Someone could be watching!”

“Ah, there ain’t no one ‘round for miles.” Doug fixated on the closest security camera, flailed his upper limbs and growled. “All this area... It’s deserted!” Turning around and mumbling under his breath, Doug locked the pet shop door with a key on his key chain.

Taking big steps, Jayne sauntered toward the wall covered with fish tanks. Staring at the aisle with the dog toys and collars, he quickened his gait. His hurried pace led him to the opposite side of the store, where snakes, reptiles and exotic creatures sunned under the bright lights above their cages. Two steps inside the outstretched aisle, a big hand roughly grabbed his shirt collar. Jayne choked and gagged as he was wrested away from his path.

When Doug released his grip, Jayne rubbed his throat with his right hand and caressed it. He forced his throat to swallow several times in the attempt to get it to once again feel normal.

“Nice try, dufus,” growled Doug as he forced Jayne on to a direct path to the counter. “Why did it have to be snakes?”

Jayne’s mischievous grin turned upside down. He pouted a little as Doug inconveniently avoided the snake aisle.

Once they reached the counter, they walked around it and through the office behind the checkout counter.

Grumbling, Doug gave Jayne an extra shove into the organized office. He sneered and spat, “Come on, fancy pants! You got chores to do.”

 

{:-)-]~~{

 

Across the street from Snake’s Rock: Exotic Pet Shop, an old strip mall obscured two stealthy occupants. They were using a high resolution video camera along with a pair of binoculars for their stake-out. They observed and documented the interaction of Jayne and Dee.

“Well, she got him outside,” brown eyes vocalized to the green eyes in an Oklahoman drawl. Sweat droplets started to form on his forehead.

“Okay,” answered his partner. “She knows the boy, knew him and his mom years ago. She doesn’t think he could be involved in a smuggling ring. If she thinks he’s innocent, then we should too. Remember …innocent until proven guilty.” He shifted his weight from one foot to even his stance.

“I don’t think this is a smuggling ring. At least… not now.”

“Isn’t that what I said in the first place?”

“Hmph.”

“He doesn’t seem to suspect that she’s wired.”

“Something’s wrong. He’s definitely afraid. We need to find out why. There she goes. Let’s go meet her and get the bug.” Lowering his binoculars, the slightly balding man furrowed his light brown eyebrows. Pulling the binoculars back up quickly, he gasped as he used both his eyes to witness Jayne’s confrontation at the storefront. “Wow! Well, what do we have here?” His voice rose to a new level. “Did you see that?”

“So what are we looking at?”

“There’s something else going on here.” With sorrow building in his heart, he shook his head. “That kid hasn’t set foot outside until today.” His olive skin flushed as his mouth snarled. “Well, that’s it, call the boss! He’s being roughed up and shoved back inside by a blonde-haired, Popeye-armed, thug with a flat-top-hair cut! Man!” He emphasized each word.

“I bet.”

“Geeze.”

“How many people live in there?” The taller of the two men, with pale freckled skin, snatched the binoculars to peer with his green eyes. “I see him. They’re in the store now. He’s pushing Jayne back beyond our scope. I bet that boy is never allowed outside the premises. I bet he doesn’t even know what a mall is!”

Thinking of his teenage daughters and his credit card bill, the shorter man mumbled, “Lucky bastard!”

 

{:-)-]~~{

 

Rolling and stretching his neck, Jayne looked around at the brightly-lit pet shop’s office. Imitation and real wood decorated the office from ceiling to floor. A black swivel chair sat behind the heavy oak desk. An up-to-date computer, black mesh organizer tray and cup sat neatly on the nearly empty desk. The copy machine/fax and scanner stood tall and vertical on a 2 drawer file cabinet in the corner.

Jayne’s lips tightened and his eyebrows knitted as he followed Doug. Inching right, Jayne stopped and stared at the door to the storage unit and bathroom.

Doug loudly cleared his throat.

Hanging his head, Jayne closed in the distance between him and Doug. Walking alongside the western wall, Jayne’s fingers traced the spines of old marine biology text and reference books packed in the ceiling to floor bookcase. He had excelled in memorizing the helpful information. The bare south wall behind the desk provided Jayne something to zone in on. When they reached the southwest corner, Doug reached out his right hand to move three small books on the highest shelf. The wooden shelf unit creaked as it parted, pulling back from the rest.

Doug barreled through, followed by Jayne. Once more the mechanical whirring and creaking echoed through the small claustrophobic room as the hidden passage closed. Cringing, Jayne sighed and lowered his head into his collarbone. Before the light from the office disappeared, Doug reached for the ceiling. His fingers wrapped around the metal chain hanging from the middle of the chilly metal room. Boof went the door and immediately a click sounded from the light as Doug switched it on.

Glaring at the opposite door resembling a bank vault, Jayne muttered under his breath. No one could exit either direction without the key and combination code that unlocked it. After Doug unlocked it, Jayne’s feet automatically followed Doug through the heavy metal door. He yanked on the cord for the light switch, turning it off. “Well, there goes another piece of my soul. I swear! Every time! Every time I leave the shop.”

The door locked on its own causing Jayne and Doug to scrunch up their shoulders. Old concrete walls and floors soaked up the dim lights from overhead. Straightening up, Jayne tucked Dee’s books into the back pockets of his pants. Trudging loudly down the extended dank hallway, he thought to himself, Hmph. Even Doug is dragging.

When they reached the supply room, Jayne shifted his weight several times back and forth. Listening to the jingling heavy keychain, Jayne rolled his eyes and silently grumbled. This place is full of locked doors. Once the metal door swung open, Jayne turned on the industrial wall switch. Man-made brightness and warmth flooded his senses in the windowless room. He hastily, but precisely grabbed testing equipment off the shelves. Completely filling his lungs and exhaling, his frown softly turned upside down. A shuffled footstep caused him to look up. Once his eyes met Doug’s, he averted them. “Jerk. Hmph. Some friend!” His grumbling stopped short because of the movement out of the corner of his eye. Poor Doug, Jayne thought as he watched Doug leave the doorway for a small lecture from the old man. Discreetly observing, Jayne scrutinized the boss’s normal appearance, which always included a surgical mask and cap. Wiry tufts of fake silver and black hair drooped onto his shoulders.

“Idiot... pay you good money... keep... under check... you come…go as you please…can leave...” The boss’s loud lecture died down to where Jayne could hear no substantial raised words.

When he stopped straining, he conversed with his soul. Man, what did I get myself into? Every time…the more I learn about this place, the more I... I should have just gotten into Mrs. Graham’s car today. What other way could I ever escape? There’s nothing. Nothing! His eyes widened. Oh, how selfish can I get? What would happen to Jonathon? If I left, I’d be abandoning him. Without conscious thought, Jayne gave a nod of acknowledgement as Doug entered the room.

Doug averted his gaze with a scowl.

What about Doug? Jayne silently questioned reality. What would Doc do to him, if I left on his watch? His arms full and his hand awkwardly holding a clipboard, Jayne followed Doug out of the supply room. He placed everything on a waiting cart and started pushing. On his way down the hall, he unconsciously paused every few feet as he followed Doug and Doc. With a thousand yard stare, he continued mulling over the facts. I couldn’t even turn Doc over to the law if I wanted to. No one I know has seen that horrid doctor’s face. His ancestors could be Mexican, Arab, Persian or even from India. All we can ever see is his skin color. He doesn’t seem to have any detectable accent and speaks good English so... he had to have grown up in America.

All three walked through another locked door. All personal escape plans went down a mind drain when Jayne looked up and saw her face through the glass barrier. Jayne played the daydream in his mind of her awake and chatting with him. Oh, Hope. No wait, I found out your real name. It’s Marian, isn‘t it? I swear I will not leave without you.

Observing her closed eyes, he became enticed with her full lips. The curves of her cheeks forged a memory and her closed eyelashes never left his thoughts as he strode around the room collecting water samples.

The access hoses, which allowed water to be drained for testing purposes, soaked up the dim blue lights in the room. The abundant moisture and high humidity gave the room a thick atmosphere. Constant humming made for an oppressive din. Huge shadows cast across the room with the loneliness of a cemetery. Well, I still haven’t earned enough trust. The tanks’ main blue lights are never on when I’m in here. It would sure be easier. Doug’s warden-like attitude is getting old. Jayne paused briefly in his thoughts to change emotional gears. We never play cards anymore. He’s gotten cranky. We at least used to be friends when the boss wasn’t watching.

Doug’s watchful eyes burned into Jayne’s soul as he darted from one tube to the next.

An hour and a half passed by. Jayne’s feet would not keep up with his knees. Is this day ever going to end? My feet hurt. First an eight hour shift in the store and then another couple hours here. When Jayne tugged at his jeans to hug his waist better, he felt the books in his back pockets. Dee. The books. I wonder what they are? Maybe there is something special about them... Maybe there are pages taped together with a message inside! I wish I could go to my room right now. But no! I have to wait for my neighborhood ‘friendly’ thug.” His thoughts surfaced aloud. “I’m done testing for ph imbalances. There’s nothing wrong with the water today. Hmmm. The filtering systems are all functioning. I’ve replaced filters.” Flipping roughly through the papers on his clipboard, Jayne mentally checked everything off. “Whew. Done.”

“Hey, lil’ punk,” Doug’s booming voice caused Jayne to jump and turn around. “Ain’t you done yet?” He was standing behind Jayne with his huge forearms folded.

“You know, you seem to enjoy your little job here,” Jayne taunted as his face reddened. He spat, “Don’t you? Bouncing at bars wasn’t good enough? You had to answer the ad! You had to get the job and come ruin mine? You know what I mean?”

“Now, listen here, cage-cleaner,” Doug’s in-charge sneer faded as he became testy. He unfolded his arms. “Yes! Note! I did answer the ad, which means that I’m not the one who’s in charge here! Weren’t you already here when I got here? You waltzed in here as a kid and begged to be paid under the table to clean cages. You needed the money bad enough to beg for it! So don’t blame me for your choices!” Doug pointed his forefinger menacingly at Jayne. “When your mom died, Doc paid the bills and let you move in so that you didn’t have to go into the system! Sure, I was hired to monitor you and the other employees, but what if some other guy was hired?” Doug flailed his arms. “Would he be as nice as me? Would he hang out with you? If I leave, who would Doc hire in my place? I’m not the one who brought you in here!” Doug ran his hand through his hair before throwing both hands in Jayne’s direction. “You are! Doc paid your mom’s medical bills so it’s your job to pay him back with your time! You’re not a slave here, you have a past! You stopped getting cash here the day that Doc paid the bills for you!” His blue eyes scowled. “I got my own bills to pay and Doc won’t give me an upfront!”

Although each sentence knifed him in the gut, Jayne silently stared without flinching.

“Why’d you have to make contact with that old lady? Why didya have to take books from her? Now the boss is breathing down my neck! You’re supposed to stay in the store! It’s your job to call me to help someone out to their vehicle! You’re gonna get me in trouble! I’m sorry I roughed you up too much, but... God, loser! My neck is on the line here too! The boss is always watching! Ain’t he? The cameras are always watching! You’re getting too brave for your own britches! Now, hurry up and put your stuff away! It’s time for my shift to be over!”

Jayne’s lips parted to counter, but doubled back. They both walked as fast as they could. When they got to the supply room, Jayne parked the cart, put the remaining supplies up and threw away the trash. Conversation was non-existent while Doug escorted Jayne to his small one-room apartment. Jayne played the waiting game again while Doug unlocked his door. He walked through, turned around and faced Doug. When the door slammed in his face, Jayne sighed. “Well, I guess I can’t blame him.” Jayne threw up his arms and planted them hard onto the door and allowed his head to fall onto the door too. He stood there a few minutes with dark clouds welling in his mind.

Counting the meals in the last week on one hand, Jayne realized that he had only eaten the dried jerky and fruits he usually had for lunch. He had totally skipped morning and evening meals for days. He hadn’t really felt like eating hardly anything lately, after all what was the point?

But a bitter-sweet scent tickled Jayne’s nose, causing him to eventually stir and follow the aroma to the kitchen. The plump vegetables bobbed in the tomato soup base. He tasted the air and ingested it. His favorite soup contained limited spices: basil and cinnamon. Licking his lips, he grabbed a bowl out of the mostly barren cupboards. Even they seemed useless with so few dishes to store. There were three each of cups, plates, bowls, silverware and mugs. Flashbacks of his mother’s full cupboards made his hand reach into his back pocket. Mom. Dee.

Vacancy camped out in Jayne’s eyes as he stared at the big crock-pot containing only two servings. A lonely tear slowly made its way down his cheek with the pull of gravity. Blank white walls closed in around him. The refrigerator displayed four trophies: a score-sheet of Doug and Jayne’s last Texas Hold ’em game, Jayne’s poorly drawn picture of Hope on a paper towel, a picture of his mother and a letter from his mom’s chemo doctor saying that all the bills had been paid for. Turning back to the task at hand, Jayne picked up the pace and filled his bowl. He placed the hot bowl on a plate, grabbed a spoon, and a glass of water.

Instead of slowly walking, he expeditiously carried his supper toward the blue couch. When he spilled it all over his hand and the blue carpet, he yelped. “Ouch!” He loudly sucked air through his mouth, “Shhhhhh.” He growled, “Rrrr... Hhot!” Rapidly, he set it on the coffee table to allow the soup to cool a bit while he rinsed his hand in cold water. After he cooled his burn down in the kitchen sink, Jayne wondered aloud, “I wonder what’s gotten into me?” It was safe to talk aloud for Jayne knew there were no speakers, microphones, or cameras in his room. The satellite TV programming provided noise but no true form of communication.

Pondering his actions, Jayne looked around for a clue. He shook his head. “Hope! And not the person!” An incandescent smile spread across his lips. One foot at a time, he tossed his black Crocs off and settled onto the couch. The steaming soup stole a glance from him. It really is too hot. I got time, he thought as he pulled the books out of his pockets and scrutinized them. The book of poetry and the fairy tale disappointed him. Well, so much for hope. Ah well, it’s more enjoyable reading than I’ve had in a while. Flipping through for anything hidden, Jayne lost time as he skimmed a few poems. Setting the poetry book down with one hand, he picked up the fairy tale with his other. His slouched body jerked to a more upright position when he scanned through the fairytale book. A cartoon figure drawn in the bottom left hand corner of the pages moved slightly when he turned them. Playing with the cartoon, he chuckled. As Jayne scanned it again, he noticed a break in the pattern. Finding the page, his eyes widened when he saw a picture that didn’t fit the moving story. Discovering another page with a misfit ‘toon and holding it in between his fingers, Jayne examined it closer. On the previous page, blue ink underlined several words. Pencil or black ink marked the rest of the book.

Jayne dropped the book on the couch and leapt over the back. His toned but lean legs carried him into the kitchen. His greedy hands yanked open drawer after empty drawer until he found a pencil. Next, he fumbled with the paper-towel roll and nearly dropped it several times. Determinately tearing off a towel, he dropped the roll on the kitchen floor. His arms pumped carelessly as he ran back to the couch. Putting the pencil hand on the back of the couch, he hurdled and landed sideways beside the book.

It’s a message! Flipping through the book, Jayne found and wrote down each blue underlined word. Staring at the words, he couldn’t even read the mumbo-jumbo. He rechecked his work and wrote the page numbers under the words. He originally wrote it starting from the beginning of the book. At a second glance, he read the words as if he wrote them from back to front. Jayne swore and then exclaimed, “Hot-diggity-dog!” He bounced with his knees up and down on the couch. “Whoohooo,” he hollered aloud and then whispered, “A message!” Jayne stood up with his treasure and took his bowl of soup to the kitchen. He dumped the cold soup back into the pot to warm it up again. Concentration caused his eyebrows to lower. Staring at the message to pound it into his brain, he absentmindedly grabbed a small cast-iron pan and placed it on the hotplate. Taking a match from a drawer, he lit the paper-towel, dropped it in the pan, and watched it burn. As soon as it turned to ash, he washed the ashes out of the pan and placed it into the drainer. Jayne filled his bowl again while he stared wide-eyed. ‘Know you’re in trouble. Ready to help. Tell us how. What are we up against?’ Hmm. Short, but sweet. He blew on his spoon and wolfed down his first bite of food since his beef jerky at noon. But, the question is, how do I answer?

Getting ready to take a second bite, he heard a key rattling in his door. Startled, he closed his mouth around his spoon before he finished blowing on it. Spitting his hot bite back into his bowl, he dropped his spoon on the counter. Life in his veins drained to his feet. A drum pounded in his ears. Jayne faced the door and held the counter.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Doug’s eyebrows furrowed as he briefly looked around the room. Turning to stare at Jayne, Doug’s eyes penetrated as though he could read Jayne’s soul from looking into his eyes. His nose and lips twitched before he inquired, “What are you up to?”

“Nothing, Dougie,” Life flooded back into Jayne and he deeply inhaled. “I drifted off on the couch and was just getting ready to eat my supper. I guess I’m really tired out.” His hands trembled.

Doug lowered his voice. “No hard feelings about earlier? You know I got to keep up the act.”

Jayne cocked his head and eyes at an angle as if he considered it. “Hmmm.” He curled his nose. “So that means I get to make trouble for you!”

Doug snorted. “Let’s go! Get your shoes!” After Jayne complied, Doug closed Jayne’s door, and shoved him past the other apartments. “It’s going to be a long night.”

The two faced each other. Jayne’s crooked grin flattened and at the same time Doug’s face soured. Jayne watched Doug’s bulky shoulders slouch. “You’re as tired as me,” he muttered.

Doug responded by turning to face the elongated walk beyond the door.

He’s becoming as much as a prisoner as I am, thought Jayne. Doug’s putting in extra hours, but not getting paid. He rolled his eyes. Going through the doors after Doug, Jayne forced his feet to drag him along. Doug turned around to find the wayward soul. He huffed as he clomped around and behind Jayne. Roughly, he pushed him along past the storage room and the tank room. A bitter deathly tasting stench wafted from the next room. As he passed the open doorway, he thought, Ew! It still looks like something from Roswell…an alien trophy room. Shaking his head, Jayne turned his face away and quickened his pace. Heavy footsteps behind told him that Doug followed his lead. The two slowed down as they approached lights flooding the hallway from two open doors. Jayne glanced into the first lighted room. When will this maniac be finished? The procedure room lay in shambles. Blood painted the floor. Fumes from cleaning solutions and chemicals infiltrated Jayne’s mind. Flashbacks of his mother’s frequent hospital visits caused Jayne to miss a step and trip, crashing to the floor.

“Come on, move it,” ordered Jayne’s apparent guardian. He roughly helped Jayne to his feet.

“Ow!” Jayne grabbed his throbbing bicep after Doug released it. Opening his mouth to protest, Jayne saw movement in the doorway. It was Doc. He stared hard at Doug and Jayne.

Doug grabbed Jayne’s hand and pulled him past the doctor. “Your ‘friend’ is singing again and his voice is carrying over the still night air. If you don’t get him to settle down, the boss is gonna box our ears and then hang ’em like trophies!”

As promptly as Doug jerked Jayne down the hallway, he released his hand.

Here’s my favorite doorway! Jayne thought as he slipped through the door and up the steps. He pleaded, “Jonathon, where are you?” After he noticed that Doug didn’t follow, he grinned from ear to ear. He sang at the top of his lungs, “Jonathon?” Once he reached the watery holding pens in the locker room, he focused his eyes to stare under the surface of the dark water. Only the vibrations of the air pump could be heard. Giving up, he turned around to find his unlocked locker. With a complete lack of care for the material that clothed him, he stretched his clothes as he pulled them off. Throwing open the door of his locker, he grabbed his blue swim trunks and yanked them up one leg at a time. Leaving his clothing scattered on the concrete floor, Jayne hurried into the old oceanarium show arena.

“Come on, Jon! I’ve got some news! It’s not fun when you hide!” Taking a deep breath in, he dove under. Searching high and low became a chore. Panic set in as he surfaced. “Come... on... Jon...” Jonathon loved this game, but Jayne was in no mood for it tonight. After diving and surfacing several times without any results, he angrily shouted, “Dang it, Jon, where are you? I want to talk to you! It’s important!” Out of breath and tired, he dog-paddled over to the demo stage and crawled out. Breathing deeply, he kicked his feet, angrily splashing water and stared after its landing. Giving up, he admired the sliver of beautiful stars in between the canopy and the concrete wall. As he gained control of his breathing, Jayne daydreamed about new possibilities of being elsewhere.

“Aaaaaaah,” yelped Jayne as a light coffee-skinned hand grasped his foot and pulled him in. After struggling to release the grip, he raced up to the night air. Jayne reached the surface out of breath from the surprise attack. Skimming the surface of the water, Jayne saw a head pop up. The distinct long black and silver streaked hair hung over Jonathon’s forehead and in his eyes. Jayne could only imagine the ornery sparkle in his friend’s eyes and the smirk on his lips. Water flew through the air as Jonathon hurled a splash over Jayne’s face.

The young males were soon engaged in water games like a pair of young kids. They swam, splashed each other, and played tag. Fun, buffoonery, and adrenaline had crashed when Jayne shook his head and wearily waved his hand. He swayed toward the stage, completely exhausted. The last bit of energy in his body wasn’t enough to get him out of the pool.

With knitted eyebrows, Jonathon followed and gave Jayne a gentle boost over the edge. Elbow over elbow, Jayne slowly crawled out of the pool. His body haltingly obeyed his nervous system’s commands as he struggled to sit up. One by one, his feet unwillingly crept over the edge to dangle. The ocean waves thundered from the distance inside Jayne’s head. The strip of bright stars in between the canopy and the concrete wall tossed and turned as if imprisoned in a universal kaleidoscope. Gravity increased its pull. His head and shoulders rhythmically teetered forward and backward like the waves he heard in the distance. A roaring rush of nothing sucked the sound waves away from his ear-drums. Jayne’s tongue slowly licked over his parched lips while fairy-like dust sparkled in his peripheral vision. Dizzy, weak, and light-headed, Jayne reached his hand toward the sky as blackness gobbled him whole.

 

{:-)-]~~{