Collateral Damage (bxb)

14. Losing a Home

A.N. This chapter begins from the perspective of Ian.

I was restless, laying there without even a hint of sleep on my mind. Crashing on Jess's couch used to be so calming, but tonight was different. After everything that happened, I could not find it in myself to get some shuteye. Was it Jack and everything he has done? I could not find it in myself to cry. Maybe it is because I stopped loving him way before that happened, or was it Aidan and the mystery of his aura? I don't know if he is a holder like me or if his aura is very weak.

Tossing and turning back and forth did not help. I was laying on my side and looking out of the window that was straight ahead. Behind me was the hallway that leads to the door out of her third-floor apartment. The night sky was getting brighter as I had spent the whole night just battling my mind.

I guess that I could have seen that Jack was turning into who he is now. It sucks that it had to be this way, but I have all the freedom in the world now. Maybe I'll talk to Aidan some more because he seems like a good guy and he is kind of attractive. No, it is too soon to think about that since Jack is still on my mind. At the very least, I got all my stuff before he came home and I blocked his number per Jess's request, so I won't be seeing him any time soon. She suggested filing a police report, but I decided against it since I stabbed him and his parents had enough money and power to save their precious baby boy.

Picking up my phone, I checked the time... "Five in the morning..." I groaned in annoyance, but not loud enough for Jess to hear from her bedroom. She was never a light sleeper, but I didn't want to take that chance.

I sat up on the couch and rubbed both of my eyes, before taking a look around. Jess kept her place the same: warm tones, little mementos for all her adventures, a nice TV. She always had her life together and knew where she was heeded. Maybe that's the reason why I clung to her that much because I never was the one who had a direction in life, and I needed someone like that who could set me straight.

I chuckled at that. "Set me straight."

I forgave her for withholding the information. She really thought that his parents were coming, but they didn't. He pulled that stunt on me like he wanted to kill me. So they weren't coming over... But why would he lie about that to Jess or me? He always was a stand-up guy in that way. None of this makes sense. What bothers me the most is that Aidan knew where I lived. Was he some sort of stalker or worse, and I can swear on my life because I had seen his friend somewhere before, who could forget a face like that? This lack of sleep might be getting to me.

I stretched my arms out and made that so familiar sound when you do so before getting up from the couch and groggily taking a few steps away. Maybe I should start going for some morning runs? Nah, I don't think I want to for now.

I went and got some of my clothes on. Taking an early morning walk should suffice. Aidan's purple hoodie was so comfortable so I threw it on as well, and it made me smile in this dark living room.

I shouldn't be gone for long if I take a short walk to clear my head and get my creative juices flowing. I do hope that she doesn't wake up and think I disappeared or got kidnapped again.

As I approached the door to open it, my phone rang out from my pocket. I was a bit confused since no one was up this early in the morning, and Jack won't ever be contacting me. The text was from the mysterious person who warned me a few days ago. I had almost forgotten about it since it was so out of the blue. It read, "Get up and get ready."

For a moment I was confused, but then the text was sent again, and again, and again. I thought that the sound would wake Jess up so I muted my phone as it was getting pinged constantly. I managed to type out a response, "Who tf is this?" I was agitated and groggy, the worst time to pull a prank on me.