A New World

ANW CHAPTER 16 "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

ANW CHAPTER 16 "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

It's morning. Adrian gets out of his room and sits outside. It's freezing a little. The grass is slightly white. He crosses his arms and sits down under the sail looking at the sun that is coming up. He blows some warm air out of his mouth. Then Jessie comes outside.
Adrian: Good morning.
Jessie: Morning.
Adrian: How are you doing?
Jessie: I'm okay. Didn't sleep very well, but am doing better then yesterday. My wrists are a little bruised though.
Adrian: Let me see.
She stretches her arms and her wrists come out of her sleeve. Adrian looks at them. They are a little blue.
Adrian: I can't believe he did this. I mean he gets into fights a lot, but this is bad even for him.
Jessie: He did apologize yesterday and asked if I was okay, but I couldn't really answer. I'm still not sure I can talk to him. He just really scared me.
Adrian: It's okay, I'm going to talk to him today. And I'll make sure he won't do it again.
Jessie: How are you doing by the way? Candice and I wanted to talk to you yesterday about the day before that, but something got in the way as you know.
Adrian: Oh I'm fine. I'm doing much better.
Jessie: How? How are you suddenly so positive?
Adrian: I have been thinking a lot. I learned that when someone gets into a fight I should change my mindset to being a leader. To think clearly.
Jessie: And you learned that by just thinking?
Adrian: Yeah.
More people get out of their rooms. Jason comes out too, but decides to sit in the garden alone. Tyler gets out and sits silently next to the others. As everyone arrives, Alex decides to talk.
Alex: What are we doing today?
Adrian: To be honest nothing much I guess. We probably have time to chill. I heard people suggest to go for a run.
Zayn: I'm down for it. I like to go for runs.
Alex looks weirdly at him.
Alex: You "like" to go for runs? I got really bad taste in guys.
Everyone laughs silently. Zayn smiles.
Zayn: What's the reason you don't like going for a run? Are you afraid you can't keep up?
Everyone laughs again.
Alex: Challenge excepted.
Adrian: Okay, so you can go for a run. Just run on the path and if you go into the woods, don't go alone, don't get lost and look out for bear traps. And bring a weapon with you incase of freaks.
Zayn: Are you not going Adrian?
Adrian: No maybe tomorrow.
Katy: What about the people that do not want to go on a run?
Adrian: I guess just chill here. I don't really have a lot of jobs we can do. We have enough food, a place to sleep, blankets. Instead if anyone else has an idea.
Nobody answers.
Adrian: Okay then. Everyone can get themselves some breakfast. And if you wanna go for a run, make yourself ready and go together.
Everyone stands up and grabs some food.
Adrian: Candice could we talk?
Candice: Sure.
She follows Adrian to the corner of Greenville.
Candice: What's up?
Adrian: Were you planning on going for a run?
Candice: Yeah...
Adrian: Do you mind staying here today? You can go on a run tomorrow, but I need you here today.
Candice: Why do you need me?
Adrian: I want to talk to Jason today and I thought maybe you can help me with that. If he doesn't want to talk to me maybe he will to you.
Candice: And why would he talk to me and not you?
Adrian: Because he hates me.
Candice: It's Jason, he hates everyone except Tyler. Why don't you ask him?
Adrian: I talked to Tyler and I think he knows something about Jason, but he won't tell me. He told me if I wanted to know Jason's problems, I should ask Jason himself.
Candice: I'll try. I'm not sure what's going on with him. He apologized to me yesterday for dropping the mattress and he apologized to Jessie. He also asked me if I could check if Jessie was okay. It was really weird. He seemed genuinely sad.
Adrian: Weird...there is something with him, but what?
Adrian looks at the others laughing by the campfire.
Adrian: You know what Chris told me? He said that when they were moving Jason's mattress he saw multiple bottles of pills lying in his bag. He thinks Jason might be a drug addict.
Candice: Could explain a lot.
Adrian: Yeah so I want to check his bag to see what pills he has.
Candice looks unsure.
Candice: Check his bag?
Adrian: Not like sneaking into his room. I'll tell him and he can be there when I search his bag. And that's also why I need you, to see what kind of pills they are.
Candice: Okay I guess.
Candice sighs.
Candice: What if there is something seriously wrong with him? Like something that could put everyone in danger?
Adrian: I mean Alex has anger issues. I'm sure we could deal with Jason.
Candice nods agreeing.
Candice: That's true...
Adrian: Okay, well I'll tell Jason he has to stay here.
Adrian walks to the garden. Jason is standing smoking against the wall. Jason seems normal.
Adrian: Morning.
Jason: Morning.
Adrian: Are you planning on going to run?
Jason: Yeah.
Adrian: Well you can't go because I want to talk to you today. You know why.
Adrian walks away. Jason rolls his eyes.