The Pain Thief

Chapter 16

YOU'RE MY HERO

Jack hadn't been feeling himself since Zoe got hurt. He didn't sleep at all on Tuesday night and walked to school slowly, not looking up. It was odd for him to be alone like that, knowing Zoe wouldn't come running around one of the corners. He wondered if that was how Zoe felt sometimes when she was alone. 

He sat in homeroom, sulking with his head resting on the desk. He thought about what happened just before he left last night. Malachi had appeared again, meaning that Zoe's wolf ears and claws disappeared. He roared painfully before disappearing. Mr. Z had said that he was just weak, but Jack couldn't help but to worry. If Malachi felt that bad, Zoe had to be feeling a lot worse. 

"Well is the little Snowflake not here today?" someone said from his right. Jack spared a glance, but immediately wished he hadn't. 

It was that Chrissie girl and the two girls who followed her all the time. For whatever reason Chrissie liked to bother him, especially when Zoe wasn't around. He thought she may've had a crush on him or something, but Chrissie had already caused enough trouble for Zoe and Jack wanted nothing to do with her. 

"No one calls her that except me," he said angrily. He was exhausted, angry, and depressed. All in all, not a good combination. And now with Zoe not there to help him with his temper, he wasn't quite sure how the day would turn out. "Now leave me alone."

Jack turned back to face forward, crossing his arms in front of him. 

Unluckily for him, Chrissie sat down next to him. "You know Jack, maybe it's better that she's not here. I think she's holding you back." 

Jack clenched his fists, trying to keep his anger in check. Zoe always just brushed off everything like it was nothing. He smiled a little to himself. He was probably the only one who knew how angry she could get and how strong she was. 

"So Jack," began Chrissie nonchalantly. "What do you say? Want to hang out with us from now on?"

Jack smirked. "Not in your lifetime or mine. And just so you know, Zoe would've knocked your lights out if she'd been trying."

Chrissie got this ugly look on her face and walked away, leaving Jack feeling quite proud of himself. 

*** 

Unfortunately, as the day went on, Jack's happy feeling melted away. It was depressing to go through classes without Zoe there. 

He laid on the ground by their tree with his eyes closed, paying attention to the time since Zoe wasn't there to wake him up. They'd chosen this tree when they first got to high school and would always switch between who was sitting up and who was laying down. 

Jack went through the rest of his classes mindlessly, hardly paying attention to anything. His mind just kept wandering. He honestly thought it would've been better to be with Zoe, making sure she was ok. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in Mr. Z, it was just that he wanted to be there when she woke up. 

On his way home, he called Mr. Z, who said Zoe was healing nicely. He hadn't moved her from the couch, but according to him, her wounds were looking a lot better. "She should wake by the end of the week," he said. "I want you to go home to your family today. You can come over after school tomorrow."

Jack wanted to protest, but Mr. Z hung up, probably seeing it coming. He sighed, feeling depressed. He had to go home anyway since he basically ran out last night and needed to explain. 

No one questioned him at home though. He went to bed without eating, saying he wasn't hungry. 

The next few days passed in a similar fashion. Jack had trouble sleeping, would go to school, and go home. Each day after though he stopped by for a few hours to see Zoe. Some color was coming back to her face and her breathing was easier. Even the bruises on her neck were looking a lot better.