Perception

Chapter 4: Jason

I don't remember the exact moment it happened, but the pain that cut my breath is still familiar several years after. Dean was right in front of me, angry. He had pushed me in the lockers, interrupting my conversation with my friends. I did not know why, but I was sure of one thing: he was about to tell me.

-I thought I could trust you! he yelled.

-What are you doing? .... If it is about yesterday, I said nothing! I replied.

-Yeah right... Like you did not tell her.

-Tell who what? I said nothing!

-Really?

He was furious now. Feeling it, Jamie put herself between us to protect me.

-Okay, Newbie... Now you' gonna calm down and STEP BACK, she ordered.

Dean laughed. It was dark and full of angriness.

-Sure, he agreed. But, Jason, we will have a little.... chat as soon as your girl will not be around.

He left. Just like that. Well, okay not just like that. He actually achieved to leave me a little bit scared of what would happen next. The brief conversation started repeating itself inside my head. 

-What was that? Jamie asked me.

-I don't understand... I told nobody.....I

-Jason! I asked you a question!

-I just did a couple of...Ms. Brown...

Angriness started filling my mind. Without explaining anything to my friends, I ran straight to my French class. She was teaching, but I didn't mind:

-I need to talk to you, I said as I opened the door.

The class was quiet. I could feel their gaze on me, but I was not caring at all.

-I am teaching, Jason. It's gonna...

-Now, I interrupted her, coldly.

-Okay, then... Read page 10 to 17 and then answer the questions, we will come back on it when I will be back.

She got out of the class and closed the door.

-What was that for, Jason?

-How could you possibly know I was doing research on him?

-Oh, so this is about Dean?

-So, you knew

-At first not, but when you started asking more specific questions about the way it touches the soldiers, I checked your historic once you had finished. You hadn't done any research about PTSD. And then, I saw you talking with this new student, who has served in the army. So, what do you think, Jason? That I would be stupid enough to believe you? To do nothing that could possibly help him?

-Maybe! Because, since you are a good person, you told him that you are also a psy, right? You proposed him help? Oh and you told the principal about it! Am I right? Like you did with me.

-Yeah, and you reacted well if I remember correctly. It helped you.

-True... but not everybody is me. 

-Jason... Dean needs...

-I do not freaking care about what you think! Do you realize the position you put me in? I promised him to say nothing!

-He...

-Can you please shut up for a minute and listen? I am...was the only person he was talking to! The only freaking one he has been trusting since he is here! 

-I talked to him, Jason. He really needs help. You just do not realize how much he does. He can...

-He just does not want to talk about it! 

-But he needs to.

I could feel the rage blowing inside me. She could not understand him the way I was. She had lived nothing close to his situation, not like me. Feeling I was about to lose control, I took a deep breath

-Just leave him alone, I ordered before leaving. At least... it will make it more painful for me when Dean and I will have our "little chat".

-Jason...

I did not listen. I was not seeing the point at all. I joined back my friends, but didn't talk or answer their questions. My mind was too occupied trying to figure what Dean had meant by "worst enemy".

*****

Later that day, Jamie asked me to hang out with her, but I refused, pretending I was tired. I headed back home with Jet, thinking about the awesome and relaxing date I was about to have with my bottle of whiskey. When we arrived in front the door, Jet started pulling my pants in the direction of the street.

-What is happening buddy? It is our house, right? I asked him

-Wouf!

-So why are doing that? I said while unlocking the door. 

I stepped inside and called him. He came, but slower than usual. Something was making him uncomfortable. The door closed behind me before I could even touch it. Jet started growling. Ok... something was definitely wrong. A little "clic" came from my right.

-Don't move, threatened me a deep voice.

Ok...So there was a gun (I think) pointed on me...That was pretty bad news... Especially for the owner of the firearm. I grabbed his wrist and twisted it in an abnormal angle. He let out a painful scream. The weapon fell from his hand. I kicked it away with my foot. Before he could react, I hit him in the stomach and knocked him down to the floor. Two hands suddenly grabbed my arms and pinned me to the wall. Jet must have tried to help me. He let out a cry full of pain. I tried to free myself to help him, but a painful cold fire exploded in my stomach. My opponents released me and I fell straight on the floor. Feet moved around me and got out of the house, leaving me in pain. I tried to stand again, but I could barely support myself. My eyes closed by themselves as I was falling into a deep darkness.