G.I. Joe: Agent Blue Jaye and the Beasts of Lakeside

Chapter 22

Jessie woke up early Saturday morning on Devon's foam couch-bed and rolled on her back staring blankly at the ceiling. Elise was in intensive care, and the current news was she would pull through. The doctors said though that she would probably never walk again. Tears formed in Jessie's eyes as she remembered the attack back at Captain Minh's.

They should have never gone up to his house alone, Jessie thought. She should have just let the police deal with it. The lure of writing their story however, had overwhelmed her judgement. While Elise's family didn't blame her for what had happened, she felt solely responsible.

Jessie had broken down sobbing when Elise's mom arrived at the hospital and gave her a big hug. She was more worried more about Jessie's wellbeing than understanding their motives for heading up to Minh's house alone. Why did I have to be so selfish, Jessie asked herself, unable to fight off the tears. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes with her forearm and rolled over into a fetal position.

Devon and Jake were at the hospital and it was just Jessie in the small apartment. Looking down at the floor, Jessie saw her backpack was half open and the tip of her camera was protruding out. All the evidence she needed to connect the mountain lion was on that film she thought to herself remorsefully.

The vivid image of the headset in the lion's skull came back into Jessie's conscious. She closed her eyes again. What was it, she thought to herself? Was it controlling the lion? Was it giving the lion super strength? Was it keeping the lion alive?

These, and a flurry of other questions churned through Jessie's brain. She closed her eyes tight, desperately trying to make the questions stop. She didn't want to try to answer any more questions, or make any more connections. All she wanted was everything back to the way it was.

"Please stop." Jessie whispered to herself in the empty apartment. But the questions wouldn't cease. Finally sitting up, Jessie decided to take a hot shower hoping it would calm her mind. After getting cleaned up, she would then head back to the hospital to see Elise. It took another five minutes or so, but Jessie managed to pick herself off the couch. As she took a step toward the bathroom, someone started knocking on the door.

Jessie jumped, completely surprised. She had no idea who it was. It could be one of Devon and Jake's friends, one of Elise's family, or even the police. The unexpected visitor had woken her up, briefly lifting her from her gloom.

"Who is it?" Jessie asked loudly.

"Jessie? Is that you? It's Jason." Jason's voice was clear and familiar. Jessie walked over and opened the door.

"Jessie. Are you ok?" Jason asked standing and looking frightened. Jessie started to talk but realized she couldn't make a sound. A wave of sadness overcame her. Instinctually, she walked up to Jason and took him in her arms. She just needed someone to hold her.

Jason's was surprised as first, but then relaxed and returned the hug. The two stood there for a while before Jessie finally let go. She smiled at Jason, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Can I come in?" Jason asked. Jessie nodded and walked over to the couch, leaving the door open for Jason to enter. Jason closed the door behind him and sat down next to her.

"How's Elise?" Jason asked and looked to Jessie.

Taking a deep breath, Jessie slowly began to explain the events since he left two nights before. She told him about her first encounter with General Iron-Knife back in the Journalism Department, to the attack at the Waterfront Boathouse, to finding Captain Minh's body, and to finally, when Elise and she were attacked by the lion with the implanted headset. There were times when Jessie had to pause to keep herself together, but she got through it all.