One of Them

Chapter 4

The morning's cold as Jack leaves his house, and he pulls his jacket close to him. He curses the English weather and as he looks up at the cloudy sky, he wonders if it's going to rain. Should've brought his umbrella, but it's too late to go back now, honestly. Plus he was worried if he did go home, he wouldn't leave and would be captivated by the warmth. So he continues his way to work, briefcase clenched tightly in hand. He hums softly as he walks down the sidewalk, lost in his thoughts. For once it's not about Margaret and how he could've hid her better, but the fantasy of leaving Wellington Wells with Arthur to help guide him. The man seemed smart and rational; at least he wasn't a rabid Downer like the others in the Garden District.

The heat hits him as he walks into the building, looking around. Everyone's made themselves busy with their work and he hurries to his changing room, nervous they'll catch a glimpse of him and start asking questions. Lord knows he didn't have the acting skills to talk his way out of something this morning. He sits down in front of the mirror, opening his briefcase and pulling out the script. It's another episode of "That Tastes Amazing!" and he sighs. His stomach rumbles softly as he looks over his lines. The thought of edible food that wasn't made from something rotten or even human. It made him sick just thinking of it.

Putting the paper down and leaning back in his chair, he thinks about a life outside of Wellington Wells. A way for him to rebuild himself and his sanity, maybe finally one day be at peace with what he did and what he had went through. He wonders where he'd go, how he'd get out, and what he'd do. Maybe he could rename himself and stay as an actor? That'd be nice. And as he thinks about this, his mind wanders to Arthur. Would he ever find his brother, if he was still alive? How would he even get to wherever his brother would be? If he was taken to Germany, Jack didn't know how he'd get over there.

He sits there, blankly staring at the mirror before him. The more he becomes lost in thought, the more numb he feels. He doesn't want to be here. He doesn't want to be in Wellington Wells. He can practically already see himself in a new location, relaxing in his home and fixing himself. Where would he go, though? Another part of England? Maybe another country? Or he could always move back to Ireland.

Knocking at his door brings him out of his thoughts and he turns around to look at the woman who had entered. She goes to open her mouth, smiling and all, before her joyful face just falls. He doesn't understand.

"Oh, Jackie, dear!" She enters the room, leaving the door wide open as she walks over to him. Taking his face into her hands, she admires his eyes and he can feel his heart jump into his throat. "Have you forgotten your Joy today?"

"Ah, I was in a rush!" he croaks out, moving back with a nervous smile on his face. "Overslept and must've ran out the house without taking one!"

"You can have mine!" She takes out a Joy bottle, and he watches as she shakes out a vanilla flavored capsule. His mouth feels dry as she holds it out, an expectant look on her face. He shakily reaches out, gently taking the pill and staring at it. She's watching him, head cocked as she notices how hesitant he is. "Something wrong?"

"S-sorry," He gives her a nervous chuckle, staring down at the pill. "Just... would you mind getting me some water, please? My mouth is awfully dry."

"Oh, of course! Be right back!" She turns her back and leaves, and Jack scrambles for the Sunshine pills he's got in his jacket's pocket. He puts the vanilla in his other pocket and takes out the Sunshine pill, a smile on his face. He sits there, holding the capsule and waiting for the woman to return. He had to be more careful.

She comes back with his water, and he happily downs it with his own pill. He honestly feels smart as he watches her smile, obviously believing he's taken Joy as she watches his pupils shrink.