Fix Me, Fix You: A Jesse Pinkman Story

Chapter Two

"Welcome to the French Quarter in New Orleans, folks," the bus driver announced. "We have an hour and a half layover here. If you're continuing the ride with me, we'll meet back here at four o'clock. If you're transferring to another bus, please refer to the schedule inside the station for your departure time."

Jesse waited for all the other passengers to exit the bus before he stood to do the same. He slung his backpack over his shoulder, holding onto the strap, then made his way off the bus.

The bright sun made his head throb. His withdrawal symptoms had mostly subsided by then, but his headache and nausea refused to go away. The tinted bus windows had alleviated some of the tension from the natural lighting, but he was fully exposed now.

He stood aimlessly for a moment when he exited the bus, unsure of where to go. The other passengers were scattering, as if they knew exactly where they wanted to go in the city. He envied their certainty for so many different reasons.

He walked around to the other side of the bus, and that's when he saw it.

It was like someone had flipped on a light switch. People were everywhere. Happy people. Drunk people. People in costumes. People in formalwear. He could hear music, laughter, and chatter. He could smell Cajun food and dirty streets. The humidity was sticking to his skin like glue.

He adjusted his backpack on his shoulder, still clutching the strap, and continued walking deeper into the French Quarter.

He passed gift shops selling inappropriate t-shirts and obscure voodoo dolls, restaurants smelling of spices and seafood, and bars already full of inebriated tourists. Vendors lined the sidewalks selling overpriced paintings and handmade jewelry, and street performers played songs of jazz and blues to entertain the audiences gathered around them. The antique architecture of the buildings sent even more unique vibes through the streets, making New Orleans one of the most unique cities to experience.

Jesse walked through crowds of people as his tired, sober eyes searched for somewhere to go. It was an overwhelming change in scenery from his hometown. His heart pounded in his chest somewhat frantically as he made his way up some cement stairs to get away from the crowds yet continue exploring.

When he reached the stop of the stairs, he paused. He was standing on top of a boardwalk that overlooked the Mississippi River. The view took his breath away. The sun reflected off of the river as a beautiful steamboat slowly passed. A bridge could be seen in the distance, with many cars traveling in both directions. Kids were running around, people were talking, music was still playing, but it was quieter up there. It was peaceful.

He sat down on a bench next to him that overlooked the boardwalk, wanting to soak in the beauty and the peacefulness, something he hadn't experienced in quite a while.

His heart slowed to a normal rate. The blood in his veins warmed from the early- August heat. The slight breeze kept his skin at the perfect temperature. He wasn't sure if he had ever been that comfortable in his entire life.

He was suddenly very aware of himself, but he realized that no one else was. No one was paying any attention to him. Sure, people looked at him, but no one eyed him any certain way. He didn't stand out. He was blending in.

"Mom, look!" A young boy shouted as he pointed ahead of him. "The aquarium! Let's go!"

"Hold on," his mother dismissed as she snapped a picture of the river.

But Jesse's eyes followed to where the boy was pointing. A huge building stood off to his side, lined with glass windows from nearly top to bottom, with large letters that read "Audubon Aquarium of the Americas."