The World is No More

Chapter Eighteen

    I was dizzy and my nose hurt. There was a slight ringing in my ears as I started to wake. Slowly, I started to hear muffled voices as I became more aware of what was happening. When I came to, I saw Zander and Drew restraining Jeffery, Jackson giving out orders with a look on his face I'll never forget; pure hatred. I felt someone gently hold a rag on my nose. I looked over and saw Dr. Jaun. "Ah, you're awake." He said in a calm voice. Doctor Jaun was a great doctor. He's the kind of doctor who would talk to you to distract you while he gives you a shot. Dr. Jaun will help calm you down if you're scared about something. He reminds me of my dad.

    I barely nodded, I didn't feel good. "You might be feeling funny. You lost a bit of blood, but not too much to be threatening. No worries, though; the bleeding is stopping." Dr. Jaun explained. "Is it broken?" I whispered, still a bit hazed. "Sadly, it is. But, I put it back into place. I'll put a bandaid on it in a few." Dr. Jaun answered. "Is it bad?" I asked, immediately feeling like a kid afterwards. "Nah," Dr Jaun said, "even the bleeding wasn't bad." I slightly nodded and tried to sit up. "Careful." Dr. Jaun whispered. With a bit of help from him, I sat up. By now, Jeffery had been dragged out by Zander and Jackson was talking quietly to Drew. Dr. Jaun took the rag off my nose. "Expect some bruising." He informed. I hummed softly and stood up, Dr. Jaun following shortly after.

    With slightly shaky legs, I walked over to Jackson and Drew. "I just don't know why he punched Zoey. He should have punched me. Heck, I'm the one who punched him first." Jackson mimbled. "He shouldn't have punched anyone. He deserved to be punched." Drew stated. Chuckling at the end. I couldn't help chuckling along, as Drew was right. Jackson was a bit startled at my chuckle. He immediately turned to me and grabbed my hands. "Zoey! Are you okay?" Jackson asked, voice coated with worry. "My nose hurts and I'm a bit dizzy. But, other than that, I'm okay." I answered.

    I saw and felt Jackson relax as relief washed over him. He sighed. "I ought to kick Jeffery out of the camp." Jackson mumbles. "You should have done that a while ago." Steve said, walking in to my office. I looked up at my clock. It was six o' clock; supper time. "I know. I know." Jackson sighs, sitting down in a chair. "Then why do you keep him here? All he does is cause trouble. Heck! He doesn't even do his assignments." I spoke up. Jackson sighs and buries his face in his hands. "I guess part of me still thinks and hopes he'll change and becomes himself again." Jackson answered, mumbling. Steve sighs, kneeling in front of Jackson and puts his hand on Jackson's shoulder.

    "Listen, buddy. I know it's hard to let go of an old friend. This stuff has gotten to his head. I don't think he'll ever change." Steve whispered. Jackson looked up meeting his eyes with mine. "People change if they want to." I stepped in, "And, if Steve's right, I don't think Jeffery wants to change." It was silent for a few minutes before I spoke again. "It's hard to lose an old friend. Very hard. But, sometimes...Sometimes, you have to do the right thing. What you think is the right thing." I said softly.

    Jackson exhaled, "I know, babydoll. I just-I just don't know what the right thing is." I walked over to him and kissed him softly. "You will find out the right thing to do." Dr. Jaun spoke up, "Sometimes, things like this takes some time to make the right decision." Jackson took a deep breath. "I need some time." Jackson states. "Take some. Come on, it's supper time and Zoey needs a bandage on her nose." Dr. Jaun spoke. Jackson looked at me with softened eyes. "Alright, you all may go." He ordered softly. Everyone left. Jackson stood up. "Come on, babe. Let's go get that bandaid." he whispered in a gentle tone.I nodded.

~

    It was after supper. I was outside talking to Zander. "What did you do with Jeffery?" I asked. "He's in that building at the back of camp. It's like a jail." Zander explained. I hummed and looked up at the night sky. I spotted a few constellations; Leo, Gemini, Orion, and Virgo. "Look! There's Orion!" I pointed up. Zander looked up, "Oh, cool. You know your constellations, eh?" "Only some of them." I shrugged sheepishly. Zander looked at me. "Which ones do you know then?" He asked. "Orion, Leo, Virgo, Gemini. Big and Little Dipper...There's one that's supposed to be a dog but I forgot its name." I listed, chuckling a bit at the end. "Impressive." Zander commented.

   I laughed a bit. "I ought to show Jackson sometime." I said. Zander nodded. "Show me what?" I heard Jackson ask behind me, causing me to jump. I turned around and saw him smirking. "Oh! The constellations!" I smiled. "Oh, really?" Jackson asked in awe. I nodded in excitement. He walked up beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Show me."Jackson smiled. I begin to list the constellations I knew out to him, pointing to each of them in the sky. Jackson stared at each in awe.

    After a few minutes, we started to talk about Jeffery again. "How long is he staying in the JailHouse?" Zander asked. "At least 'till noon tomorrow. I'll have a guard bring him food and water." Jackson explained. Zander nodded. Jackson let out a frustrated breath, "I've never seen Jeffery burst out like that." Jackson said, running his fingers through his hair. "None of us have." Zander stated. "He's never been violent to any of the camp members."Jackson states, tapping his foot slightly, "I wonder what happened..."

    "Corruption?" I asked. Jackson looked over at me, "It could be." "I think he is corrupted." Zander spoke up, "he used to be the co leader. That power went to his head." JAckson looks at Zander with wide eyes. "That...That explains a lot." Jackson says. "Power can corrupt." I spoke softly, "If you put it in the hands of the wrong person." Jackson and Zander nodded in agreeance. A moment of silence fell upon us. The woods around us sounded alive as insects chirped. I looked back up to the starry sky. "It's getting late." Jackson suddenly said. I looked over at him and suddenly felt really tired. "Yeah. let's go to bed." Zander agrees.

    The next few days were uneventful. Soon, it was Sunday. I was making a schedule for the week, when I heard a knock at the door. "Come in!" The door opened and in came Jeffery. "How may I help you?" I asked. He sighs and walks in, sitting down. I realized that Jeffery was acting...different. Out of character, even. "Is everything okay or...?" I asked, cocking my eyebrow. "I've been thinking a lot." Jeffery starts, "With how I've been acting." I gave him a nod. "I just wanted to say I am sorry. I'm sorry for everything." Jeffery apologized. I was in shock. I gave him a small hum, letting him know I forgave him. Jeffery sighs again. It was quiet for a few minutes.

    "That night in the prison..." Jeffery trailed, "It was when reality finally hit me." I nodded slightly. "I hate to admit this...But, I've lost my head." Jeffery explains. A silence grew again. "Jeffery, I don't know what to say." I admitted. Jeffery let out a sad chuckle, "I'm not expecting you to have anything to say. I know that this is sudden-I just needed to get this off my chest." I was quiet but gave him a nod. "Listen, Zoey. I'm not asking you to forgive me. You don't have to." Jeffery stated. Silence grew again. Jeffery took a deep breath, "But one day...I hope you can forgive me." With that, Jeffery left my office, leaving me in shock.

    Maybe he did want to change after all.