The Unconventional Hero

16) What the Law Says

Chapter Sixteen: What the Law Says

When we finally reached Dahlia's house—which took awhile, considering I may have forgotten the way to her house a number of times—I gently shook Jaxson's shoulders. He had fallen asleep, albeit rather ungracefully. His head was mashed against the car window and there was drool hanging from the side of his mouth. Yet, it was the most peaceful I'd seen him all day.

I sighed, shaking harder when he didn't wake up. "Jaxson, Jaxson, wake up."

My dad turned around in the driver's seat once he parked by Dahlia's front door. "Poor kid, he just went through a traumatic experience. Maybe give him some time to rest, Eli. You said so yourself—he looked very tired."

I wrinkled my nose at his comment. I mean yeah, that's valid, but I can't carry Jaxson! How else am I supposed to get him inside his sister's house?

"Yeah, okay, but how is he going to get inside? I can't carry him, and dad, you're barely any taller than me. Like, we'd be flatter than a pancake if we tried lifting his arm!" I complained, lifting one of Jaxson's arms in exasperation.

I flinched as the boy in question started to move himself. Apparently, that was just the perfect time to wake up, huh.

Jaxson glanced down at me groggily, eyes narrowed in question and eyebrows raised. I casually pushed his hand back towards him. "You're finally awake. Perfect timing anyways, we're at Dahlia's house."

My dad snickered from the front seat but I payed no mind, rolling my eyes as I removed my seat belt. Jaxson nodded solemnly, oddly quiet. I internally sighed once again—I can't have one of my best friends go depressed on my watch. I promised to protect them didn't I? And Jaxson was—Jaxson was one of my best friends? Since—Since when was this new development? I don't remember when that happened...

I shrugged the thought off. Well, if Jaxson was now one of my best friends, then I would protect him whole heartedly. It's what... It's what he deserves. After all the craziness, this was the least I could do to help Jaxson.

"Alright, I'll introduce you to Dahlia, dad. She's a great person, I think you'll like her!" I said enthusiastically, trying to lighten the sudden somber mood.

Instead of the easy going effect I was hoping for, his eyebrows just lowered a little more.

"Look, Eli, I didn't want to say anything because I don't want to hurt the kid's feelings, but who exactly is Dahlia? You've never mentioned her before... Unless you have? Before my memory was... My memory was taken away. Modified, if you will." He grimaced at the last confession. So did I.

That hurt more than I thought it should, or well, would. I knew his memory had been... previously modified—erased, my mind whispered—but I guess it didn't really register that he wouldn't remember anything past... Well, past the beginning of freshman year.

"She's one of my good friends, dad. She—she was there when I really needed it, and helped me realize that I should cherish my friends and—and stuff."

He nodded.

I nudged Jaxson and we both exited through his door way. Although Jaxson was eager to get to Dahlia's, he somehow looked a little hesitant to knock on the door himself.

I pursed my lips but didnt bother asking him about it. Instead, I raised my own fist and lightly but firmly knocked onto the door. It seemed only after I knocked did it cross my mind Dahlia had a door bell.

I couldn't ring it too, because then it'd seem like an emergancy.

And wasn't that rich, worrying after something so mundane after something so terrifying just happened. I almost tipped my head back to let out a laugh, but considering the situation, that would do more harm then good.