Everest Bounds; Upon The Shore| Book One

Chapter Eight

         Jackson looked out at the sea from the window of his bedroom, giving a heavy sigh as he adjusted the buttons on his coat. Leaving his room he gave some of the other soldiers a nod in dismissal before stepping out of the doors and heading into town.

         After reaching the center of the place he called home he began to seek out Emily Hirasen. Once reaching her home, Jackson knocked on the door lightly it opened to reveal Emily herself, although she was more tired and had a never leaving worried expression. The woman smiled softly "Hello Jackson," she greeted and stepped aside for the young man to enter her home. Jackson smiled "Hello Emily," he smiled at her "How are you?". Emily sighed "As well as I can be," she admitted. Looking out of the window of her home she gave a heavy sigh "I miss my son Jackson..," Emily trailed off before looking at the brunette "Were we wrong to let him go?" She asked. Jackson looked down "I'm not sure. I miss him too, it's been.. lonely without him around." Jackson said.

          Emily frowned and looked at her son's friend "Have you found Damien yet?" She asked softly. Jackson shook his head "No, it seems that they have stationed my father somewhere, from what I've heard from some of the generals at leased," He confessed. Emily frowned and set a hand on the boy's shoulder "Don't worry Jackson, I know you'll find him." She said with a smile. Jackson chuckled and set his hand on top of Emily's "Thank you Emily. And I know that Kasper will find Tom, then the three of you can live a peaceful life."

             After returning to the base where he was staying, Jackson took off his coat and buried his face in his hands after sitting down. He somehow managed to convince the court to leave his mother and sisters alone, even if they did keep him hidden. Emily was in the clear because her son was out on the sea with pirates. It didn't change his worry though. The very thought of something bad happening to his best friend made Jackson's stomach do flips.

         Deciding to wander around, still being new to the base and all, Jackson kept himself and began to walk around. Occasionally other soldiers would wave and greet him. Jackson would just nod in response. He slumped against a tree and gave a heavy sigh. Closing his brown eyes, he let his mind drift away from his worries, or at least he attempted to. Until he heard a voice. A familiar voice, one he knew all too well. He opened his eyes and in front of him, stood a carbon copy of himself, just older and more worn-out looking. Jackson basically froze "Dad...," was all he was able to utter. Damien smiled and walked up to his son, pulling him into a hug "Jackson...I never thought I would see you again," He rasped. Jackson returned the hug, and fought back tears threatening his waterline "I thought I would never see you again..." the teen said in a shaky voice. Damien let go of his son and had a look of concern "What about your mother and sisters?" He asked. Jackson smiled softly "They're fine dad, don't worry. I somehow managed to convince the court to let them go." He admitted. Damien frowned "And of Kasper? Is he alright?" Damien asked, setting a hand on his son's shoulder. Jackson shook his head "Don't worry dad, Kasper is fine." He lied through his teeth, He had no idea if Kasper was alright or not. Damien sighed in relief "So, they have not found him yet.". Jackson rubbed the back of his neck "well, you see dad, Kasper isn't even here in Herdstra anymore. He joined a pirate crew." Jackson told his father. Damien's brown eyes widened and he shook his head "Oh that poor boy. Why on earth would he do that? Leaving poor Emily by herself." He said while shaking his head. Jackson rose an eyebrow "Dad, it was both Emily and me who told Kasper he should go." He admitted. 

           Damien sighed and looked at his son "Jackson, do you realize what you have done? You sent your best friend to the grave! Emily sent her own son to the grave!" He had risen his voice slightly. Jackson felt his heart stop. Looking down, Jackson held his arms "I knew it....I knew that it was a bad idea. Damn that stupid freedom craving idiot! Why couldn't he of just stayed home for once instead of running all through town." He worried aloud. Damien sighed and pulled his son into a hug "Kasper's father was a pirate, it is something that Tom passed to his child. It's not your fault my boy." He muttered softly.

         Jackson barley heard any of it. He was lost in his own thoughts. He thought that he had made the right choice. But now, he knew he was wrong.

Jackson had sent his best friend to his own death.