One Color At A Time

Chapter 17

"Jonathan, you are staying here. You aren't allowed back yet. It's literally only been like a day or two. We will message you if we absolutely need you." Clarabell's arguing with me about heading to The Division with them.

"I could be of so much help and you know it." I'm not going to back down even though I know in the back of my mind, I should stay back and focus on the schoolwork that I've been pushing off. But at the same time, this is an actual lead on where we could possibly find Madi and get her back before anything physically damaging or even...losing her completely could happen.

"Man, just listen to her. I can keep you updated on what's going on and like she said. If we need an extra set of hands. One of us can message you. Just go back to your dorm and focus on something else for right now." Travis places his hand on my shoulder pushing me back slightly.

"Do you really expect me to be able to focus on ANYTHING besides the thought of Madi possibly being transported to somewhere and they are going to probably pick out her FUCKING eyeballs?" I let out a huff of air and step back so Travis' hand drops down by his side. The girls are standing at the door that leaves the academic building. Travis is in front of me and Tyler is right by the girls. I feel like my back is pressed up against a wall. 

"No, but man, you did a number to yourself. You weren't sleeping, eating, doing school work. You forgot all about life. I get that you want to find Madi. Now especially, since you both have this connection that let you gain sights. But you need to take a step back and take care of yourself. The girls, Travis and I got this. We want her back just as much as you do."

I want to start arguing more about why I should be going with them. However, I know that they are wanting to just look after me and make sure that I'm fine. I feel myself deflate slightly and give a curt nod.

"We are going to go to The Division, drop off all the information that we know. Maybe, try and help out where we can but besides that, there isn't much we can do. We'll try to get back before it's time for our morning class together but if we aren't then just say we all had separate emergencies. Just various ones so nothing seems suspicious." Sally gives me quick instructions and all I can do is nod.

Travis reaches over and pats my shoulder before he turns exiting the building with the others. 

I stand alone in a musky academic building feeling the weight of everything suddenly settle on my shoulders. There are been such high emotions and low numbs ones that I can just feel my body sagging with exhaustion. With heavy shuffling steps, I make it back to the quad and up to my dorm. It feels like lead blocks are attached to the soles of my shoes as I take each step. 

"I know they are right but it feels wrong being left behind to do nothing in helping find her." 

Finally making up to my floor, I make my way down the hall pulling out my keycard and letting myself into my room.

Everything is quiet, my room is still a mess from the others crashing here but I don't care to tidy it up right now. I kick my shoes off and rough lay back on my bed. The only sound that could be heard was the life outside the window but it was damped so much that they never broke a train of thought as I stared up at the ceiling.

Even as thoughts race through my head, I find my mind getting fuzzier and fuzzier with sleep. I take my glasses off, setting them to the side and allow myself to an actual decent sleep for once is who knows how long.

~~~

I wake with a start because my pad, which at some point in my half-awake state, I had set on the desk sits next to my bed. Groaning, I feel around for a second before finding the pad and bringing it close to my face so I could actually read it.