《Anamnesis》Chapter 3: Zoned Out
Advertisement
Bren stares at Jax for a while. He must have zoned out again. Bren calls his name several times and doesn’t get a response. He didn’t think he had been talking to Jerry, the pub owner, for that long. Jerry has just left to get them drinks. He ordered them both water, because he doesn't know what Jax likes, and he definitely wasn’t ordering Jax alcohol. Bren didn’t know if he had ever had any before, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with an emotional drunk Jax.
Bren flipped the cardboard coaster in his fingers thinking about Jax. He is a mystery that they all have been trying to figure out. Bren and the others can’t get him to open up and talk. They didn’t know a lot about Jax’s past except that he was in an accident three years ago and spent a long time in the hospital. He and Sina had noticed some strange behaviors and hyper senses that go beyond what a normal human has. He also becomes easily agitated, zones out, and frequently complains about headaches. Fuchsia knows more about Jax than she likes to admit and has kept her coworkers in the dark for too long.
Earlier today when Jax knocked himself out, Fuchsia said he looked like something had scared him. They were all in shock when it happened. Bren had carefully placed him on the table as they waited for him to wake up.
Jax hadn’t been on the table for more than ten minutes and Fuchsia was pulling equipment out and running scans on him. Sina and Bren both snuck peeks at the diagnostic screen. Fuchsia was too absorbed in reading the scans to notice what they were doing. Bren wasn’t sure what he had seen but he knew it didn’t look normal. Fuchsia did a series of rapid result blood tests and found evidence of Blue Cryo. She was really upset when she found out about the drugs, but it would have to be dealt with later. She didn’t tell them if she saw anything in the scan, but she seemed really stressed about something.
Advertisement
Bren worries that if Jax finds out about what she did that he is going to be pissed and this will be a major setback for them. Eventually, she will have to come clean about all the lies including those about their work and even why she hired him.
Bren finds himself staring again at Jax’s hair. It is silvery with a few strands of white and is cut off at his shoulder. He almost doesn’t look real as he sits motionless on the bar stool. His eyes are a beautiful gray with bright blue flecks and completely unfocused. His skin is unnaturally pale and flawless except for a few scars. A white tunic hangs loosely on his form and the black pants he wears are a stark contrast to the rest.
Jerry brings the drinks back and he decides he is going to have to try harder to get Jax’s attention. He wanted to order food quickly so they could avoid the crowd. Jax’s appearance tends to draw attention, which is not something either of them want.
Bren reaches out and brushes a few strands of hair out of Jax’s face revealing several scars. Jax jumps and looks like he has been shot. Jax readjusts his hair after realizing what has happened and his once pale cheeks are now tinted pink. Bren smiles at his reaction but doesn’t say anything, looking back at the bar as if he hadn’t noticed.
Jerry comes back to take their order. Jax looks indecisively at the chalkboard menu. He turns to Bren and tells him he will take whatever he is getting. Bren asks Jax if a hamburger is ok. He nods quickly and looks away, obviously embarrassed.
He orders a burger and fries for both of them. Jerry rushes back to the kitchen to make the food. After several minutes of silence, Bren asks Jax if something is bothering him. Jax shifts uncomfortably on the stool and then begins to talk.
Advertisement
Only minutes into the conversation Bren realizes what has upset Jax. He had spotted the ID card of the person he had jumped last night. Bren is not ready to have this talk with Jax, his stomach now in a knot. Should he even try without consulting Fuchsia first? His explanation would be easier if there weren’t so many lies to begin with. He doesn’t know what to say but he is starting to think he needs a stronger drink to get through this conversation.
Jax looks at Bren with exhausted eyes. He wants him to give him an answer that will make his worries go away. Although, deep down, Jax wants the truth. Jerry appears and drops their food off.
Bren orders a whisky and then returns his attention to Jax.
He smiles and pushes Jax’s food closer towards him saying “Nobody makes a better burger than Jerry.” He secretly hopes that he will start eating and give him more time to figure out how to answer him. Jax nods but stares blankly at the plate and looks like he is going to break as Jerry drops Bren's drink off.
Bren says under his breath “Damn Fuchsia” cursing her for making this harder than it should be! Bren swirls the amber colored liquid around and throws it back thinking “I will be damned if I take on this conversation without a little liquid courage.”
Advertisement
- In Serial28 Chapters
The Invisible String
(On Hiatus While I Practice Writing With A New Story) This is a story of connections. A story of a Writer and his pen and paper. Follow the writer as he creates Syndesi, the personification of The Invisible String. See how they change the world around them through the relationships they make. And in doing so, change themselves. PS. it's fantasy but there are no elves, no magic, no superpower. just realistic people living their normal lives, facing struggles like every human being but that alone doesn't sound interesting, does it? How about a special dimension that connects the lead characters? (check out Chapter 2 - The White Horizon) Art Cover Credit: Asviloka Post Timings: (unsure for now as I am rewriting the chapters to make it polished. Hopefully once per week on Fridays) This would allow me to post something you can read every week without abandoning the story. It's a journey, I know. But I'm ready to continue without stopping. Are you ready? If you are, then let's start reading!
8 157 - In Serial80 Chapters
The Human Conduit
On a mission to try and uncover clues about the mysterious fire on a space frigate, Milo Greene will discover his connection to one of the universe's deepest secrets and find himself caught in a tug-of-war that goes beyond nation versus nation or solar system versus solar system. Science fiction with some fictional science. No Lit-RPG elements. Some war, politics, sexuality, unapologetic supernatural elements, mystery, adventure, and weirdness.
8 72 - In Serial13 Chapters
Every Hateful Instrument
Hail-and-Farewell Vinright is a pirate, ferrying drugs and weapons across the galaxy. When he discovers that the headaches he's been plagued with are not a sign that he has a brain tumor, and are instead the rare God-given gift of the power, one in a million psychic abilities, Hail sees the opportunity to help his family profit. Only people with the power can build the stardrives at the core of every ship, and the market for them is controlled by the Imperial government. Pirates would pay huge sums for one, so Hail's family enters the market. Aymon Sandreas is the least likely candidate to take the Imperial throne upon the retirement of his master, First Herrault. When Aymon steps too far out of line, his master sends him away to find the pirates who are flooding the galaxy with stardrives, destabilizing the Imperial government and the spacefaring Guild. Expecting an easy but boring task, Aymon's interest is piqued when the mysterious stardrive maker proves a clever and capable adversary. When Hail and Aymon finally come face to face, Aymon offers Hail an opportunity: work for me, in exchange for your life. But Hail wants nothing more than revenge, and he's willing to play the long game to get it...
8 145 - In Serial53 Chapters
Gaming on a MUD is difficult.
This is a story based on my characters background and journal that I played on a mud (Multi User Dungeon) over the course of several years. Dozens of people play a text based command line game at the same time. I figured I'd try to turn in into a story to see if anyone found it interesting. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. This is my first time so not very experienced. It is a story about how going into a multi player game expecting a typical RPG experience turns into something else because other players are involved.
8 176 - In Serial31 Chapters
Loot Sisters
Loot Sisters is a light-hearted flash fiction serial of 100-word episodes inspired by RPGs and hunting for quests. I don't have a set plan for where the story goes, as each week, I write my story around three random words posted weekly on The Prediction (an online flash fiction challenge group). I hope you enjoy the story! :) My characters include Maya (the narrator and a bit of a rogue-like character), Vera (our healer/mage), Felicia (resident navigator and lover of gadgets), and Rach (a fighter/brawler). Cover illustration is of Maya by Luminita Pham.
8 89 - In Serial12 Chapters
Wherever the Wind Takes Us
[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Abraham Penrose and Escyra Stärenholm threw away everything to be together. Their careers, money, and even their families were cast aside so they could live a life on the road. Both were proficient mages and felt they could take on anything as long as they had each other. They were even able to afford a small sail boat after months of saving up. Escyra wanted to see the northern lights, and Abraham was set to propose. That is, until a hurricane destroyed their boat and flung the lovebirds to different corners of the fantastical world of Zaltier. Follow both protagonists in their struggle to reunite as they discover the world, themselves, and most importantly: Love. *** Updates...as I write them. Will have a proper one post-write-a-thon! (The Gore tag is there due to action scenes. I don't plan on being overly verbose about anything, it's there so everyone feels safe!)
8 152

