The next morning came by, and Jack couldn’t remember much of what happened afterwards. All he could remember was Carolyn grasping his shoulders and looking at him dead in the eyes, mocking him and calling him a failure. His head ached.

Someone opened the door and it was Dr. Cato. However, Jack was in no mood to talk to Dr. Cato or anyone. He just wanted to be left alone and fully think about how to escape. At least that would make Carolyn happy again… he really hoped that it would.

Dr. Cato stood there for five minutes, waiting for Jack to say something, but he wasn’t going to get anything out of the boy, especially after what happened two days ago.

The doctor sighed and took one step closer. “You can ignore me all you want Jack, but I’m not here to make you feel bad. I came to apologize, so please hear me out kiddo.”

Jack didn’t say a single word. The only thing that echoed in the room was their breathing. After another minute, Jack finally decided to look at him with eyes full of hopeless sorrow. “No… You were right doctor. I am just a druggie. Nothing more than a hopeless druggy with nothing left in life.”

Dr. Cato got closer. “Okay, I admit I did take things out of line. I may have overreacted a little, but I’m sorry Jack, okay? Will you forgive an unprofessional doctor like me?” He reached his hand out to Jack. “What do you say Jack? Friends?”

Jack was hesitant to answer, but after thinking for a moment, he realized Dr. Cato wasn’t wrong for reacting the way he did. He was just doing what every guardian would do if they found out their child was hanging around someone like Jack, a degrading lost cause to society.

Jack reached out and shook the doctor’s hand. “It’s alright, it wasn’t your fault. It was my fault for not realizing how many pills I was taking every night.”

Dr. Cato finally smiled and patted Jack’s back. “That’s alright Jack. I forgive you. You crazy kid! Give Dr. Cato a hug.”

Dr. Cato gave the boy a great, big bear hug. Jack allowed him so he wouldn’t notice his acting and suspicion.

“Say Jack? Do you want something? It’s all on me!”

Jack stared at him and expressed an empty grin that seemed convincing. “Can I see Angela?” He mildly chuckled, knowing he was being sarcastic.

“I’m sorry Jack, you already know I won’t allow that for now. You can’t fool me kid. I’m sending you to a rehabilitation center for your addiction. That’s what’s best for you, so don’t be mad, okay?”

Jack sighed and with an empty smile, he raised his shoulders. “Is that so…? That’s fine, I accept your decision.”

Dr. Cato smiled and patted Jack’s head. “I knew you’d understand. Don’t worry about Angela. She’s in good hands. Now, you have to get packed and ready to go.” Dr. Cato started walking out of the room.

Before Dr. Cato could shut the door, Jack asked, “How long do I have to pack my stuff?”

Dr. Cato smiled. “You leave in three days.”

Three days huh? That’s enough time for me to take us out of here.

“Don’t worry too much, Jack. I’ll visit again real soon.” Then he shut the door behind him.

Jack frowned and stretched his muscles. “Yeah right! You aren’t fooling me you lying bitch!” Jack still had no clue what that word meant, but for him, it felt damn good saying it.

Carolyn walked in shortly afterwards and hugged Jack, but most importantly she apologized for last night’s confrontation by explaining that she was only trying to toughen him up.

Jack couldn’t help it, so he forgave her immediately. He couldn’t stay mad at someone like her. He knew that once they settled their pettiness aside, it was the best thing to do.

“So, how has your morning been?” Carolyn asked.

Jack got serious and told her the situation he was in. She looked a little worried but had confidence in him.

“How’s Angela?” Jack asked.

Carolyn got sad. “Angela’s been depressed ever since you got separated. She’s gotten so depressed and angry. Yesterday, she used her pencil to stab Dr. Cato’s hand! He dodged her and calmed her down, but she also mentioned that Dr. Cato really does care about her.”

Carolyn and Jack left his room and walked to the yard where he could think more clearly. As they were walking, Jack heard someone screaming. It sounded so awful that it almost seemed like someone was being forced to endure it.

Carolyn stopped again and seemed worried. “Are you alright, Carolyn?” Jack asked.

She shook her head. “It’s all right. I was just lost in thought.”

They continued on their way to the yard until Mr. Mathew spotted Jack. The boy got scared and immediately hid behind Carolyn, but Mr. Mathew managed to grab his arm. The man examined Jack with a suspicious look on his face.

Jack tried asking Carolyn for help, but he seemed confused too. He looked around. “Mr. Mathew, you’re crazy. Leave me alone!”

As Mr. Mathew continued to examine Jack, he pulled his necklace out and placed it on Jack’s arm. Jack wondered what the hell he was doing. Mr. Mathew took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes. Jack started to feel something too, and then he heard someone scream.

Jack looked around. “Hello? Who’s screaming?!”

Mr. Mathew chuckled. “So it’s true. Well, I’ll be damned.” He grasped Jack’s arm and held it tight. “Say boy… you wouldn’t happen to have bad dreams, would you?”

With his arm still in the man’s grasp, Jack looked away to hide his fear. “Uhh… sometimes. Wh-What do you want?”

He finally let go and stared down at him. “Nothing boy. Just making sure that you’re okay, but since you asked.” He patted Jack’s back with such force that he thought his lungs would burst through his ribs. “That’s for stabbing me you punk. You’re lucky I can’t hurt you more than that when you’re normal, but I’ll be waiting… waiting until you know who finally reveals themselves.” He let go of Jack’s arm, then laughed as he walked away.

Jack coughed violently, trying to catch his breath. “Sta-Stab?! Wh-What?” He looked over at Carolyn. “Carolyn, why didn’t you do anything?”

“I’m not allowed to interfere with anyone like him,” Carolyn said, while looking a little sad.

Well, isn’t that stupid. Whatever.

They both resumed their walk to the yard. When they arrived, Carolyn told Jack not to take too long and left. Jack took her advice and headed inside the yard. There, he spotted Candy, who looked really annoyed.

Jack walked over and tried to get his attention, but it appeared that wasn’t needed. He came running towards Jack instead. Candy hugged the smaller boy and clinched really hard. Jack felt like his soul was being squeezed out of him like a crushed tub full of ice cream.

“Hey boo boo! You’re alright I see. How’ve ya been sugar?” Candy let go of Jack and combed his hair with his girly fingers.

Jack punched Candy’s shoulder as he coughed. “Are you trying to kill me?!” He took deep breaths, then regained his composure. “Yeah, I’m fine. How’ve ya been?”

“Oww! Why you always gotta be rough. Hmph!” Candy crossed his arms and looked away. “Just kidding! I’m all fine, boo! Just worried about my little friends, that’s all.” Candy looked around Jack and noticed Angela was not by his side. “Say sweetheart? Where’s lil momma at?”

Jack didn’t want to tell him the truth. “She’s just sick and is bed ridden for a while.”

Candy surprisingly bought it, but he only wished his condolences and hoped she would get better. From the way he said it, it seemed like she was dying.

They walked over to a table and Candy noticed Jack’s mood was changing. As they took a seat, Candy asked, “What’s wrong, Jack?”

Jack took a sharp breath, then rested his arms on the table and leaned his head on them. “Candy, I think I might have finally come up with a plan to get Angela and I out of here by tomorrow afternoon… Well maybe, if everything goes as I planned.”

Candy smiled. “So that’s why you got all serious like, sugar! So, what’s your idea then? Gonna bust the big pot belly fool Mr. Mathew’s balls! Or jump the fence and catch mamma like a prince?”

Jack couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re always funny! Candy, you did say you’d volunteer right? Because my plan involves you too.”

Candy’s face changed and he became serious. He hesitated to answer at first, but he quickly smiled again. “You’re right, boo. Okay, I’ll help you. But promise me one thing!” He walked over to the table and did a girlish pose.

“Uhh, what is it Candy?”

Candy took a deep breath and let out an open mouthed smile as he gave a thumbs up. “Promise me that we’ll meet again someday!”

Jack smiled wholesomely. The fact that someone like Candy was able to help a foolish kid like him and acknowledge him as a friend made Jack realize just how much of a great friend Candy was.

“Sure… I promise Candy, I promise.” Jack gave him a thumbs up as well. They both chuckled and continued with their conversation.

Jack explained his plan to him, and Candy expressed some opinions about it. He pointed out the flaws and clarified some major and minor key points. He gave Jack some huge hints that would make the plan a guarantee for success. Candy showed him some doors and hallways that Angela and Jack could take by showing him a diagram of his school building.

Candy snuck Jack into his school for a bit and showed him what paths to take, while pointing out where to hide. Lastly, he told Jack about Mr. Mathew’s and the teacher’s schedule so Jack could avoid getting caught and raise his chances of escaping. Candy also told him of his involvement in distracting Mr. Mathew and how to keep his attention.

Candy laughed hysterically and was completely on board with the idea. He patted Jack’s back and pinched his cheek. “Good luck tomorrow, boo. Make sure you take good care of Mini Momma for me. Take care of yourselves. Oh, and make sure not to get caught, you adorable sugar cookie.”

Jack slapped Candy’s hand away from his cheek and smiled. “Okay. Please watch yourself Candy. Don’t make any more enemies. Alright?”

Candy smiled and laughed. “You know me, boo boo. I’ll get all the boys to like me!”

Candy walked away, but he looked back one last time to wave goodbye. Jack waved back, then let out a huge sigh of relief. He also felt a bit sad, knowing that he might never see Candy ever again. “I’m gonna miss you buddy,” Jack said quietly. “But man, you were weird as heck!”

Jack went back inside the building and decided to walk back to his room. While walking, Jack spotted Dr. Cato, who looked rather suspicious. He had a group of people surrounding him. They had white suits and looked really scary.

What’s going on?

Out of curiosity, Jack slowly crept forward a little more to overhear their conversation. He hugged up against the wall so they couldn’t spot him. He couldn’t really make out what they were saying either.

He patiently waited a while to see if they would go anywhere so he could follow them. He waited for about ten minutes, but now men in black robes showed up too.

What in the world is going on?

They were talking for a moment and finally began to move. Jack followed them as far as possible so they couldn’t figure out there was someone on their tails.

Damn!

He had to stop following them because it was starting to become a one way hallway, plus there was no way he could hide. Jack decided to stay put at the end of the hallway to see from a distance what they were up to.

It appeared they were opening a hidden wall, but they started chanting something. Jack wished he could hear what they were saying, but he knew he’d get caught.

After a few moments, Jack heard someone’s muffled cries. It got a little quiet for a second until they began to wail. Those agonizing screams of suffering pain… it was extremely uncomfortable to listen to. Not to mention it sounded similar to the one Jack had heard months ago when he saw doctors surrounding someone and a huge needle was inserted into whoever it was.

Maybe it’s best to leave now?

The moment Jack started to walk, a voice in his head begged him to stop. They were whimpering and sounded hurt, yet they begged him to save them. Jack wondered if it was the same person in his dreams… the girl in the white dress.

While Jack stood there, he heard someone shout his name. “JACK”

Hold on! That voice… it sounded like Angela!

“Help me please!” she kept shouting, but he couldn’t do anything.

If he tried helping her now, his plan for their escape would be compromised. His anger built up slowly, so he closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He tried so hard to prevent himself from rescuing her.

I’m sorry Angela. You’re gonna have to wait till tomorrow.

Jack covered his ears and ran away, leaving her there, which really made him feel ashamed. He felt hopeless. He had no choice though. It was either seeing things for himself with what they were doing, or keeping his distance so they could get out of there by tomorrow. He was sure he’d made the right decision, but he’d probably have guilt implemented in him for a while.

After running for some time, Jack finally made it back to his room. He walked in and punched his wall from all that provoked anger of guilt. But that wasn’t enough. With all that built up frustration, Jack punched the wall again with everything he had, surprisingly leaving a dent in it.

Carolyn saw what he did, but Jack hadn’t noticed her standing in his doorway. “What’s wrong, Jack?” Carolyn asked.

“Carolyn… They, they were… I-I, damn it!” Jack was so upset over the fact he couldn’t help Angela from whatever torment they were ensuing so he punched the wall again.

Carolyn quickly walked to his side. “Take a seat on the bed with me.”

Jack calmed down before complying and sat next to her. She grabbed his head and gently laid it on her lap. He was surprised that she rested his head on her lap like some pillow.

She then proceeded to stroke his hair and gently rub it. For some odd reason… Jack felt really comfortable and safe. He hadn’t felt this safe since his mother used to do this when he was upset or scared.

The sunset shone through the window, and Carolyn basked in its light as she continued pampering him. Her beautiful blue eyes glistened with life as she stared down at him. “I know how you feel Jack, it’s okay to be upset. Now, you understand why you have to get her out of here… right?”

Jack couldn’t really respond because he was just too comfortable. He was beginning to fall asleep on her lap, which was soft and cold, but there was also a subtle hint of warmth.

“Co-Could you repeat that?” Jack asked softly.

Carolyn giggled and kept patting his head. “It’s okay. Remember this Jack, I will always be here for you.” Carolyn leaned her head towards his ear and whispered into it. “No matter how tough life gets, I’ll always be there…” Jack’s eyelids almost closed. “I’ll always follow you, in the shadows.”

Suddenly it seemed as if his vision was diving into a spiritual tunnel of holy light. There was a huge light of many colors at the end of it, which overwhelmed Jack’s mind so much that it caused him to pass out. He wondered what had triggered it. His head hurt real bad now, but he was also tired.

As Jack opened his eyes, he noticed he was outside in a flower field. Jack got up and looked around. It was an endless field of flowers glazed with holy beauty. The skies were so clear and blue that it felt unreal. Looking forward, he spotted a tree in the middle. It was a tree of such calmness. Nature’s beauty was defined in a single giant bark of glistened green leaves, which fluttered with winds as soothing as a whisper.

“Wh-Where am I?” Jack picked up one of the flowers. They felt so real and soft. He was completely baffled. He set the flower down and started approaching the giant tree of elegance. “Is this… heaven?”

As Jack got closer, he saw some kids conversing beneath it. The winds were still eerily calm and glided along the sparkling clouds of pure white. Everything here seemed too spiritual, which gave him the assumption that it was a glimpse of what heaven looked like.

Jack walked towards the tree to see who the kids were. He made it to the tree base and noticed they were standing around it with their backs turned.

Their backs were familiar, so familiar that Jack knew who they were just from their hair and figures. The four girls turned around and he couldn’t believe it. It was Veronica, Sarah and Anna, though they were transparent, like ghosts. But the last girl… she wasn’t, she was real. She breathed, had color, and Jack had never seen her before. Her hair was just as blonde as Anna’s and her skin was pale as snow, kind of like Angela’s.

The most captivating thing about her though, was her eyes. They were glazed golden caramels of definitive gorgeousness, enough to make Jack blush into her haunting eyes of beauty. She appeared to be shorter than the rest, besides Sarah, who was still the shortest, but she was definitely his friend’s age.

They all continued staring at Jack with their ghostly eyes and smiled, except for the girl whom Jack had never met before. He couldn’t help but return a smile too.

Jack’s eyes diverted away and locked onto the unknown girl. He said to her in a calm, nervous manner, “Who are you?”

The girl giggled and brought out a small grin. As soon as she was about to say something, she turned into many beautiful little glowy orbs and faded away. Jack’s friends also faded into golden sparkle dust. All the materials floated away, as Jack gazed up at them in the wondrous blue sky.

Unknowingly, that mysterious girl’s voice said something inside his mind. “I’ll be waiting for you someday.”

Hearing her say that, along with the amazing atmosphere, made Jack feel calmness that he’d never felt since the day before his parents were killed. He couldn’t help but chuckle out of relief. He ran out from under the tree, spun around, and fell backwards onto the bed of flowers. His arms widened out, and a huge smile of relief grew upon his face as he continued looking at the sky, feeling those bristled winds tickle his skin.

He felt so relaxed being there. In fact, he was so relaxed that he started closing his eyes and hoped that this feeling, along with the moment, never went away.

Once Jack opened his eyes again, he was suddenly brought back into reality and into his room. He noticed how he was in the same position he was in when he fell on that field of flowers. Not being able to help but chuckle a bit, Jack looked at the clock and noticed it was morning. That calm feeling hadn’t gone away, yet he was still smiling. He remembered an entire dream for once.