Two & a Half Quarters [Jack]

Mr. Lexington, the poor man. He looks just as frail as me but older and therefore weaker. I see him struggling underneath the weight of his own son, and right as I'm about to take Jack from him, I hear Jack whisper an apology. I shake my head. If it were me dealing with an addiction, I'd sure as hell beat down anyone who stood in my way. What he did was only natural, I'm pretty sure. Unless he's harboring angry feelings toward me that I don't know of, but I doubt that's the case. He's not the person to turn on you because you're trying to help him.

Jack then finally agrees to go to the doctor, but only if I go with him. Of course! I nod vigorously, a small smile coming to my lips as blood continues to run down my face. I'll do anything to make sure he's alright if when he gets his twins back.

Soon we get to the doctor's and Jack crawls up onto the table. His dad explains the issues to the man, but a look suddenly flashes across his face and he turns in my general direction, telling me to put some ice on my nose. If we got into a fight then I wouldn't be here.

The doctor whirls on me with the same tone that yelled at me in the DC and on the train to the Capitol. It's that same tone that I cower down to and is usually accompanied by a few good hits to my body, but none come. My growls go silent and I duck my head, immediately and reluctantly submissive to the doctor. After examining the vomit on the ground, he tells me to get the bucket out back and so I do, hauling it back in, filling it up with water at a sink and then picking up a rag and setting to work with cleaning it up.

The doctor bent over Jack. "Take off your shirt." He said, going to get his supplies ready. He was arranging them on a tray just as I finished cleaning up the floor. I took the bucket and poured the water outside, then took it back in and rinsed it out in the sink along with the rag. I overhear the doctor giving Jack some instructions. "Now this is going to hurt a lot, but you got yourself into this mess so it's your fault. But we're going to put a gag in your mouth so you can bite down on it when it hurts and it'll muffle your screams too." The last bit makes a knot twist in my stomach, but it's for the better - right?

While the doctor is occupied with poking Jack in every spot imaginable, I take the time to quickly rummage through all the pill bottles he has on the shelves. Antibiotics, pain killers, more antibiotics... more pain killers... this ought to do. I quietly shove all the bottles into my pockets, turning back around to face everyone else.

The doctor was still working on Jack. We could escape. Right here, right now. He's going to just hurt Jack more than he already is.

Despite Mrs. Lexington's screams, I still hold on tightly to the doctor's neck, keeping my grip on him secure as he continues to claw at my arms. He's gagging and struggling to breathe but I don't care. He's only going to hurt my friend so I might as well give him a taste of his own medicine.

I see Jack get up and stumble, but he's not far enough away for me to feel safe about letting him go. I pull back harder and tighter and now it's Jack's dad who's yelling at me. I don't trust this man, though. I don't want him to try anything funny. So I don't let go, even as Mr. Lexington comes over to pry me off of him.

Eventually I'm pulled off. With a growl I back away but don't linger. I quickly make my way toward Jack who is stumbling away, but I stand between him and the wretched doctor. The bottles of medicine feel heavy in my pocket and it only makes me want to escape further. I then turn and put my arm around Jack's shoulders to help him walk along, looking for the way out of this psycho man's lair.

The doctor comes after me, grabbing my shirt and hauling me around. The words he says terrifies me. Peacekeepers are after me now. It doesn't matter how long it'll take for them to show up - I'm wanted now. Jack's wanted. His whole family is wanted because I decided to show my face.

I quickly help Jack along back toward his house but it's not long before his dad whirls on me, instantly setting the blame on me. Of course I want to help Jack! That was my whole intention! But didn't you see the way he was eying Jack like a piece of meat? I shrink down away from his dad, though, cowering like the coward I really am.

His mother comes to my rescue. I do need to hide, yes, but then here's Jack saying he'll hide with me. But why?