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 Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:25 pm
The day had been spent in his duplex, like so many had been. He was still afraid to be outside or be alone. Right now, he was alone. Victor was off doing his thing, leaving Jordan scared and to his own devices. He was going stir-crazy, but at least the pain meds were taking the edge off. Jordan had been told that he’d have to go outside eventually. The thought of those predators being out there and on the loose frightened him. He was still in shock that he’d ventured into the village no less to find Victor. And in the midst of fear and pain killers, he just wanted to walk again, to not be crippled bait for another attack.
Jordan wheeled himself towards the door and felt himself tremble as he neared the portal to the outside world. Maybe if he just opened the door and sat in the doorway, he could enjoy that cool breeze without physically going outside.
Sweat ran down the nearly-furless face. His paw hesitantly reached out for the door as he was in stunned disbelief. Technically, he wasn’t going outside and so it was different, right? Right. The doorknob was clutched tightly as he lunged forward, ,throwing himself out of his chair and against the door. He wasn’t going to actually open it if he could help it, but he had to fall back into his wheelchair and the knob turned and pulled as he fell back into his seat and rolled backwards by his own force. The door swung open and he stared in horror, afraid. Traumatized.
"H...h..." he squeeked out, trying to form the words. He was too far from the door now and anyone could be out there. "Hel...help..." he squeeked out, staring out at the sand and water helplessly..
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:38 pm
Awen had been surprised as she raised her webbed arm to knock on the dark duplex's door that it burst open infront of her. The manta girl jumped to the side and out of the way. For a moment she caught her heartbeat and tried to figure out what just happened.
She could hear a soft voice but no coherent words that she could tell. She peeked her head around the corner with a curious, cautious frown and saw Jordan with his eyes all wide bits of his fur standing on end. Her brow furrowed as she stepped full into view.
"Jordan? Sweetie are you okay? It's just me, Awen."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:53 pm
He jumped as he heard her voice. “A-Awen!" he cried for her in his soft squeek. "Help. He’s coming for me. He’s out there.” He spoke cryptically, perhaps incoherently. He began to sob as he heard that voice in his head.. the torturing voice of Jamal demanding him to scream louder as he was broken for sport. “Awen. I’m scared.” He stared forward, paralyzed with fear and unable to even move his arms to maneuver his wheelchair as long as that door was open. “It’s not safe out there. I… I tried… but I can’t go outside… he’ll kill me… couldn’t stop him.. we were ambushed… oh god…” his eyes watered more. Jordan’s breathing escalated the more he thought about that incident. “Awen… I’m so scared to be alone…” he said with such intensity in his eyes.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 9:10 pm
Awen glanced around at the open air about her. "Jordan there isn't anyone out here..."
Stepping inside she shut the door. She frowned and glanced around the duplex and then straight at Jordan. "What happened to you? Who will kill you? It's not another Moreau thing is it? Actually we have to talk about that...."
She moved closer and shook her head slightly before kneeling down to more his level with the wheelchair. "But never mind about that for now... Are you okay?"
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 9:33 pm
Jordan visibly calmed with the door’s shutting. Once more he was protected by his fortress of solitude. Not even the big bad wolf could get in now – or so he wanted to tell himself. His arms were ‘miraculously’ able to move again and they fell at his sides, taking a deep, slow breath. It was Awen, not a killer. Not a blood-thirsty killer tiger-man.
He tried to say that name of pure, unadulterated evil. He tried hard to utter the name of the his would-be assassin, but all that would come out was “It was J-J-Ja…” that’s all he could say without starting to feel panicked once again. “We were attacked.. in the jungle…” he lowered his head to gaze into his lap. “Five months have passed without knowing what happened.. I was scared and looking for answers. I was hoping to find you at the lake, but a shark.. what’s his name..? Alec? We were on our way to the village and he came out of nowhere.. attacked us in the jungle.. I don’t know if Alec’s alive..” he still trusted her somewhat, even though she was a friend of Richard’s. He hated that feline so much… “What? Moreau?” he blinked, whispering in confused echo.
He reached out to hug her when she was close enough. Awen was the first islander he’d met and to that end, she was his first friend upon the island. Who knew if they were still such good friends after Jordan had dragged the manta into the jungle, bolted when he’d heard the outburst caused by Dee’s music, and the way that he’d simply blown her off when he escorted the then-human Dee back to the village. “I can’t walk.. I can’t even feel my legs, Awen.” He laid his head on her shoulder and fought to hold back the tears.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:01 pm
The manta wrapped her arms around the furry form as he reached out to her. She closed her eyes tightly and squeed as she could. Another Jamal attack? But not against the guards or lab techs...against regular islanders. She held him closely. This is what she was afraid of since the start for Jordan. He shouldn't have been so vocal about his allegences, he shouldn't have been so zealous about Moreau.
A few tears rolled down Awen's cheek as she drew in a quick breath. "Jordan... I'm so sorry." Not able to feel his legs? Could he be paralised from the wasit down? "You shouldn't be... this shouldn't... Damnit Jamal..."
She pulled back from the hug but kept her hands on the dog's shoulders. Her expression was already schooled from her anger and despair into a smile for her friend. "You'll be okay Jordan... don't worry. I'm sure you'll be okay. You have changes left, it wouldn't be the first time that the changes have healed things... you will be fine it'll be okay."
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:43 pm
A penny for her thoughts. If he could have read her thoughts, he’d hear ‘I told you so’. Jordan shouldn’t have done a lot of things, one of the more notorious had been speaking of Moreau, allowing Lauren’s opinion of Moreau to integrate into his, and to perform any deed for the name of the labs publicly. He’d caused strife in the lives of several others’ lives, the most notable being Newt, whom he hadn’t seen in three months now. Probably a good thing, too.
“Don’t cry, Awen..” he reached out to pat her webbed hand, offering a look of condolence., “St least I’m alive, right?” he paused, not sure what to say so she didn’t have to shed tears for one so undeserving of pity. “And who knows… maybe the next change will heal my shattered legs…” Jordan didn’t really believe that in his state of mind, but he had to sound convincing for her. Hope felt so false following the attack.
“I’m glad to see you, Awen. I’m sorry for what happened in the jungle. You’re my best friend here. You helped me when I was new, you’ve continued to speak to me even when I’ve been a jerk and a complete idiot. I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to you in the jungle that day with Dee. One person I mat have been able to protect.. but, I’m told that I’ll get stronger and be able to protect myself and others.” He put on a half-frowning grimace to those words. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but when those mistakes begin to affect others than myself.. there’s a problem..” Jordan fumbled his paws nervously, hoping his apology would be received with open ears.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:08 pm
She nodded and wiped away the tears she'd forgotten had fallen. She was just so distraught to see one of her friends in such a condition. "Your legs will be better hun, they'll grow strong in the next change, I'm sure." And she was actually. There was no doubt in her mind, as other wounds healed for some miraculously then so could this.
"And shush Jordan." She waved her hand with a small frown. "Don't go on with all this sorry stuff. It's okay. I understand, you're not yourself and something is wrong here."
She sat herself down on the ground next to the wheelchair and sighed. "That's actually why I came here. We need to talk Jordan... I'm worried for you. Worried for a lot of things.... something just... isn't right here."
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:34 pm
He’d listen to her so long as she kept him company. He needed to feel safe and numbers accomplished that. Even if it was to talk about something that could potentially land them both in a lot of hot water, Jordan was relieved to be with a good friend for the moment. The last time anything had been said to the effect of Moreau, Jordan had become defensive and outright stand-offish. Sure, the lingering effects of the mental tampering had become an integrated part of his brain. The re-wiring of his mind’s facilities.. all he could do now is ifght it, because it was a permanent part of him, no matter how much he detested it or succumb to it on any given day. He was pretty sure what she was going to bring up.. and Jordan wasn’t going to fight her again.
He steepled his paws as best he could and held the index digits to his chin as he nodded solemnly. He cared for her and feared for her well-being with this approaching conversation. “Okay, Awen. Yes. Let’s talk, then.” He nodded, giving her a kind smile. “What’s on your mind?” Jordan figured that he’d let her bring up any controversial subject matter.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:42 pm
Awen looked around the duplex and knew that this was probably the least safest place to talk to Jordan about what she wanted to. She sighed a little bit.
She shifted around in her seat as she thought about how to overcome this situation when her slightly laboured breath made it clear.
"Well, I've been out of the water for awhile... I really should get back to the water. I was hoping, maybe we could talk while I sorted my breathing out?"
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:52 pm
Jordan had hoped that she would suggest as such. It would have looked all-too suspicious if he’d offered that option. Moreau watched him like a hawk and knew his duplex was not a safe zone to speak on confidential and controversial matters.
Jordan nodded in understanding as he wheeled his chair to the other side of the bed closer to the door. He was less afraid with someone near him, though he had to overcome the anxiety of the outdoors for this important meeting. He knew things. Whether or not he’d be able to disclose such classified information was debatable. If he knew anything worth divulging.
“I understand. Just.. one small favor.. once we’re outside, I may become too afraid to push my own wheelchair. I hate to impose, but do you think you could aid me? It sounds like we have a lot of catching up to do.” He gave her a subtle nod as to say it was her move. "It's been a while since I've enjoyed a slow walk in the great outdoors."
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:58 pm
Awen nodded with a smile and stood up. "Well of course I'll help!" She was about to say that she could until they got to the water but thought better of it in favour of something else. "Maybe I could even get you into the water with me? I hear that some people have actually had physical therapy by swimming and being helped to swim. It may help?"
Please say yes Jordan... in the water and further from the camera and microphones....
The manta girl took hold of the wheelchair and pushed the dog outside. When they stepped out Awen took a deep breath, getting out of Jordan's duplex was like getting weight off of her shoulders. She didn't know what it was about the place, and of course she'd never say anything to Jordan lest he be offended, but that duplex just gave he the creeps.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:10 pm
He smiled at her offer to push his chair. Perhaps they weren’t being overly subtle, but neither had outright declared they were conspiring. “You don’t say..” he looked up with genuine curiousity. Anything that could restore his legs was worth a chance. “well.. alright.” He tried to make it convincing with some hesitation inbetween words.
As he felt Awen grip the handles from behind him, Jordan closed his eyes. If he couldn’t see where they were going, then he could pretend they were elsewhere. Immediately, it felt awkward though as he began to panic with quickening breaths. It was as if he were Alec on that trail the day they’d been attacked. “I… I’m gonna keep my eyes closed…” his breaths were shallow. “V-Victor says I have to overcome my fear of going outside… and I trust you with my life, Awen.”
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:20 pm
"Yeah..." Awen shuddered a bit at the thought. She may enjoy and indeed need water to live these days but the fear still tingled her skin when she thought of it. "In and out of therapy clinics half my life. One therapist suggested I take some time with this little theraputic pool at her clinic. She said it was mostly used for physical rehabilitation but mine was a special case and it could maybe help." She ave a small chuckle. "I never even got my toes wet, I got out of these as fast as I could.... and never went back to that clinic." After a short pause she smiled. "But like I said, they use it to help so maybe it could help you too."
Nodding Awen smiled. "This Victor is a smart guy. Best way to overcome your fear is to emerse yourself in it. Take it from me, pup." She smiled and wheeled Jordan on.
"Just take your time, I'm here for you. Once we're in the water it won't be so bad. No one will be able to hurt you there as long as I'm around." She said softly to him as she continued pushing him to the lake.
It took some time but she came to the edge of the lake after quite a few bumps and jostles of the chair. Awen chatted about anything that came to her head to try to keep Jordan mind off of the outdoors.
"Um, you may want to open your eyes now. You'll need to see to help get in the water."
Last time Awen was at the lake with a wheelcahired man Alec had tossed himself into the mud. Awen was not wanting to repeat the experience of dragging another islander through the muck.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:45 pm
Awen was a smart girl to distract Jordan’s mind. He was a mess, more than before. He was afraid of things too, just.. never before like this. He didn’t like most insects, spiders especially, but buzzing, stinging pests such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets )all of which were found in Florida and had stung him at one point of another). Bees died after one sting, but the others.. wasps stung and stung and stung. He wasn’t allergic, but it was painful. That pain of stinging was associated with the pain needles left. As a child, he’d needed regular bloodwork drawn, something that left the fear of needles in his mind. Needles were hard to deal with as well. He’d flinched like a wuss when Moreau had injected him upon arrival and he literally stabbed himself in the arm out of irrational fear prior to his last self-administered injections.
“Victor’s a nice guy.” He replied shakily, clutching at the chair’s armrests for dear life. It didn’t take canine senses to tell him he was outside, but with both powerful smell and hearing painting pictures in his mind it was difficult to ignore. “He’s a psychology major and he’s dropped by on occasion since I was released from the labs.He couldn’t help but chuckle nervously at being called pup. It brought back a few memories of a ruined friendship with a pterodactyl girl who’d called him puppy, another testament to how well Jordan makes friends and then stupidly turns them against him.
Every bump had made him edgy and nervous that he was going to topple over like Alec had in their frantic escape from Jamal. That was what happened, an unseen rock had sent them to the ground toppled over.
Once they’d stopped, Jordan nodded softly at hearing Awen’s request to open his eyes. He still clutched at the wheelchair arms tightly. Jordan took several deep breaths in preparation. He kept telling himself he was safe, but it was difficult to admit ot himself that he’d come out so far. Slowly, he pried an eyelid open. He was jittery, shaking all over, as he opened his eyes a bit more, gasping with the anxiety coming back rapidly. “O-O-Okay… before I change my mind..” he gripped Awen’s hand tight, as to signal he was ready to make the leap to the water. .
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