Jade Peterson: And The Lost Son (Updating Now)

Gloom loomed over the dark atmosphere. The fog looked frozen; it was settling down through the air. As the dust faded, the silhouette of a girl emerged, dressed in a long black dress. Her steps moved her towards the banks of a grey river. She halted and looked down. A boy was breathless, his head barely above the water.

She didn’t know—maybe he was drunk or lost in his world—but she did not seem to notice him. She looked at something darker beyond. The river reflected her ghoul-like eyes. She changed her gaze to avoid herself, toward the sky. The sun was turning cold, like a snowball ready to burst at any moment. It is nearing, she whispered, and bent down a little. The boy wasn’t snoring, but faint, hallucinating voices were getting stronger from under the river. Some were cracking and laughing, some whispered spells and giggled to no end, and others cried in agony as if they had lost a loved one. A pin-drop silence fell now. She gasped as if they were staring at her.

The drowning boy’s eyes snapped open. Her eyes widened. He inhaled so deeply and opened his palms and fingers for help. Her hands slipped away from him. He was pulled down and gone. He disappeared as if he were the only person left to live his last breath. Ripples formed, and a tornado-like tunnel formed underneath. The boy lost his control and fell forever into a space holding nothing but darkness and grief. He realized something. This was not just a dream.

His obsidian eyes snapped open, and his initial shock quickly gave way to surprise, evident in the slight widening of his mouth for air and the widening of his eyes in astonishment. He sat up and found himself on a warm white bed. What was happening? He thought while looking down, shifting his eyes here and there.

The toughened glass allowed the sunlight to pass through. Jade looked up. He could have smashed his head on the roof. Living inside the caravan was a little claustrophobic in the caravan. Sometimes they even called it their real home, but was it? He thought.

'Hey Jade! Is everything okay?’ Amelia, his mother, rushed toward him with a glass of water. She was black-haired like him, except the length of her wavy hair went down to her arms. He couldn’t quite believe that she was still so strong despite doing her tiring midday job for all this time. Jade drank the water. He should have been sweating more. It was strange; after all, the dream itself was freaky. He tried to divert his thoughts, but he wasn’t able to.

'You scared me when you woke. What happened?’ she asked while she put the water glass back on the small kitchen platform. It was designed well, but old-fashioned, as if someone bought a retro-based vehicle out of a big garbage bin and cleaned it with proper attention to detail. She picked up the laundry basket.

Jade’s thoughts raced for a moment. He tilted his head as his eyes got fixed upon a dark corner.

'Do the dead exist?’ he asked.

'Huh?’ Amelia gave a hesitant smirk.

'I... I know I don’t usually talk about it... Maybe it’s absurd.

Amelia took a breath. 'Jade,’ she put her laundry basket down and sat beside him on the bed. 'You think about Grandma all the time,’ she stroked his cheek. Don’t you think it’s high time? You can go out and get some fresh air. Amelia said calmly. Son, you need rest, but we must keep ourselves moving, too. She hopes for the best for you. You’re brave; never forget that.

She touched his green, circular, glowing pendant. Now he was certain that his mom could start a whole public speaking gig at any moment, just like all the smart folks do, wanting their loved ones to be just as successful. He thought for a while as she discussed various examples of today’s legendary heroes.

That was a perfect strategy to motivate me. Well done, Mom!

He thought to himself: If you want to make me a hero, please make me Spider-Man.

Should I say something? His thoughts raced. He wanted to explain the weird dream he had; it was about that, but he couldn’t quite find the words.

'Ahem, I just woke up, Mom!'

'Oh, I’m... Sorry about that, honey. Uh, my bad. I got off track. It was a weird dream.'

He just nodded with a ’hm’ in agreement.

’What was it about?’

'I don’t know. Strange. Maybe I was so tired I floated and then was pulled back so strongly by... ghost-like voices?’

Her eyes were wide, and a frown was on her forehead. She gasped, and her mouth was open.

'Maybe I saw her too. It was hazy.’ H told her mom.

’Who?’ she asked.

’Grandma?’ he said with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

She touched his shoulders. It wasn’t awkward, but he wanted to be felt.

'I know you miss her. She came there to bless you. Often, we aren’t able to see our loved ones, but we do feel them,’ she smiled.

'Love transcends all boundaries, as God said it. Her voice had that unshakable trust that had been built for a long time. She looked at him. 'Don’t worry, even if it wasn’t Grandma. Sometimes dreams are affected by the complexities of life.’

'And thus, become nightmares if ignored,’ he said, looking at Amelia.

Her intentions to cheer him up were all defended by his questions.

'Maybe what I was saying to you is true. You need to have some fresh air, especially after what happened. Go out with friends, son. I’m a little... worried, Jade. Alma didn’t want this, neither did I. I’m here for everything you want to talk about. She bit her lip and looked at him.

’Is it okay? I’m going to do the laundry for now.

'Yeah,’ Jade nodded with a heavy sigh. He gave a short smile and then turned his head toward the window glass.

’Hey!’ she looked at him.

’Yeah, Mom?’ He turned his head back toward her.

’Come here.’ She opened her arms and embraced him.

’Maybe my words might be –’

She stopped the words from her mouth and sensed someone nearing her caravan. She peeped outside the window. She knew them—a mother was along with her child.

'Tuck-tuck!’. There was a knock on the door. She frowned. She got up and walked a few steps further to peek outside the caravan door. The only door.

'Oh dear, Samantha! How are you doing? Her voice filtered out the heaviness in her tone.

’It’s lovely, Amelia! What about you?

Samantha was oval-faced with long, smooth brunette hair. She smiled with suppressed joy, which led her cheeks to reflect the sunlight. A minor red cut was easily visible as if her skin had been wounded using a knife, but Amelia tried not to point it out. Her skin looked akin to the people of Albania.

'Well, it’s nice that you brought Adam along with you,’ Amelia smiled, holding her hands together in pleasure as if thanking the lord.

'He’s doing great. He was promoted to second grade, you know. I’m so proud of him.’ Samantha stroked his head.

'Well, you should be, isn’t it, Adam?’ She smiled. Instead of expecting a nod from him, he was mum. She tried to notice the similarity between them. Big eyes and dark brown hair—they had so much in common. She tried to change the topic.

'I’m so sorry, it must have been hard for you too. I just wanted Adam to stay here for a while. There’s something... important.

'Yes... of course, why not?’ She suppressed a reassuring smile.

Samantha glanced at Adam. He didn’t move and locked his fingers more tightly in her hands. He just tightened his facial muscles and narrowed his eyes at Amelia.

'Adam? I’ll come back.

'Samantha, if you don’t mind, can I know where you’re heading?’ Amelia asked quickly before Adam could enter.

Her mouth fell open for a second to reply, as if she didn’t have exact words to say. She clenched her fingers back, hiding them from Amelia. ’You know... I... I can’t talk about it now,’ she exhaled. A little exhausted now, she looked sideways toward the sunny side.

'Okay, but you know you trust me?’ Amelia asked.

'Yeah, let’s not do this right now, please. She bent down to face Adam, trying to slip away from Amelia’s provoking questions.

Amelia still waited for some response, but she got the fact that maybe it would be too much so early in the day. Something was going on that she couldn’t deny. She studied Samantha from head to toe.

'Okay. ' She pressed her lips and sighed.

'Adam, it’s okay... Jade is inside.’

Adam hesitated. He stepped forward on the steps of the caravan as Amelia shifted aside. He moved cautiously with every step inside. He looked to his left; there was a cabin to drive as well, but that wasn’t his concern. His mind was still stuck on a thought. It was dark. The only source of light was coming from the window outside, and a yellow bulb was turned on, slightly brightening Jade’s face. He was looking outside, his eyebrows furrowed as if displeased with himself.

’Hey... Peterson?’ Adam called.

Jade glanced and then turned his attention, knowing he had decided to meet him after a long time. He was still sitting on his bed with a blanket up to his knees, and he smiled at him for a moment. For once, he thought Adam must have gone mad at him for not coming around to meet him, so giving direct eye contact to him might overwhelm him. He didn’t want a full explanation to give. He needed to get on an island, calm and tranquil, away from burdening tasks. That’s what his mind was hoping for.

'Hey...Adam, His voice was soft and calm. Jade felt as if he was running out of words these days—what to say or even mention. He gulped, the saliva thick in his throat. He shifted as Adam sat on the opposite bed, just two feet away, ready to throw questions at him, maybe. Or maybe he was just there to look after him. People were usually concerned these days, he knew. The recent death was the only thing Jade didn’t want to talk about. His mind knew the moment someone played an emotional violin out of nowhere, he’d either have to run away or cry in a corner.

'How are you doing these days and at School?' Adam asked casually.

'Um... I’m okay, buddy. You know... no? You know. Jade tried to reflect on himself, wanting to say more. Like Adam, I’m just exhausted to no end. I want to live life again. Maybe you can bring some ice cream, and we can both relish a moment of peace. But he was talking to an eight-year-old. What could he talk about?

Adam saw Jade’s face freeze, as if in a deep thought.

'Oh, yeah, I get it. I’m sorry about it. Adam said, his eyes widening, adjusting his relaxed posture.

'Uh, no—no, you don’t have to be sorry about this. You didn’t do anything, Adam.

They both turned as Amelia closed the creamy-textured metallic door behind her. She had observed Samantha before she left. Amelia was nervous about something; maybe she was over-analyzing her. She let the thought pass for a moment.

'Hey guys... having fun?' she asked, glancing at both of them. Neither seemed particularly enthusiastic. Amelia hoped that one day things would get better. She had to look after Jade’s future education, too.

'Do you read?' Adam asked suddenly, his eyes catching a glimpse of an old novel stuck under a white cushion. He pulled it out and read aloud-

'Great Expectations by Charles Dickens'.

'Whoa...'. He didn’t expect Jade to be a semi-nerd, he guessed, and snickered as his lips stretched wide.

'Uh, yeah... You can say that... sorta a reader? Jade snickered a little.

Amelia saw the title and immediately had a 'what-if' thought—one no one else knew yet. She tried to ignore it, but couldn’t help. She looked at Jade, who seemed more relaxed than usual now. She smiled.

'Are you... a semi-nerd?' Adam asked without hesitation.

'What is that? Is that even a word? Jade looked confused. Like, no way I’m a nerd. But, I don’t care. Tell me now, what exactly do you mean, Adam?'

'Like being half-nerd? Semi-nerd?' Adam frowned, looking like he had figured it out. 'The ones who are into one particular thing, like reading? But you’re into basketball, too.

'Okay. I won’t hide it... But sorta, again. Jade tilted his head, glanced up for a moment, and snickered again after looking at his mother. His mother was pleased to see him like this.

'Some assignment, I’m sure. It’d be from the school, Jade added, trying to deflect.

'But that's...cool,' Adam reflected.

'Well, boys, listen up. Tomorrow’s a special day. It’s gonna be real good, isn’t it, Adam?' Amelia asked, her calm excitement visible in her eyes, waiting for Adam’s reply.

'Yeah, food, fireworks, and music!'. Adam said with enthusiasm.

She turned to Jade, hoping for a response she couldn’t easily predict.

'What?' Jade exclaimed, feeling lost. His voice loosened some enthusiasm building inside.

'It’s the Fourth of July!' Adam repeated, excitement still wavering in his voice.

'Oh. ' Jade looked out the window, his voice distant. He didn’t know what tomorrow would be like for him. Would he spend it grieving and letting his demons control him? He sighed. The sky was grey, with smoke and dust rising above. The sun was setting and casting yellow rays on the brown, rusted caravan—their only sanctuary. He tried not to bite his lips in pain. Something good was waiting for him. He had to believe it.

'It’s gonna be good,' he whispered to himself, a quiet hope settling in.

Adam noticed Jade’s tension easing. He got up.

'I should go home now, ' Adam said.

'Well, Samantha hasn’t arrived yet, you can wait for her, Adam. Amelia responded.

'I just want to go home and see my dad. '

'Okay, let me drop you off safely′ She said, getting up.

'No, no. It’s near. I can go by myself. Adam backed away.

'Adam, for now, you are our responsibility. '

Adam turned and looked out of the window. His bangs shifted a little with the motion of his head. A woman dressed in a dark blue top and jeans was arriving back. Her forehead was tanned from the sunlight.

'There she is!' He told Amelia. Adam brushed a smile.

Amelia stood calm. Her gaze was fixed outside, caught in a deep thought. Slowly, she returned a faint smile.