As a reprieve, Jasper suggested they go downtown. “We should catch a CFC game.” Both of them enjoyed soccer and neither had been to a Chattanooga Football Club game that season.
Jack agreed.
Jack drove to the stadium and as he drove, Jasper could not help but notice Jack was much more aggressive than usual. Jack was usually fairly calm when he drove. Usually, he drove the speed limit, slowed down in the appropriate areas and didn’t swerve in-and-out of lanes. Tonight he did just the opposite. As Jack drove, Jasper caught Jack glaring at other drivers, something he never did.
“Are you okay?” Jasper asked. “You look tired. Do you want me to drive?”
“I’m good,” Jack answered, swerving around a car. “I don’t know why people have to drive so slow.”
Jasper looked over at Jack but didn’t say anything.
The game was very close but in the end, Chattanooga pulled out a 3-1 victory. After the game, Jack looked over at Jasper. “Thanks, Jasper. That’s exactly what I needed.”
“No problem. Now give me the keys. Four beers, I believe is over the limit.”
Jack shrugged and handed Jasper the keys. They were walking to the car when a group of fans of the opposing team noticed Jack’s Chattanooga FC hat.
“We’ll get you next time,” one of the fans said to Jack.
The comment was lighthearted and everyone took it that way. But not Jack. The comment made him livid.
“What do you mean by that?” Jack asked.
“Hey, I was just kidding,” the fan answered. “You guys played a good game.”
“Don’t backtrack. I want to know what you meant.”
“Jack, calm down, he was only kidding,” Jasper said looking shocked at Jack. Jack hardly ever lost his cool over something so trivial.
Jack ignored Jasper. “How about I kick that smile off your face?” he asked the fan.
It was the fan’s turn to get angry. “If you think you can, here I am.”
Jack didn’t hesitate. Jasper reached out to grab him but Jack was too quick. Jack ran at full sprint at the fan. The guy’s friends tried to stop Jack but were not able to grab him before he threw his shoulder in the guy’s chest, knocking the wind out of him. The guy fell back onto the concrete, gasping for breath.
Jack didn’t wait. He jumped on top and started driving his fists into the guy’s face. He had hit him three times before the guy’s friends could pull him off.
Jack continued to fight as the guy’s friends pulled him backwards. Finally, Jasper grabbed Jack around the chest from behind. “Jack, it’s Jasper. Stop it.”
Jasper was not as stocky as Jack was but he was stronger than he looked. Jack struggled for a few minutes before realizing it was Jasper holding him. He allowed himself to relax.
When the guy first spoke to Jack, his reaction was the same as everyone else’s. He started to smile but then something within him came alive and began to elevate. He was unable to keep it from rising to the surface. A rage rose from his marrow. Before he knew it, he blacked out and the rage took over.
He looked around and saw the guy bleeding on the ground. Then, the memories of the past few moments flooded into his psyche. He was embarrassed. “Look, I’m sorry…” he started to stay.
“Just get out of here.”
Jack retreated and followed Jasper to the car. Jasper started the engine and they rode in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Jasper broke the quiet. “Wow, Jack, thanks for the nice, relaxing evening.”
Jack stared out the window. “I’m not sure what happened,” he said softly.
“Well, I know what happened. Some guy congratulated you on our team’s victory and you nearly took his head off for it.”
“I blacked out.” He looked down at his knuckles that were still red. “I can remember what happened now but didn’t know as it was happening.”
Jasper pulled over. “Has it happened before?”
“Not the blackouts. But I’ve had thoughts lately that have been unusually violent for me.”
Jasper looked at Jack seriously. “How long has this been going on?”
Jack didn’t answer.
“It’s been since the surgery hasn’t it?”
Reluctantly Jack nodded.
“And you weren’t going to tell me?”
Again Jack didn’t answer.
“Jack, if there is something going on, I need to know about it.”
Jack sighed deeply and then looked over at Jasper. “Ever since the procedure, everything has been hazy. My head hurts as well.”
“Where I drilled into your skull?”
“All over. Not a sharp pain; more of a dull throb.”
“Any dreams?” Jasper asked.
“They’ve been violent as well.”
“So you haven’t been sleeping well?” Jasper asked.
“Not especially.”
“It’s common for people who haven’t slept well over a period of time to become irritable. This would also explain headaches and the haziness you described. Do you think it’s more than that?”
Jack thought about Jasper’s observation for a moment. It made sense. “It could be the hole you drilled in my skull.” Jack smiled and paused for effect. “But it’s probably what you said.”
“Well,” Jasper said ignoring the sarcasm, “we need to work on the headaches. Plus, we should have something that’ll help you sleep. We’ll start there and see what happens. We certainly need to hold off on any more time traveling until we understand what’s happening to you.”
Jack nodded in reluctant agreement. He was not happy about the decision but knew Jasper was looking out for what was best for him. He turned and stared out the window as Jasper pulled back out into traffic and watched the buildings and houses pass by as they made their way home.
CHAPTER
