Chapter 7: Sickman
It is now a year from the date that Nathan had met up with Andrew and Nona. And seeing how Nona has become a girlfriend of sorts to Nathan, Andrew suggests going out on a double date to celebrate. After telling Nona about this, she immediately recalled a flier she saw one day. A band by the name of Dead By A Gun was performing at the Cornell Community Center. After coming to a decision about it, Andrew called Demri and invited her to come along. So then by five, all four of them casually dress up a little better (with some financial help from Ms. Taylor) then normal. As soon as Nathan is done, they leave promptly. By the method of Demri's car, they arrive about 5:30PM, about 10 minutes before the band will begin. They go to the door and Demri pays for the tickets. As they find a seat, Demri and Nona go to the little girls’ room.
Andrew says, “So kid, how are those dreams going?"
Nathan says, “I haven't had any recently. Almost like I never had them at all."
Andrew says, “Well, just remember, if they happen again, we're here for you kid."
Nathan says, “Thanks."
As the band comes on stage to start in a few minutes, Demri and Nona return to the table.
Demri says, “I'm going to grab some drinks, guys. Soda ok?"
Nona and Nathan nod.
Demri says, “I'll just get you and me an iced tea, ok Andrew?"
Andrew says, “Yes please sweetie."
Right before Demri leaves the table, she goes over and gives Andrew a peck on the cheek. As Nathan and Nona see this, they grab each other’s hands and watch as the band starts. As they finish the first song, the singer announces that they're going to perform a cover.
Eddie Van says, “Ok, we're going to play "Sickman" by Alice In Chains."
As the band nears these lyrics:
I can feel the wheel, but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Ah, what's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine
What the hell am I?
Nathan feels a wave of uneasiness creep upon him. As it builds up, Nathan feels nauseous and notes that the exit is closer then the bathroom so he walks out of the center quickly. While Nona sees this and follows after, Nathan feels like he's going to have a major hurl and bends over, anticipating it. But instead of a pink substance coming out, he's barraged with memories, thoughts, and lives. He falls down and clutches his head and his stomach while Nona goes over to him and holds onto him.
Nona says, “Nathan? Are you all right?"
All Nathan can do is groan in pain and take the pain. This goes on for several moments until Nathan passes out, body lying limp. Demri and Andrew run to where Nathan and Nona are.
Demri says, “Is he ok?"
Andrew takes his hand and opens up Nathan's eyes. He checks them then he takes his pulse. It's faint.
Andrew says, “All we can do is pray for him now."
*****************************************
Nathan wakes up, but in a very strange place. He looks around and sees a familiar figure.
Nathan says, “Aren't you the guy that gave me the clothes?"
Skull Cowboy says, “Yes I am cousin. I may have over stepped my boundaries on that one."
Nathan says, “What are you talking about?"
Skull Cowboy says, “Time to find out what you've been missing, kid."
Mist flows into his head, making Nathan visually appear to have a seizure. He then relaxes and opens his eyes.
Nathan says, “My name is.... Nathan Frost.... My girlfriend's name was Emily Hewitt. We lived on an army base because my father was in the army. There's more but I can't remember it..."
Skull Cowboy says, “Don't worry about that, cousin. It will all come in due time."
Sharp fast images run past Nathan's eyes. He shrinks back from the pain.
Skull Cowboy says, “Very painful there, cousin. Now, I know you want to go back. Blah blah.... Unfortunately, you need to know that they know you’re coming. You have to go back.... To make wrong things right.... And you have to decide whether or not you can apologize to Nona. Oh, and just to remind you.... You will feel that pain again. It has only just begun...."
***************************************** As Nona, Andrew and Demri are about to give up on Nathan, a crow flies by the three of them. As it lands right by Nathan, Demri is about to go shoo the bird away when Andrew speaks up.
Andrew says, “Demri, don't. It seems like it came here for him."
As the three of them wait to see what happens, Nathan stands up. He then runs in pain.
Nona says, “Nathan...wait!"
Within a few minutes, Nathan is out of sight. They rush to Demri's car and go after Nathan. After half an hour, they’re not getting anywhere so they go back to the shelters that they occupied and as soon as they step a foot into their shelter, they find out that someone's in there. Looking towards the back, they find Nathan is sitting back there.
Nona says, “Nathan?"
Nathan, in a very cold voice, says, “Leave me alone..."
Nona is about to speak when Andrew signals for her not to.
Two days later, Nathan decides to speak up. It is right after dinner.
Nathan says, “I'm ready to talk."
Nona says, “What happened?"
Nathan says, “The truth..."
Nona says, “I'm all ears..."
Nathan says, “My name is Nathan Frost. I had a girlfriend named Emily Hewitt, the same Emily I mentioned before. My father went to Vietnam and never came back. And my mother died shortly after I moved out to live with my girlfriend. Nona, I'm sorry but I can't continue with this relationship. I have to make wrong things right."
Nona is left speechless.
Nathan says, “You're still a friend to me though...Helped me this far."
As Nathan hugs Nona and "feels" her memories, he staggers back a step.
Nona says, “What’s wrong now?"
Nathan pauses for a second and asks, “Is your mother a volunteer for a local church?"
Nona replies, “Yes she is. Why?"
Nathan says, “Because she misses you."
Nona arcs her head down and says, “I'm not too sure about going back right now."
Nathan says, “Look at it this way, Nona. I never got to know my dad. At least do it for me."
Nona says, “I'll consider it."
Nathan says, “I need a little more time to think. You can go ahead and tell Andy if you want."
Nona walks away in thought, very confused and hurt at the same time.
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