EPISODE THIRTY SEVEN
THEME: Jogging through the night
MOON STONE FORTRESS
IN THE PACK HOUSE: JAYLEN’S ROOM
‘It was really too much. I felt the urge to actually punch him right in the face, shouldn’t he be grown enough to not throw tantrums around?’ Jaylen whined into the receiver as he ranted about the dinner to Rosalyn.
There was a bit of movement in the background. Rosalyn let out a breath. She had been awaiting his call but didn’t expect it to come that early. Almost as if they had only spent about thirty minutes at the dinner.
‘I’m glad you could hold yourself back enough and not add to the already tensed situation.’ She said.
‘You should have seen everyone’s expression Rosalyn. It’s tiring to have such beef with one’s brother.’
‘You survived it till now, you surely would again.’
‘But I must say, it wasn’t so bad. I had a chat with my dad…’ Jaylen groaned a bit as he struggled to put on his running shoes.
‘What’s that?’
‘Oh, don’t mind me. I was trying to wear my sneakers.’
‘Going for a run.’ It was more of a statement.
Jaylen smiled to himself. ‘You know me too well, Rosalyn. I had been by the lake before, but then I realized I might need to burn off the entire steam by running.’
‘Worth it. You know your way around?’ Rosalyn asked.
‘I might have been away for ten years, but this whole pack is ingrained in my memory and even if I would miss my way. My map has got me.’
Rosalyn chuckled lightly. ‘Try not to really get lost.’
‘Aye, aye, captain.’ He jested.
‘Have a great night out’
‘Thank you Rosa. I’ll talk to you later.’
Hanging up, Jaylen pulled at his sweatshirt to adjust it. Ensuring that his laces were tied well. He stepped out of the room.
After helping his father back to his room, he couldn’t sit still and work seem like the hardest for him to do. The need to get himself distracted and at the same time busy with his thoughts got him. Checking the time it was just few minutes to nine. The dinner had obviously lasted some bare minutes, and he craved for some nice junks. The night run had been like the perfect solution to his need.
Coming out of the room, he looked around the hall way. Why he did so, he couldn’t place it. But out of reflex he couldn’t help it.
“Running out of town now, are we?” His grandmother’s voice teased from behind.
Jaylen threw his head to the back shutting his eyes tightly. “Don’t tell me you haven’t slept at this time of the night.”
Gabriella stood with her hands on her waist. “Give me a good reason why I should be asleep by now.”
Jaylen gave her a confused look. “Because you are old.”
“And that’s a good enough reason.”
Jaylen nodded. “Medically, yes.”
“Technically, no.” Gabriella argued.
“Grandma!” Jaylen stomped his foot like a child.
Gabriella laughed lightly. “Can’t an old woman crave for fresh air just like you right now?”
“What makes you think I am heading out for fresh air?” He taunted.
“Just because I don’t have my glasses on doesn’t mean I can’t see ”
Jaylen let out a chortle. “You are something grandma. I just needed to go for a run.”
“Sounds okay, you seem like you could do with it.” She added, moving towards the staircase.
“You still haven’t told me where you are headed Granny.” He called behind her, taking just a stride to stand next to her.
“Sometimes, I wish you didn’t have to spend so much time living with me. You know me too well, your father doesn’t even know that much.” Gabriella laughed.
“Well, I love you enough to know that you play too much.”
Gabriella tapped his shoulder lightly. “Shut up.”
“Tell me, where are you going to?” Jaylen asked.
“Fine! I wanted to get a snack from the kitchen.”
“Grandma!” Jaylen said in a tight whisper.
All his life he had known her to have a sweet tooth. About a year ago, she had been advised by the doctor to stay away from sugary and fatty foods. But then Gabriella Damien hardly listens to anyone but herself.
“It’s not my fault that you and your brother ruined dinner.” She spat.
Jaylen sighed. “Fine! You win. But you won’t take beyond some left overs Granny.” He glared at her when she didn’t respond. “Promise?”
Gabriella rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say my Lord!”
“You are one of a kind.”
Gabriella snorted and shrugged her shoulder. “Of course I am.”
“So full of yourself.” He teased.
Gabriella scoffed and teased him back. “Someone is just jealous.”
Both of them laughed, Jaylen followed her to the kitchen. A little number of the kitchen staffs were still cleaning up and could attend to her. After ensuring she didn’t make the staffs give her anything against her doctor’s prescription, Jaylen set out to the road.
Jaylen had his phone strap on and clicked on his stopwatch. He began the race from the pack house down the street and enjoying the nights feel. He started off slow with his thoughts roaming.
In the last few hours, it has almost been like a whole year. He knew there was no way he would love to continue living like this. His pace increased as his blood pumped in annoyance. He couldn’t help to think of how different it would have been if Jayden wasn’t so hot headed. Most times he needed his brother to talk to and share his bad and happy days with.
He has never had a close friend aside Rosalyn. During college he had indulged in beer with a couple of course mates but nothing beyond that. His life was a bit rigid. Most of the time what he wanted was some time with his own flesh and blood, that was the joy of being a twin. His own case says differently.
Just as he reached the park, where he and Jayden had spent most of their time playing, screaming and chanting happily. The memories flashed through him and it made him smile. Just as he attempted to turn away, he saw a figure that he had become too familiar with in a short while.
Jogging lightly towards her, Jaylen beamed brightly in the night light.
“Mind if I join you?” He muttered.