EPISODE SIXTY SEVEN
THEME: A Disorder
MOON STONE FORTRESS
Jaylen smiled as he stepped out of the car. His phone rang and the caller was Rosalyn. Every time she called it made him so happy.
‘Hey Rosa.’ He rumbled into the receiver.
Rosalyn’s usual laughter boomed from the end of the other line. ‘Hi Jay! Longtime no call.”
‘I am so sorry, Rosa. I have been up and about.’
She laughed again. ‘Come on, I was only teasing you. How have you been and how is your dad?’
‘He is there as usual. I am fine…and happy.’
‘I can sense that in your voice.’
‘How are you doing Rosa? Please don’t tell me you are overworking yourself?’ Jaylen queried as he rested on his car bonnet.
‘I promised to not overwork myself and I am keeping up to my promise.’
Jaylen could feel her roll her eyes. ‘For your own sake Rosa, do as you are told or I would have you confined to the house with no work for a whole month.’
Rosalyn faked a gasp. ‘That’s so cruel of you!’
Jaylen laughed. ‘You are all that matters.’
‘How is Lorelei?’ Rosa sled.
Jaylen sighed in relief at the mention of her name. ‘She is very fine. I am at her workplace now to pick her up for lunch.’
‘How romantic of you.’
‘Stop teasing me Rosa.’
She laughed out again. ‘Anyways I just called to check on you. Catch you later.’
‘Bye Rosa.’ She disconnected the calls
Jaylen noticed a familiar figure coming out of the infirmary pharmacy with a bandage on the hand. He looked closely and realized that it was Juno. Jaylen pocketed his phone and he moved in a rush towards her. Only few feet away, he would have missed her so Jaylen picked up his walking pace.
“Juno!” He called out to her. “Juno!”
Trying hard not to look at the direction of the voice calling out to her, Juno tried to keep up with her walk. She knew it was Jaylen and she didn’t want to have to explain how she came by the injury on her hand to him. Juno knows he would pester her till she tells him the truth.
“Wait up Juno!”
Realizing he wouldn’t give up as his steps got closer, Juno stood still and turned towards him.
“Hey.” She let out a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Jaylen could tell almost immediately that something wasn’t right with Juno. Her smile was so fake and he could practically see through her. Holding up her hand, Jaylen stared at it curiously.
“This looks like a cut Juno. Did you get into a fight?”
She giggled. “How would you know it’s a cut when it’s all wrapped up in a bandage.”
Jaylen didn’t think she sounded funny. “You were fine the last time I saw you. What’s this about? Did you get into a fight?” He sounded concerned.
Easing her hand out of his, she raised a brow at him. “Is that how you think me to be? A troublemaker?”
“That’s not what I meant Juno. You work in the force and I don’t know what the hell they make you do in those places.”
“I am just fine.”
He didn’t believe her. Jaylen observed her eye movement and he noticed she was trying to avoid his gaze.
“Did you cut yourself Juno?”
Juno looked away, still not attempting to look him in the eye. Jaylen bit on his lips as guilt ripped through him. Juno’s eyes glittered with unshed tears.
Over the years he had forgotten that Juno has some sort of borderline personality disorder which always results into her cutting herself just to feel some type of way and it has always been unexplainable.
The joy of being a werewolf is the ability to heal up on time. He took notice of her cutting herself when she was ten. He saw her dipping into her hand a knife without feeling scared. Jaylen had tried his possible best to help her out of the situation and discover what could be the reason. He had learnt from a psychologist who worked at the infirmary at that time that it could be due to physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
Juno had never been a victim of physical or sexual abuse and it turned out to be as a result of the neglect from her father. Carl and Meagan’s attention wasn’t exactly enough, not for their kids either. They had only been lucky to have an attentive extended family.
To help her out of her depressive state of mind, Jaylen had decided to pay attention to Juno and to never leave her side. They became part and parcel of each other without sharing the secret to anyone. He had been so engrossed in the pain he felt from leaving the pack ten years ago. Jaylen had forgotten all about Juno’s mental state.
Embracing her to himself, Jaylen held onto her tightly. “I’m sorry Juno. How could I be so stupid?!”
Tears rolled down her eyes as her face glued against his chest.
“When did this start again? I thought you were over it. Is this why you joined the force?” Jaylen bombarded her with questions as he tried holding her by the shoulder to make her face him. But Juno didn’t want to look at him so she held on to him. She liked the comfort she was receiving from him.
Juno sniffed. She missed the good old days. “One question at a time please.” She giggled lightly.
“It’s not funny, Juno. When did this begin again?” He managed to pull her out of his embrace. He was worried. . “Don’t you dare lie to me, tell me everything.”
Looking into his eyes, Juno felt the warmth his words provided. She knew Jaylen could be her safe haven to run to but knowing how he could get, Jaylen would surely go after his twin brother. Some of their fights back then had also been because of her. So she decided against telling him the exact truth.
After leaving Jayden’s place last night she had felt so alone in the house. Her father was busy with pack duties as usual so in her bid to keep her mind numb she had cut herself. However, it was too deep for her to take care on her own.
“It’s just the usual thing. It’s why I try to keep myself preoccupied most times when there is nothing to do.” She said to him.
“Why don’t you indulge in running through the woods, rather than sitting and inflicting yourself with so much pain?”
“It’s not intentional, Jaylen..” She defended.
Jaylen sighed as he pulled out his phone from his pocket. He texted Lorelei.
“Let’s go!” He held her hand.
“To where?”
“Anywhere aside from this place. Let’s go running and you need to heal from that scar.” Jaylen pointed out as he dragged Juno towards his car.
“But my car…” Juno pointed out.
“Don’t worry about it, someone would be sent to get it. Let’s get you out of this mess you are in first.”
Getting her into the car, Jaylen drove out of the infirmary. A pair of eyes watched them from behind with distaste.