Awake

Awake

  Jack Watson sat in a booth at a small diner. He didn't know the name of the diner. He didn't know how he had arrived there, or why he was there. Jack didn't know what day or time it was, but to Jack everything seemed normal. He sat there, drinking his steaming hot coffee. Outside the rain blanketed the Earth. The pitch black night was occasionally pierced by bright flashes of lightening. The diner was dead quiet. Nothing seemed odd to Jack, so he lifted up his newspaper and stared at the second page.

  The seat across the table creaked. Jack lowered his newspaper. A man was sitting in Jack's booth. His head was lowered and the brim of his old, tattered baseball cap covered his eyes. The man wore dirty jacket, wet from the rain. He sat hunched over the table, with the posture of a man with nothing left to live for. He simply sat there, not speaking a word.

  The man looked up at Jack, shadow still hiding most of his face. He pulled his hands out from underneath the table revealing the .38 caliber snub-nosed revolver he had brought with him. Jack thought of it. He simply raised his newspaper in front of his face and continued staring at the page. Jack lowered the paper once more just enough to peek over the edge. The man was pointing the gun at Jack. Jack raised the paper back up to his face. BANG!

  Jack's eyes popped open at the sound of the thunder. He was covered in sweat and breathing heavy. He looked over to his side to see Lisa deep asleep. The nightmare had felt so real, Jack had trouble believing it was only a dream. He slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Lisa. He felt so out of place, almost as if he weren't even in his own home.

  He left the room and walked down the stairs to the kitchen slowly because he couldn't remember where the furniture was in the dark. He felt around for the refrigerator door. When he opened it he peered inside as if it were the first time he had ever looked inside. He poured a glass of water and sat down. His eyes wanted to close, but he couldn't fall asleep. He stood up and walked outside. The rain was pouring down and thunder continually crashed. He walked out into the rain and looked up at the sky. Nothing felt real. Maybe he had never woke up. Jack closed his eyes.

  Jack, honey. Jack, wake up. Lisa's voice slowly cracked through Jack's deep sleep. He opened his eyes to see the bright lights above him. He was covered in a white sheet and had bandage wrapped around his neck. He looked around the room, he was in a hospital. Lisa sat in a chair beside him. His head was pounding, and he couldn't remember anything.

  What happened? Jack tried to sit up.

  Jack...you were shot... Lisa's eyes leaked a tear. I didn't know if you were going to make it. She stopped him from moving and pressed the call button. The doctor said you shouldn't move, he'll be here soon. The door opened and a man walked inside.

  Thank you. The man said as he stepped inside. Lisa stood up and kissed Jack on the fore head, then she walked outside. Hi, Jack. The man sat on the edge of the bed. He told Jack his name, but Jack didn't hear him. So, how are you feeling? Jack didn't know how he felt, the drugs must have been working very well.

  You know, doc, I really don't know. Fine, I guess. What exactly happened to me?

  Well, Jack, you were shot in the neck. It's really a miracle you're alive. You're going to be fine though. We have taken care of everything and you can go home here shortly. The doctor left the room and the nurse came in.

  The nurse helped Jack into a wheelchair and took him outside. Lisa's car was parked right outside the door. Lisa helped the nurse get Jack into the car. Once he was in the car they left the hospital. The sun was shining bright through the windshield into Jack's eyes. He felt better than he had in his entire life. He had nearly forgotten the gunshot wound in his neck. His memory loss didn't bother him in the least. For reasons that Jack didn't even understand, life was perfect at that very moment. The warm sunshine slowly put Jack to sleep.

  Jack woke up in complete darkness. He took a moment to enjoy the comfort of his soft bed. He noticed that his neck didn't hurt at all. He assumed he was still on heavy medication. He reached to feel the bandages, but they had already been removed. He couldn't even feel the bullet wound. Jack was impressed with the doctors' work. He then rolled over to watch Lisa as she slept, but she wasn't there.

  A woman that Jack didn't even recognize was lying where Lisa should have been. He jumped up out of bed. He didn't know what was going on. He saw a purse sitting on the dresser, so he went and opened it up. He found a billfold inside and pulled out a driver's license. The name on the license said Elizabeth Watson. Jack didn't know what to think. He thought that this had to be a dream.

  Jack looked around the room. There were pictures sitting on the night stand. He looked closer to see the image of himself in a tuxedo and the woman in the bed in a gown. It seemed like this woman was his wife, but he knew that it couldn't be true. What about all the mornings he had woken up next to Lisa? This couldn't be his wife, he didn't even know this woman.

  Jack fell to the ground and brought his knees to his chest. The confusion was too much for him to handle. Tears began rolling down his face as he started weeping. His body began to uncontrollably, violently convulse as he cried harder. He screamed as loud as he could hoping Lisa would hear him and wake him up.

  Elizabeth jumped out of bed and flicked on the lights. She was horrified at the sight of Jack screaming and convulsing on the ground. Jack, I'm here...I'm here, whats wrong? She tried to comfort him and get him to sit up. Jack stopped convulsing and lay quiet and still. He rolled his head over and blankly stared at Elizabeth as his eyes began to sink into the back of his eyelids. With tears running down her cheeks she held him closer. It's okay, Jack. Everything's going to be okay.

  Jack, we're home. Lisa's soothing voice crept into Jack's ears and woke him from his nap. He was lying crooked in the passenger seat of Lisa's car. His neck was beginning to get sore. Lisa walked around to his door and helped him to get out of the car and up to the front door. He walked inside the house, with the same joy overwhelming him that had during the car ride home.

  I feel so much better already. Jack said with smile consuming his face. I don't think I ever want to leave the house again.

  Well, that's good, because I don't ever want you to leave this house again. Lisa kissed Jack on the cheek. How about I go get you something to drink. Lisa walked into the kitchen. Jack sat in the living room, still smiling like he had never been happy before. He stared at a blank television screen, but he didn't even consider turning it on. He just sat in his chair, feeling like the happiest man in the world.

  I should have killed her. The voice came from the kitchen, but it obviously wasn't Lisa. A man walked into the room and sat down on a foot rest in front of Jack. I should have killed her, Jack. I should have killed her so that you could live your life as care free as you are now. The man's lips barely seemed to move because the old, tattered baseball cap covered his eyes.

  Lisa? Why would you want to kill Lisa? She's done nothing wrong. Jack said.

  Oh no, Jack. Lisa has done plenty wrong. She is unfaithful, she has been cheating ever since you met her...but I don't want to kill her. The man appeared to have a slight grin.

  Then who should you have killed? Jack asked.

  Elizabeth. I should have killed her, Jack. She is the cause of all your pain. One bullet could end it all, Jack. I should have killed her.

  Who is Elizabeth! I don't know anyone named Elizabeth.

  Oh yes you do, Jack. You know Elizabeth very, very well. But does Lisa know Elizabeth? No, no, no she doesn't. I should have killed her, Jack.

  Who are you? Jack finally asked.

  You know me, Jack, you know me. I am your worst nightmare, and your greatest dream. Oh Jack, you
know me. The man stood up and whispered into Jack's ear. I should have killed her, Jack. The man then walked away.

  Honey, who are you talking to? Lisa asked from the kitchen.

  No one, baby...no one. Jack stood up and walked over to Lisa. He wrapped his arms around her. I love you. He then walked up stairs and lay down in bed. He stared at the ceiling. I should have killed her. He whispered to himself. The drugs began to kick in again, and Jack drifted back to sleep.

  ...It's going to be okay. Jack, it's going to be okay... Elizabeth rocked Jack back and forth in her arms hoping that he was okay. Jack, don't leave me. Jack's eyes rolled back into place and he looked up at Elizabeth. He wiped the tears from his eyes and sat up. Jack, are you okay? She asked. Jack just stood up and walked over to the dresser. He opened the top drawer. He moved a couple pairs of underwear to reveal the .38 caliber snub-nosed revolver hidden inside. Then he turned and looked at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth? Jack asked.

  Yes, Jack, it's me. What is wrong with you? She replied.

  I don't know you. I can't stay here. This isn't my home. Jack put on a jacket and an old baseball cap. He picked up the revolver and placed it in his jacket. Then he began to walk out the door.

  Jack! Come back! Elizabeth cried as Jack walked into the pouring rain. Jack didn't respond. He got in his car and drove away. As he drove down a highway he passed a small diner. He pulled into the parking lot of the diner without even thinking why. He sat in the parking lot of the diner, the rain pounding against his windshield. He got out of the car and walked inside. He picked up a newspaper, sat down in a booth and ordered a coffee. His eyes grew heavy.

  I should have killed her. Jack blacked out.

  Jack sat in the booth at the small diner. He didn't know the name of the diner. He didn't know how he had arrived there, or why he was there. Jack didn't know what day or time it was, but to Jack everything seemed normal. He sat there, drinking his steaming hot coffee. Outside the rain blanketed the Earth. The pitch black night was occasionally pierced by bright flashes of lightening. The diner was dead quiet. Nothing seemed odd to Jack, so he lifted up his newspaper and stared at the second page.

  The seat across the table creaked. Jack lowered his newspaper. A man was sitting in Jack's booth. His head was lowered and the brim of his old, tattered baseball cap covered his eyes. The man wore a dirty jacket, wet from the rain. He sat hunched over the table, with the posture of a man with nothing left to live for. He looked up at Jack and removed his hat. Jack felt as if he was looking into a mirror. Hi, Jack.

  Who are you? Jack asked.

  Well, Jack, I am your worst nightmare and your greatest dream. Jack, I'm you. The man replied. You should have killed her, Jack. She isn't going to love you anymore when she discovers the truth. You should have killed her.

  Elizabeth is my wife. Jack said.

  Lisa is your lover. You could be with her for the rest of your life. Only one thing stands in the way. You should have killed her, Jack. Now I have to do it for you.

  It was you...it was you that shot me. Jack said as he pulled the revolver from his jacket.

  That was a dream, Jack. We are both alive and well, and all six bullets are still in that gun. No one has been shot, Jack, no one has been shot...yet, the man said. Elizabeth walked into the diner. Kill her! He shouted as she came closer. Jack pointed the gun at Elizabeth. His hands were shaking and he was whimpering under his breath.

  Jack, it's me. Put the gun down, please, she said, walking closer.

  I should have killed her, Jack. Do it! Kill her now, the man said.

  I was wrong... Jack said, his lips trembling. It wasn't you who killed me...it was me. He pointed the gun at himself and pulled the trigger.

  Jack, honey. Jack, wake up. Elizabeth's voice slowly cracked through Jack's deep sleep. He opened his eyes to see the bright lights above him. He was lying on a plain white bed, surrounded by four plain white walls. He was dressed in a white robe and pants. Elizabeth smiled and shed a tear and said I love you, Jack...I'm sorry. She then stood up and walked out of the room.

  Mrs. Watson, your husband is schizophrenic, and there is nothing that we can ever do to reverse its effects, the doctor in the mental health wing of the hospital explained. The doctor looked at Elizabeth remorsefully and walked away. Elizabeth peered in through the window of Jack's room, tears rolling down her cheeks. She touched her fingers to her lips and then pressed them against the window.

  Jack sat on the bed with his eyes closed. He heard the door slowly open and then close, and footsteps slowly approached. He felt the bed sink in next to him. Hi, Jack...I should have killed her.