Jared quietly walks to his room. He was too tired to think. He walks over to the fridge pulled out a bottle of coke before heading to the living room by the window. A soft sigh escapes as he reclined back. (You are lost Jared.) He closes his eyes hoping to suppress his frustration. (What now?) Three days have passed and no other signs of Steel waking up have come. He was anxious for this medical case to be over. Then he can return to his life as usual. (You are too invested in this.) The vision of Kile warm smile summons itself to his mind. (This won’t do. ) He reaches in his pocket for his phone and text a message to Fred. (Does he even remember me?)

Thunder sounded outside the wind blew viciously throw the window knocking over a picture frame. He quickly ran over to pick it up. The broken glass picture held a picture of him and his grandfather. “Thank goodness.” He sighed in relief holding the undamaged photo. A smile manage to surface as he observed the old photo. Then his brow furrowed his brow. “What’s this?” He placed the picture on the coffee table before running to the bedroom.

The doctor grabs a small wood chest box from under his bed. He quickly re-seated himself by the window. He picks the picture up a he took another sip of his coke thumping it against the wooden box. He eyes fell on the oversized bracelet on the young boy's arm and the counterpart on the old man’s wrist. It had been years since he had looked at it but it caught his eye when he held the photo. He took another sip before closing his eyes. (Garnet stones are love stones in there own right fueling the passionate hearts of lovers, they were also believed to be able to purify the blood and free your channels for mental, physical and spiritual clarity. ) He pulled open the draw of the end table pulling a heart shaped porcelain from it. The flower patterns match the ones on the wooden chest. He removes a small key from it placing it into the locked box.

An alert sounds from the phone in his chest pocket. It was Mike trying to lure him out to play. He places it phone back into his pocket. (Maybe he will be the next one. Then it’s a sign we have a good chance. If not I will be cautious.) “Assuming he even responds.” He sighs. Another alert. Strata texting to let him know she will be in for an update tomorrow. (There goes sweet success. I better take it slow.) He starts to return back to the project at hand. When the phone rings. He picks up. “Dr Hearth.”

“Hello Doctor. Nice of you to finally text me. I have been waiting for your call.” Can the familiar voice from the bar.

Jared smiles. “ I wasn’t sure you remembered me.” He became shy as he heard the seductive laugh come from the phone.

“What are you up to Doctor? Are you busy?” He took a moment to pause. “It would be great if we could meet up.”

“I would but I have had a long day.” (Stupid, you sound like you are not interested.)

“How about the day after tomorrow. I mean if you are free.”

“For you? Of course. I’ll call you tomorrow Doctor.”

Jared smile he finally has a date. (Looks like you are not so hopeless after all.) He turned the key. The lid springs open revealing a pair of men bracelets. “It’s been so long since I have seen this you.” He watched the light catch in the stones. Like he did when he was young. “Still beautiful.” He whispered as a tear ran down his cheek. A sharp deep ache sprang from within. He lets out a heavy sight. “ Man, this house is too quiet.” He walks over to the stereo and puts on his favorite rendition of an old song.

Kile found himself floating in a sea of light. Swirls of colors travel and morphed around him, but there was no feeling of fear. Just a nice liquid warmth the pooled around him. He began to wonder if the was reminiscent to what the womb felt like. His heart felt relieved in the depths of this new found cocoon like world. (I wonder how long will I be here.)