a better life;

Booker wasn’t expecting his twin to back down so easily. His reaction made him grin, though. Laugh, even. It was good to know that he was still threatening and that the other was…. well, a pussy. “Good choice. I see your face again, it ain’t gonna be pretty.”

    ➳ Were it another instance and were Jack feeling a bit bitter and less understanding, he would snap something about the man and avoiding mirrors. But this was neither of those things and Jack was feeling more disheartened then anything. His twin he’d gone all the way out here to see was threatening him. ❝ Got it.”

There could only be one man with his face, and that was him. Not this other well shaven, military like posture, polite looking man. Fuck this guy. Who the hell did he think he was? Brother. Booker tutted at the thought.

“Listen,” Booker started through gritted teeth. “I grew up an only child. And I plan on keepin’ it that way. I don’t care how alike we look. I don’t care if we’re biological brothers. But you,” Booker placed his finger on the other’s chest. “Are no brother of mine.” Then pointed to himself. “And I don’t want a god damn thing to do with you, you got that?”

    ➳ Alright, of all reactions, this was definitely worst case. This was lower than never finding him. At least with never finding him, he was still out there, probably happy in Jack;s head thoughts. But this guy in front of him was angry with the thought of there being someone else that looked like him and shared the same DNA.

Jack’s jaw tightened the entire time he was chewed out for this apparently stupid decision of his. The hole opened up and released the hope he’d been feeling about feeling whole again. But he didn’t let that reach his features. He was defensive in that was and wasn’t going to wear his heart on his sleeve as he would have back in school and before. ❝ Got it. Crystal couldn’t be more clear. I’ll leave as soon as possible.”

“Yeah,” She nodded knowing this was going to be awkward. “But Jack… He’s not in a good place right now… But he’s upright and ventalating, that’s what counts,”

    ➳ Jack was quiet for a moment as his brain was trying to catch up and process everything. James was alive, but not doing well. Now he suddenly felt guilty that he just accepted that his friend was dead and hadn’t tried to keep finding him. ❝ I need to see him. Where can I find him?”

Eyes narrowed. Nostrils flared. Arms dropped to his sides and he closed the gap between them, practically nose to nose with the man that looked exactly like him. This had to be some sick joke. Booker sneered at the man, stepping back. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

    ➳ There was something about Booker stepping right up to him with the barely contained anger that caused a pang of fear cross through him. It was weird seeing someone that looked like you doing something like that. It was like facing yourself. But that fear was something other than what it would’ve been in the past. After the war he no longer crumbled, he stood straight, he readied himself. But then booker stepped back, so did he a little. ❝ No, I’m not...” he started watching him carefully. Maybe he wished he was a little. He’d imagined this a million ways, but not like this.

“Why yes. You are bothering me.” Booker huffed, heaving logs of firewood into his truck to deliver to the bars around town. Seeing as the person wasn’t leaving, he abruptly turned around, both hands on his waist.

“What??”

    ➳ He was right where they told Jack he’d be. Wow, he had a brother. A twin brother. It was still so crazy to think about it. He went from being an only child to a separated twin. When he turned around angrily seeming, he put his hands up, signaling he didn’t mean to be a bug. ❝ I... I wasn’t trying to bother you. I well...” He motioned to his own face. “I’m your brother... Jack.”

“There are roughly 44,275 people living here, do you assume that everyone knows everyone?”

    ➳ ❝ I just thought there was a chance. My fault, I’m sorry.

“I’m… Alright,” She answered “James is here,” Arizona laughed with a nod. “I’ve been having to keep him out of trouble. Oh man… That’s intense, I hope you find him. I can at least keep an eye out in the ER,”

    ➳ ❝ James... James is alive?” The words, so simple, ‘James is here,’ were so shocking that he couldn’t believe it. Oh if he’d know he could’ve... maybe James hadn’t wanted him to know? No, that wouldn’t be right. “Is he okay?”

“Aldyria’s hospital is a couple of blocks away, they have a great psychiatric ward…”

    ➳ ❝ No I’m serious. He’s my twin. He still lives here, right? Or have you never met him?