The Fish Bowl Conspiracy

December 8th, 2024.

12:25 AM

The sound of running water awakened him, it reminded him of the rivers he would jump into when he was hiking in the little-known paths in the forests of Vermont. He cracked a smile.

It hurt.

His lips were dry, and his teeth felt like razors on his tongue.

He slowly opened his eyes but could not concentrate on anything. He shivered even though he grasped a down feather blanket that was covering him. It took him a bit to realize where he was, but he had no idea what day it was as they all have blended since he began living with Chaz.

Living?

He moved his right hand slowly to his eyes to rub the sand from them. It shook though and reminded him of those few times he witnessed Steve going through something similar. Steve never had the special Tylenol though he mused to himself.

A smile hurt though.

A smile?

Where was Chaz anyway?

“Are you awake, hombre?”

He froze in place at the sound of THAT voice.

That voice.

He followed the sound and could see into the kitchen where The Razor Surgeonfish was washing his hands in the sink. He was rubbing them so much he feared the Razors scales would begin flying off into all directions.

He sighed.

He had not expected to see him.

The Razor Surgeonfish didn’t even look at him. He turned off the sink and grabbed some paper towels and dried them off. He then put them in his pocket which seemed odd to him in the moment, but he could not find the words to say anything to him.

“I would say it is great to see you Jack, but…you look like shit, chico.”

He walked over to Jack and looked down at him. The Razors eyes dropped a little, and Jack saw the pity in them staring back into his own dead eyes. There were still no words though and it was then that he couldn’t remember the last time he had a conversation with anyone. It was just grunts and ‘hmms,’ all to feel good.

Feel good?

“I haven’t seen you in two years and then SHE tells me we have to take action. I am here to get you and hopefully we will ALL be together for New Years.”

Jack’s eyes get as big as possible when he hears that. He felt fear at first, a shiver down his spine almost made him pass out.

The Razor Surgeonfish shakes his head at Jack, “I really don’t want to blame you for what has happened. He always said your kind heart was required to keep him level but at no time did he ever say you had the ability to take charge.”

Somehow a tear had formed in the eye of Jack and then dried up as it fell down his cheek. He sniffled and then nodded back towards him.

Razor took his phone out as it vibrated. He stared at it and then put it back in his pocket, “we have five minutes until they show up, compadre.”

Jack tried to say something, but nothing came out. He found the strength to begin moving finally and under the watchful eye of the Razor Surgeonfish he stood up. He wobbled but felt two hands grasp his shoulders and straighten him out. He stared ahead and right into the eyes of the man there to get him. Neither of them was tall but Jack noticed how much stronger Razor looked then he had two years ago.

He then felt the air leave his lungs as The Razor had moved in and was giving him a hug. His back hurt from the hug and because of that his arms just hung on either side of him, unable to move them up to return the hug. For the first time in months Jack was not thinking about the Special Tylenol and he understood at that moment how badly he had messed up.

“It’s ok, Jack. When you are better, we will talk like old times,” The Razor took a step back and looked seriously at Jack, “it isn’t going to be fun…I’m not sure when anything will be fun again.”

With that the door to the front door opened and two men walked in. They all said their pleasantries to each other and a few things Jack could not understand. They stepped into his view and Jack could not believe what he was seeing. A larger man walked over with a smile on his face. Jack would never forget those scars he saw on the man’s face. He just never thought he would ever see him again. The man pats him on the back and then picked him up like a piece of luggage and walked out the door.

The other man walked behind them looking around the area like he was a bodyguard. Well…Jack thought to himself…he was, wasn’t he?

“I will see you all later, I have a little more…cleaning up to do,” The Razor Surgeonfish said as he closed the door.

Jack still confused and strung out attempted a nod back but instead closed his eyes and passed back out.

--

“Tonight is the night.”

“Oh, is your ‘boyfriend’ coming by?”

“No, I informed the guys to get Jack….and don’t think I missed your sarcasm---brother.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I don’t answer to either of you…right? That isn’t a question I need answered because WE all know I am in charge.”

“Christ, your sense of humor hasn’t grown up during your TIME away (laughs).”

“Shut up, both of you. I only need to know when Jack will be back.”

“It’s sweet.”

“Excuse me?”

“After all these years you still care about him…or is this a recent thing?”

“He was surrounded by idiots his whole life, now look at what’s happening?”

“Are you blaming me for Steve?”

“When the shoe…”

“Enough, we can argue whose fault is what after everything has been finalized. Now, get the room ready, Jack should be here in a few hours.”

--