Aquata Cove Ch. 89

"Aight." Jamal says before he sits down to set his things up. He took out some small, live shrimp, and start to put them to a hook. Adam watches as Jamal gets them ready.

"Was I any good at that?" He asked. Jamal smirks and laughs a little.

"Naw, you can't hook live stuff like worms and shrimp. The squirming always freaked you out." He chuckles more as he gives a rod to Adam, "Aight, I'mma show you how to throw yo line."

They both stand up, and Jamal shows Adam just how to pose the rod, before letting the hook and line fly into the sea! Adam thrusts, and watches as his line glides over the water, and then dips in.

"Now we just kick back and wait fo the fishes." He says as he sits down, before Adam sits down too.

"So... Did I do THIS for a living?"

"Naw, this is just fo fun." Jamal answers, "You mostly deliver stuff 'round the pier."

"I see..." Adam says. His head still feels uneasy, but it's not getting worse. "Hey, Jamal?"

"Hm?"

"This guy, named Merrick..." Adam says, "Does he... Have any weird... I don't know, tendencies?"

"Whaddyu mean?"

"Well, earlier today, he just... Showed up to my room, and took off his clothes until he was in his underwear." Jamal's eyebrows yank up.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, and then he started... Talking all weird to me. I... Kinda freaked out and asked him to leave."

"Aw shyit..." Jamal shook his head.

"So... I'm wondering if he does that regularly ooorrr..."

"O-Oh naw, that uh... That was actually MAH fault."

"Wait, what?"

"I kinda dared him to git a lil naked in the ward, and see how long it takes fo anyone to get on his case."

"You... Dared him to get naked with me?" Adam asked with a sense of hurt coming.

"No! No... Well... Ok, kinda."

"Why would you do that? He scared me, he turned me upside down this morning!"

"I didn't think he'd actually DO it!" Jamal said defensively.

"So why even suggest it?? What was the point??"

"Cause we used to do that kinda shit when we were younger."

"Wait, did what?"

"When we got to know each other better, we pulled pranks on each other. Like, one time, you put oil in mah shampoo, and then another time, I put a pinch of itchin powder onto yo towels, and sometimes we just wrestled."

"We did all those things?" Adam asked, slightly amused.

"Yeah, we grew out of it though." Jamal said, "And Ah told Merrick to try that stunt fo ol' times sake."

"Ok... I guess..." Adam trailed.

'Dafuq, Merrick?' Jamal mouthed silently as he looked to the side, his face furrowed in weirded confusion.

Just then, Adam feels and sees fishing rod start to twitch, "Wait, what's happen- Jamal my rod is moving."

"Aw shit, think you got something!"

"O-Ok, what do I do??"

VEEEEEEVVVVVV

"Whoa!" Adam grips his rod with both hands as the line suddenly started racing.

"Ah shit, aight, aight, aight, careful now," Jamal says as he gets up and quickly tends to Adam's rod.

~~~

It's dusk now, partially dark outside. Jamal and Yuri have already gone home, with the promise of coming to visit tomorrow. Adam sighs, his mind tracing back to Merrick... He has some very weird and strong feelings about what went down...

With his stomach churning with anxiety and a little fear, Adam sits down and pulls up his laptop, opening it up and prepping a new Word Document.

-

Dear Diary,

Today was still as boring as the last few, but at least this time, Jamal took me fishing for about an hour. We caught a few large fish, but my head started hurting again, so we had to leave sooner than when I was allowed. My psychologist was a little unhappy with me, she didn't even want me going in the first place

-

*TAP TAP TAP*

"Hm?" Adam hears the tapping sound of a glass door, and turns to see Jessica on his porch, knocking at the sliding door. "What the heck??" He says as he gets up and goes to open it.

"Hi, sweetie~!" Jessica chirps before she pops a kiss on Adam's mouth again before Adam lets her in.

"A-Ah, Jessica, what're you doing here?" He asked sheepishly.

"Wanted to see YOU of course, babe."

"O-Ok, but..." Adam closes the sliding door partway, "But visiting hours were over about 20 minutes ago, you might get in trouble."

"Oh, we're fine, Adam." She says, "How was today? Did that man come back again?"

"M-Merrick? No, he didn't come back."

"Good~" Jessica says as she leans in and gives Adam another kiss, this time a little thicker.

"Mmfff, a-ah, alright..." He backs away from her, his stomach twisting again, "Was uh... Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Nope! Get your shoes on!" Jessica says as she claps her hands, "You and I are going to the carnival tonight~!"

"The wh- the what?" He stammers, "Wha- now??"

"Yes! The carnival's absolutely fantastic at night! All the lights are on, it gets super romantic, the food gets cheaper, it's just so magical!"

"But, Jessica, I can't go anywhere without a permit from my psychologist."

"Oh, those are all just technicalities they put in to make you do what they say." She dismissed, "Adam, they're just holding you back and treating you like a child. What good does it do you really to keep you locked up like this?"

"Well... I, I don't know, my head does hurt often, and I get thirsty a lot."

"So, we'll just keep the ibuprofen on hand and we'll keep getting water, it's not that hard."

"Ok, but... What if they see I'm not in the room, won't I get in trouble?"

"Do they check on you during the night?"

"Not really... Except when I need to call in someone, but I haven't needed to do that yet."

"Then we're set, lets go." Jessica says with a smile.

"U-Uh ok," Adam says hesitantly as she skips over to the porch. Jessica climbs over the railing of the tiny porch, and makes her way down. "Oh, I see." He said before he goes to climb out in the exact same way.

Soon, his feet land on the dark grass, and they creep along the dimly lit yard. They locate Jessica's car, and climb in. Adam's stomach turns with unease as he slides into the passenger seat, shaking a little as he looks up at his own room in the ward.

"A-Are you sure we should be doing this?"

"It will be fine, Adam." Jessica assures him, "We'll be back before anyone knows it."

"Mnhh..." Adam whines quietly as the car rumbles up, and they drive off.

~~~

"Woooow." Adam coos as they drive into a dirt lot, gazing with awe at the bright yellow lights of the carnival.

"I know, isn't it wonderful?" Jessica asks.

"Two trips in one day, this is exciting." Adam commented, having forgotten his anxiety at the ward.

"Two trips?" Jessica asked as they get out, "Did you go somewhere today?"

"Yeah, but it's ok, it was just some fishing." Adam said as he walked, but is stopped by Jessica's hand.

"With who?" She asked with a stern look.

"Just a friend of mine, lets go!" Adam says as he can't take his eyes off the musical dance of the carnival.

"Adam. With WHOM did you go out with today? I need to know, I am worried about you.

"It's ok, Jessica, my psychologist was fine with him."

"Adaaam." Jessica says. Adam sighs with aggravation.

"Just some guy named Jamal, he's an old friend of mine."

"Jamal." Jessica said, "Adam, you need to be careful about Jamal too, he has a very questionable life."

"What?" Adam looks at her with disbelief, "Jamal? He's fun though, he sees me everyday."

"Adam, he steeps himself in sin everyday, whoring himself out, abusing his God-given life," Jessica lists of with abandon, "I mean, God only knows just how many diseases he actually has."

"That... That can't be true." Adam shakes his head, "He doesn't seem like the type to... Really do that kind of thing."

"Everyone who knows him knows that of him, Adam. And... I've heard tell that he also peddles illegal substances..."

"What?" Adam stares at her, shocked.

"He has a record, Adam." Jessica tells him, "God knows just how many times he actually uses, and how long he's been getting away with it."

"If... If he's doing drugs, wouldn't anyone notice?"

"Some people are that careful." Jessica says, "If he offers you ANYTHING, Adam, just. Be. Careful."

"Ok..." Adam says as they close the doors, and walk from the car.

Jamal... 'I had no idea...' Adam thought. 'But, something's not right... I think Jessica's just jumping to conclusions because she cares so much. Jamal really doesn't seem the type... Wait, what type is that? How would I know?'

"Adam?"

"Hm?" Adam snapped out of his thoughts as they reach the gate.

"A gentleman always pays for his dates~" She said with a smile.

"Uh..." He looks at her, and then at the ticket booth person, "But, I don't have any money."

"I know, I'm just teasing you, sweetie." Jessica says as she files her hand in her purse, "Just letting you know for next time, when you're back on your feet."

"Ok." Adam smiles. 'I'm a gentleman.' He thinks proudly.

Their hands stamped with black light ink, and red strips of tickets purchased, Jessica takes Adam's hand, and they stroll merrily into the carnival.

They rush to a rollercoaster for a 3-minute wait, and soon found themselves in the snake-like vehicle on the large, wooden structure. "Hoh shit, what, fuh," Adam's hands seize onto the bars as the ride climbs up the ramp. The coaster soon reached the peak of the hill, and drops down, "WHOA SHIIIIIIII-" Adam screamed with the other riders as the ride zooms and shoots around. His face breaks in a mixture of amazement and fear as the ride flies in fast curves and rabid dips. "WOO-HOO-HOO-HOOOOOOOOH!" He whoops out. Jessica turns next to him, seeing Adam so excited and happy with her, holding onto the bar on them as the night wind rushes around him.

The two of them locate the teacups and find themselves a sunshine-yellow cup to go in. Once started the teacups start to spin and rotate around a giant teapot, blowing smoke and music out of the spout.

"Spin the wheel, Adam! Spin the wheel!" Jessica cheers.

"Wha?" His eyes go to the thick, metal disk in the middle of the cup, "Oh!!" His hands grab onto the disk. He clenches his eyes shut and grunt harshly as he forces the disk in a clockwise direction. Their teacup begins to turn as the cups rush and orbit around the huge pottery, faster and faster.

Adam's stomach growls as they stroll along the games. He smiles as he looks at all the big, colorful dolls up for prizes, all the movie posters up for winning, small gift shop stands set up here and there.

"Ooh, Adam, you have to win me a prize!" Jessica says.

"I do?"

"Ugh, baaaaabe," Jessica whines, "You are so out of it, aren't you, honey?"

"I-I'm sorry, I'm still new to this outdoor thing." He said with a chuckle.

"Alright, lets play some games~!"

They locate a stand featuring a corkboard with rows of balloons. Jessica gives the correct amount of tickets, and Adam is given a set amount of darts. "Ennhh..." Adam grunts quietly as another wave of pain phases through his skull, before he fiddles with the darts. He takes him, and throws it to a complete miss. "Dammit..."

"It's ok, sweetie, lets try again." Jessica says before Adam throws another dart, and hits the top of the board. He frowns as he tries a third time, and pops a bright green balloon!

"Oh, got one!" Adam focuses, and throws the next dart, and then the last one, popping no more balloons.

"Oh, sorry about that buddy." Says the man in charge of the darts. He gives Adam a small lollipop before he and Jessica move onto to a different booth.

Adam throws a ring over to the collection of bottles, unable to land the gold or silver colored one, the ones for a big prize. Jessica stands by anxiously as Adam throws ring after ring.

"Ah, out of rings..." Adam says.

"Here ya go, sonny." Says the ring person as she gives Adam a small neon orange snake.

"It's alright, lets try another game." Jessica encouraged.

"Ok, let's go for that one." Adam says as they go to another booth.

"Everybody! Start your guns!" Says another game person as Adam aims his water pistol at the target like everyone else. "Readyyyyy... START!"

Every single gun immediately unleashes a line of water flying to the targets! Adam grimaces as he feels his head start to hurt again. Still he tries, still agitated with his lack of success so far. His water shakes as it strains to remain on target. The flower-shaped idols for each target rise and rise, until the winner dinged out loud! Adam groans with defeat as his gun reaches 2nd place.

"You did great, Adam!" Jessica says as he is handed a shiny, medium-sized pelican doll. Adam chuckles as he gives it to her. "Thank you so much, Adam."

"You're... Welcome." Adam says awkward, feeling rather sheepish. He glances aside, and sees two men hug, a chubby black guy and a laughing guy with a bleach-yellow Mohawk. The front of Adam's forehead feels a keen scratching from inside as his vision blurs a little.

He blinks as he sees a weird glimpse. He sees himself, laughing out loud as he attempts to balance a bowling ball on an unstable table. He can make out... Someone else. Someone with blonde hair next to him, gesturing like mad as Adam's image tries to move the heavy ball to stay in the correct spot. His smile fades as he feels the light curdle inside him.

Adam looks at this very vague and feeble apparition. As he watches, his chest feels a deep feeling, almost as if its heavy and dragging him from inside. The imaginary music dings as the time limit is up, and the bowling ball is still in the very small gold ring! The blonde figure cheers as it jumps up and down. Adam chuckles as he sees himself accept a very fancy Chinese 3-dimensional fish-dragon kite. His heart pounds as he sees himself partially embrace the vague blonde figure next to him.

This... What he's seeing... It feels so familiar, it's almost scarey...

"Adam!"

"I- Wai, what?" He stammers as he snaps out of it. He sees the Mohawk guy kiss the pudgy black male before they get lost in the crowd, with a large bright purple wolf doll in hand.

"Adam, I was just saying we should go on the Tilt-A-Whirl next!"

"O-Oh sure, that sounds great." Adam says before she takes him away from the spot. Adam still looks at the place he was looking at. Very few fragments of what he has just seen evaporate from his mind, unable to piece together the images, like he just woke up from a dream...

As they walk, both of Jessica's arms around Adam's left arm, his attention divert to a funnel cake stand. They slow down as Adam picks up on the sweet, delicious scent clouding from the sizzling fryers and hissing whipped cream cans.

The woman deep-frying the long lines of batter into the oil looks up at Adam as she wipes the sweat from her brow, "Enjoying the fair, honey?"

"Yeah, it's great! What're you making there, it smells amazing."

"Never seen a funnel cake before, honey?" Bertha asked. She's sure this guy looks like Adam, but the beard is a bit thicker and his hair is a bit shorter than Adam usually goes for, plus his skin is a lot lighter since the last time she saw him. Plus he's got a girl with him. "I'll bet ya like it with strawberries." She wagered.

"Sure, I'll try it-"

"No, no no." Jessica says as she pushes the next available plate away, "He is on a diet."

"I am?" Adam asked.

"We talked about this, baby, remember? This morning when I brought you the fruit basket?"

"Oh... Yeah..." Adam says, "Sorry..."

"Oh, he's fine, darlin," Bertha says as she pats to herself, "He's in great shape compared to me."

"Thank you all the same, but he does need to take in less sugar." She said, "Lets go, babe."

"Ok..." Adam moans as he's led away from the food shacks, still longing for the funnel cakes and the churros and the elephant ears.

"Huh..." Bertha tilts her head, "I could swear... Naw, he wouldn't be caught dead with THAT girl. Glad she found SOMEbody at least." She dismissed.

"You say something, Bertha?" One of the other cookers asked.

"Nuthin."

The loud bell rings, and the row of horses charge forth like lightning in the races! Their muscles fold and contort under their brilliant pelts as they gallop with abandon.

Adam grunts as his hand goes to his head. His brain is starting to hurt again, like something is pushing outward in the middle.

"Adam??" Jessica's voice asked, "Adam, are you alright, sweetie?"

"My head is hurting... I think I'm getting another migraine."

"You've taken your ibuprofen, didn't you??"

"10 minutes ago... Ahh..."

"Oh... Alright then, it's about time for you to head to bed anyway." She says as she gets up and helps Adam to his feet.

They walk through crowd, rubbing his temples as they go until they reach the gate. Jessica checks the time, and winces when it reads 11:43. They really should have gone a long time ago.

Within half an hour, Jessica's car pulls into the same dark area in the yard lot of the psychiatric ward, and parked. They carefully crept to the same impromptu climbing route they used to get out, and scaled the small height.

They sigh as they make it to Adam's tiny porch and past the glass sliding door.

"How is your head, baby?"

"Still hurting... I'll be alright though." Adam whispered.

"Alright, I have to go now, love." Jessica says as she hugs him, which he returns. Jessica's heart flutters as she feels him squeeze her... This is real... He wants her...

"Thank you, Jessica, I had a great time tonight."

"Ok. Remember, not a word to anyone."

"Got it." Adam nods before Jessica comes in, and plants another kiss onto Adam's lips. She goes back outside, and closes the sliding door.

"Hahhh..." Adam still feels uneasy about this whole night. At the same time though, that place was really fun. He just wishes Jessica would've let him eat some of that food. Speaking of which, he takes an apple from the basket she brought him, and bit into it.

After chewing, he furrows his brow, and looks down at his midsection. He walks into the compact bathroom, and looks at himself in the mirror. He lifts his shirt and looks at his belly, feeling at the slight round mound. He doesn't know how to distinguish how he's supposed to look, but... Guess Jessica knows him best.

Shrugging, he bites into the apple again before setting on the edge of the basin as he takes of his shirt. Better take a shower in case he smells of the fair.

After stripping naked and turning on the water, Adam stands at the edge of the shower. "Ahhh... Ghh..." His head rings as it starts to rack with pain again. "GhhHHH!" He stumbles into the shower, and groans as he clutches his head.

"HHHAAAHHH!" He cries, panting loud and groaning in the water. He clenches his eyes shut as he dries to drag images into his head.

Jessica screaming with joy in the teacups. Jamal is whooping at the wild fish he reels in. Donna hugging him after his last therapy session. Luther working on the car next to Adam as they talk.

Nothing is working. Adam whines harshly as he cringes, electric stings drilling into his brain.

Merrick swiping white paint on his hand.

"Hhah... Hhh... Hhh..." Adam pants as his head pauses in the pain. Merrick giggling as he takes the golden sea horse plush doll Adam gave him, his blue eyes sparkling in the sun's light. His lips curling into a smile as he looks over his shoulder.

Adam breaths with shaky rasps of air as his brain slowly subsides, still pushing his hands and fingers into his hair.