JACK KNIFED by Christopher Greyson Read Free Book Online Page A

light coming in the window, he hoped it was past seven. He closed his eyes and lay there, listening for Replacement. He thought she was awake but he hoped he might get some more sleep. He’d gotten an hour, tops. Replacement sprang out of bed and stepped on his stomach. When Jack groaned, she screamed and hopped back into bed.
    “Thanks,” he grumbled.
    Replacement stuck her head over the side of the bed. Her green eyes were wide, and she scrunched up her face. “Did you sleep on the floor?”
    “No.”
    She tilted her head to the other side. “You’re on the floor with blankets.”
    “I didn’t sleep.”
    “I did. This bed is super soft.” She disappeared from sight.
    Jack groaned and got up. “I already took a shower. Let’s go down to breakfast and then head to the library.”
    “You took a shower at night?” she asked.
    “I thought it would help me sleep.”
    “What’s at the library?”
    “It’s the place with books.” Jack smirked.
    “I know what a library is.” Replacement bounded out of the bed and raced to the closet. “I don’t know why you want to go there.” She yanked open the door, reached into the closet, and pulled out the brown dress with the white trim. “Can I wear this?” She clutched it to her body and twirled back and forth.
    “We’re going to the library,” Jack began, but when Replacement’s smile collapsed into a frown, he quickly scrambled for words. “And I thought…you’d save that for dinner.”
    Replacement’s smile exploded back on her face. She carefully hung the dress up and danced over to the bureau.
    Boom. Nice save.
    Jack stood there for several minutes while she picked up one outfit after the other and set them back down.
    You have only five outfits to pick from, so pick one. Jack wanted to scream, but instead he sat down on the bed and waited. She finally settled on a blouse and a pair of jeans and then skipped into the bathroom.
    Jack lay back on the bed.
    Mistake.
    He let out a little moan. The bed was incredibly soft. He relaxed and let his hands roll out at his side. He inhaled deeply. The comforter’s smell was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. It smelled like spring. It wasn’t an artificial scent like detergent or soap; it actually smelled like a warm spring day. He breathed in deeply and shut his eyes.
    “Do you want to keep sleeping?” Replacement asked.
    Jack’s eyes fluttered open. Replacement was dressed but knelt on the bed next to him.
    “I fell asleep.” He shook his head and sat up.
    “Only for a second. Isn’t this bed the best?” She let herself fall forward and landed with a giggle.
    “This bed rocks,” he said.
    “You can sleep if you want.”
    “No. No.” Jack forced himself up. “I want to get to the library. Let’s go.”
    Jack stretched as he headed for the door, and Replacement raced past him. He couldn’t help but smirk.
    Poor Aunt Haddie. That kid must have been a handful.
    Replacement disappeared down the stairs, but Jack took his time. His mood changed on a dime and went straight to grim. He could almost feel the darkness inside him straining to get out. When his mother left him, he didn’t deal with it well, according to all his therapists and ex-girlfriends. All the hurt, pain, and anger were like a beast that constantly attacked him and ripped him to pieces. He tried, but he couldn’t wipe it out and he couldn’t make it go away, so he dealt with the beast the only way he knew how: he caged it. He couldn’t kill it, so he hid it away, building up layers and barriers as he vainly tried to bury it.
    Jack stopped at the top of the stairs and gripped the railing. Now the beast had broken free. His control over his emotions had gone off the rails. The beast was loose inside and rampaging.
    Why the hell am I here? I never should have come looking for her. She’s freaking crazy. Is that why I’m so screwed up? Can you inherit crazy? My father must have been insane too. Who’d have gone out with a girl