Chapter 41: Another resurrection

Chapter 41: Another resurrection
Jesper felt the repeated kick against his back. He was trying to understand how he was back in prison. His very recollection, he walked out of the prison gates. Then why on earth was he back in prison. Another kick in his lower back makes him coil in pain.
“Get the fuck from the floor,” Erick roar above his head.
“Stop kicking me, your fucking manic.” Jesper slide his body away before he rolls onto his back. He barely managed to block the foot about to stomp onto his chest.
“This is your bloody fault,” Erick said as he reached to opened the shower’s tap. The water was icy cold. I wasn’t suppose to be back in prison. I was free,” he mumbles. “Grace, she did something. She changed my destiny.” He said shaking his head as he keeps talking to himself.
Jesper has managed to get onto his feet. He wipes the blood from his mouth. He has somehow bite onto the inside of his mouth.
“Guards,” the inmate suddenly screamed. “I found them,” he said loudly.
Jesper watches Erick keeps talking to himself. It was clear he didn’t hear the man alerting the guards. This made him stood still trying to figure out what happened. The only thing that comes to mind, they somehow altered their lives. Or were they currently in a different timeline…
“Jesper Strange,” the two guards suddenly surrounded him. “Stay where you are.”
Erick Dawn suddenly dropped onto the wet shower floor. It looks like his body was going into a seizure. As quick as it started it ended. The voice that now speak certainly wasn’t that that of Erick.
“Where am I?” the man asked uncertain.
Jesper carefully listens. The guards still hold both his arms. The one suddenly radio for help. Jesper watched the transformation of the other man. “Who are you?” he questions.
“I am Esra Rowan, why am I here?” he looks around. “Is this a prison?” he questions looking confused.
“Erick Dawn, what game are you playing?” the one guard asked.
“I am Esra Rowan,” the man said matter of fact.
“You need to see the doctor.”
“Why,” Esra asked.
“You just had a seizure.” The guard said sounding confused to his own ear.
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Esra looks at Jesper, his expression puzzled. “Did we fight or something?”
“Shut up. I think you need to see the warden.” The guards instantly took control now walking briskly in the direction of the warden’s office.
“Take that man to solitary confinement,” the warden said the moment he saw Jesper.
“Sir, you need to know,” the guard said.
“I don’t want to hear anything. It’s time I tighten security. It took you fool an hour to find them.” The warden yelled. His eyes hard and cold on Jesper who watches him with a puzzled expression. He noticed something different about the warden. Earlier the man made a point of avoiding his eyes, but now he looks directly at him. “I said take that man to his cell.” He orders again.
“Grace,” Jesper whispered.
“What did you say?” the warden was suddenly right in his face. “I want to know, tell me right now?” he orders.
“I said nothing,” Jesper looked pointedly into his eyes. He realized the man was different but the same. This really made him start to wonder if he was in alternate world.
“I am not your fool,” his hand slipped into his pocket. His action was swift sticking the knife into Jesper’s stomach. The moment he pulled his hand free; the knife was covered in warm blood. “Take him to solitary confinement, now!” he orders as he stood there cleaning the knife.
Jesper covers his knife wound with his one hand while the guard forced him forward. As far as he was stumbling, he was leaving a trail of blood behind him. “I need a doctor,” he said painfully.
“Sorry, no can do. The warden clearly wants you to bleed to death. What did you do, man?” the guard asked as he opened the door. He pushed a stumbling Jesper inside.
“I need help,” Jesper slowly moved into a sitting position. His hands were sticky from the warm blood.
“We can’t help you.” The door was shut and locked.
Jesper closed his eyes as he feels his life blood flowing from him. The suddenly scratching at the small window slowly made him open his eyes. The scene was very familiar. He keeps his eyes on the birds with the certain knowledge the most recent past was now on repeat.
“Grace,” he whispered her name closing his eyes.
“Jesper…” her voice was soft yet clearly very closed to him. “Open your eyes,” she whispers.
“It hurts,” he said quietly.
“I know but the pain is in your mind.” She whispers near his ear. “Look at me,” she asked.
“Okay,” he said. Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened his eyes. The cell was dark around him.
“I can’t see you, Grace.” He said tiredly.
“I am right here with you, Jesper.” She softly kisses him on the forehead. “You need to focus.” She said urgently.
“Okay,” he found his body slide down onto the cold floor. His body feels cold. He just wants to sleep now. As he drifts into darkness he hears the soft start of the drums. It feels like it was beating deeply within him.
The drums are calling…Jesper…
The drums are beating…two hearts…Jesper and Grace…
The drums are alluring…death is near, there is a choice, left or right…
The drums echo the warning…sound of silence all around him…
Darkness finally settles over him.
The coldness around him was like a fire burning him from within. The need to get up was strong. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing the golden fire right in front of him. He wants to move away from the fire but it feels like it was hypnotizing him.
“Jesper Strange, I know your origins,” the voice of a woman said. “The only way I am telling you is if you stand up and follow my voice.” She said coldly. The strength and command of her voice make him slowly moved into a sitting position.
“Who are you?” he now stood on his feet.
“You know who I am. Take the leap of courage and enter the black hole,” she challenged him.
“I don’t see anything.”
“Open your mind. The truth is in your shadows.”
Jesper closed his eyes, understanding he bled to death but somehow was alive. The moment his eyes opened the vortex was right in his face. About to recoil in shock, that was when he saw the disfigured silhouette of Grace. Her hand reach for him. “Jesper, find me.”