Death Wish (Jack)

[Layla Harlow]

Dreams were freaky things sometimes.

Layla was happy to be rid of that God awful feeling of plants reaching out at her. It gave her a new fear of dehydration and being dismembered. Seriously some of those plants were paranoid as fuck. She figured they would at least be happy because ya know, hippies were happy and hippies liked plants so it just seemed like plants should be happy like hippies! But boy had she been wrong. *Shudders*. But she hadn't been the only one who got mindfucked by whatever the hell had happened. Jack seemed to be pretty crazed by it too. Conspiracies, yeah. Right. Sure at the time it seemed plausible, but now that she thought about it, she sounded like a fucking patient at an insane asylum.

She decided that after her insane little spurt of paranoia in the form of her own imagination, she should treat herself to some shopping time. Halloween was coming around in the next month and she needed things for her party and her hawt costume that she planned on displaying for her...uhm, whatever he was. She just hoped she'd get the desired effect of the costume. When she found it, it had been absolutely perfect and after finding makeup ideas, well, she'd been hooked. The plan was to get Riley to dress up like Batman because...damn that'd be hot. With her luck though, she could never tell what would come of the plan. For all she knew, he wouldn't even want to show up to her party because it was a social gathering. But she hoped.

Looking around Hot Topic, she plucked different eyeshadows, lip glosses and hair dyes. Green makeup with red streaks. She was going to look like Poison Ivy if she had anything to say about it. And she'd wow everyone with the costume. Layla stood there, debating on which dye to go with, pondering over what would turn out best in her hair and which would piss her parents off more. She settled for bright red and smirked, they were going to be so mad. Just as she turned she spotted someone familiar and smiled before giving him a wave. Speaking of her fellow psychopath.

[Jack McCarthy]

How the hell did he end up make in this shit heap? If he felt a little stressed out why didn’t he just get a drink or go to a local club or go to his “Office” by the lake? Or why didn’t he do the other millions apon millions of other things he enjoy to do instead of going back to this store that had only a very poor top hat selection.

The last few days, had been a tad stressful. For one thing he kept having this weird reoccurring nightmare, he couldn’t remember much about it, something about ferrets and showers and for what ever reason killer trees. Odd.

But along with freaky dreams, Jack had to contend with the fact that the upcoming Halloween dance was coming shortly. Oh how he despised these things, why did the whole dance-date thing have to be such a formal affair. At first he’ll Jack thought it’ll sort itself out. After all he was quite charismatic and dapper young gentleman. He was confident that there would be mobs of women begging him to be their date, but then it turns out in the states there a weird protocol where the man asked the girl out. What was up with that shit? Jack activity avoided being the one to make the first move, he didn’t enjoy about himself out there like that and he thought it made him seem needy. Besides who would he even ask? Astley hated his guts, for what even reason. Brooke would rip off his balls in he even went near her, and Rya? No way would she give her the satisfaction or having Jack ask her out…hell no!

Maybe he would feel better if he bought a shirt or something….he didn’t know it worked for girls why couldn’t it work for him?

He spent a few minutes wandering around the store aimlessly, when he saw Layla wave cheerily up at him and he began to feel a little better. He really enjoyed Layla’s company, unlike most people Jack actually enjoyed Layla’s company, she didn't take herself as seriously as everyone else seemed to do and he felt at ease around her, of course didn’t hurt her case that she was certainly striking in the physical appearance arena. That’s when it hit him. Layla, of course! Why didn't he think of it before, she would be the perfect person to bring.

Jack walked over to Layla with a small smile on his face. “Long time no see…”

[Layla Harlow]

Being a non-powered girl, she didn't know any of the events that went on at Hammel so she was oblivious to the dance that would be going on. If she had, she'd probably be bugging Riley nonstop about it because she loved going to social events. Especially when there were metas involved. Anyone who knew her knew that she was a little meta-obsessed, but she didn't think it was that big of a deal. It was mainly because of her infatuation with superheroes. And because her parents hated them so much, but that was beside the point. Or was it?

When she spotted Jack, she got all flail-happy and was actually surprised at the fact that she really had wanted to see him. He was one of the few powered friends that she had. One of the few powered people she knew for that matter. It was mostly just Riley that she hung out with and on occasion there was Sophie's boytoy, but she didn't know him all that well. To find metas around was always fun, especially when they fed into her thirst for knowledge about them. Jack indulged her when they had first met and she appreciated that a lot.

"You're tellin' me! How've you been, hun?" She asked with a smile as she went to hug him. It was kind of the way she was. Very affectionate despite the fact that she hated a lot of people. Then again, she was only affectionate when she did like them, so it wasn't all that common for her to go around hugging people. Jack should count himself lucky. "Dude! I had this wicked dream the other day and you were in it! You were like so fucking crazy, too. It was hilarious." She laughed.

[Jack McCarthy]

Ok, Jack would be willing to admit that he enjoyed the sensation of Layla hugging him more then he should considering she had a boyfriend Jack saw at her friend’s party…and that boyfriend in question was like a foot taller then Jack and had a clear look in his eyes that said “If anyone even looks in Layla I’m going to skin him, and I’m going to enjoy it” but that didn’t stop Jack from returning her hug with gusto and giving her a dazzling smile to match her own, because he enjoyed hanging around her and Damn the consequences!

But Jack was somewhat encouraged by discovering that he’s been on Layla’s mind, even if it was in quite an odd way, in fact it was downright freaky. Her description of the way he acted in her dreams, almost completely mirrored Jack’s dreams. He assumed that Lalya was nonpowered but now…was something power-ry happening here? Was Layla in Jack’s head? Was she starting to develop some kind of power? That seemed to be the logical explanation to what the well was going on.

“Ummm…ok…weird question; Did this dream happen to include…trees? Besides from me being shirtless, ripped muscular body glistening, while I ride on a flying unicorn with my long hair flowing majestically in the wind…you know how I usually appear in girls dreams.”

[Layla Harlow]

Everyone always mistook Riley for being this monster of a person. No one really got to see the side of him that she did. Granted, she kind of liked that because it made her feel special and like a total badass, but she wasn't sure how anyone could feel intimidated by him. He was just so soft-hearted and sweeeet. Like one giant teddy bear that she just wanted to cuddle with all the time. Nope, he was definitely the farthest thing from intimidating to her. She liked to think she had some kind of hold over him that made all of the scary things about him moot in her case. Then again, even she knew that he had a switch that could be flipped from teddy bear to douche-canoe in one fell swoop. She smiled wider at him and laughed at his enthusiasm. What could she say, Jack was pretty awesome in his own right.

If only she could be developing some kind of mental power. It was just so unfair to be teased like that through her dreams. But she didn't want some hippie do-da ability like Plant feelings and control. No thanks. Layla was especially freaked by the idea of plants trying to reach out for her now. She didn't even dare go through the grass at her house anymore. Nope, with her luck, the grass would trip her and try to eat her soul. Creepy plants. "Ohmygod, yes! The trees were like reaching out after me and trying to hit me and stuff. It was fucked up, dude. But no, you were not ripped and your hair didn't flow in the wind. Sorry, bro."

She nudged him and laughed, "So how have you been? How's life as a superhero?" Because she totally loved everything about meta-life and always wanted to know the juicy details of what it was like. Honestly, sometimes she wished that she could go surprise attack Riley at the school so he could take her around and show her. It wasn't like she would stick out like a sore thumb or anything. Metas looked like normal people. She'd just have to work out before hand to be super hot and pass off as a pyro or sit in a freezer for a while to be a cryokinetic. Yup, totally fool-proof plan. Layla just wished that her parents would let her explore the world of metas a little bit more. They lived as far from Hammel as possible and it was a pain walking there to snoop around outside. One day, she was going to be a meta scientist and just study all of the abilities she possibly could.

Nope, that wouldn't happen either, she was not nearly smart enough for that.

[Jack McCarthy]

Ok. This was getting really weird now…

What Layla described was note for note what Jack remembered his dream to be like, almost exactly! So yeah, this was seriously confusing to Jack. Wild ideas and theories chased themselves around and around his head trying to figure out how was this possible. Maybe Layla was telepathic and some how got logged in Jack’s head. Jesus thank god, the dream was the only thing she saw, Believe it or not Jack’s head was certainly a fucked up place to be.

Take Jack’s word for it. He has to live there every single day.

“Umm…Layla”Jack said fingering the ever present celtic cross around his neck unsure how to approach such a bizarre subject.”Can I blow your mind right now? I’m pretty sure I had the same dream, like exactly the same dream? Quick, what I’m I thinking about right now?” Jack asked as he allowed one clear thought to penetrate his mind

Testicles, testicles testicles, testicles….

Once he got over the shock, he reattached his usual easy going grin to his face and answered Layla’s question but in mid answer, an idea suddently occurred to him as to how he could solve this Halloween problem out.

“Yeah, you know same old same old, just doing…super hero shit. Solving crimes, beating the crap out of bad guys, being chased down my crazies….and that was just a Monday, and I”

Jack suddenly broke off in mid sentence and rolled his eyes, and let out what appeared to be for all intents and purpose a resigned sigh

“Ok fine….I’ll bring you to this Halloween dance thing, already. Just stop asking me already, I’ve got to admire your balls. I mean I told you no like a million times but you just kept asking and asking me, leaving me texts, phone calls, spelling my name out in blood on my dorm room walls was a bit unnecessary, but what can I say? You wore me down.”

[Layla Harlow]

"How the fuck should I know? Probably something about your balls," Because he was a teenage guy and they were always thinking about their manhood. No matter how small it was, not that she was going to go there...not with him at least. Talk about awkward. "But seriously, I'm like fucking freaked out by trees now. I just can't even, no. Not that I was into that hippy shit before, but now? Fuck no to gardening." Good thing her parents didn't trust her with theirs anyway. They knew she'd probably water the plants with Monster or some shit.

Layla listened to him as he went on about his day and life and she nodded with a smile. She was seriously so jealous of metas. They didn't even realize. Even after her dream she would still have loved to be one...just nothing to do with plants. Fire, yes. She could do fire. Or even being able to move things with her mind or talk to people through her mind and read other's thoughts. That would be bad ass. Plants could eat a dick as far as she was concerned. Hell to the no.

He let out a sigh and he arched an eyebrow at him. Halloween dance? Dafuq? She laughed at the details of 'her' harassment and shook her head. "I'm a master at wearing others down, don't take it too personally. But seriously, Halloween dance? At the Institute?" Riley hadn't mentioned anything about it... She tried not to let that bother her. She knew he wasn't much into social outtings, but maybe she could convince him like he had to go to Sophie's party.

Unlikely as it was, she could always tell him that she'd already gotten asked.

[Jack McCarthy]

There was seriously twilight zone shit going on here.

Clearly some time in the last month, reality branched off into a alternative reality where Jack had no powers, and was driven insane by that fact and Layla had some kind of control over nature, but somehow both their memories were wiped and their minds tricked them into thinking that these events were all but dreams.

….Naa that was just stupid!

The real solution was obvious…

“I know, this is going to sound insane but I’m almost certain that you’re some kind of witch, that crawled into peoples dreams.

Jack suddenly clicked his fingers together as if an idea suddenly occurred to him.

“Maybe we can make some dosh out of that, I say once I’m done in Hammel, you and me go to mexico, and charge the locals 100 dollars a pop for a private meeting with Madam Layla”

Not that Jack needed the money or anything, you would be amazed how many 10 dollars bills people leave on the ground on a daily basis. In reality he was just looking for an excuse to leave the shitty school. Ok, maybe Mexico was a little too extreme of a solution, but hey! A guy can dream right?

“Sure! Candy! Jack-o-lateens, women in tight sexy costumes….y’know? Your typical Halloween party, I figure the old school might actually be fun for a chance. Course I still need to get a costume, but I’m working on it. You in?”

[Layla Harlow]

"If that is true, then this is definitely the first I'm hearing of it. Shit, dude, if my parents find out they're gonna burn my at the fuckin' stake or some shit." Fuck, if she was a witch that'd be so badass! Yet so bad, ah who cared? She could blow shit up with her mind right? Man that'd be helpful in some cases. She wouldn't mind blowing her parents' house up with her mind. Seriously, they had enough money to get another one and make it just as fucking fancy.

His idea made her snort and she shook her head, "Hell no. Mexico is nasty, bro. Can't we go to like New Orleans, with all that crazy voodoo shit down there it'd totally sell." And it was absolutely beautiful down there. Layla definitely wouldn't have minded traveling after high school. She didn't know if it would ever happen, alone or otherwise.

And that Halloween Dance sounded awesome, it really did. But Jack was just a friend and if Riley found out...well he'd be a dead friend. As much as Layla would have liked to hang out with Jack in that setting, she knew it wasn't right. "It sounds awesome, it does. And if you need help with a costume, I would love to help out, but I can't go with you. My boyfriend...thing would probably freak out and when he loses it, it's really not a pretty sight. But you know, I'm throwin' a party of my own the first weekend of November if you wanna swing by?"

Because she'd feel awful if she totally shot him down.

[Jack McCarthy]

Jack smirked as he mused a little on Layla’s comment about her parents freaking out about her powers. That kind of reaction sounded quite familiar. “Something tells me, your folks and my Dad should go out some time, to a Nazis rally. Or at the very least one hell of a threesome.”

Jack shuddered slightly at that quite disturbing and horrifying mental image, curse his disgusting mind for putting awful pictures in his mind, oh shit! Because Layla was apparently could read minds now, she most likely got that picture at full blast. Ohhhh…that’ll mess her up big time “Oh, Yeah…sorry about that” Jack said awkwardly “I’ll try to watch what I think around you, from now on…here, let me make it up to you” Jack tried to focus purely on a image of a cute kitten made of cotton candy riding a rainbow…in space. “Does that help?” Jack said earnestly.

Jack grin slipped slightly as she said no, to Jack’s offer…well, he wasn’t expecting that, not at all, and what was that blunt feeling in Jack’s stomach that felt like he was just punched in the gut…was he emotionally hurt by this? Jack quickly shook the idea out of his head, fuck that noise. Why should he care about some girl not going to dance with him, There was no way he would take that hard, last time Jack checked he wasn’t a 13 year old girl, he probably just ate something that disagreed with him. That had to be it, right?

…Right….

He was a little disturbed by the fact that the only reason she wouldn’t go was because of her boyfriend, what kind of freak is so paranoid, that he won’t let his girlfriend out on a simple night of innocent fun.

“Oh…yeah…sure…I would love to swing by your party…wait? I met your boyfriend at that party at the start of the year right? Built like nosferatu? Haircut like a serial killer? Dead shark eyes? That’s him right?”

Jack seemed to have reinvigorated himself as he got an idea how he can still make this work in his favour.

“Oh, don’t worry about him! I’ll tell you what; I’ll talk to old shark eyes, ok? Once he realizes I’m a fine upstanding member of society, he’ll have to fold. Trust me I have a way with people, I’m oozing charisma. Just give him a flash of the old McCarthy charm and were golden”

[Layla Harlow]

"Ew! Why the fuck would you go there!" She shuddered and tried not to gag. Seriously, her parents screwing was one thing, but a threesome? With Jack's dad? That was just...disturbing on so many levels. "You're seriously so fucked up in the mind to be thinking that sort of shit," She laughed and shook her head, trying to clear it from the mental assault she just went through.

When he started spouting off things like watching what he was thinking, she rolled her eyes and snorted, "As awesome as it would be to have an ability, I'm pretty sure I'm still stuck being normal. I mean don't you guys like get your superpowers when you go through puberty? All those funny changes and then BAM powers?" At least from what she'd read up that's what it seemed like. She could just imagine those awkward talks with parents. 'Mommy, Daddy, why is there hair here? And why can I set things on fire with my brain?' Yup, priceless.

Layla really did feel bad for rejecting him. It wasn't easy because she new that going with Jack would be a great time and that she'd no doubt get into some serious trouble that would lead to a set of pissed off parents. Still, it didn't seem fair to Riley. He may not have been interested in the school dance, but there was still her party. And she didn't want to make him mad at her enough that he'd just ditch her completely. Despite the promise made, she still wouldn't be surprised if he got up and walked out on her one day. The thought was unpleasant and she had to take a deep breath as to not let it completely drag her down. She had to focus on Jack now anyway. The poor guy looked kind of shocked.

Laughing at his description of Riley, she nodded, "Yeah that's him. He looks scarier than he is though." Well...at least to her.

His sudden enthusiasm caught her off guard and she frowned. McCarthy charm plus Riley...talk about disaster. She could only imagine how well that would go over. With her luck though, he wouldn't even go off on Jack, he'd pick a fight with her because she was the one attracting other guys. Right. "Uhm, that's not such a good idea. Riley isn't really a..people person. In fact, he kind of doesn't get along with anyone. It might be a good idea to just let it go. I mean we can totally dance at my party, just...yeah.." She trailed off and messed with her hair in a nervous way.