The Darkness in the Light

Chapter Sixteen

"What's it matter, Joe? She's no threat to anyone here. I can give you my word, if hers isn't enough."

"No, no, I don't see a threat. I see someone who feels at odds with her world. You're wandering around pointlessly not feeling like you'll ever fit in. But you can, and you will. If you're worried about singing because you'll be figured out, don't worry about it. I've already discovered you're a little extra to just human, and I don't care in the slightest. No one is going to complain when they're dancing the night away. We don't complain about him, and he can't even sing. And you've a prettier face."

Joe stuck his thumb in Jax's direction, and despite the small smile I managed, I suddenly felt very, very tired.

"Joe, you're amazing, and I love your opportunity and the fact that you're so accepting of me, even when you have no idea who I really am. That is more comfort than I ever could have asked for, to know at least one person isn't here to judge. But I don't think I'm ready to sing for everyone yet. Maybe one day, but not yet."

"Fair enough, fair enough. I just had to make sure you knew that I wanted you on the team. Old fellow here can't keep you all to himself. Though he seems downright hard trying at it."

Jax smiled sheepishly, ducking the old man's glance. Though really, who was the old man between them? Jax had been around when Joe was in nappies.

"Now, this here's my tent where I conduct my business, so if you ever change your mind swing by, eh? Or just swing by anyway, ain't not pretty faced monsters going to scare ol' Joe off any time soon. And if you want to keep your business your business, I suggest not chatting out here where me and the rest of us gossipers are lurking. Speaking of gossip, there's a meet at sunset?"

Joe looked at Jax, who nodded.

"It's no gossip. Spread the word."

"And what's the word I'm spreading? No one has a clue what it's about."

"There's a reason for that. Joe, as much as you love being one of the first in on the scoop, please just trust that I'm avoiding a panic by keeping everyone in the dark until tonight."

"Yes, old man leader sir, I'll trust you. That and you've got less than an hour til I found out. Even impatience like mine can wait that long."

"Thanks Joe."

They nodded to each other, and then Joe disappeared inside the tent. Jax moved over to me, grabbing my arm and urging me forward.

"I should have known better than to talk outside his tent. I thought our conversation was boring enough to get away with it."

"Jax?" I asked, making him focus on me rather than peering back over his shoulder at Joe's tent.

"Yeah?"

"Do you feel old?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you don't look old. But do you feel old? Like you look at Joe, and he seems so much older than you, but he's not. I just wonder if even ancient humans seem childish to you."

He thought about it for a moment, but after a second he still didn't answer, at least not right away.

"Let's go somewhere away from all the Joes of the world," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me close. Closer than I expected. I inhaled sharply as I looked up at his smile. His hand was on the small of my back, palm open against my shirt as he pulled me tight to his chest. Darkness swirled and the world turned to black, but he was still as illuminated as ever as I looked into his dark eyes.

"No, I don't feel old," he said, his eyes falling from mine down to my lips. My heart began to race, and I started to question my own thoughts. Why did his age matter to me?