The Weirdos

63

Roderick was put to bed and Narcolepse went with Books and Skins into the library. They closed the doors and had a muffled conversation that Freak and Jasper had to sit out on. Freak was doing a puzzle at the kitchen table while Jasper made them some lunch.
"Do you think Roderick is going to be ok?"
Freak asked.
"Yeah. I think he'll be just fine. He just needs to rest."
"But he asked for help. Why do you think he asked for help? What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know. I wish I did, but I have no idea."
Jasper put a plate in front of Freak. He looked at the plate and frowned.
"I don't think I'm hungry after all."
"You should eat, anyway. Just half. I'll have the other."
Freak nodded and took half of the sandwich. Jasper picked up the other. When the two had finished the plate of food, Jasper took it back to the kitchen and cleaned up the mess. He had just stuck the plate in the dishwasher when Skins entered the room. Jasper looked at the woman.
"Snow, Books is asking for you. He's in the library with Narcolepse."
Jasper nodded and dried his hands, then went to the library. He walked in and closed the door, then looked at Books and Narcolepse. Books was standing with his hands on the table and eyes on the papers between his hands. Narcolepse was sitting at a different table, trembling.
"Snow, come here."
Jasper walked over to Books. He straightened and pointed down at the papers. They were sketches.
"Does any of this look familiar to you?"
He saw a burning house. A forest. A van on a road. He looked closer at the burning house and felt his blood run cold. 'Children at play all day. But the ground is on fire and the situation is dire. They will continue to play after it's all burned away.' Jasper could see shapes of children in the fire.
"Oh my god..."
He whispered. Books stared at him.
"What? What's the significance of this picture?"
Jasper looked at him.
"Roderick... He said something that painted a picture like this."
"Roderick did?"
"Yes."
Books looked over at Narcolepse and Jasper followed his gaze. Narcolepse looked back with tired eyes.
"I already gave you everything. I need sleep."
He stood and left the room. Jasper looked at Books.
"What's everything?"
"The pictures. The images he saw in his vision. He saw these and drew them from memory."
"Wow. That must've been terrifying..."
Books shrugged.
"You can go. I need some time to think."
Jasper didn't need to be told twice. He left the library.