Head to Doe's

John awoke in a pool of sweat. Every inch of his body tingled, and his mind raced with the suddenness of the scenery change. He glanced around, taking in each aspect of his room…and breathed a short sigh of relief. Every night since he’d returned from his **** had ended like this. Always waking with fear, always dreading the sight he’d be confronted with. Never could he quite convince himself that it was all over.

After he’d risen from bed, the boy went about his usual morning tasks. Ate breakfast, listened to the radio, brushed his teeth, brushed his hair, and took a long, relaxing shower. Quite unusually, however, he hardly spoke a word to his family. That was another unfortunate change since he’d returned. Normally he was a quiet boy, but not with his family. They were some of the few people he could open up too. Now, though…now they just seemed as distant to him as every one else.

It didn’t take long to make up his mind on what to do for the day. It was a weekend, and as such he didn’t have to worry about school. On top of that, he had absolutely zero homework, so the weekend was his for the taking. He could only think of one person to spend it with, though: Doe, his best friend amongst what few he had. She always had the talent of cheering John up, and whittling away at the barriers he put up around himself. He could never have asked to find anyone better than her, in his own mind.

Taking his keys and popping into his old red Taurus, he fled the house with a few goodbyes, and headed for his friend’s. His only hope for the day was that her boyfriend Elex wasn’t around. The two (John and Elex) rarely got along, and only acted like it in Doe’s presence. Neither wished to lose her, after all.

After about a ten minute trip, John slowly pulled his car into Anna’s drive. Fortunately, Elex wasn’t there…