Different but Sane (11/?) Torchwood
Chapter Ten
Jack
Thomas let me go and stood up slowly. He turned around to face Ianto with the gun now pointing at his face. I tried to stand up but my mind suddenly felt frozen, a voice calling out for help. The voice sounded familiar but I was soon distracted by Thomas speaking to Ianto.
“So you’re the protective Ianto Jones.” Thomas sneered.
“Yes I am, have a problem with that?” Ianto asked with anger in his voice.
“No but you could put the gun down.” Thomas suggested but I heard Ianto cock the gun even closer to Thomas’ face.
The voice started to grow louder in my mind drowning out the rest of the conversation. I closed my eyes to concentrate on the voice, to figure out who it belonged to. It kept crying out for help, for my help which surprised me even further. I suddenly heard myself communicating with the voice by thought. Though it wasn’t the first time it had happened. The voice was panicky like it was a new experience for it.
“Please just help me Jack,” it yelled again, “I need you.”
I didn’t know what to say, how to calm the voice down. The voice started to scream, causing a massive headache to form in my mind. I felt two hands clamp on to the sides of my head and heard yelling in a welsh accent. Now I could hear the conversation.
“What’s wrong with him?” the welsh accent asked with anger.
“I don’t know,” an English accent answered, “But I can tell you I’m not responsible.”
“What?”
“I can read minds, this wasn’t supposed to happen but I got anxious and ran.”
“What do you mean you....?”
“I try not to use thoughts against people, I swore to that but my mood swings....” The English accent said before he was interrupted by something. “Oh god, James is cleverer than I thought.”
“What has he done?” I croaked, slowly opening my eyes.
“I don’t know but he’s certainly calling out for help.” Thomas replied pulling away his hands and standing up. He stepped back a bit. “He collapsed somewhere in the street.”
I stood up and grabbed Thomas roughly on the shoulders of his blue shirt. I noticed the fear in his eyes.
“Are you going to talk then?” I asked angrily.
“Yes, I’m sorry, believe me when I say I wasn’t going to hurt James.” He replied quite truthfully and seriously. “Without realising it he made me trust him.”
“How?” I asked letting him go.
“Sorry it’s personal,” He answered but I glared at him, “James’ little secret.”
I nodded and didn’t press further. James was entitled to privacy but somehow he had caused this without realising. I wasn’t angry at him and just wanted to know if he was safe. Ianto wasn’t sure what to do when I looked over at him. I walked over and surprised myself but giving him a hug in front of Thomas. Right now I just wanted to hold him. I looked over at Thomas.
“These mood swings, do they affect your mind reading?”
“Yes, they.....” He began but looked away towards the sky. “They carry me back to my old habits, I swore I would never.....”
“Calm down, strangely now I’m here to help.” I replied letting go of Ianto and walking over to Thomas. “Are they affecting you right now?”
He nodded, “Just stay away from me.”
I believed him but it didn’t stop me from putting a hand on his shoulder. This was a different man to the one I had met at the cafe. He was more friendly but scared about his gift. Further more he had helped me get rid of the voice inside my head. I realised he was scared of himself. That he wasn’t meant to be a monster.
“Please, I’m warning you.” He said looking into my eyes.
“Everything is going to be alright Thomas.” I assured him, “Just trust me.”
Thomas left my gaze and looked back at the sky. It wasn’t going to be easy.
“Jack!” A voice yelled from across the road. I looked over to see Martha Jones crouched down beside someone. “I’ve found James,” She continued to shout.
I ran across the road, praying that James was alright.