Last week when we left Jonah, he was settling into his new hut. Let’s check in and see if he’s making progress toward getting off the island.
JONAH – PART 9
Tidus came and went. Jonah never knew when the kid would show up, but he always came bearing some sort of gift each time. Jonah now had a more comfortable abode that made daily survival less stressful. And, it had been days since he’d seen the fanged beasts. Jonah was sure that was due to the frequent visits from Tidus.
He’d scoffed when Tidus mentioned that the bigger hut and more comfortable surroundings allowed him the time he needed to focus on himself and do the work the Wise Ones had demanded of him.
Jonah finished “The Four Agreements,” and started on “The Dark Side of the Light Chasers.”
He now understood the purpose of the journal.
At the end of Chapter Two, he tackled the exercises.
Question #1: What are you most afraid of?
Jonah thought long and hard. He chewed on the end of the pencil. He didn’t have many fears. He’d spent years making sure others feared him. Okay. Skip that one. Next.
Question #2: What aspects of my life need transforming?
That answer required no thought. He needed to get off this godforsaken island and back to his turf.
Question #3: What do I want to accomplish by reading this book?
Same answer – to get off this godforsaken island.
Question #4: What am I most afraid of that someone else will find out about me?
He sat back on his haunches. He didn’t much care what others thought of him. That hadn’t been important. Okay. Skip that one too. Next.
Question #5: What am I most afraid of in finding out about myself?
He reached for a small mirror Tidus had brought on his last visit. He stared at his reflection. He’d always been told he was handsome with his dark eyes and hair. But the man looking back at him in the mirror had aged. While he’d worked daily to stay in good physical condition, had he let his mind get soft? Was that what he was afraid to discover? That beneath the hard exterior beat a soft heart? That bit of information would tarnish his reputation for sure.
He laid the mirror aside and read the next question.
Question #6: What is the biggest lie I’ve ever told myself?
He knew the answer but, refused to write it down. He hated this kind of stuff.
Question #7: What is the biggest lie I’ve ever told someone else?
The answer to both questions were the same.
He closed his eyes and went back to that dark alley where he first killed. The scene unfolded in his mind. The look on the boy’s face. The begging and pleading. The jeers from others who stood by. A tear squeezed its way out of the corner of his eye and ran down his cheek. He hadn’t wanted to do it, but if he’d backed down then, he would’ve lost their respect. No one had seen him retching behind a trash can a few minutes later after they’d all moved on down the street. No one had seen him curled up in the fetal position crying, regretting. If he could take it all back.
He jumped to his feet and stripped off as he ran straight to the murky water. It didn’t matter that the gray mud sucked his toes down or that the stench attacked his nostrils. A strong urge to wash away the memory was all that mattered. He put his head under and swam back and forth until exhausted, he pulled himself up on land.
Tidus ran to meet him. “Are you okay, Jonah?”
Jonah growled. “Go home, kid.”
“Let me help.” Tidus placed a hand on Jonah’s shoulder.
Jonah shoved his hand away and yelled. “I said go home. I don’t need any help. I just need to get off this shit hole of an island!”
Tidus stumbled backward. He turned to leave, then stopped. “At this rate, you’ll never get to leave.” He dropped something at Jonah’s feet. “Here. I brought you this.”
Then he turned and ran.
Jonah stared at the object hating himself with every ounce of energy he had. The Wise Ones had been wrong. There was nothing about him that was worth saving.
He picked up the soft leather pouch.
Writing and Music 
Jan, that was a powerful section. I’m sorry I’m late chiming in with comments. Hubby and I have been out of town on vacation, and I’m playing catch-up.
The emotion you conveyed in this segment pulled at my heart. Not only am I wondering what Tidus brought for Jonah, but I’m also now emotionally involved in Jonah’s past….and I feel bad for Tidus who seems like he only wants to help. Very well done. I’m looking forward to more!
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Yay! The fact that the story is making you feel anything at all is music to my author ears. 🙂 Hope you had a fabulous vacation!! Hugs!
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It was fantastic. Now I just need to catch up with everything I missed, LOL. Looking forward to more of Jonah’s story. It’s really developing 🙂
{{hugs}}
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Man, this is bringing back memories of my early days with my shaman teacher. “What you refuse to look at controls your life.” I hope Jonah does an about-face ~ and soon! ❤
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Me too, Tina. Someone thinks he is worth saving. Thanks for stopping by.
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I don’t think the Wise Ones will be too pleased with Jonah’s answers — or rather with him skipping questions. Vivid and intriguing, Jan. Hugs!
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Right, Teagan. He is learning, but not very fast. 🙂
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I’ve said that sometimes I get subtle signs… but the Universe usually has to hit me over the head with something before I get the message. 😉
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Can’t wait for next week.
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Thanks, Craig. It’s coming together and Jonah is starting to understand what he has to do.
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All of it wants to come out of him and he is feeling bad for things he has done. A bit it of progress and I can’t wait to learn more about him. I am enjoying how this is unfolding.
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Thank you, Denise. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
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He’s a tough cookie – or at least he wants everyone to think he is. We shall see. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
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ALL RIGHT Jan! I loved the questions and can’t wait for the answers. Come on, Jonah cough up the truth.
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This is bringing up tears of understanding…
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Thank you, Annette! Hugs!
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Another interesting chapter. Wow! Now, I’m wondering what is in the leather pouch. I suspect it’s something that belonged to that boy he killed. Wow! I can’t wait to find out. You have me on the edge of my seat and that’s no joke. Love you, sister!
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Thank you, sister. We’ll find out next week what is in the pouch. Jonah is starting to make small discoveries and that is the whole purpose of his isolation. Thank you for following the story. I love you!
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More! More! ♥
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Okay. Okay! Patience. 🙂
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Wah! Wah! I want it NOW! Wah! Wah! ♥
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You’ve hooked me. 🤔 Happy Sunday!
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Thank you, Linda. I am so happy that you stopped by.
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Oh Wow, Jan! Now we know a few more secrets about Jonah, but with the secrets comes more questions. I’m loving this. You’ve definitely been intriguing us weekly, but this weeks was the most revealing, intriguing, and mind blogging. Oh I’m so hooked.
Hope you’re feeling better.
Love you, Happy Early Easter.
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Yay!! I’m so thrilled that the story has you intrigued. 🙂 I love writing! It makes my heart happy. I am doing good and hope you are too. Happy Easter to you too, my dear! Hugs!
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