Hidden but in plain sight

Short Story # 2

Jeremy

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Maybe it was the glossed over expression in the eyes, or the unnatural twitch emanating from the corners of his mouth, but whatever the cause, the look on Jeremy's face was disturbing beyond anything I had ever witnessed. His skin was oily, as if he'd been splashed with cooking oil. His eyes were wide, jaundiced, and protruding slightly from the sockets. His mouth was stuck in the form of a smile through clenched teeth, as if he'd been frozen in the pose for an awkward family photo, but was unable to change the expression. though obviously a cursory glance would have suggested a happy visage, but because you couldn't help but stare for longer, even after a few seconds the terror screamed from within him.
He was sitting in his chair, arms stuck down and along the length, back straightened, and hands in the midst of a death grip. His clothes; a flannel shirt and blue jeans, were drenched in sweat.
I tried to stir him, even to help stand him up, but to no avail, he was anchored. Nothing I could do would alter the situation, not even in the slightest. I called everyone I could think of, and I even a few I didn't, as I flipped through his little black book; locating the members of his friends and family.
I didn't know what to do. When I called for an ambulance they thought I was playing a prank and refused to send someone, so I called the news station, with a ridiculous story about trapped in his own home after he caught fire to it. Soon, too soon it seemed, everyone began to come. His parents and siblings, his friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, first and second, ex-girlfriends, co-workers, and eventually the camera crew from the news station. When the crew realized there wasn't a fire they were about to leave, but didn't when they saw all of the commotion.
Jeremy was about to be famous, whether he wanted to or not. It seemed like everyone wanted to try and move him, but as if by some unseen force not even the chair would budge a single inch. The cameras were placed and some snooty reporter, in his blue blazer, began to check his appearance with the camera man. Filming the whole thing, and because of the numerous calls from the neighbors, eventually the police came, and shortly after, an ambulance. So that nearly the last to arrive were the two overly optimistic and happy looking EMT's.
After a cursory check, the paramedics said that Jeremy was alive, but barely. Since they couldn't move him they called the fire department, who immediately began to tear down his wall, opening a space large enough for Jeremy and his chair. A tow truck operator had been called and a winch tied to the chair, but it wouldn't budge, nothing seemed to move him.
Everyone seemed at a loss as to what should be done. Minutes passed and people were dumbstruck. Those minutes turned to hours, the hours to days, days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years.
To this day we find Jeremy stuffed in his chair, not moving, with a look of terror perpetually on his face, hidden behind a smile.

(For the updated story check out Introverted Mobility which will be posted soon check back if you want to see the result of my OFFICIAL DOUBLE DOG DARE. )