[April 15th, 2024]
"So, this is the place you were talking about, huh? This place is his home," James said, pointing at the building where Evan used to live.
"Yes, I think we can find some clues about where Evan might have gone," he replied as he walked through the main door of the building.
They encountered a man coming towards them and stopped him.
"Hello sir, could you tell us which apartment belongs to the landlord?" Rey inquired, knowing James's manner of questioning.
"Oh, I see. Go to apartment number 107; you'll find him there," the man replied in his aged voice before walking away.
"Thank you, sir, for your help," Rey said with a bow and proceeded to apartment number 107 with James.
"So, what exactly are we here for?" James asked a second time.
"Didn't you hear me before? I said we are here to find a clue," Rey stated, aware of Evan's whereabouts but also knowing that James and the others did not. He hoped to find something to prove that Evan had left only temporarily and was safe.
"Aren't you watching too many detective shows? You're starting to see yourself as one," James chuckled, with Aiden joining in the laughter in Rey's head.
"Can you both please shut up?" Rey addressed James and Aiden.
"Huh, both? There are just two of us here, Rey. Are you hallucinating?" James asked, showing his fingers.
"I'm okay, just a slip of the tongue," Rey replied, trying to cover his mistake.
"Okay, if you say so," James conceded and began searching for the apartment.
After a few seconds, they found it and knocked on the door.
"Coming," a female voice responded from inside, and the sound of footsteps followed.
A woman, seemingly in her fifties, opened the door.
"Yes, what do you want?" she inquired with a puzzled expression.
"Oh, we are here to inquire about Evan Windstone, who lives here," James explained.
"Oh, you're here for Evan, huh? Come inside so we can talk comfortably," she invited, stepping back into the apartment. The duo nodded and followed her inside.
"Please sit down while I prepare some drinks for you kids," she offered, moving towards the kitchen, but Rey stopped her.
"No, ma'am, we're just here to inquire about Evan, nothing more. Please allow us to ask some questions and we'll be on our way," Rey stated as the woman simply nodded and sat down in front of them.
"So, who are you boys, and why are you looking for Evan?" she asked, her expression one of anger, under the impression they were students who bullied Evan.
"We're Evan's friends, and we're here to see if he's alright since he hasn't been to school for several days," Rey explained, which seemed to alleviate the woman's anger, replacing it with a warm smile.
"Oh, you're his friends? I assumed you were bullies looking for him," she remarked, discarding the large bat that was beside her.
Both boys swallowed hard.
"Ah, I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Rossy, and I am Evan's mother and caretaker," Rossy said, introducing herself.
"So, you're his mother. May we ask where he is now?" James interjected promptly.
"Quite a straightforward kid huh. But sorry kids he is not here now as he leaved the country few days ago." Rossy said the truth which shocked James and even Rey as he thought why is she telling lie when Evan teleported away.
"Huh, when and why? He didn't even inform us about this, and I don't think he would leave without saying anything," James said in a rush, unable to believe that his friend could leave them without any explanation.
"James, lower your tone and let Mrs. Rossy finish speaking," Rey interjected, attempting to calm James down.
"Thank you. Yes, I was saying that a few days ago he mentioned his parents were here to take him, and he had explained everything to us," Rossy said, tears welling in her eyes.
"He left with his parents yesterday and may not return anytime soon," she continued, her voice breaking with emotion.
"We're sorry, miss, for the trouble," James and Rey said, trying to console her.
"It's okay, but he did leave a letter for both of you," she said, just as she was about to stand up, the door to the apartment swung open, and the same man who had shown them the way entered.
He saw Rossy crying and the two guys sitting in front of her.
"Hey, what are you doing with my wife?" he demanded as he moved to comfort her.
"What happened here? Why are you crying? You two, get out of my house before I call the police," the man shouted at them.
"No, sir, it's not li..." James started to explain, but Rey stopped him.
"Let's go. We now know that Evan is safe and sound, and I'm sure he'll contact us when he remembers," Rey said, and they both prepared to leave when...
"Kids, stop. Honey, they didn't do anything. I was just crying because of Evan, nothing else. They are his friends who came here to ask about him, and I was about to give them the letter," she explained, and with that, Jason understood the situation and stopped them.
"Okay then, give them the letter. And don't cry; that boy didn't even wait to say goodbye and left like a stranger, so why should we cry?" Jason said with anger, yet his eyes were red and glittering.
"Take this letter from that stingy boy and get out. Never come back here again," Jason commanded as he threw the letter at them and went inside the room.
Rey picked up the letter from the ground and patted it to remove the dust.
"I'm sorry, kids. He's just angry because he didn't get the chance to say goodbye. That's why he's lashing out, but I know he's kind at heart," Rossy said with a worried look, glancing at the door behind which Jason had disappeared.
"No, it's okay, ma'am. We understand he's not okay right now," they replied.
Rosy entered the room to console Jason. Afterwards, they both left the apartment and started heading outside to find a better place to read the letter.
Elsewhere, Jonny and his group arrived at a building guarded by some tough-looking individuals standing in front of a room.
"Hi, I want to meet your boss," Jonny said to the man guarding the door.
"Okay, I'll inform him first. If he agrees, then you can meet him," the guard replied and walked inside.
A few minutes later, the guard came out and nodded at Jonny.
"But only you can enter; your friends must wait outside. The boss doesn't like a crowd in his room," he instructed, and Jonny nodded, signaling his friends to wait outside.
He entered the room where the lit was dim and in front of him a cool villain type looking guy was sitting while two gorgeous girls were sitting beside him with glass of alco.hol.
"Hello, Boss Vito, I'm here to present a job offer to your group," Jonny stated, diving straight into the matter.
"Ah, my old customer, huh? Come, come, I was informed you'd be visiting again," Vito said as he gestured for Jonny to sit beside him.
"Here, have a drink with me, friend. Did you appreciate my previous work?" Vito inquired, while the woman next to him poured a glass for Jonny, who accepted it as he was already a drinker.
"Yes, that's precisely why I'm here—to propose another job," Jonny replied, taking a sip.
"Alright then, tell my guy outside the name and picture, and the payment should be upfront, right?" Vito said in a raised voice.
"Yes, once the job is done, send your man, and I'll give him the twenty thousand dragon points," Jonny confirmed as he began to leave.
"Where are you going? Have another with me, brother," he said, raising his glass.
"No, today is my last day of school, and I'm going to party all night with my classmates. Next time," he replied and walked away.
After his departure, Vito's mood shifted once more.
He reverted to his serious demeanor from the previous goofy expression.
"Hah, it's so hard to act in front of this high rich smart as* kids but they are a fat pig ready to be slaughtered then why should I back away to take mine piece of meat. So, let's see who become the goat this time." He said as he jumped on the girls who beside him and all of you know what happened after that, so I don't need to tell. (;[))
Jonny, who was unaware of the situation, felt a surge of happiness thinking his adversary would soon face a significant hospital stay.
-- To be continued --
Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well. Don't worry, the real journey for this and my other novel is about to start. So, hold onto your seats, fasten your belts, and prepare for the incredible adventure of Rey and Evan.