Cryptic (A Calum Hood Fanfiction)

Chapter #35

Casper's POV:

"A suicide? No, I have a plan in my head and I don't like altercations that will complicate," Mr. Dannnings declines April's request immediately and I look at her with an 'I told you so' expression and simply shrug. But of course, she's not going to give up without a fight.

"Mr. Dannings, don't you see? A boating accident will raise suspicion and then you'll have to worry about the boat and bodies of the other passengers. A suicide will keep things simpler and it'll be the more believable story. Then, I can write a letter to my parents explaining my decision and say goodbye. Sure, it's a really fucked up goodbye, but it's all I've got so I'm going to take it with a smile on my face. See? I'm making compromises, I'm accepting the truth and my fate, but this needs to be a give-and-take process for me to fully commit," she reasons.

"Let's not forget who this process is beneficial towards. Last I checked, I'm doing you a favor, granting you your freedom and all, but it's never enough, is it April?" He challenges.

"You know how grateful I am towards you, but this means a lot to me; can you at least take it into consideration?" She pleas.

"Fair enough," Mr. Dannings nods. "Casper, what did you want to speak to me about?" He turns to me, changing the subject.

"I want to come into contact with my dad; a name at the very least would be nice," I sigh.

----

April's POV:

Mr. Dannings makes eye contact with me right away and I look away to avoid his cold-stone gaze. "What made you come to this conclusion all of a sudden?" Mr. Dannings starts. "You've never shown any interest in your father before."

Casper bounces his knee up and down in an anxious motion, "April is the one who encouraged me; she brought up the idea and it sparked my interest. I want to get to meet him before we move away and get to say the goodbye I didn't get the chance to say when he left my mum. Hell, I was still in the womb when he left. Do you think you can be of any help?"

Mr. Dannings's lips form into a stern, straight line, "I'm afraid not."

Casper licks his lips, "Please, Mr. Dannings, I don't know who else to turn to. I know it sounds pathetic and I shouldn't care, but I can't live with the curiosity eating away at me and I can't die without even a name."

Mr. Dannings shakes his head, "I'm sorry, I wish I could help, Casper, but I don't feel comfortable with this or getting involved in such a matter." And then he adds, "If your father wished to get to know you or had any interest in you, he'd have contacted you himself; you shouldn't dwell on such ridiculous subjects." I want to speak up, but I know it's not my place so I sit there feeling helpless.

"I guess you're right. It was a foolish idea, wasn't it? And besides, who needs a father when I have a father figure like you to look up to?" Casper shrugs, playing with the collar of his shirt. The color drains from Mr. Dannings's face and for once, he looks as if he's at a loss for words.

He recovers quickly though and nevertheless, retorts, "I'm flattered, Casper... Truly. And I apologize that I won't be of any assistance in your search of your father."

Casper shrugs again, "It's okay, you're right; this is a lost cause and it's only going to end in disappointment." He stifles a laugh, "I should quit while I still have some dignity left." I take Casper's hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze, feeling guilty for getting him so invested and excited in the thought of getting to have a relationship with his father. I thought Mr. Dannings would take initiative and tell Casper the truth; do the right thing, but I guess I thought wrong.

"C'mon, Casper," I stand, giving Mr. Dannings a disappointed look. "We should get back to packing." Casper stands, too, and we start for the door.

Just as we're walking through, Mr. Dannings calls, "Wait!" We both turn around. "I can't promise you anything else, but I can give you a name," he says to Casper.

"Okay," Casper nods eagerly.

"Lance Dannings," Mr. Dannings announces. "I'm your father, Casper."

Author's Note;

This is a short chapter, but an update is an update ;))

Next chapter will be much longer and speaking of, there's only going to be a few chapters left of Cryptic! BUT, I have a phenomenal idea for a sequel !

-Carly