The Seventh Crow

Part 34

I couldn't believe that Jesper was knowingly putting his father in the way of his mistakes. Interfering might make the situation worse, but Jesper looks like he needs a little pick me up. Maybe I should just ask if he is 100% sure he wants to do this.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I whisper to him.

"Where else are we going to go? We are wanted and I'm pretty sure my dad would help no matter what."

"You don't seem excited about that."
Jesper sighs. His inner conflict finally shows whether he likes it or not.

"He shouldn't have come to Ketterdam," he says after a moment. "I never wanted to wrap him up in my wrong doings."

"Like your gambling?"

"One of the many things."

He didn't say anything after that. I didn't know what to say, nor did he look like he wanted to talk about it. I suppose it doesn't matter. We need a place to stay, a place Kaz would know to look too. Unless Kaz could care less about what happened to any of us beside Kuwei (really only for his money.)

I fall back, letting Jesper lead the group and hang out with his own thoughts. He needs to decide what he will tell his father. There is absolutely no way he hasn't heard or seen what's been happening around town.

My gaze lands on one of the many wanted posters of our small little group. Granted minus Nina and my face.

"Is this how you felt when you were captured?" Matthias randomly asks. It takes me a second before I completely understand what he is referring to.

"Well I definitely didn't get a wanted poster," I laugh. He didn't think it was funny. "I can't believe you're a wanted man." I bump into Matthias' shoulder. Why is everyone in such a sour mood all of a sudden? "50,000 Kruge. That's a lot of Kurge."

"How did I end up here?"

"Followed your heart? A little treason? Want me to continue?"

"I think I got it."

"Lighten up, we made it out alive right? No one got hurt. Kaz will get his Kruge because Kuwei is still alive. You and Nina can go anywhere after this." I raised my voice so Jesper could hear me. "Who knows, maybe we all will get out of this! You all will get 5 million Kruge! That has to count for something?"

"I could pay off my gambling debt," Jesper said. "Pay my father back."

"Matthias? What will you do with your money?"

"Go wherever Nina is," he answers.

"That's so boring," Jesper and I say together.

"Gamble some of it," Jesper suggests.

"Or maybe live a little?" I suggest.

"I'd gamble everything," Kuwei states. "I have no use for Kruge."

"You can give it to me," Jesper said.

"Okay."

We start laughing. The mood is finally happy. No more overthinking for the moment. We are living in the moment. Something that I haven't done for a while. Something else I haven't done in a while is clean the dirt and strange smell off me.

"I honestly can't wait to clean this water off me," I say.

"You'll get a rash," Kuwei said.

I blink at Kuwei's statement. Never thought he could weird me out more, but apparently I should keep an open mind.