The Redemption of Stingy Jack

Chapter Seventeen

Lyn opened the door, and Cole's face met her. Her face was expressionless, and she wasn't sure she could say the same about Cole. She hadn't let him come in yet, allowing him to stand on the porch. He was in a patterned denim jacket and a pair of jeans, and if Lyn and he were still on speaking terms, she'd have complemented him. She took her eyes off his dress, and focused on his face. He didn't just drive all the way here to show off his clothes.

"Look, I'm sorry..."

"For what, exactly?" Lyn attacked.

"It was just a stupid bet between me and my friends to get down with you to prove my A-game, but I'm so over that because I don't think I wanna—"

"A what? A bet?" Lyn's eyebrows drew together. A first faint trace of irritation in her eyes.

"I'm sure... creepy head would have blabbered it all to you..." Cole’s gaze faltered and fell, looking down.

Lyn knew who he was referring to and she slightly looked over her shoulder while still guarding her front door. It was at that moment that realization dawned on her. She was just... a bet? Cole had been trying to have sex with her because he wanted to fulfil a bet? And Maud knew all this but couldn't tell her? In that instant, her heart shattered. She felt herself carried off her feet by the rush of incoherent impressions. Her roommate, and practically best friend just betrayed her, and the boy whom she thought she loved just told her she was just some pawn. Her jaws clenched as her eyes stung. Cole looked up like he had more to say, but she stopped him.

"Leave." Lyn peremptorily commanded with gritted teeth, and a faint accent of reproach.

"Lyn. I'm so sorry... just let me fix this." Cole stepped forward.

"Leave." She ordered again, her tone rising this time.

"Lyn, come on."

"I said fucking leave!" Lyn yelled, her left hand gripping the edge of the wall.

Cole was as stubborn as could be and he still didn't take her threats seriously even though her eyes were filled with tears. He tried to reach for even a strand of her hair, and that was when something caught his eye. It slowly came to light, and when it did Cole's blood instantly ran cold.

"LEAVE NOW!" Jack yelled even louder with his whole mouth wide open, causing a gush of wind to blow Cole back. It was indeed a sort of spectacular display of wrath. Lyn stood still unmoved, feeling the heat from Jack burn through her back and her nape, while Cole cowered in fear. The shock robbed him of speech. They both watched him shuffle to his feet as he took to his heels without even thinking about the car he parked far off.

Cole was out of sight, and Jack and Lyn went inside. And just like she stood earlier today eavesdropping on Cole's conversation with his friends, she was right in the center of the living room, eyes filled with pain.

"Lyn, I only just heard him today, and I meant to..."

"Don't." Lyn stopped her, avoiding eye contact, and walking past her to her room.

A shudder seized on Maud and she cast her gaze on Jack to ask him what to do. And that was when she saw Jack crouched, holding his head. She sniffed and walked toward him with urgency. She grabbed his shoulders, pulling them up to meet his eyes.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Maud asked.

"A voice..." Jack slowly uttered, eyes blinking like fireflies. "I hear a voice."

"What does it say?" She had to ask.

Jack hesitated, as if to remember what that painful moment had left in his head. "Your soul... is mine." Jack answered.

Maud couldn't stop thinking about what Jack had just told her, and what she might have just done. Lyn still wasn't talking to her, and Jack was acting all strange. He'd become restless ever since he'd been hearing the voices in his head, and finally he budged.

He stood tall, holding his lamp in his hand, and this caught Maud's eyes. She was still standing at Lyn's doorstep, begging her to open up, and she saw Jack about to leave.

"Jack. Jack. Where are you going?" She padded quickly to him.

Jack turned to look, and his eyes now deep green. "It’s calling out to me... I have to respond."

"You don't know who, for sure." She said, and she turned to look at Lyn's shut door. She hesitated and then she said. "Let me come with you."

"No. You stay here... with her." Jack instantly refused, and with that, slowly took his leave.

Maud watched, in tears, as Jack opened the door and stepped out of their apartment. She looked back again, and Lyn still hadn't opened up, despite all the knocks. Her heart grew heavy as she felt the whole world collapsing upon her, and at that moment she realized that she'd hit a crossroads. What was she supposed to do? She wondered, standing helplessly in their living room.

****

Jack didn't bother using his shades or hat, as it was already night, and the pain was getting unbearable. As it fed on his brain, it kept whispering words in it, guiding him to where to go. The voices in his head had led him far away from Maud and Lyn's apartment, and had brought him to a totally new street. This part looked quiet, and had a towny feeling. He stopped right in the middle of the street, not caring if a car was coming behind with his lamp to lead the way. All the unknowns of the night and of the universe were pressing upon him. The voice seized on him again, and it made him look ahead. Not quite far from where he stood, was a manhole cover, and it seemed as if the voices were coming from there. Jack looked around him, with only one or two people passing by, not to even notice him, and then he proceeded. Goaded on by his sense of strange importance. The manhole looked like it led to the sewers, and without thinking, Jack dived in.

The sewers were a despicable place even for him. Smelly air, and starved rats everywhere. Jack followed the voice still, making turn after turn. The faint yellow lights along the hollow-like passage lighted his way as he dragged his feet in dirty water. He was getting close, and he could feel it. The sound was getting stronger and he could feel it too. He then made a right turn, and it felt like he'd arrived at the spot. Far off, at the extreme of the tunnel, with one turning on both sides, was something very diabolical. The voice called him to move closer, and as he did, it all became clear to him. Before Jack's eyes, lying helpless on the floor with lots of voodoo junk scattered around was a... leg-less woman, with too many clothes for one person.

"I have been waiting for you... Stingy Jack!" The woman drawled, and Jack couldn't believe his eyes and ears.