Tele-Journey

Tele-Journey Part 4

The following day was cloudy,nice weather,perfect weather to hold any special occasion.It was a funeral for the people that died by the terrorist incident in Braintech Centre.Carol wasn't there for her father.She had no strength to do anything.In her mind,she wanted revenge for her family.Carol has been thinking of a way to expose Professor Allen who murdered her father in front of her.But,just by thinking of it,she realized no one will believed her words.She could never do such things because there were many rumors about him and Braintech already and nobody believed it.
It's probably easy for him to shut people's mouths with money.From that moment on,she decided to leave behind her house in Zsantos.Leave her college.She decided to leave everything behind.Carol will expose that man's true face.Then,she headed north,where Xsandiora is located.
James slowly opened his eyes.His head felt really hurt,his right arm was scratched and worse of all, he lost his left leg.He wailed in pain.He woke up in a really messy tent,he didn't know where he was.After that,an old looking guy with a really messy hair and a thick beard entered the tent stared at him and went back out.James became even more anxious.Afterwards,another guy entered the tent but this time James definitely recognized who it was.It was Luke.
"You're Luke Morino right?"James was surprised.
Luke looked into his eyes.
"YOU ARE LUKE RIGHT?!"James couldn't hold it anymore.
"James,calm down..."Luke tried to calm him.
"NO!Don't give me that...Where am I?What is this place?WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SISTER??MY FATHER?? WHERE?WHERE ARE THEY?Tell me Luke..Tell me where are they?Where have you been this whole time?"James cried himself out.
Luke was frozen.He couldn't explain himself.
"Come with me,I'll show you."Luke held his hand out.
James grabs his hand and gets off the stretcher.Luke gave him a walking stick to support James movement since he lost his left leg.Both of them got out of the tent.It was midnight,the moon was shining and it was packed with people.James was astonished by seeing this place.It looks deserted but lively.Kids were playing here and there,a lot of bonfire were installed to enlighten the area.As soon as James saw few guys in a mask holding firearms he immediately knew that he was in a territory of the terrorist.Later,they stopped upon an abandoned-looking building.James saw light so there must be the residents inside.
"Mom,I'm home."Yelled Luke.
"Oh my god you're back, dear?Look at how much you've grow,it has been two years since I last saw you.When did you get here?"Luke's mom asked him excitedly.
"I was at Jerome's House two days ago,discussing some stuff.And yesterday we went to settle some jobs in the city.You're not going to believe what happened yesterday,we were almost trapped by the police. Luckily I blew a hole on the ground that led the way to where we parked the van!"Luke told his mom excitedly.
"Oh, by the way I brought home a friend.This is James."Luke introduced James to his mom.James was stunned.He just heard the most abnormal conversation ever and couldn't help but to leave the building.It was rude of him but,he was in fear after all.He walked away with his walking stick.
"James, where are you going?"Luke asked him.
"ANY PLACE BUT HERE!"James shouted.
"I'm not going to stay in this criminal territory!"
"Excuse me,this is my home."Luke kind of pissed.
"Of course it's your home because you're one of the criminals!"James said mockingly.
"Well these so-called criminals are the ones who saved your life."Luke replied.
James became speechless.He sat down on the ruined stairs and cried again.He was so tired that a lot has happened in a blink of an eye and now he's lost in the middle of an unknown town full of strangers.He didn't even trust Luke anymore.Luke sat beside him.
"This is Xsandiora,people around here called it the Town of Ghost.Perhaps we are the ghost itself.''Luke explained to him.
"Why?Because this place is deserted??"James asked.
"Probably."He answered.
"Why did you save me Luke?You could've just let me die."James struck him with a question.
"We heard it all.Your small talk with Professor Allen."Luke told him.
"Painful isn't it?Being betrayed."
"Yeah."James admitted.
Luke stood up,looking at the starry sky that night.
"For your information,we are not terrorists,we're here living our life the same as the people in the city,the same as you do.We are being labeled "terrorist" because of the likes of him.Not only him exactly."Luke addressed Professor Allen.
"You mean the higher ups?"James guessed.
"To be precise,the government itself.The Xsandiorans were betrayed by the government.They made an agreement 20 years ago to develop this town but the truth is they wanted to wipe Xsandiora out and rebuild it as their new part of the city."Luke explained.
"But why?That city is big enough and they have more advanced technology of their own."James shared his thoughts.
"It's never enough James,if they were given half of the earth itself they will still crave for the other half.That is just how cruel this world is."
"Now that they have stolen your idea,we don't know what they might do with it."Luke answered.
"That is unfair.How cruel it is to wipe out a town that is filled with people,unforgivable."James responded with anger.
"Now you understand how we feel."Luke seems relieved that James has calmed down.
"But why,you people stay here?Just move to another town.You can live a better life than like this,you won't need to danger yourself with these bombing and stuff."He suggested.
"Alright,first of all,we don't want to leave.Second,we're not doing it for fun,are we clear?Luke stated.
"I don't understand,why do you need to do all these crimes?Didn't you live in Zsantos too?"James became puzzled.
Luke sighed.He was tired of explaining things to James.He would never understand how things are going in there.He went silent for a moment.
"If I asked you to do me a favor would you do it?"Luke asked him.
"Depends."He responded.
"We will be executing our next mission in two weeks from now.So, I would like you to assist us."Luke asked James to join him in his organization.
"No."James refused instantly.
"Of course there is a payment-"Luke convinced him.
"No."
"Come on,don't you want to change the world with your invention?"Luke tried again.
"Yes...But not this way.I'm not a criminal like you."James didn't want to accept the offer.He Had enough,he just wanted to see his family again.He wanted to go home.
"Then you're going to let the real criminal in that city destroy us all using the technology they've stolen?Is that what you want?Are you going to let him do the same thing again to other people after what he did?"This time Luke was sure he would help them.James went silent for a moment.Wondering what he was supposed to do.
"I just want to go home."Said James.
"Then you gotta help us."Luke replied
"How does that work?"He inquired.
"You can't leave Xsandiora.The government has banned people from entering this town are.If you were to be seen at the border you will be killed."Luke answered.
"You're lying,then how did you get in?"James refused to believe him.
"Idiot,that's why I told you only we could help."Luke smirked.
"Give me some time to think."James couldn't decide.
"Alright,I'll be back tomorrow.You can sleep inside."Luke offered.
Then,Luke shows him the place that he always sleep.
"Sorry,we only afford hammocks here,if you want a bed you can find one at the furniture store across the street."Luke was joking.
James lies on the hammock,staring at the ceiling.
"Have a nice sleep friend."Luke wished him goodnight.
"Where are you going?"James asked him.
"Somewhere.You'll know it if you agree to my offer you'll know it."He smiled and left.James couldn't sleep.He couldn't decide whether to help Luke or not.He's still thinking about his family.Sadly,he didn't know what happened to his father.It was cold,smells of dust and painful for James because of his injuries .However,James still believed his family is in good situation,he reminisced their smile and when they were happily together.His eyes began to cracked,then tears fell on his cheeks.After being pensive for almost half an hour he fell into slumber.