The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 12

Chess

It's a nightmare, he tells himself. I am going to wake up any moment now. He feels a cold chill down his spine but his palms are sweaty. He runs them through his hair trembling. Kas has covered his face with hands, his body almost unmoving. The titan is gently patting his back. "Kas", Chess tells hoarsely, finding it difficult to speak. "I am sure Kaya did not have your notebook; this is all a big misunderstanding". Kas doesn't react nor does he look up.

The titan looks up at him and Chess's heart sinks at her cold expression. Her face seems to have been carved in ice but her eyes are burning with anger. "Chess, please leave", she tells him politely. "Our business is concluded, will make sure Drake gives you the remaining money that we owe you. "She turns and calls out to Drake. "Honey", she tells Drake who saunters in with his usual grumpy face, "Please sort out whatever we owe this person. Don't negotiate or bargain. Give him whatever he asks for "But, I don't ever want to see him here again". "Drake looks surprised but doesn't question her further.

"I will meet Zander and find out what he knows", Chess tells them desperately. The titan's cold face melts in a furious expression as she lashes out at him "Don't you think you have done enough already? You are responsible for Kaya being in danger. Do you really think Zander is just going to hand Kaya over to you??" She wipes away the angry tears from her face and Drake looks horrified. "She never cries, never", he tells Chess. "What have you done"?? He goes threateningly towards Chess, his beefy hand rolled into a hard fist.

"Please stop", Kas gets up and walks up to them. "All of you, please stop". Drake grumbles but moves away from Chess and the titan goes quickly to Kas's side. Kas's face is red and puffy. Chess is having an out of body episode by now. He feels as if he is inside a tv set, part of a fiction drama scene. Someone will change the channel soon and all will be normal again. "Dor, Chess", Kas tells them firmly "I do not hold any one here responsible for what may have happened. So please don't blame yourselves or each other. Dor, Chess, no one is to approach Zander or his buddies. I don't want them knowing that you guys are involved in any way. Kas's eyes fill up again with tears as he adds in a whisper" I can't bear for anyone else to be danger. I was the one who started this and I will be the one to bear whatever else happens". Chess watches the young distraught but brave boy in front of him, suddenly understanding why the titan is so fond of him.

Dor calls after Kas as he heads for the door. "What if we are just misunderstanding the whole situation? What if Kaya did not get your notes? What if Zander and Kevin were just chatting with her? Kas smiles at her sadly and looks up at Chess. "Did you have any other book in your bag"? Chess heart is like a hard stone in his chest and his throat hurts when he whispers "No". Chess watches Kas leaving with a heavy heart. He turns to the titan desperate to pacify her. "Dor", he calls but she ignores him and turns to Drake. "Please pay him and ask him to leave. I don't want to see him again. Ever". She leaves the room as though she can't wait to get away from him. Drake comes before him and asks rudely "How much?". "Nothing, nothing at all ", Chess replies dully and walks out of the bakery.

Kas

As he walks up the path to the big house and goes straight to the main entrance. It's the first time he has walked up to the main entrance, always sneaking to the servants' entrance at the back. He rings the doorbell which is almost immediately opened by Aunt Mona. He finds the sign ominous. Aunt Mona had given him Kaya's missing news first. Aunt Mona looks surprised to see him and then hurriedly comes out and pushes him to one side "Why are you coming to the main door"? She asks is a rushed whisper." I want to see Zander", he tells her firmly. "Aunt Mona looks at him as he has gone insane "Child, are you alright? Does your Ma know you are here"? "It's ok Aunt Mona", he tells her with a confidence that does not match the jitters that are going through him right now. "Please tell Zander I want to see him".

Aunt Mona stares at him. He gives her a gentle nudge. "Please Aunt Mona, its urgent". "Ok wait here ", she tells him. "Let me check with Master Zander". After what seems like ages to his anxious mind, she finally come back and tells him. "Come, he says he will see you". He follows her upstairs. She leads him towards a room and knocks on the door. There is a come in response from inside. She opens the door and nods at him. He goes inside. It's a beautiful room decorated in shades of moss green and deep brown wood. But his eyes quickly fix on the seating area near the big window. Zander and Kevin are sitting across each other. He notes that Jackson is also there, close by ,lounging on a bean bag seat.

Jackson laughs when he sees Kas. "This should be interesting". Kas walks up to Zander who is stretched out with his arms folded and watching Kas with almost a watchful expression. The regular sneer that he always shows Kas is missing today. As Zander opens his mouth to speak, Kas asks him with a firm voice "Where is Kaya"? "What Kaya"? Jackson answers. He turns to Kevin and Zander "Have you heard of anything called Kaya? Is it a pet, a puppy??

"Kevin laughs halfheartedly. Zander shoos them both to be quiet. Kas ignores the insults and looks pointedly at Zander "Kaya is my little sister and you and your friends were seen chatting with her on the evening of the party where she disappeared." "We spoke to a lot of people at the party" Zander tells him casually. "I can't remember talking to any kid though. Kevin, was there a kid there?" Kevin shrugs his shoulders, "not that I recall."

Zander suddenly jumps up and comes close in front of Kas and Kas almost immediately takes a step back, a reflex action against his nemesis. "Have you actually come here asking us if we are responsible for your missing sister?" he asks Kas disbelievingly. Kas looks up straight at Zander "The book she had was mine, those notes were mine. She wouldn't have understood what those notes meant. Come after me Zander. Let her go".

Zander stares at Kas for a moment and gives Kas a hard shove. Kas loses his balance and trips over Jackson's stretched out legs. He faces plants on the rug. As he tries to get up, a heavy booted foot lands on his back. "Listen and listen well, you dirty little fly. I asked the maid to let you in because I was curious why you wanted to see me. I don't know where that little brat went and I don't know what notes you are talking about. If you come here again spouting nonsense again, you are really asking for big trouble". The foot moves off and Kas slowly gets himself off the floor. He wipes a blood drop from his lip and tells Zander in the same dull monotone "If you don't tell me where Kaya is, I will tell everyone about my notes".

There is a deafening silence for a moment and then before he knows it, he is almost up against the wall with Zander's hand around his neck in a vice grip. "Are you looking to die, boy"? Zander tells him angrily. His hand tightens around Kas 's neck and Kas struggles to breathe. Kevin rushes between them and pushes Zander until his grip loosens on Kas's neck.

Kas gulps down precious air into his parched lungs and tells Zander in a hoarse voice "Your reaction tells me you know what notes I am talking about". Zander's face turns a deep red and he punches Kas hard in his gut. Kas feels dizzy as Zander punches him again and slams him against the wall. Kas feels dizzy and faint but he manages to whisper, "Give Kaya back".

Zander stares at him and Kas passes out.